Evan's fork scraped against his plate as he pushed the last piece of food around, trying to ignore the way Lila's eyes bore into him. They sat on opposite ends of the couch—Lila leaning back, legs crossed, her gaze sharp and unrelenting, while he sat rigid, his eyes fixed on the floor, tension coiled in every muscle. The room felt suffocating, though Lila had hardly spoken since they sat down. Her presence alone made his skin crawl, her control an invisible weight pressing down on him.
"Finish up, Evan," Lila's voice broke the silence, soft but firm. "You'll need to get some sleep soon. You can't afford to be late for your first day at work tomorrow."
Evan swallowed, his throat dry. He dropped his fork onto the plate, the sound unnervingly loud in the quiet room. His hands trembled slightly as he sat back, casting a quick glance at Lila's silent bodyguard, who hadn't moved an inch since he'd arrived. Knowing this man—loyal, watchful—was still there made it all worse. There was no escape, no way out.
Lila smiled faintly, and before Evan could react, she reached over, her fingers sliding through his hair. He froze, uncertain whether to pull away or submit to her touch. His instincts screamed to move, but fear kept him in place. The gesture was soft, almost affectionate, yet Evan knew better. This was another reminder of her control, her fingers curling into his hair like she was anchoring him, ensuring he wouldn't stray too far.
"Don't worry," she said, her tone gentle yet commanding. "Everything will be fine."
Evan nodded, though his gut told him nothing was fine. He wanted to recoil, to pull away from her touch, but all he could do was sit there, numb and compliant.
She turned her head slightly, a small gesture that brought her enforcer forward like a shadow. He reached into his pocket, wordlessly offering Evan a slip of paper.
"Here's my number," he said, his voice low, his eyes unreadable.
Evan hesitated, glancing at Lila, who gave him a look that forced him into action. He took the paper, his fingers brushing the man's for the briefest of moments.
"What's your name?" Evan asked, the question slipping out before he could stop himself.
The man looked to Lila briefly, a glint of hesitation crossing his face. Lila answered for him, her voice smooth and matter-of-fact.
"Sammy," she said simply, her gaze unwavering.
The exchange left Evan feeling even more like an outsider. The connection between Lila and Sammy was silent and seamless, reminding him that he was only a pawn in their world. He quickly saved the number, feeling isolated and adrift.
"You'll be picked up at nine," Sammy said, his tone clipped and direct, leaving no room for argument.
Evan nodded, his mind spinning. When they finally left, the silence that followed was somehow even heavier. He stood alone in the unfamiliar room, staring at the door. They didn't live here. This was just a temporary cage—one he'd occupy alone but under their constant watch.
The night passed in a haze of restless thoughts. Each time he closed his eyes, memories of the brothel clawed at him—visions of confinement and helplessness. Would he end up back there? Was Lila leading him to another trap ?
His breathing quickened, his chest tightening painfully. He couldn't go back to that. He couldn't survive it again. He clutched the sheets, trying to force his mind to quiet, but the thoughts spiraled on. Chains. Voices. Laughter. The helplessness was overwhelming, and the more he thought about it, the more real it became.
Would tomorrow send him back to that nightmare?
A sharp knock at the door broke through his spiraling thoughts. He sat up, sluggish from the lack of sleep, and opened the door to find Sammy waiting. The early morning light made everything seem colder, harsher.
"You ready?" Sammy asked, his eyes scanning Evan's tired face and disheveled clothes. "Have you eaten?"
Evan shook his head, unable to speak.
Sammy handed him a small bag. "Here. Eat this."
Evan took it, too drained to argue, and pulled out a simple sandwich. He took a bite, but the food tasted like cardboard. He ate because he had to, not because he wanted to.
The drive was silent. Sammy showed no interest in conversation, and Evan was too anxious to start one. He kept his gaze out the window, watching the streets pass by, his stomach tightening with each mile. Sammy's expression remained stoic, giving nothing away.
