“I already have a phone.”
She smiled. “Mr. Lucien would like you to use that one. The number is written on the box, and his number is already programmed in.”
“Thank you.” What else was there for me to say?
“You’re welcome. Please don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anything else you need.” She left then.
I crossed the room on wobbly legs and flopped down on the sofa. I looked around the room once more. The closet door stood open, and I wondered how many thousands of dollars the collection of clothes and shoes represented. More than I made last year probably.
What would happen if I tried to leave? Was Ralph waiting outside to make sure I stayed put? What would happen if I left and Lucien didn’t send someone to bring me back? I’d go back to searching for temp jobs and living in my shitty apartment that would seem even worse after being tempted with this beautiful room. I’d also go back to dreaming of a man who’d treat me like I meant something, a strong man who could protect me and take care of me so I could stop worrying about survival for just a little while. A man just like Lucien.
He was the man I’d been dreaming of in almost every way, but in my fantasies, my prince was never a criminal.
A little while later, Lucien messaged me. He said that some unexpected business was taking him out of town for the night, and he would see me the next day. Not wanting to eat dinner with Lucien’s family, I found Lola in the kitchen and asked if I could take something up to my room. She prepared a tray for me and brought me another the next morning for breakfast. Ralph drove me to work, and Carla made sure I knew what my duties were for the day.
Lucien never showed up at the office, and when it was time for me to leave, Ralph was once again waiting for me in the lobby. The longer I existed in the strange new world without Lucien there to anchor me, the more agitated I felt. I needed some piece of normality, some reminder of who I really was. As Ralph held open the car door for me, I said, “I’d like to go see my uncle.”
He shook his head. “My orders are to take you back to the boss’s house.”
“Are you saying I’m not allowed to go anywhere but the house or this office?”
He shrugged. “Those are my orders.”
“Where is Lucien?”
“It’s not my business to ask questions. I just do what I’m told.”
“Please take me to my uncle’s bar. I just want to talk to him. You can stay and make sure I don’t leave.”
Ralph shook his head. “You can call your uncle. The boss won’t mind that, but I can’t take you anywhere except home.”
“It’s not my home.”
“As you say.”
Angry as I was, I couldn’t blame Ralph for not wanting to cross Lucien. I’d been following his orders too. The extent to which my life was under Lucien’s control hadn’t really hit me before, not even when I’d spent the night in his house. It had all still seemed like a dream, but now, knowing Lucien was controlling all my movements, panic set in. My heart raced, and my chest felt tight. I needed to see Lucien, to talk to him, to explain that I couldn’t belong to him. I needed to know if he would listen to me or if I was truly a prisoner.
I struggled to keep from having a breakdown on the ride to Lucien’s house. As soon as we arrived, I rushed upstairs to my room. I didn’t even reach the bed before I crumpled into a heap and let the tears come.
8
Lucien
After meeting with my new buyer, it came to my attention that there was an issue with a chop shop in New Jersey that we had an understanding with. The automotive division of our criminal enterprises dealt solely in high-end car parts, but these fuckers were trying to mix in low-end shit and charge top prices. I decided the situation needed some personal attention.
I hadn’t liked leaving Peter alone on his first night at my house, but I also hadn’t wanted him to see the side of me that was going to come out when I confronted the men who thought they could double-cross me. I’d known there would be blood, a lot of it, and Peter seemed like the kind of guy that might not do well with that. Also, what was the point of trying to protect him if I brought him into a confrontation. He was better off in Lola’s care. I just hoped Angelo and Devil hadn’t given him any shit. After the day I’d had, they’d be fucking sorry if I found out they’d shown him any disrespect.