Lucas spoke easily with the men around him, his voice low, measured, his expression giving nothing away. I sat quietly at his side, pretending to be still, trying to be invisible, pretending not to notice the hopeless shells kneeling by the feet of their masters. Their eyes were lifeless, their bodies obedient but broken. The longer I stared, the sicker I felt.The air in this place was thick, cloying. It stank of sex and sweat, smoke and alcohol, undercut by something artificial cheap perfume, burning incense, a sweetness meant to cover rot. Instead, it only made it worse.At one point, Lucas’s hand left the small of my back, releasing me. Go ahead, his eyes seemed to say. For the first time since arriving, I was allowed to walk on my own. Walking ahead. But freedom here was no freedom at all.I drifted away slowly, my gaze darting from one corner of the lounge to the next. Everywhere I looked there were hands, mouths, sounds of skin on skin. Women bent over tables, pressed against w
Last Updated : 2025-08-20 Read more