Christmas Captive: A Holiday Romance

by Isabella Starling

  I walked into the casting room where the casting committee was waiting. I greeted them, but no reply came from the group. There were two men and a woman there, and they all regarded me with bored looks. They were probably exhausted from their long day. I knew I wouldn’t impress them with my looks alone. Luckily for me, my dancing was the star of the show, and I just knew I was right for the role.

  “Get into position,” the gray-haired woman sitting behind the long table mumbled, sounding bored. “Start the music.”

  The woman who’d called me in sat down at the piano, stretching her fingers and starting to play. The familiar notes of Profokiev’s melody awoke something deep within me, and I got into the starting position, ready to impress.

  As the melody changed to Juliet’s soliloquy, I began to dance. I twirled and twisted my body in tune with the music, managing to forget all about the people watching me as I made the dance my own.

  I felt their eyes on me as I moved through the room. The man from Le Cabaret was making me nervous, but I tried not to let it show. Confidence, even when faked, could hide a multitude of sins.

  I danced until I was out of breath, and the piano player slowed to a stop. I stopped in the fourth position and was shocked to hear two of the casting members clapping for me.

  I looked up with a bright smile, my eyes fixing on the other man in the team, with a head of thick silver hair.

  “That was…” The man’s eyes sparkled. “Unforgettable. You were absolutely fantastic. Magnificent.”

  “Thank you,” I managed, fighting off the traitorous blush in my cheeks as I looked down, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it.”

  “It was breathtaking,” the grey-haired woman added with a tight-lipped smile. “I’m impressed. We certainly saved the best for last.”

  I smiled before shifting my attention to the third man in the group, the one I was most nervous about, since he was the one who could possibly recognize me from Le Cabaret. He tapped his finger against his chin as he regarded me with a naughty look. Oh God. Had he recognized me?

  “It was good,” he finally said, never taking his eyes off me. “Very good.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “We’ll be in touch,” he ended the conversation. “Expect a call soon.”

  “Thank you so much.” I was giddy with excitement as I shook their hands and made my way out of the room. I expected to see Kensington there, but she was gone. I gathered my things before making my way out of the theater’s back exit. If I hurried along, I’d make it to Le Cabaret just in time for my shift.

  “Wait up!” a voice called out from behind me as I made my way out the back alley. I turned around, coming face-to-face with the member of the casting team who’d told me I looked familiar. “Amicia. Wait.”

  I stopped, turning around. “Yes?”

  He reached me in a few quick steps, grinning widely. “I remember where I know you from.”

  I paled. Fuck. He had recognized me.

  “Oh?” I asked lamely.

  “Don’t play dumb,” he said with a leering smile, taking a long look at me and prompting me to hold my coat around my body tighter. “I’d recognize those twists and turns anywhere, Kitty.”

  “Please… I…” I stuttered, and he laughed at me.

  “Everyone in there was impressed with you,” he went on. “However, as I’m sure you understand, we cannot allow a… stripper… to dance the lead role in our production.”

  “I…” I swallowed. “Of course, I understand.”

  “Unless of course…” He put out the bait, and then shook his hand dismissively. “No, I don’t think you’d like my suggestion.”

  “Suggestion?” I repeated, giving him a questioning look. “What suggestion?”

  “Well,” he went on with a smirk. “I did always like your moves, Kitty.”

  I knew where this was going. As much as I wanted to stop the bastard in his tracks, I wanted him to finish, hoping for the slight chance that he wouldn’t be the prick I’d expected him to be.

  “What do you mean?” I questioned him, raising my brows.

  “What I mean,” he went on, taking a step forward and taking my hand in his. “I can keep your little secret if you show me some more of that dancing you love to do so much, when you take your clothes off. In private.”

  My blood boiled at the thought. This was blackmail, pure and simple. The others would have given me the starring role, but this bastard was intent on making me grovel for it.

  “I don’t think so,” I hissed, snatching my hand away from him. “And I don’t appreciate your lewd proposition.”

