by Regine Abel
She sat cross-legged on the pouf, pretending to clean non-existent dirt beneath her red painted nails. The holographic marker above my stall no doubt informed her of my location when it switched to ‘occupied.’ I nodded politely and walked past her to wash my hands. If Sheila wanted a cat fight, she would initiate it. I wasn’t playing her game.
Sure enough, her footsteps echoed behind me. She sat on one of the fancy stools. I glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes dressed me down, the expression on her face calculating.
“That was quite the show you two put on just now,” Sheila said, crossing her shapely legs.
“A show?” I asked, placing my hand beneath the motion-sensor soap dispenser.
“Clinging to each other like you were drowning and sucking each other’s faces off.”
I snorted. “It’s called dancing and kissing, Sheila. Surely you’ve seen that before.”
“No need to get cute with me,” she said, her tone hardening.
“Then don’t ask for it.” I rinsed my hands. “You didn’t stalk me here to make small talk. What do you want?”
“I underestimated you.” Sheila rose from her seat. “People say you’re sweet but a ditz. Yet, I saw you playing the game.”
She approached me, hips swaying to her feline stride. The woodsy scent of her perfume tickled my nostrils. I expected her to wear a spicy perfume but the fragrance was refined and suited her. She leaned her hip against the sink, invading my space. I kept a careful eye on her while waving my hands in front of the air dryer. While effective, it was mostly silent and didn’t impede our ability to talk… unfortunately.
“Don’t get too comfortable. You’re a beautiful girl,” Sheila said, grabbing a strand of my long hair and gently letting it flow through her fingers. I recoiled but didn’t pull away from her touch. “You’ve done a great job keeping his baser instincts sated this long. However, you don’t have the class or mental acumen to satisfy anything else.”
I flinched. Of course, the bitch would hit where it hurt. Anton was smart, there was no question about that. He was right about my lack of education. I didn’t pursue studies after running from the orphanage a few weeks shy of my thirteenth birthday. He also made it clear he didn’t like my trashy clothes or behavior.
Sheila smirked, knowing she had scored a hit. “Since I too can be a nice girl, consider this your advance warning that Anton is going to be mine. I am far more suitable for him than you and my performances won’t embarrass him, unlike yours.”
Taking a deep breath in an attempt to control my anger, I faced her. “Any well-trained monkey can perform with distinction for its audience,” I said, quoting something Romero taught me. “But real class starts by not throwing yourself at the feet of the man who already declined your shameless offer at Sade.”
Sheila gasped.
“It’s also not stalking the woman of the man you covet all the way to the bathroom in a desperate attempt to undermine her confidence.”
“Now you listen to me,” she hissed, straightening.
“No, you listen to me,” I snarled getting up in her face. “I’m not playing your stupid games. You can’t intimidate or scare me. Your skinny ass was around here long before I arrived. Anton never came sniffing after it. That should tell you something.”
“It tells me I’m not some cheap whore he could buy!”
Although I did sell myself to Anton, I wasn’t a whore – not that I cared what Sheila thought. But I couldn’t resist knocking her down a notch.
I laughed. “Cheap whore, really? Has anyone ever happily paid over twelve million credits just to have you? I doubt you’d even get twelve hundred.”
Sheila’s fists clenched, her pretty face distorted by anger.
“I may be ditzy and trashy, but I’m honest. Anton knows that everything he gets from me is genuine. I truly like him.”
Sheila huffed in disbelief.
“What you saw between him and me on that dance floor was real. That’s why he still wants me. You can’t fool your audience, Sheila,” I said, spitting her name with contempt. “He knows you only want his money and status. Pleasure barges crawl with girls like you. But hey, it’s a free world. Keep peddling your wares. With luck, he might toss a few pity credits your way. Just spare me your fucking ‘friendly’ warnings.”
