Marcus snapped his fingers, and the girls on the couch stood. "Take her to Mama, and have her cleaned up. Tell her that I want this diamond to be perfect, and she’s for the guest. No one touches her." He emphasized his last words to his brother, who didn’t look too happy about that.
The girls came for me and dragged me out.
Rasping, I looked behind me and at my sides. There were armed men everywhere. I can’t run. My purse was gone, too, alongside my phone. I must have dropped it after Milo hit me.
I don’t know how long we walked, but we were suddenly in a place that looked like a dressing room, with mirrors everywhere, and a bit crowded.
"Get moving! You’re up next, don’t waste my time." A woman barked at the girls in far too revealing outfits.
"Mama! From Marcus," one of the girls who dragged me here said.
A middle-aged woman turned to us, hair completely white and kept short.
This Mama took a drag on her cigarette. "And what do we have here?"
"A gift for that guest."
She was suddenly tense at the mention of it, pressing the bottom of the cigar on the ashtray.
"I thought I was meant to make that choice. Ashley was perfect."
"Seems like he changed his mind."
Mama eyed me closely, and I caught the confusion in her gaze.
"Sit her down."
My butt dropped on the chair, and Mama pulled out the drawer, taking out a first aid kit.
"I have told him several times not to manhandle my girls."
"It was Milo," one of the girls said before walking off to fix themselves at the mirror.
"Of course I know that." Mama sat in front of me to use the cotton on my cheek, but I flinched away.
She slapped my thigh, and I gasped with wide eyes. "That was a warning."
I hissed when she dampened the cotton lightly on the bruise.
"I know my girls... down to the birth mark on their skin. You’re not one of mine."
Relief washed over me, and even though she was clearly being a bitch right now, I was hoping to appeal to her in some way, before it’s too late.
"I-I’m not. I came here with my friends, and I got lost."
"Hmm..." she hummed. "Then congratulations, you’re about to leave here rich."
My heart dropped. "W-What?"
She can’t be serious!
"My advice? Play along if you don’t wanna get yourself killed."
I gritted my teeth when she pressed the cotton at the corner of my mouth that ached more.
"This won’t do. Get me ice!"
~☆~
My breath was shaky as I pulled down the shiver mini dress like I magically wanted it to grow longer. It was far too short, and I wore nothing beneath.
With my platinum straight wig still on and the reapplied makeup that was sharper than the one I wore before. I don’t look like myself anymore. I looked like one of them. A doll.
What am I gonna do? I’m about to entertain God knows who, and I could already picture what was gonna happen next.
Think, Catherine, think! You got yourself in this mess; there must be a way out.
Phone! I thought that, but having been here for over an hour, I hadn’t seen any cell on this cluttered table. Wait... needle. I saw one clipped in a feather.
I was led out of the dressing room. My eyes searched for any escape route I could use if I got the chance. I spotted a cook and realized there must be a kitchen nearby, which means a back door. If I could make it there.
We got to a suite not too far away from the VIP area, and as we made a turn in the lobby, I saw different men lining the wall, all wearing suits.
I clenched my dress to keep from shaking, my heart pounding so loudly in my eardrums.
I was told to wait as Milo walked into the room. I’m surrounded everywhere, and even if I tried to run, I won’t make it.
"It’s such an honor to have you here."
I couldn’t tell if it was Milo or Marcus speaking.
"This is just the encore. I assure you that in a month we’ll become the biggest. I know how much you value profit and this is gonna be just that."
"You gave a much better offer than Voss." Another voice said. "You saved us the trouble of partnering with that snake. He would have run us in the mud before we even got the chance to speed up."
Voss? Are they talking about Noel Voss?
"We’ve got something for you, consider it a gift."
I backed away, but I bumped into a guard who grabbed my arm.
"She’s one of our specials. You’re gonna love her."
I was thrust forward, bracing my hand on the wall for balance.
With a trembling body, I walked into the room, my seven-inch stilettos click-clacking sharply. I clenched and unclenched my hands as I lifted my gaze, overwhelmed by the three eyes on me.
Milo and Marcus were seated opposite each other on the sofa, with someone in the middle.
There was a brown cigar between his black gloved fingers, the bottom burning an angry red. His legs were crossed, and his expensive, shiny shoes mirrored the lights in the ceiling.
I narrowed my eyes, straining to see, but the lights didn’t touch his face. All I could glimpse was a haze of smoke curling around him.

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