  “Lewd?” He laughed, his demeanor changing in a split second. “You’re one to talk, Amicia. But alright. Consider it a missed opportunity.” He smirked. “I was going to put out a good word for you with the other productions. But now… Don’t be surprised if you don’t get a role for a long fucking time. Kitty.”

  The man was vile, and I wasn’t going to stick around to listen to more of his insults. I ran down the alleyway. Thankfully, he didn’t follow me.

  I was going to be late for my shift, but I found it hard to care. Tears burned my eyes as I walked the six blocks from the audition to Le Cabaret. I felt ashamed. Taken advantage of. And I knew the man had been right. There would be no more roles for me, not with his word against mine.

  I remembered the card Capri had given me, the weight of it heavy in my pocket.

  With trembling fingers, I took the card out, reading the name and number again. Was I brave enough to call? Brave enough to risk it?

  I didn’t have a choice.

  I had to do it.

  Pulling my cheap cell phone from my coat’s pocket, I typed in the number from the business card. After taking a long breath, I hit the call button. Here we go.

  It rang for ages before a rattly sounding voice finally picked up. “Dmitri Sokolov, how can I help you?”

  “H-H-Hello,” I stuttered, hating myself for coming off weak. “I… I’m not sure I’m calling the right place…”

  A low chuckle put me right in my place. He knew what I was calling about, of course he did. “Hello, little doll. Are you calling me about the auction?”

  “Y-Yes,” I managed, raising my chin up high with determination. “I’m calling about Couture House. I’d like to participate in the auction.”

  “Who sent you?”

  “What?”

  “Your reference,” he repeated. His voice was accented, but his English was perfect. “Who told you about Couture House?”

  “Uh, Capri. Capri Sorrento.”

  “Ah, Capri,” he laughed easily. “Such a wonderful, sweet little girl. And your name?”

  “Amicia. Amicia Romano.”

  “Another Italian?”

  “Yes, well…” I swallowed. “My parents were. I never knew them.”

  “Tragic,” he said, the word devoid of emotion. “You need money?”

  “I do,” I went on.

  “You know Capri from Le Cabaret?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ah. And which one are you?” His voice was amused.

  “I… My performing pseudonym is… Kitty.”

  “Kitty?” he repeated, sounding more and more amused. “The infamous Kitty?”

  “I… suppose so, yes.”

  “Perfect.” His voice was a low purr now. “You’ll do just fine with us, Amicia. Or shall I call you Kitty? Which do you prefer?”

  “Amicia is fine,” I muttered. “So… what do you need from me?”

  “To show up in Notting Hill, at an address that will be sent to this number, December first at six p.m. We will prepare you for the auction.”

  “But you don’t even know what I look like,” I reminded him, and he chuckled.

  “Of course I do. I know everything, Amicia, as you’ll soon find out. Will I see you on December first?”

  “Don’t you need to know what I’ll be auctioning?” I questioned. />
  “There’s only one thing we’re interested in,” he said smoothly. “And I think you know what it is.” I swallowed, hating him. “I only need to know one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Which hole are you selling, Kitty?”

  Chapter 4

  Grayson

  Kai was away for the next few weeks for me, which meant I had to deal with my third-in-command, Florian. He was Kai’s younger brother, and while he was perfectly capable of running errands, he was too young to keep a level head. He often lost his cool, making him an unreliable companion. Still, he’d have to do until Kai returned.

  That day, Florian’s duty was to report back on Skull. I hoped for the man’s sake he’d heeded my warning, but something told me he’d done anything but. As Florian returned to the penthouse, his grim expression told me everything I needed to know.

  “No luck?” I asked, and he shook his head.

  “I was inside Le Cabaret. He was still bullying the girls, demanding their money.”

  “Did you see my girl?” I demanded. Another shake of Florian’ head.

  “I think she had the day off. How would you like us to proceed, Sir?”