I stormed past her, feeling her incredulous stare burning a hole in my back. In spite of my many flaws, bitch bullying was one thing I no longer tolerated. The music industry was riddled with them. Before, I would shrink into myself and take it. Not anymore. While I still avoided confrontations, when someone brought it to me, I fought back. For the time being, Anton was my man and I was his woman. If Sheila thought I was going to roll over and let her snag him, she had another thing coming.
Closing the door behind me, I flattened the nonexistent wrinkles of my dress. I lifted my chin and strutted back into the dining room. Crossing the dance floor amidst the dancing couples was the shortest route back to Anton’s booth. From where I stood, he seemed to be having an intense discussion with Caleb. As I weaved my way through the dancers, a hand grabbed my wrist.
“Marcus…” I whispered in shock.
“Hey, Gracie,” he said, pulling me into his arms.
On instinct, my hand slid to his shoulder and I followed his lead while we began dancing. What was he doing here? When did he get here? Did he know what trouble I inherited from his debt and disappearance?
“How..? What..?”
“I’m so sorry, Gracie,” Marcus said, his face filled with remorse. “I never imagined they would come after you. They’d never done that before. You know I would never leave you in harm’s way, right?”
“You abandoned me.” My initial shock waning, my eyes prickled.
“I didn’t abandon you. The deal went to shit and I had to sort things out before it got out of hand. I thought you’d be safe here. Your hotel was paid for the month, including meals, and Peter was supposed to let you perform for some credits. Honestly, I thought you’d be fine.”
“They broke into the hotel.”
Marcus’ face twisted in anger. “Yeah… those fucking bastards. As soon as I heard, I came back here but it was a long flight. By then, you had already signed with Anton.” His eyes searched mine. “Are you alright, Gracie? Is he good to you?”
I sniffled but nodded. “Yeah, he’s alright.”
“Grace…” Marcus said with that stern tone he took when he thought I was lying.
“Well, he mostly is,” I said, shrugging. “I mean, it’s only been a month. The first week and the last two weeks were nice.”
“And the second week?”
I scrunched my face. “Why didn’t you tell me back on Jeruna? I thought you were only punishing me.”
“I was punishing you, Grace. That shit was stupid,” Marcus said, his voice taking an angry edge. “But I was also protecting you. That’s my job.”
“You should have told me how serious this was, Mar. I didn’t understand back then. I’m sure even the girls didn’t realize the repercussions for Anton and his clan.”
“What would that have accomplished?” Marcus asked. “The damage was done.”
“That damage was done, but it would have made me think twice about all the other stupid shit I did afterwards. And I wouldn’t have been blindsided getting into this deal with Anton.”
“You’re right. I should have.”
“What happened to the girls?”
The look on his face told me I wouldn’t like it one bit.
“You don’t need to hear that, Gracie.”
“I need to know. Tell me.” I nudged his shoulder, urging him to answer.
He heaved a deep sigh. “They mixed some kind of acid in Darla’s drink. It destroyed her vocal cords and half of her digestive system. She can barely speak anymore, let alone sing. Her stomach can no longer handle solid food. She’s been on suicide watch ever since.”
I bit my fist in horror but gestured for him to contin
ue. I would know the truth. The song ended and most couples returned to their tables. Marcus held me and we resumed dancing when the orchestra launched into the next piece.
“They had Kranax Beetles lay eggs inside both of Steffie’s ears, presumably while she slept. When the larvae hatched two days later, they didn’t take the shortest way out. She was left disfigured and deaf. She managed to take her life a year later.”
I rested my forehead on his shoulder, fighting back tears. They had been mean in their immaturity but didn’t deserve that extreme a punishment for a childish prank.
“Is that what Anton would have done to me?”
Marcus caressed my hair then lifted my chin to make me look at him.
“No, Gracie. Anton didn’t punish the girls. The elder clans did. Your punishment was Anton’s to decide on. Did he hurt you?”
“Yeah.” Marcus stiffened, his hold on my back tightening. “But he felt sorry afterwards and made it all better. He took really good care of me.”
