CHAPTER 4

I applied my make-up heavy, as I always did when working at Blue Hades. It wasn't my dream job. It's not like I grew up thinking I hope one day I work in a brothel. No, this job was one of necessity. That's all it was, a job. It didn't define me, or make me any worse than anyone else on this earth.

I stared into my brown eyes in the mirror as I applied mascara like a pro. I curled my long, brown hair and sprayed it into place before running my fingers through the curls to give it that sexy, messy look. I never wore it this way except for when I was working at Blue Hades.

I blew out a breath as I examined myself in the mirror. I tugged down on my tiny mini skirt and adjusted my slinky red top. The guys always loved red. I put a swipe of bright, red lipstick across my lips. I ran my fingers through my hair once more, trying to get as much volume as I could.

I strutted down to the main living space of the house where myself and the three other women working this Friday night gathered. I sat down on the oversized couch. Here we would sit as the gentlemen callers would enter and choose the woman he wanted to spend his evening with. After payment with Dominic we would disappear to do whatever activity the man had paid for. Surprisingly, not all men came for the sex. Some, though rare, would simply be looking for a female companion to talk to. Most would prefer an activity such as dinner, a massage, or a dip in the hot tub before moving to the bedroom for sex. Sex with strangers was never easy for me. I had cried the first few times. Then I started to get regulars, I learned to detach, and I convinced myself this was nothing more than a job to survive. There was nothing wrong with sex.

I struck my best pose, sticking my chest out and keeping my stomach tight as the first man entered. He slowly walked through the room but chose Melanie, a voluptuous blonde. The blondes always got picked. Maybe I should dye my hair? I let out a slow breath as Scott sauntered into the room.

It wasn't unusual for him to be here. He worked security. It was the way he was slowly walking through the room, looking at each woman as though he was a prospective client, which caught my attention. He always made it a point to not interact much with the working women. I watched him curiously as he made his way over to me.

"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever had the privilege of laying eyes upon," Scott smiled down upon me as he stopped in front of me.

I smiled involuntarily up at him. "What are you up to?"

He put his hand down to me and I curiously placed mine into his open palm. He pulled me onto my feet and against him.

"I do believe I paid for an evening with a beautiful woman," he smiled as he leaned in closer to whisper in my ear. "And I do believe I found her."

I pulled my face back to look at him as his hands slid around my waist. "What are you talking about?"

He shrugged innocently. "I did some odd jobs this week. Made a few extra bucks. So I'm buying my sexy woman tonight."

The gesture was sweet. Him being the 'John' for the night saved me from a stranger, but I couldn't help my mind wandering to the odd jobs he had done. They usually always involved Dominic, illegal activity, and drugs.

"So how about you and I go upstairs," he whispered into my ear, "and I get what I paid for?"

I giggled, his breath sending shivers down my spine, as I grabbed his hand and with my best strut, led him upstairs to one of the bedrooms.

---

I worked my afternoon shift at Kiki's Saturday, mentally debating if I should go to the boxing match Preston had invited me. The idea had crept its way into my thoughts every opportunity it got. Friday and Saturday nights were my only working days at the brothel, and going to see the match meant missing Saturday night, the busiest and most lucrative time.

There was something about him that latched its way in my brain and refused to let go. I saw those green eyes every night in my sleep. It's as though they haunted my dreams. Perhaps it was just guilt I was feeling. Like I owed him this because he had saved my life. I rolled my eyes in annoyance at my own thoughts. Maybe if I went to this boxing match, I would be free of whatever this stupid feeling was. I finally made the decision and took Saturday off, lied to Scott about feeling ill, and caught a bus to the address Preston had given me.

I had to walk three blocks from the bus stop to Weston's Boxing Club. Several people stood outside, smoking cigarettes as their loud voice carried throughout the dark night.

I watched them carefully as I approached. I had taken better care of my appearance tonight, styling my hair, applying make-up, and dressing in my best jeans and tank top. I didn't even know if I would see Preston or talk to him. I had never been to a boxing match before.

I showed my ID at the door. Apparently, you had to be eighteen or over to gain admittance. There was also a small cover charge, which thankfully I had on me.

I made my way into the building as the smell of sweat attacked my nostrils. A hollering crowd surrounded a square boxing ring in the middle of the room.

