Mine

Less - 20

Blade dropped his bomb on me what feels like hours ago. We sit, not talking. I’m focused on ripping the skin from around my nail bed, although it won’t budge. Damn my continuous use of lotions and creams. He sits, eyes on me.

“I’m sorry for leaving bruises.” He says, trying to break the silence.

I’m thankful for it, even though I keep my face and demeanor the same. He’s right. We’re both here with ulterior motives, but are his important enough to him that he won’t be a detriment my own?

His mother is gone at the hands of Hiram’s father. My goal is still very much alive. Would he even tell me his plan if I asked? Or is he just hell-bent on taking down Hiram? Or maybe even Hiram’s father since he spoke about there being someone above everyone.

“It’s fine, I kind of like them.” I try, gauging his reaction to that. My crazy is different than his crazy, therefore I can’t just tell him I’m stalking Tate, sold myself into a s*x ring, and made my way here all for what? For love?

To my surprise, he laughs.

“What? You think that’s funny?”

“No, just not what I expected you to say, I guess. s**t, maybe you are truly innocently here. Most of the girls who came by choice are like you. They want it."

I shrug.

“I’m definitely not like anyone you’ve met, Baldie. I’m not a prostitute nor am I part of a s*x ring.”

“I knew it.”

I smile despite my heart racing within me. My hands feel like they’re shaking, but I don’t think he notices it if they are.

“Then what? Why here?”

I shake my head not ready to tell him. I don’t want to disclose it before I know for sure that he can be trusted. This could all be part of his plan. To my surprise, he accepts it as his phone rings.

“Well, whatever the reason, Less. I’m here for it.” He smiles, before answering the call.

And just like that, I’m in. Blade’s phone call was a demand from Hiram for my presence in the bar. Today would be my first day working in the warehouse. It’s an opening night for the season, and Blade quickly runs over everything he can to help me out while I shower.

“Hiram runs this place in four seasons. Right now, it’s private season. Everyone Hiram works with, their friends, their family, their contacts, even people they’ve made deals with, come for the girls. s*x is just as valuable as money is here.”

He talks through the closed door and I listen as I close my eyes under the steaming water jets. I’ve always been highly s****l so I don’t think this will be an issue for me, but I don’t want to sleep with anyone who isn’t Tate.

“Hiram expects you to be eye candy. To sleep with you would cost real money and lots of it. Some of the other girls will do it, but only the ones not on Hiram’s roster.”

“Wait he said he was putting me on his roster, though? I don’t want to f**k him.”

“You won’t You’re owned by The Order. Mostly he just said that to upset you, forgetting you didn’t know what it meant.”

I shut the water off and towel off. It’s tempting not to walk out naked despite Blade’s presence, but refrain. He follows me to the bedroom, stopping in my doorway, his back to me as he continues.

“Hiram will definitely be working on pushing your limits purely because you challenged him.”

“Great.” My tone is chipper and light as I sift through my lingerie.

“Not great. We don’t want his attention on you.”

“Or do we? Perhaps the more he thinks he controls me, the easier things will be."

“I can’t answer that since I don’t know your plan.”

A sneaky way of asking my motive, but I don’t give in. Instead, I mock him.

“I don’t know yours either, Baldie. Let’s not forget that even though we both stand on the same side, it’s perceived you stand with them. It’s just better this way. I don’t know your plan, you don’t know mine. It minimizes the chance of either of us f*****g it up for one another.”

He doesn’t say anything but I can feel his energy tense. He cares about me, I think. I care too but I can’t allow him to cloud my judgment. I sit and pull on my thigh-high stockings as he speaks again.

“You’re probably right. Anyway, no one is to touch you. You can call me any time if you need me.”

“How we don’t have phones?”

“Here.” He turns walking into the room as I finish the straps on my heels. Outside of here, we could be best friends. Outside of here, we could probably even have a stint of being lovers if Tate didn’t exist, but we are here.

In his hand is a plain bracelet with a small circular bead in the center. I take it, confused but slip it onto my wrist anyways.

“The bead is a plus button. Press it and mine pulses. I’ll show up. No matter what. No matter where.”

I roll my eyes, thanking him as we stand to leave. I hope I never have to use it. I hope Tate will always be the one to rescue me.

But it’s nice knowing I have Blade too.