Marcus stopped dancing. “Did he hit you?”
“No, Mar. He never hit me.”
“And since then?”
I shook my head. “No, he’s been nice since then.”
We resumed dancing.
“Do you like him?”
My face heated. I nibbled on my bottom lip before giving him a shy look.
He laughed. “You do like him. And you don’t mind him being Braxian? You don’t mind his face? I know how you are.”
I shrugged, feeling slightly embarrassed to be called out on how superficial I could be. “He’s only half Braxian and isn’t crazy big like the others. Plus, his body is ridiculous. No one should be that perfect – not that I mind.” I giggled. “As for his face, well he’s half Braxian so it’s normal he has that big forehead and flat nose.”
“Are you sure you like him? That it’s not just—”
“He’s not Paul,” I said, interrupting him. “Yes, I get attached too quickly and forgive too easily. Dr. Hazan would probably disapprove. Except for that one bad week, he’s been good to me. He makes me want to be better.”
“Better?” Marcus asked, looking confused.
“He sees me, the real Grace I didn’t even know existed. People only see ignorant, trashy Grace. But Anton spends time with me and talks to me, not like I’m an idiot. When I don’t know stuff, he doesn’t talk down to me or judge me. I’ve learned and discovered so many new things thanks to him. He’s such an important, busy man and yet he makes me feel like I’m worthy of his time.”
“You are not an idiot and you are worthy of his time.”
“But people don’t usually treat me that way. He believes in my potential. With hard work, he’s convinced I will be better than Seria. And he’s making me do it myself because he thinks I’m smart enough to manage. It’s hard and it sucks, but I am doing it, Mar. I see my progress and it feels good – it makes me want to be more.”
Marcus smiled and kissed my forehead.
“Gracie, you know I love you, right?”
I nodded, my throat tightening.
“I want you to be happy, to have the kind of life and stability you always dreamt of. But I’m not the kind of man who can give you that. You know that right?” he said, his eyes searching.
The lump in my throat made it hard to swallow, but I nodded again.
“I think Myers really likes you.”
I snorted. “Whatever makes you think that?”
“I met him a week ago.”
“What?” I stopped dancing in shock. Marcus forced me back into motion. “You’ve been here a week?”
He gave me a rundown of their meeting, describing Anton’s jealousy when Marcus pretended to have found the perfect man for me to test Anton’s feelings towards me. My lips quivered and I couldn’t resist kissing his cheek. Marcus had been my childhood best friend, my only lover for many years, my protector and big brother for the last year. He always looked after me, which is why it hurt so much when I thought he had abandoned me.
“Careful, Gracie, I might take that as an invitation.”
I playfully slapped his shoulder. “As if, you man whore.”
“You’ve got that right.” We both chuckled.
The music ended. Couples shuffled about around us but we stayed put until the next piece started.
“I watched the two of you dance tonight,” Marcus said. “You seemed happy together. Would you consider staying with him for the long haul?”
“Is that what you want?” I said, my chest aching.
Had Marcus tired of looking after me? We’d never been apart more than a day since we ran from the orphanage nine years ago. Had a month separation been enough for him to want to be rid of me permanently?
“It’s not about what I want Gracie, beyond your happiness. I’ve taken you as far as I can. My lifestyle isn’t for you. This…” he said, releasing my waist long enough to wave at the room. “This is where you belong, with a man who looks at you the way Myers does, and you dressed like the lady you are. You should be performing in venues like this, not Peter’s.”
“Anton doesn’t want me performing at Peter’s,” I said, my heart swelling with affection for my best friend.
Marcus looked pleased. “I hear you’re training with Romero?”
My enthusiastic nod didn’t hide any of my affection for the friendly trainer. “He’s amazing! I’m learning a lot from him. But he makes me work too much.”
