The summer evening is still hot, the night sky wondrously clear, the Milky Way a bright streak across the sky, billions of twinkling stars shining down, winking at me in commiseration. When the driver pulls up at the address, I lean forward, speaking urgently to him. He nods in agreement and I get out, facing the white adobe building as he drives off.
The parking lot located to the left is filled to the brim; expensive sports cars nestled alongside Toyotas and Kias. A gravel path lined with cacti leads to the heavy wooden double doors, while small uplights line the side of the building, doing their best to lend a cheery glow to what is essentially a plain and drab structure. Quickly scanning the area and seeing no one about, I peek inside one of the windows, watching the men mill about with their drinks.
I remove a lock and chain from my purse, securing the front doors, before slipping around the back and doing the same to the emergency exit. The electrical box is conveniently located to the right of it, and with my heart pounding erratically, I kneel down, using the knife in my bag to pry open the panel and cut the wires. I have to wipe my sweaty hands on my dress repeatedly to get the job done, but I manage it quickly.
Scooping up one of the large decorative rocks lining the borders surrounding the building, I smash one of the windows before pulling out alcohol-soaked rags and lighting them, tossing them inside. Repeating this all around the building until I’m back at the front, I close my eyes, releasing a deep breath as the screams carry out to me. A shiver of delight runs down my spine, and a wide smile tears across my face.
Trees line the parking lot, dark shadows taking up residence beneath them, and my breath hitches as a dark figure steps out, seemingly made out of those very shadows. Street lights wink off the mask he wears, and before I can decide if I am frightened or intrigued, he melts back into the tree line, leaving me wondering if my imagination is playing tricks on me.
Laughing softly under my breath at myself, I turn back to the building as the doors are pounded against in vain. I blow them a kiss before turning and running down the street to where the Uber is waiting for me, the cries of panic and terror following me as my dress streams behind me, reminiscent of crow’s wings.
We stop in a quiet alleyway, and I let the driver fuck me over the hood of the car, my long skirts pushed up along my back, my mind back at the banquet hall, wishing I could stand and watch them all burn to the ground.
The drive back seems to be even quicker than the one down, the driver throwing glances back at me in the mirror, most likely thinking the small smile dancing on my lips has something to do with his tiny ass prick and mediocre skills.
As we pull up to the ornate gates that guard the property, I notice what looks like hundreds of white roses have been attached to it.Must be for my birthday,I muse as they slowly open, the gates of hell closing behind us as we make our way towards the house.
“Can I see you again?” the driver asks as he pulls up in front of the house.
“No.”
***
“He’s very disappointed in you, you know,” Momma states as she watches me dress. She’s made herself comfortable on my bed, leaning back against the wall.
“What was I supposed to do?” I reply, looking at her reflection in the mirror as I put on my lipstick. Smacking my lips and checking to make sure there’s none on my teeth, I spin around on the stool to face her. She could do with a shower, her hair’s looking a little greasy. “The place was on fire. Was I supposed to still go inside? Greet them with pretty words? Entice them to spend money on me while flames licked up their bodies?”
She stares back at me, quiet for a moment before sighing.
“Do what you need to do tonight to make this work. It’s not another large event, there’s only one man. He is very wealthy and will make a good master for you. Your Papa wants this deal to go through.”
Turning away from her, I blow out a low breath as I fit the diamond studs into my ears. “I’ll do my best, Momma.”
“See that you do,” she snaps back. “I don’t have time to be cleaning up the messes he’ll make of your sisters.”
“Yes, Momma.”
“And happy birthday, dear. You only turn twenty-one once. Enjoy the evening.”
Tonight, I’m wearing a tight cream lace dress with gold heels, a matching Dior bag keeping my treasures close. As usual for the evenings, Papa is watching TV, his downtime for the day.
Once again, an Uber awaits, and I shiver as a chilly breeze runs over me, goosebumps rising on my skin. Only a few days until autumn, and the cooler weather is already returning. The female driver is irritatingly chatty, and I hum and nod appropriately as she takes me closer and closer to Sedona, the forty-five-minute drive seemingly endless.
Getting out at a Marriott, I head inside to the bar to wait for my date. Grabbing a stool at the bar, I order a white wine before spinning around, taking in the room. Candles glow on each table, white roses in crystal vases placed strategically around the room, giving a romantic feel to anyone there to drown their sorrows, or perhaps celebrate a special occasion.
The roses make me think of TheUnseen1 for a moment, a small smile flickering at my lips before I push the memory down, turning towards the man walking towards me with purpose. In his fifties, he’s a good-looking man with a powerful walk. Sunkissed skin hints at his Latin origins, brown eyes and dark hair most likely making many women swoon. Why he wants to buy a woman is beyond me.
Stopping before me, he lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to it, before gripping it tightly and pulling me to my feet.
“Rebecca,” he breathes out, eyes devouring me from head to foot. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Come, I wish to discuss things in a more—private—place.”
Scooping up my purse, I follow him, my hand still clutched in his as he leads me towards the elevator. “And your name?” I ask as a cold finger of apprehension slithers down my spine.
He gazes over at me, a darkness behind his eyes now evident that I didn’t notice before. “You can call me Sir.”
The doors open and we step inside, Sir using a special key to access the penthouse. Which I’m sure is soundproofed and where no one will hear me call for help.
A rattle starts up in my chest and I place my hand over my heart, calming it.