I headed toward it, holding my purse closer as I approached. Two large men fought in the ring, their fists pounding against each other in savage hits as the crowd cheered and taunted them on. Neither man was Preston, and I wondered where he was.

I glanced around the crowd, but his face was nowhere to be found. I did notice I was one of the few women here.

A loud bell rang out over the ruckus and I turned toward it. The referee yelled over the crowd, declaring a winner and raising one of the men's hands into the air. The crowd broke into cheers as the fighters slowly made their way from the ring.

I stood toward the back, simply observing the commotion. Two new men entered the ring wrapped in robes with their hoods up. The referee again managed to yell over the crowd as he introduced Lance Draman. One of the men opened his robe and, with the assistance of another man, pulled it off and raised his gloved hands to the sky before making the sign of the cross upon himself as a Catholic follower would.

"His challenger this week," the referee bellowed out as he pointed toward the other man in the ring in a black robe. "Preston Rayles!"

My heart skipped as Preston stepped forward with another man with the ends of his dark hair dyed blonde. The man helped Preston pull his robe off and my jaw dropped. His bare chest was hard and toned. Tattoos spotted all along his bare chest and arms. His long hair was pulled back into a messy man bun.

He smiled, the one that took over his entire face, as he bounced around the ring in his black trunks and waved to the crowd. He played upon their enthusiasm perfectly and the crowd loved it. He seemed to be a favorite based upon the roar given for him. It was the loudest I had heard so far. I stood on my tip toes, trying to see better.

A bell rang and Preston's antics stopped. He strutted over to a corner of the ring and spoke to the man with blonde highlights. A moment later, another bell rang and Preston spun around. He bounced around, showing off his quick footwork as he made his way to the middle of the ring where his competitor, Lance, waited for him.

I felt myself on edge, nerves pumping through my veins as Lance threw the first punch. Preston dodged it and threw one of his own which made contact with Lance's face. Preston quickly sprung toward him, landing a couple more punches before Lance was able to land one of his own.

I cringed as I watched the fight progress, each man swinging and punching the other. It was such a barbaric, savage sport. Thankfully, it wasn't near as ugly as I had feared.

Preston and Lance exchanged punches, but nothing as massive or as destructive as I had envisioned. My mind wandered to my past, and the vicious beatings I had seen. They had always been one-sided though, the weaker side never having a chance. My body began to tremble as fear began pumping through my veins. I took a couple deep breaths, reminding myself I was no longer there. I was safe.

After Lance fell a couple times, he finally stayed down, and the referee rushed over to Preston. He grabbed his gloved hand, raising it up into the air. I drew in a deep breath. It was over.

"The winner tonight," he hollered as the crowd went wild. "Preston Rayles!"

The crowd threw their hands into the air, cheering and hollering for Preston. I smiled, proud of his achievement as my heart began to hammer in my chest with the thought I may be able to see him now.

I began moving forward, trying to squeeze my way through the enthusiastic crowd toward the ring. I was only separated from it by a couple people as I looked up toward Preston. I wondered if he would see me from here. Maybe I could call his name?

I opened my mouth just as a thin, young blonde woman slipped between the ropes of the ring and ran over to Preston. He smiled warmly at her as she approached him. He wrapped his arms around her tiny physique and leaned down to give her a long kiss in front of everyone. The crowd cheered, and the people in front of me banged excitedly upon the side of the ring but my heart plummeted.

The blonde always got the guy.

I very clearly had read his interactions with me completely wrong. And just what did I really want anyway? I had a boyfriend, I was happy. I didn't want anything with Preston besides to say thank you. I quickly spun around, rushing back through the crowd before I chanced Preston seeing me. I ran out of the club, leaving it and Preston behind.

Clear from the mayhem and noise inside, I pulled my phone out and tried calling Scott. I got his voicemail and hung up. I blew out a breath, praying he wasn't getting high again.

I walked back to the bus stop as loneliness crept in upon me. I really needed a car. Scott handled all of our finances, and there never seemed to be enough to afford more than just his car.

My phone dinged on my ride on the public transit bus. I looked at the screen and shook my head at Preston's message.

I thought you were coming tonight?

I closed the message without responding and laid my head backwards. I had thanked him, and now I needed to end it before it got any further.