  “We’re going to face that bastard once again,” I said after a moment’s pause. “We’ll wait until his shift is over. I want you to come with me.”

  “Of course, Sir.”

  “That’ll be all.” I turned my attention back to the files I was working on.

  “Another thing, Sir.”

  “Yes?”

  “Here is the list you requested.” Florian handed me a manila envelope. “In there you will find photos, names and a brief bio on every one of the women being sold tonight, along with what they are auctioning off.”

  “Perfect. Thank you, Florian.” I dismissed him with the wave of my fingers, and he left me alone with my thoughts and the envelope, staring at me from my desk.

  As the door shut behind Florian, I wondered whether I should even bother looking at the list. My thoughts were still with the stunning Kitty from Le Cabaret. But I needed a distraction badly, so I ended up picking up the folder, filing through the photos.

  The women were all breathtakingly beautiful. Of course they were—otherwise they’d never have gotten in. I went through file after file, flipping through one woman to another, their names all blending together. Reese. Gianna. Capri. Amicia.

  The last one made me stop in my tracks. I hesitated with my hand on the page, then covered up the top part of her face to make sure. Yes, it was her. My Kitty in the flesh.

  I couldn’t believe my luck. How I’d been hoping for a new toy, lusting after the beautiful dancer, only to have her fall in my lap like this. It was almost too easy.

  Now I knew without a doubt I’d have to pay a visit to the auction. It was the perfect opportunity to get what I wanted. My Kitty still had no idea who I was, and that I’d been watching her closely. She’d be in for a nice surprise.

  But first, there was something else I needed to do.

  ***

  Le Cabaret was even seedier in the morning light. It was past four a.m., the most popular girls at the joint were long gone, and the place was filled with questionable characters when Quentin, my driver, pulled up in front of it.

  Florian and I got out of the cover, walking toward the building without exchanging a word. We’d already discussed what was going to happen. Florian may not have been as level-headed as Kai, but he was an important cog in my machine.

  As soon as we walked into Le Cabaret, we caught the attention of one of the guards, a thirty-something man who resembled Skull, with his shaved head and garish tattoos.

  “We’re closed,” he told Florian. There was a woman draped on his lap and another serving him drinks while he slapped her nearly bare, firm ass. But as soon as the man’s eyes zeroed in on me and he realized who I was, he was off his chair, almost too eager in his efforts to make me feel welcome. “Oh, Mr. Kline… Welcome. I’m so sorry for my rudeness.”

  I waved my hand dismissively, my eyes scanning the place to find Skull.

  “Are you looking for someone, Sir?” the bouncer asked.

  “A man named Skull,” I told him. “We’ve got some unfinished business.”

  “Of course. I’ll find him for you.”

  “We’ll wait for him behind the club,” Florian said, and the guard nodded before disappearing into the backstage area of Le Cabaret. We made our way toward the back exit, and on the way, a woman draped her arm over my shoulders, giving me a seductive look.

  “Care for a dance, handsome?” she purred.

  “Get your hands off him,” Florian hissed. “Don’t you know who he is?”

  The girl, a pretty young thing with a pale pink wig and dark blue eyes, smiled at me before a look of recognition crossed her face. It almost made me sad that she’d recognized me. It meant she knew too much about the corrupt, dark side of London.

  “Now now, Florian,” I said gently, suddenly empathetic toward the girl. She was so young. “It’s alright.” I gently pried her arms off me, and she gave me a sheepish look. “Why do you work here?”

  “I need the cash,” the girl muttered.

  “What for?”

  “My… my grandma,” she finally managed. “She’s sick. And she can’t work. So it’s just us.”

  “Are you eighteen?” I demanded, my hard gaze drilling into hers and demanding she tell me the truth. After a moment’s hesitation, she shook her head no.

  Anger pooled in my belly at the thought of the poor girl exposing herself like this when she wasn’t even legal. I pulled out a wad of cash from my pocket, and the girl’s eyes widened as I gave her the whole lot.

  “For your grandma,” I told her.

