Chapter 42 Chapter Forty Two
"Look who's finally here guys!" Akilah shouted over the loud music.
She was sitting with a group of people I'd never seen before, but they seemed cool enough.
I needed a drink, so I called her, and she told me about a new club opening. I thought, why the hell not? I needed a break from work and from the thoughts that had been clouding my mind all day.
"Hey girl," I said as I slid onto one of the leather couches.
I was wearing a short black skirt, a fringe top, and my favorite shoes. Men couldn't seem to take their eyes off me, but I tried to ignore it.
"So, guys, this is Vanessa. She'll be partying with us tonight. This is Josh, Kimberly, Tyrese, Tamoya, and the lady of the night, Malina," Akilah said, pointing out everyone around us.
They all waved, but my attention couldn't help but drift to Tyrese. The way he was looking at me made me pause for just a second.
It was like he was staring into my soul.
He had a very dark and smooth complexion with low cut hair and a sharp jawline. He was dressed casually like the rest of the guys and only looked up from his phone when he wanted to take a sip of what he was drinking.
"So, what are you drinking tonight baby girl?" he said as he smiled widely at me.
"Baby girl?... sounds like someone's got a crush!" Akilah teased as we all laughed at Tyrese who was smiling like crazy.
I didn't really know what I wanted to drink but it has to be strong but not to an extreme because many things can happen when you get drunk.
Unspeakable things. Unforgettable things.
"Let's go to the bar," Malina said as Josh lifted her up playfully.
I followed behind them, but this uneasy feeling settled in my chest. My eyes stayed alert, scanning everything around me.
The call with Zed kept replaying in my mind, each word echoing like a warning. Anything could happen at any moment, and I honestly didn't know what I'd do if he ever found me.
"A vodka martini for the beautiful lady, it's on the house," the bartender said with a grin. I gave him a small smile before taking a sip. The alcohol burned down my throat, sharp and hot, but it tasted surprisingly good.
"You have to see Tamoya dance!" Akilah shouted over the music as she grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowd. Bodies moved and lights flashed all around us until we finally reached the front.
Tamoya was in the center wearing nothing but a pair of black leather shorts and a tube top with mesh stockings. There was a guy sitting in a chair without no shirt on as he smirked.
"Does she do this often?" I asked as she started grinding on the guy's lap. Everyone was cheering and I watched the guy's face twist in pleasure as he used his hands to caress her entire body.
"She's a stripper," she replied and my mouth formed in an 'O'.
That would explain everything from the way she was dancing. I took another sip of my martini as I glanced around the room. I started to feel uneasy again like I was being watched. Or maybe it was the fact that I had work tomorrow and I had to face my boss who played 'tongue wars' with me.
His father had the nerve to try and intimidate me. I had no clue if Mordechai had feelings for me or not and if he actually does, I will never confront him about them.
I already had enough cash saved up to leave the city but the contract wasn't up and if I leave like that, I knew I would be in trouble. I'd be running from both Zed and Julia.
"I'm going to see if I can find the bathroom," I said to Akilah.
She nodded and I turned and made my way back through the crowd. I spent the next few minutes trying to figure out where the bathroom was and when I did found it, a couple was inside making out right on the floor.
I didn't even look at them a second time as I went into one of the stalls and closed the door.
I sighed deeply, taking a seat on the toilet. My life felt like such a mess. It felt like too much to take in at a time.
I heard some laughter before the opening and closing of the door.
They were gone.
I pulled up my undergarments and left the stall. I looked in the mirror for a good ten seconds before washing my hands.
My ears were overwhelmed with a loud sound coming from the crowd. I remembered how I used to dance like that... and how the men would reach out and touch my body while licking their lips. My body shivered at the thought.
There was a knock on the bathroom door, and I glanced at the mirror one last time before opening it. Tyrese stood there with a sly smirk, his eyes dark with intent.
Before I could react, he pushed his body against mine and shut the door behind him.
"What are you doing?" I asked sharply, stepping back to put space between us. My pulse quickened as I searched his face for an answer.
"Come on Vanessa, what's one little touch to you? Haven't plenty of men touched you like that before?" he said, as a evil smirk played on his lips.
"W-What do you mean?" I asked nervously, stepping all the way back.
He only smirked before turning to the door and pulling it open. My breath caught in my throat as my heart began to hammer so violently it almost hurt.
And then, my whole body froze.
Standing there, wearing that same cruel grin I'll never forget, was the one man I never wanted to see again.
Zed.
"Ah, baby girl," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I told you I was coming for you, didn't I? I gotta say, Vanessa, this chase has been fun... but now it's over."
His voice was so rough and chilling that my entire body began to tremble. Every word rolled off his tongue like a threat.
Tyrese leaned in and whispered something to him before quietly slipping out and closing the door behind him.
Now it was just Zed and me.
For a second, I thought about running, but I quickly shut the idea down. Zed never went anywhere without backup. I could feel it, his men were waiting just outside that door, ready to drag me back if I even tried.
This was it.
I was trapped and there was no escape.
My plans and dreams shattered. My life was over.
"Come here."
It was just two simple words but his voice was filled with so much anger. I was afraid of what he might do if I did or didn't go to him. My life is real shit but I wasn't ready to die yet. I couldn't even muster up a small plan to escape.
"Don't make me repeat myself Essa!"
I flinched before taking extra small steps towards him. When I was close enough, he grabbed me and locked me in a death grip.
"Now that wasn't so hard was it?" he asked, staring down at me.
I didn't realize I was crying until I felt the tears wet my cheeks.
This was not happening.
The moment my eyes broke away from his, his hand came crashing across my face. The force sent me stumbling to the floor, pain shooting through my cheek as I hit the tiles hard.
"YOU'RE NOTHING WITHOUT ME, BITCH! You really thought I wouldn't find you? After everything I did for you, you betrayed me and ran off!" he roared, his voice echoing off the walls.
"I'M EVERYTHING WITHOUT YOU, Zed!" I screamed back, my voice cracking under the weight of anger and fear. "I left to find better... this wasn't the life I wanted."
My tone softened until the words barely left my lips. My fingers pressed against my stinging cheek as I looked up at him.
The man standing before me wasn't the one I once trusted, he was just the monster I used to work for.
Cocky, selfish and heartless.
"Don't worry princess, as soon as I take you back home I'll remind you who's boss," he said next and more tears spilled from my eyes.
The door opened and Romario walked in. I scurried back as he started coming closer. I tried to get up but that earned me another disheartening slap across my cheek.
A sob broke out from my mouth as my ears started ringing. I laid there as I felt my legs being tied together.
I couldn't fight back.
I couldn't do anything.
I was useless.
"I've got a new club in L.A., princess," Zed said, his voice thick with menace. "And you'll be working for me, again."
Before I could even process his words, his foot came up fast. I didn't have time to move. The blow connected with my face, a burst of pain exploding behind my eyes.
Then everything went dark.