I think it would be worse if Antonio got what he wanted from me, then pushed me just as quickly out the door. Suffering the loss of my mama was about as much as I could take this year. Looking over my shoulder I take one last look at him before quickly pulling my eyes away. All I want to do is crawl back into that bed and find out if all he’d said was true. My heart tries to convince me it might be worth the hurt. But my head…
Quietly, I slip my dress back on and look for my thong, which is nowhere to be found. Giving up, I put on my shoes and grab my purse before making my way out of the penthouse. I keep my eyes down the whole time, not wanting more memories of this place than I already have. The ones I have are probably going to sweetly haunt me for years to come.
When the elevator finally arrives, it opens and Sam, the blonde from last night, is in it. A knowing half-smile plays on her lips. I don’t want to give anything away, that my heart is aching and that I’m undoubtedly doing the walk of shame. However, I’m sure she can see it all over me because I’m breaking one of my own rules: never go out in public without make-up. I give her my best smile, trying the ‘fake it until you make it’ approach.
“You waitin’ for me?” I have an eerie feeling she’s been looking for me.
“I might have had a feeling you’d end up sneaking out of Don’s penthouse. You’re a runner. That’s clear as day, no matter how well you think you hide it.” Her words don’t come out smug or like she’s got something on me. It’s more like she knows the feeling. Like she’s done some running of her own.
“Got to leave them wanting more.” The saying might be true, but I don’t mean it in this case.
“Oh, I’m sure you left him wanting more, but you’ve got no plans on giving him that little more he’s going to chase you for.”
I look her in the eyes and study her for a moment. Last night she seemed a bit cold, but now I can see the softness in her eyes.
“You’re right. I’m running. A man like that,” I point towards the now closed elevator doors, remembering that I haven’t hit a button, “could break me. And I’ve had all the breaking I can take,” I finish before pushing the button to my floor. I want to get my bags and get the hell out of Dodge.
“You’re right. Don goes through women monthly. Wines and dines them, then sends them on their way all broken-hearted. The little lies he whispers in their ears aren’t true. He says he won’t let you go until he gets his fill of you, but you know how men are when they think something belongs to them. He’ll blackball you. There won’t be a casino in town that will let you in the doors.”
I squeeze my eyes closed at her words. Shit. He played me. Maybe that was my karma for the few men I played when I’d first gotten to Vegas. At least I didn’t fill their minds with lies or grace their bed.
“He’s a hard dog to keep on the porch.”
I snort.
“I was sure you were a Yankee, but you seem to have a little taste for the south,” I say around an empty laugh because that’s how I’m feeling. Empty. I have no idea where I’ll go when I leave Vegas or how long the money I have will last me.
“I like to have a taste for all things.”
The elevator opens, and I make my way out. “Do me a favor. Give me a head start before you tell him I’m gone.” I have no clue where this woman’s loyalties lie. She’s too hard to read, or maybe I’m just slipping. First Antonio and now her.
She doesn’t answer me, just follows me out.
“Thirty million dollars for thirty days of your time.”
I stop walking at her words and turn to look at her.
“To be a Mistress?” I ask, remembering Antonio’s words about her from last night. He talked about her with respect, but now I don’t know what was the truth and what wasn’t from him. Could I sell myself? Wasn’t that what my mother did? She might have married those men, but she only did it for their money.
“Thirty million dollars to be at the beck and call of one of the richest men in the world. Your contract will be the strictest, and you can help guide some of the rules. Some. Of course, you are to have sex with him. The money is more about the anonymity to these men, and the fact that you don’t ask them questions. You’re their Mistress, and they can come and go as they please.”
“I don’t think—”
She cuts me off before I can protest. “Only a few men will be at your Auction. I already have them in mind. I know you’re just their type. The bidding starts at thirty million. Who knows how high it will go.” She holds her hand up, knowing I’m about to chime in. “Think about it. Thirty days and you're set for life. That’s at least a million dollars a day. No more cons or counting cards. Free.”
“The men—”
“Vetted. I don’t make it easy for men to get into Auctions. They have to do more than pay. Never has one of my girls been hurt. I have a lot of powerful men in my pocket. Others know not to cross me, and hurting one of my girls is something that would never be tolerated.”