"What is it, exactly, that I'm supposed to be doing?" Evan finally asked, unable to hold back the question.
"You'll be waiting tables at a restaurant," Sammy replied, his tone flat. "Owned by Apex Solutions."
Evan frowned, unease prickling at the name. Apex Solutions sounded corporate, cold. He'd heard of it but wasn't sure if it had any criminal ties. He wanted to ask more, but Sammy's demeanor left no room for questions.
When they arrived at the restaurant, an immediate sense of dread settled over him. The manager, William, met them at the door, his face creasing into a frown as he took in the sight of Evan.
"No one told me we were getting someone new today," William said, his voice tinged with surprise. His eyes darted to Sammy, who stood by impassively.
"It's from the boss," Sammy replied, his words heavy with meaning.
That was all it took. William's expression shifted instantly, his frown smoothing as he nodded in understanding. "Right, of course. I'll show him around."
Evan followed William through the restaurant, the tension thickening with every step. The place looked ordinary enough, but the nervous glances from other employees made his stomach twist. He didn't understand the full reach of Lila's influence yet, but just her name was enough to shift the atmosphere.
William showed him the ropes, explaining the tasks he'd be handling. There was nothing unusual about the job, yet a growing sense of dread twisted in his stomach. Lila's control was everywhere, even here.
The tension snapped when Lila walked into the restaurant, Sammy at her side. The entire place shifted—staff straightened up, eyes darting toward her as she calmly took a seat at a table in the back. Evan's stomach churned when he saw her, his heart pounding.
He couldn't avoid her. His hands shook as he approached her table, his breath coming in short, uneven bursts. Lila watched him with an amused smile, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
"Nervous, Evan?" she asked, her tone laced with amusement.
Evan tried to speak, but his throat was too dry. He barely managed to scribble her order without dropping the pen. She watched him the entire time, her eyes sharp and predatory.
He glanced at Sammy, hesitating. He wasn't sure if Sammy would order, but he felt compelled to ask.
"What about you?" he managed, his voice barely above a whisper. "What would you like?"
For a moment, Sammy looked surprised, as if unused to being addressed that way. The flash of shock was brief, quickly hidden as his face returned to its stoic mask.
"Just water," he said, his voice calm.
Evan nodded and hurried away, trying to keep his panic at bay. Lila's stare followed him, never letting him forget she was watching.
In the kitchen, Evan tried to calm himself, focusing on the mundane task of washing dishes. The repetitive motion should have helped, but it didn't. His mind was a storm of fear and confusion.
Then he heard it—a high-pitched, familiar laugh.
He froze, his heart lurching. The laugh echoed through the restaurant, unmistakable and chilling. Evan's hands went still in the soapy water as he turned slowly toward the sound.
Dancing Danny.
Evan's vision blurred, his breath catching in his throat. Danny sat at Lila's table, laughing as if he hadn't a care in the world. For Evan, that laugh was the sound of nightmares.
The memories surged back—memories of the brothel, of what they'd done to him, of the powerlessness. Danny had been part of it. The laughter, the taunts, the cruelty. Evan's knees weakened, his body trembling as panic surged up, threatening to choke him.
He stumbled back, nearly tripping over a tray. He had to get away. He couldn't face Danny. He couldn't go back to that life. His heart pounded so hard it hurt, his vision narrowing into a tunnel as he backed into a corner of the kitchen.
"The boss is asking for you," William's voice cut through his panic, startling him back to the present.
Evan's breaths came in short, ragged gasps as he turned toward William, his body frozen with fear. Lila was calling him. She knew exactly what she was doing. She'd brought Danny here for a reason. She wanted to see him break.
His legs felt like lead as he forced himself to move, each step dragging him closer to the table where Lila sat, her eyes tracking his every move. Danny grinned at him, a malicious glint in his eyes.
Lila smiled as Evan approached, satisfaction gleaming in her expression. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze filled with dark amusement.
"Come here, Evan." Her words were gentle but carried an undeniable command.