“Don’t play games with me… Get dressed. I have somewhere I need to take you.” His words are a command. I reach for my clothes to get dressed without thinking. He has that much power…
My body hums with anticipation. It had been hours since I have last seen Zerro. He left me breathless and hot and bothered standing in his room. My hands drift over the tight satin fabric that clings to my body. When he told me to get ready, that we had to go somewhere, I didn’t expect to be dressed up.
I have never looked this sexy in my entire life. My hair is in loose curls that fall softly down my back. The dress is black satin and sparkles in the light. A sweetheart neck line and tight bodice show off every curve.
My makeup is done to perfection; a smoky eye gives way to accenting my eyes. Looking in the full length mirror, I hardly recognize myself.
“Don’t fret, you look beautiful.” His voice is commanding as it always is, pulling everything in the room to his attention.
Still looking in the mirror, I skim a finger across my chest. It is creamy white, and I worry I will stick out like a sore thumb in this black dress.
I turn around, becoming very aware of his presence. He is standing before me in charcoal grey suit with a white buttoned up dress shirt underneath. The first couple buttons are undone, and I can’t pull my eyes from that piece of flesh.
“You’re to be on your best behavior tonight. Understand?’ He pulls the side of his suit over, showing me his gun. It is a warning: if I act out, he isn’t afraid to use it. The look in his eyes tells me he will.
“I will be…” I murmur.
“Good,” he replies, smiling as he leads me out the door and down the stairs. His men are dressed similarly to him, but they are wearing ties, blood red ties. I don’t find that as a mere coincidence as I’m sure blood will be spilled this evening.
We all assemble to the black SUVs. Zerro and I are ushered into the middle one while some of his men get in the other ones. Mack joins us, his eyes clinging to me, making me feel beyond uncomfortable.
Zerro seems cool and collected as he stretches his limbs and slides into the seat next to me. It is as if a mask slips onto his face. I am starting to understand there is a difference between business Zerro and pleasure Zerro.
“Mack, let the men know we are on our way.” His voice is firm and assertive.
“Yes, sir,” Mack simply responds, never questioning him. I sit in my seat fidgeting with my hands, unsure why I am going with them. Is there a reason? Is he going to whore me out to his friends? Kill me? Fear trickles into my stomach, eating away at all the warm fuzzy feelings he inspired this morning.
His phone rings in his pocket, and I look at him as he reaches into his pocket to pull it out. He swears under his breath before pushing a button on the screen.
“Why are you calling me, Luke?” Zerro’s voice is venomous, causing my heart to shake in my chest. I avert my eyes to stare out the window, not wanting to see the man I met this morning disappear.
“I don’t fucking care! You bring all of them with you. Every single last one. If they don’t have the money, I will put a bullet in their heads. Got it?”
Whatever Luke says calms him slightly, but when I look back over at him, one of his hands is sunk deeply into his dark locks. He is frustrated.
“No. If you don’t do as I say, I’ll have a bullet with your name on it too.” Luke isn’t given a chance to respond because the phone is thrown across the seat.
“Sir… I can try and figure out what’s wrong.” Mack is trying to be helpful or so it seem. Concerned is etched into his features, but it seems fake to me in a way. He is tall, dark, and incredibly handsome. His features are very similar to Zerro’s, and for a second I wonder if they are related.
“No.” he says firmly. Mack turns in his seat, his eyes catching mine in the rearview mirror. There is a warning, not the kind that says if you do something, I’ll hurt you, but one that says be careful, tread lightly.
No fucking way will I be shining a spotlight on myself. I want to get out of this alive. The ride couldn’t have been more than twenty minutes, but it seems like an eternity while I am in the car with Zerro. The tension comes off of him in waves, and I can tell he is fuming angry. I am terrified by this man.
Everyone pours from the vehicles, and when I get out, I look around. I think we are at some kind of night club. A long line of partiers stands before us – women and men of all shapes and sizes. I am wobbly on my feet as Zerro presses his hand firmly on the small of my back.
“You don’t have to be an asshole to me just because you’re mad at someone else…” I whisper for his ears only, feeling as if I am running to keep up with his pace.
He smiles, a tiny one. “I have to be an asshole at all times. Weakness is showing mercy to others. I can’t let these people see that.”
We pass the line of people, and we’re let through by a big, muscular guard dressed in all black. He looks like he fights for a living. He stamps something on my hand, and we are on our way.
Through the doors, I hear the music pounding and see lights swirling in different directions in various colors. Anticipation and excitement builds in me to be in there dancing and singing, but I am pulled away instead. Zerro pulls us to the right and down a long hall until we come to a door.