  “Thank you, Sir…” She pocketed the money hastily, as if she were afraid I’d change my mind. “What do you w-want me to do for it?” Her voice was shaky. I could tell she was afraid of what I’d ask of her, but I had no intention of making her work for my cash.

  “Don’t come back here,” I told her firmly. “And forget all about me. What’s your name?”

  “Remington,” she whispered.

  “Alright, Remington,” I said gently. “Go home. Don’t come back. Say hello to grandma from me. And don’t even think about doing something like this again.” I motioned to Florian, and he handed her my business card begrudgingly. “Call me if you need anything else.”

  The girl’s eyes were filled with tears as she looked at me. “Why are you doing this?”

  “Because,” I said firmly. “I’ve been where you are, and I wish I’d had someone to help me like I just helped you, before it was too late. Now go. Go!”

  She scrambled to her feet, leaving the main room of Le Cabaret in a rush. Florian didn’t comment though I could tell from the tension between us he was eager to say something. My look of disapproval was enough to shut him up, though.

  We made our way to the back alley. Florian blended into the shadows while I stood right in the middle of it, my eyes focused on the back exit and waiting for Skull. He appeared moments later, his gaudy tattoo standing out against the stark paleness of his skin. When he saw me, his eyes darkened, and his hands formed fists at his sides. The stupid bastard was gearing up for a fight. How foolish.

  “I hear you haven’t done what I asked of you,” I hissed at him.

  “Why would I listen to you?” Skull grunted. “You have no authority. This is my corner.”

  “This is London,” I told him. “My city. You do as I say, or you pay the price.”

  “What price?” he laughed at me. “I can take you, pretty boy.”

  “We’ll see about that. Before we do, I’ll give you one last shot to make things right between us. Will you return the money you stole and apologize to the girls you work with?” His response was a grunt, which made me sigh in disappointment. “I have to say, I didn’t have high hopes for your intelligence when I first saw you, but you manage to disappoint me more and more every time we spe
ak. It’s your call, Skull, but trust me, you’re about to regret saying no to me.”

  “We’ll see about that,” the guy snarled before lunging at me. I ducked, avoiding his punch narrowly. My hand wrapped around his neck the next second, squeezing the ugly tattoo on his throat. He never saw my other hand coming, and I hit him in the face hard enough to knock him out.

  He landed on the ground with a thud. Florian pulled himself out of the shadows and approached us, while I muttered, “Search him.”

  Skull was a groaning mess on the ground while Florian conducted the search and showed me the contents of the bouncer’s pockets. “Money, a phone, and a knife, Sir.”

  “How predictable,” I muttered. “Give me his phone.”

  Florian handed me the cell, and I clicked on the camera icon before grinning at my assistant. “Pull his pants down.”

  “What?” Skull moaned from the ground. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Showing you your place,” I replied simply before snapping a picture of his flaccid excuse for a dick. I sent off the image to his entire contact list, making sure to include his face in the shot. “Now at least the world knows you’re this way because you’ve got a sorry excuse for a dick between your legs. Sucks to be you, don’t you think?”

  He snarled, but he was too weak to pick himself up. I handed Florian the phone, discarded the knife in the alley and pocketed the cash.

  “You’re going to pay back everything you stole,” I told the bouncer. “Out of your own money. You’re going to apologize to Kitty personally, and then you’re going to quit this job and warn your little buddies what happens when you’re a piece of shit like you. Got it?”

  He glared at me, attempting to get up and lunge at me again, but Florian stepped between us, blocking the hit. Not that I couldn’t have avoided it myself. I pushed my assistant out of the way, grabbing Skull by the shirt and muttering, “And if I ever see you near Kitty again, I’ll make you wish you had never been born.”

  Chapter 5

  Amicia

  I didn’t work that day, and I was surprised when I got the call from management asking me to show up at Le Cabaret. It wasn’t to dance, and my paycheck wasn’t due another two weeks, so I had no idea what I was getting into as I walked into the building.