A Highland Wedding

No Way In Hell

Claire

The nice man that owned The Naughty Kitty paid the cab driver for me. He even called his doctor and they took care of my wounds. I had to decline the pain medicine because of the baby I was carrying. I didn’t care what everyone said, I could still feel the baby in my womb.

It would kick every now and then. I rested my hands on my stomach and felt the dull throb in my hand and my head. I really do want pain medicine, but it wouldn’t be good for the child.

“Are you sure you do not want something signora?” The doctor was an older gentleman and he was sweet.

“I will be fine; I just need some tea and to curl up and go to sleep.” He nodded and I started humming to myself, my stomach growled and I felt my cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. The doctor chuckled and mumbled something to Signor Moe.

They looked at me and then nodded toward me. I smiled sweetly at them and I was wondering when Lavinia will get here. The room I was in was Moe’s office and it was also the employee lounge, women were chattering in Italian and there was the heavy scent of perfume in the air along with glitter.

I never knew there was so much glitter involved with exotic dancers. I brushed some glitter off my arm and smiled at a woman who was lounging and sipping a cappuccino. She looked at me and narrowed her dark eyes at me.

“You keep holding your stomach but you are no longer pregnant.” My eyes went wide and I covered my mouth. How dare she!

“I don’t know what you are talking about. I was beaten up and barely escaped with my life.” The other women were looking at us now and I wanted to get up and just smack her. I smiled and nodded to the women and left the room.

I just left the apartment with the clothes on my back. I heard music pulsing through the club and I wanted to dance but those days are behind me. Now that I was a mother, I couldn’t do that anymore.

“Gloria is a bitter old cow, don’t worry about her too much. My name is Sparkle.” A young woman with long red hair extended her hand and I shook it and gave her a smile.

“Oh it has just been a long day; I am grateful for your kindness. My name is Claire it is a pleasure to meet you.” She put her arm through mine and she smelled like coconuts and sea breezes.

“Come have some cider with me and have some fries. Lucius makes the best fries. Do you like cheese fries?” She was such a sweet soul and I immediately liked her.

“I love cheese fries.” We walked down some stairs and the bar area was empty except for a few men chatting around tables and eating food from the buffet.

“They like to come in here and conduct business or so they say. I think they just come for the food.” Sparkle giggled and led me over to the bar. I slid onto a bar stool and she shot off the order and the man behind the bar nodded.

He came back with two drinks and I looked at the red concoction and sniffed it warily. Sparkle raised an eyebrow and then smiled.

“It is what you Americans call a Shirley Temple. No alcohol it is safe for you and the bambino.” I sighed in relief. I took a sip and groaned in pleasure it was the best-tasting Shirley Temple I have ever had. The smell of grease and cheese hit my nose.

My stomach growled again and Sparkle handed a fork to me. There was no space that was not covered with cheese. I dug in and was in bliss, she was right, these were the best cheese fries I have ever had.

“Miss Claire, we went to your apartment but as I expected it was crawling with police and a private security firm. I am sorry we were unable to recover anything but I did manage to get you another phone and have given Lavinia your number.” I nodded and thanked him.

It wouldn’t be the first time that I would have to run with just the clothes on my back. “Signor Moe, do you know when Lavinia will be arriving?” I was exhausted and just wanted a hot bath.

“She was fifteen minutes from here. I apologize the traffic is horrible.” He disappeared into his office and I looked down at the half-eaten fries.

“I am so sorry Claire; I wish there was something I could do for you. You seem like such a nice girl.” She was right, I was a nice girl. I didn’t deserve this; I shouldn’t have to live like this.

“I am here if you want to talk, I don’t need to go on stage until later.” I smiled at her and wiped my eyes; she was causing me to tear up.

“Sparkle isn’t your real name though, is it?” I wanted to know more about this girl. I thought Anna and I could have been friends but she was a backstabbing slut. She should have stayed away from Gregor; I could have given her Sheeps Lodge but never Mack.

“It is Tisha, so what brings you to Italy? Are you running from someone?” I frowned; she was very observant, for a prostitute. I closed my eyes and tried to reign my anger in.

“I came to get away from a bad relationship but he found me, as you can see. He had his girlfriend hold me down and all I could do was huddle over my stomach to keep my baby safe.” Tisha frowned and she murmured something.

“I am so sorry Claire; I hope that you can have a happy life. Why were there police and security at your place?” She was a nosy little thing, wasn’t she? I smiled and patted her hand.

“The security belongs to the man that found me. He is a very dangerous man; I don’t feel well.” My stomach was gurgling and I wanted to throw up.

“Claire? Oh my God, it is you! Oh, baby girl what happened? Jason go tell Moe we are going to be taking Claire now.” Jason was a tall buff man that looked like he walked off the runways of Paris.

“It was horrible Vinni.” I fell into her arms and she hugged me and cuddled me close to her. I was going to get my revenge. I needed to sleep and bathe first though.

“Oh baby girl, come on. Thank you Tisha, I will see you next week.” Lavinia waved to the woman I was sitting with and she led me out into the humid night where a car was idling by the curb. I slid into the back of the car and sighed as the air conditioner blew over my skin.

I was going to need to recuperate, Anna was going to have private security on her side. That was going to put a crimp in any plans I have. No way in Hell was she going to win.