His choked sound and the hasty way he hands me my purse tell me he saw everything. My face burns as he closes the door. Manda gives me a polite smile but is on the phone talking about a nose job. I pull out my phone and text Winston.
Me: The driver saw everything.
My phone pings with a five-hundred-dollar payment.
Me: You’re ridiculous.
I send him an eyeroll emoji.
Winston: You’re welcome.
“You look happy,” Manda says, dragging me from my phone. “Mr. Constantine put that smile on your face?”
“He can be, uh, charming sometimes.” Not exactly the word, but it’ll do.
“This ensemble is new. It’s very stylish, darling. Shows off your pretty legs. You’ll have that man falling in love in no time.” Then, to the driver, she says, “We have reservations at Blue Oak.”
Me: Blue Oak. Headed there now. Also, Manda thinks my legs will make you fall in love.
“Is that him?” Manda asks, an amused smile on her face.
“He likes it when I check in with him and let him know where I’m going.” My neck heats. “To, uh, keep me safe.”
“A gentleman.” She winks at me.
Winston: Your legs make me feel a lot of things, but love isn’t one of them.
Me: Jerk.
Winston: Aww, the little girl wants the evil man to love her.
I shoot him several middle finger emojis.
We arrive at the restaurant, and the driver opens the door for me. He’s careful to keep his eyes averted this time. Once out of the limo, Manda and I head inside. The restaurant is one she enjoys coming to. I’ve been here a couple times with her and Dad.
The hostess takes us over to a table in the corner. While Manda decides on her drink, I text Winston a picture of the menu. It’s a mixture of annoying and sexy that he tells me what I’ll be drinking. He also chooses my entrée as well. Manda is no doubt intrigued but doesn’t say anything, instead launching into stories about her work.
When the server comes back to refill my wine, I drop my napkin. He squats to pick it up just as I part my thighs. Rather than be embarrassed, the server stares for a long beat, licks his lips, and then gives me a knowing smile as he places the napkin back on my lap, covering my bare thighs.
I text Winston immediately, ignoring Manda’s confused stare.
Me: The server got an eyeful. He wasn’t embarrassed. I think he thinks I like him now.
He doesn’t reply but a few minutes later a different server appears stating he’s replacing the other one.
Me: You tell me to do something and then punish the guy when he looks?
Winston: This is my game. I make the rules.
I ignore him as I turn my attention to Manda when her words make my blood run cold.
“…which is why I also invited them. So we could make peace about what happened.”
Realization dawns on me. She invited her terrible sons. I’m frozen in place until I see them enter the restaurant.
Me: How about that phone call now???
Winston doesn’t reply. Rather than letting the assholes swarm me, I stand up and excuse myself. I hurry to the restroom, eager to escape those bastards. Once in the safety of the women’s restroom, I let out a heavy sigh of relief. I make my way into a stall and sit on the closed toilet lid as I wait for Winston to call me.
By running off, I let them win.
They’ve succeeded in intimidating me.
My skin crawls as I remember the way Scout brutalized me. His threats. I’m not looking to repeat any of that. Manda is delusional if she thinks they’re going to behave.
Me: I’m in the stall waiting. What are we doing? Phone sex? Want to just come get me? I’ll fuck you for real. I don’t want to go back home.
No response.
Me: Look . . . a freebie for you.
I spread my thighs and angle the camera between my thighs.
Nothing.
Me: Please come get me, Win.
The desperation in my texts is embarrassing, but I hate the idea of going back out there and having all three of their eyes on me.
I try calling Winston to no avail. Tears threaten as panic consumes me.
Breathe, Ash.
You can do this.
With my phone tight in my grip, I make my way out of the stall. I linger by the sink, working up the nerve to leave this bathroom, tell Manda something came up, and take an Uber anywhere but here.
The door opens and footsteps file in. All the muscles in my body tighten as three vicious man-boys in dress clothes swarm me. Sparrow and Sully take their place on either side of me and Scout crowds me from behind.
I’m trapped.
“Move,” I growl, my voice trembling despite my false bravado.
Scout laughs, cruel and mocking. “No.” He cups my ass, giving it a squeeze over my dress. “In fact, I’d quite like to bend you over this sink and make you scream. What do you think, sis? Feel like getting fucked by all three of your brothers in a bathroom like a nasty, paid-for whore? Will it make it better if we buy you jewelry? Is that what Constantine does? Do you get paid to suck his little dick?”