om, her heartbeat quickening the mom

or just a moment, taking in the scene before her. A handful of guests lounged casually on the sofas, their eyes gla

sts that held her att

As soon as their eyes met, the younger girl's lips parted, and she took a shaky step forward

rched at the soun

turned their eyes toward Eloise, scrutinizing her like wolves eyeing prey. Eloise's breath caught in

it her like a pun

Not

feel it, deep in her bones. There was no mist

d for a way out of this. But there was no wa

ed herself, her voice a quiet w

and get out don't get inv

lowing her fear, and forced a n

hated the sound of it raspy and weak, like a reminder of how small and insignificant s

rom her and back to Mavis, who was still standing in the centre of the room, visibly

ou can't ge

ant keeping her head down and avoiding trouble. Getting caught up in someone el

her, not unless she gave them a reason. Besides, the girl had parents. She had a life outside

focused on the task at hand. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts! Anxi

is wine glass down with a soft clink. He turned his gaze to Mavis and spoke, his voice smooth, almost t

e the anger flare in her eyes. For a moment, it looked like she might figh

las

Mavis's dress, soaking it. Mavis's eyes widened in shock, and the room fe

rely audible. She lowered her gaze quickl

doesn't matter," she said, her words tinged with f

the summer. I'm not an escort, and I

stomach

words rang in her hea

she not understand the dang

urge to look up. She had to stay out of th

s already

om's atmosphere shifted again, a low hum of barely restrained menace filling the air

nish cleaning, an

ught it, she knew t

he glass of wine, set it down with a deliberate

to Racheal," he said, his voice casual, bu

ch

ise thought, feeling a wave of sympathy for her. Racheal was the manager of the club, and if she found out about th

e reached for the glass, her fingers trembling, but before

ai

ower that made Eloise's blood run cold. She froze. Her hea

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She knew that

n ar

It wasn't even a ques

er to turn and run, to get away from this nightmare. But her legs moved against her will, her feet ca

nd screamed, but her

d, her eyes me

s feathers. His posture was almost regal; his arm draped casually over the back of the sofa, his chin resting on his hand, eyes gleaming with cold amu

ught, her heart thudding

s he

is voice smooth, carrying the weight of years of power and cr

ome. She had to force the words out. "Mr. William," she whi

ack?" he asked indifferently, his tone flat, as though they were old ac

the truth the horrors she'd endured, the way she'd been broken. But she knew he already kne

f to meet his gaze, even as her he

d at the bottle of vodka in Mavis's trembling hands. "How about you drink this bottle of

turning to ice. The bottle of vodka seemed to mock her, t

ence is

cold, and Eloise felt a w

because of the wine, but because the thought of anything to avoid drinking it was mor

rkened, his smile fadin

neel for that?" His voice was mocking now,

gn

her pride long ago, along with everything else. Sh

ispered, her voice hollow.

yes glinting with a mixture of a

ing as she lowered her gaze, no

," he said his voice laced with mockery. With a snap of his finge

ordered. "Do that

nt wide. She cou

th disbelief and dread. She wanted to scr

ted, his voice cold and f

ears. Neither option was an

ng to

to keep h