Marcus threw his head back, laughing. He knew what a lazy bum I was. If we weren’t in public, I’d make a face at him. At that moment, I realized how much his absence had weighed on me. Marcus was the one person who always had my back even if he couldn’t be faithful. Since we ended our romantic involvement, I hoped he would grow out of the need to fuck everything that moved. Now, it was clear to me that my love for Marcus wasn’t that of a woman for her mate. I wasn’t in love with Anton, but looking at Marcus’ beautiful face, I felt no lust or sexual attraction, just bone-deep affection.
“I think you are where you need to be, Gracie. Myers is doing a lot of good things for you right now, opening new doors and new possibilities for a better future,” Marcus said, his tone serious again.
“Yes. I like him a lot, Mar. Today has been so perfect. I love when he’s affectionate like that. It makes me want to stay with him forever. But sometimes he gets angry, and I don’t know how to handle that. He punishes me, and that’s not ok.”
“Tell him that.”
“He owns me, Mar,” I said shaking my head. “Anton can do whatever he wants to me for five more months and I have to accept it, even the punishments, even when they’re not fair. He could torture me every day just for the fun of it if he wanted. I’m just grateful that he’s not.”
“Aww, Gracie.”
“I didn’t have a choice, Marcus! I didn’t know where you were or what to do.”
“Yes, I know and I’m sorry. Look, there are only five months left. Stay out of trouble and keep your head down. Learn everything you can to build the career you’ve always wanted. When the contract is up, I’m sure he’ll want to keep you. Then you can set your terms of what is and isn’t acceptable for you to stay of your own free will. For now, start planting the seed that you’re not okay with this kind of treatment but don’t provoke him either. And keep in mind all that Dr. Hazan has taught you.”
“Okay,” I said smiling.
“One last thing, Braxians have weird rules about women. If you plan on a long-term relationship with Anton, learn about his people and their expectations. Then you can negotiate. Alright?”
“Alright. I should go back to Anton now,” I said, as the music ended.
While I wanted to continue talking with Marcus, I had been gone too long. Dancing a fourth time in a row with him would be pushing it.
“Good point,” Marcus said, kissing my cheek before releasing me. “I’ll see you soon, Gracie.”
“Bye Mar, and thanks,” I said with an affectionate smile.
Turning towards our table, I sought out Anton who was still talking with Caleb. Our eyes met and my stomach dropped.
I remembered all too well that cold, hard expression.
CHAPTER 12
Anton
What the fuck was pretty boy doing here? How dare he touch my woman? Worse, how could she let him hold her like that for all to see? Granted, the surprise on her face when he grabbed her looked genuine. Refusing him that first dance would have been rude. Though it displeased me, I could accept that. But a second and then a third? Whispering, giggling and making fucking googly eyes at each other? As if that wasn’t enough, she kissed him. She fucking kissed him right in my face. How dare she humiliate me?
And me, like a damned idiot, let myself be conned into thinking her sweet and affectionate disposition was genuine. The way she held on to me when I said she was mine, the fervor of her response when she said she belonged to me, it sounded so sincere. Stupid fool… I wanted to march down to that dance floor and break pretty boy’s neck.
“They sure make a beautiful couple,” Caleb said. “Of course, it’s all innocent, but I expected her to at least slap him for abandoning her to his creditors.”
That freaky bastard. I wanted to smash his handsome face on the table, see how smug he would look then. It was all his fault too. Had he not intercepted me for this so-called urgent conversation, I would be home right now, balls deep inside Grace. I wouldn’t have fucked her, as per our usual. I had planned on making love to her, in a proper bed, with actual foreplay. The perfect ending to a perfect evening. Instead, I was sitting here, watching pretty boy grope my woman and pondering what punishment would most suit her latest offense.
“You have no idea how much I envy you, Anton,” Caleb said, the taunting glimmer in his eye plain to see. “Such a beautiful girl with such a sweet disposition. Should you tire of her at any point, I’ll be more than happy to buy off the rest of her contract.”