Relinquish(30)

“Why would—”

“Follow me,” Margo interrupts Jayden who shakes her head in anger, crossing her arms before following Margo toward the shitty motel.

Walking through the door labeled Management, I’m greeted with the smell of lemon air freshener and stale cigar smoke. A white man sits behind a desk with his head down, messing with a cigar when we walk in. His head is shaved, a big diamond earring in one earlobe. Two men stand behind him with their arms crossed, both wearing black shirts with jeans, a big gold chain hanging from each of their necks. They’re tall and built with short, light-colored hair, and they have tattoos painting their arms and neck. Basically, they look scary as f*ck.

I expected a more stereotypical pimp. One who wears a purple suit and a top hat, maybe. A gold cane, with gold teeth. Not some guy who looks like an outlaw, like any passerby in Vegas.

“Margo!” the guy I presume is Mick chimes, dropping the cigar on the desk and leaning back in his ripped leather chair. His face is round, his eyebrows thick and dark. He’s wearing a white suit with a black tie and looks menacing as hell. One brow stays arched, and his eyes hold a permanent glare as he stares at me. My pulse begins to throb in my temples with the unease.

“Who are your friends, baby?” he questions, nodding toward Jayden and me.

“Potential bitches,” Margo remarks, plopping down on a couch in the corner. I scowl at her calling Jayden and me ‘bitches’. She doesn’t even know us.

“Hmm,” he murmurs, rubbing his chin and giving us a once-over.

“I’m sorry, but I ain’t no bitch,” Jayden sneers, shaking her head.

“It ain’t personal, baby. It’s just easier than saying Margo, Jewel, Angel. It’s how we do.” He glances down with arrogance and shrugs.

“Umm,” I interrupt. “Can’t you just call them girls, women, or even employees?”

Mick looks up and nods slowly, his lip curling with a hint of a smirk.

“Looks like we got a smart one on our hands,” he snarls.

“Yeah, but is she street-smart?” Margo pipes up, squinting as she looks me up and down.

“Seriously? I’ve lived—”

Mick holds his hand up, stopping me. “I get it, you have the most tragic back story ever.” He glares at me then Jayden, rubbing his hand over his bald head.

“Join the club, baby,” Margo mutters, shifting on the couch.

“You don’t even know me!” I snap, my voice laced with venom.

“You’re right, and I don’t want to get to know you,” Mick snaps, and I exhale an angry breath. It seems no matter what I say, it’s not right.

“But, if I had to guess, you’re here for an entirely different reason than she is,” he clips, pointing to Jayden. I look beside me, my eyes catching hers.

“You’re apprehensive about being here, and your friend isn’t. At least, not as much as you are, anyway,” Mick points out.

I swallow and try to stiffen my spine. I am worried, but I don’t want to let on I’m more worried than Jayden. I want to be strong for her.

“That’s where you’re wrong. It was her idea to come here,” Jayden speaks up, her hand grabbing mine in support as she looks at me with care. Her simple gesture in grabbing my hand and standing up for me shows she has my back no matter what. I love her for that.

“Is that right?” Mick sneers, giving a small chuckle. “Either way, I could use some new girls,” he mutters, sitting up and interlocking his fingers, resting them on his desk. The way he says new makes me flinch. He didn’t say more girls, he said new. Are the other girls worn out? Did they leave? Are they dead? It’s unnerving.

“What’s your names?”

“My name is Jay-”

“Stop!” he roars, causing me to jump.

“I don’t want to know your real name, nor does any trick you’re f*cking. What is your street handle?” His tone leans on the side of irritated as he lifts his chin, waiting for our replies.

“Umm,” Jayden stutters.

“Fancy. My name is Fancy,” I go first, giving Jayden a second to come up with something.

“Hmm, Fancy. Don’t think we’ve had a girl named Fancy before,” Mick says, smiling.

“We haven’t,” Margo adds.

“And you?” Mick points at Jayden.

“Rarity,” Jayden informs, her back straight with confidence as she answers.

“Don’t think we’ve had one of those, either,” Margo states, stuffing tissues under her arm pits. How classy.

“All right, this is what we’ll do. Margo will show you the ropes.” He points at Jayden. “She’ll teach you how to work the corner, Rarity. And you, Fancy, will work the motel.”

“How much do we get?” Jayden butts in.

He runs his tongue along his bottom lip, looking her over. “I get it all. In return, I will pay your rent, and make sure you have food in your fridge—”

“Ha!” I blurt, turning to leave.

“You gotta any better options?” Mick hollers, catching me in my step.

“You’re telling me we use our bodies and don’t get a dime?” I question, my tone hostile as I turn around furious. “Then I say. Fuck. You,” I spit.