I broke my own rule and grabbed a glass of champagne from the bar. Richard was talking to a few of his investors. I’d already been introduced to them and made polite small talk, and the investors had wanted to delve a little more deeply into a discussion about strategies for breaking into a foreign market.
I excused myself, not wanting to stifle their conversation in case the investors wanted privacy. Plus I needed a minute to compose myself.
After Richard had asked me to move in, and told me of his plans to help me win custody of Bella, I was near tears. Richard’s money and influence would be welcome in the battle against my mother. I’d never had a family law attorney before, only the ad litem, and that was only for the most dire situations. The thought of having someone I could ask for advice was incredible.
And he’d asked me to stay.
Once he’d assured me Bella would have a home with us, everything in me wanted to be here with him.I wanted nothing more than to make him happy. He’d said there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for me. It might not be a declaration of love, but it was pretty darn close.
Every now and then, I glanced down at the pink tulle skirt of my dress. The dress gave the impression that I was floating across the floor, instead of walking. And I felt like I was floating. I’d never been able to relate to the expression, ‘on cloud nine,’ until tonight. I was unable to believe how lucky I was. My sister was getting the best care possible and we were going to get to live here in this palace. She would have everything she needed. Richard had made sure of that.
And I was in love.
I couldn’t even say it was a dream come true, because I’d never dared to dream anything like this would be possible. As I drifted onto the patio to admire the reflection of the moon over the ocean, Carolyn approached me.
“You have another outfit available if you’d like to change. I know that dress is probably getting heavy.”
“It is. But it’s so pretty. I hate to take it off.”
She rubbed my arm. “You can wear it again anytime.” I thought I might like to wear it again, just for Richard, with no one else around.
“If you go up to your room, you’ll find a dress laid out for you. It might be a bit cooler for you after all that dancing.”
“Thanks. I’ll go now.” I didn’t really want to change, but I assumed Richard must want this. Having a say in what I wore obviously played a part in how he wanted me to submit to him.
“Would you like some help putting your hair up?”
“I’m going to leave it down. But thank you.” I was certain that putting my hair all the way up wasn’t one of Richard’s desires. He had made it clear several times that he liked my long hair down so he could touch it.
In my room I found a full-length black satin spaghetti strap dress with black strap heels. It showed off my figure, and was definitely a sexier dress than the pink ball gown. One I had it zipped up, I checked my reflection one more time. Satisfied, I stepped into the hallway, only to find a man standing right outside my door.
I was instantly alert. I glanced behind me. We were alone in the hallway.
The guy stood right in front of me. “Hey. You must be Chrissy. I’m Travis. Richard’s best friend.”
Travis was not what I’d expected. He was the reason we’d met, as well as being Richard’s closest friend, so I needed to be polite. “Oh, Travis, hello. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You are delightful. No wonder he likes you so much.” Travis loomed closer, and he lifted his hand, tracing his finger down my arm.
My stomach tightened. He leaned in, close enough to whisper in my ear. “I know where he found you. Did he tell you that?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” I tried to step back, but he wrapped his hand around my upper arm. Of course I knew what he meant. He meant the club. But I wasn’t going to be the one to say the words out loud.
“You know exactly what I mean. He paid a lot of money, he got to fuck you. He might have gotten that sweet cherry first, but I’m used to Richard’s leftovers. How much would it take for you to let me inside too?” He let his hand go lower and gripped my backside. He pulled me toward him.
“None, because I wouldn’t do that. It’s not right.” My eyes stung. I didn’t want to cry. I was not sad. I was angry. I was furious. How dare this sorry excuse for a friend try to do this to me? To Richard? “Let go of me. I belong to Richard.” I put my hands up to push him away, but he was strong. He grabbed my wrists.
“Didn’t take him long to train you well, did it? Well, I have news for you, what’s Richard’s is mine. We share everything. And I want you.”
“No.” Richard had specifically said he wouldn’t share me. Not that I’d have ever consented to that in the first place.
I couldn’t let this happen. I had to get away. I tried to push past him with my elbows. He let go of my wrists and grabbed my shoulders. He shoved me backwards. I hit the wall with a thud. He pressed his body against mine. He tried to kiss me. I turned my head, avoiding his mouth.
Please no. No. No. No. I shouted the last no, but no one heard me.
He leaned back to laugh, and I took my chance. I punched him in the face, right in the nose. He doubled over and I kneed him in the crotch. He crumpled, kneeling on the floor. “You little bitch,” he said, blood streaming down his face.
I ran to my room. I grabbed the few things that had belonged to me when I got there. My flip phone and a pair of jeans I’d brought with me. I couldn’t be in a place that wasn’t any safer than the home I’d grown up in. And I certainly couldn’t raise Bella in a home that was unsafe.
I couldn’t believe Richard had friends like that.
Leaving him was tearing my heart into pieces, but I refused to live my life this way. I wouldn’t live in terror ever again.
I agreed to belong to Richard. I didn’t sign up to be someone else’s party favor.
