Chapter Twenty-Two
Daisy
I cried until there were no tears left. Up until this point, I’d never felt like a whore, but the way that Brick had taken me? He was never going to see me as anything other than the woman he’d bought and paid for.
I was a fool for falling in love with him. If I stayed, he would shatter me. I couldn’t go through another night like that.
He’d drawn me so close to him, made me think he cared. Made me love him. And in one night, he’d so easily torn all of that down. I couldn’t even tell the truth from fantasy.
Wiping the tears from my face, I got up from the bed and faced the mirror. I was not going to be my mother. Staying because I loved him and hoping that things would get better didn’t work. And I was worth more than that.
Wishing I had my old clothes instead, I pulled on a pair of black slacks and a green shirt. It was a ridiculous outfit for sneaking out at night, especially since I’d never owned anything this nice, but I had to leave.
Slowly, I reached up and unclasped the collar from around my neck. Laying it on the dresser, I grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil and wrote Brick a note so he wouldn’t come after me thinking I’d break our agreement and talk. I didn’t want anything else to do with him.
His door was shut. I slipped downstairs without a sound. My heart sunk along with the elevator, and too soon the cold outside air greeted me. I took a deep breath and tried to feel safe in my newfound… freedom. The collar was off. The burden was lifted, but I didn’t feel better. Tears blurred my vision, and I took a shuddering breath.
“Miss Daisy?”
Looking up sharply, I realized that the doorman was staring at me and forced a smile on my face. “Sorry. I’m okay. I just got some bad news.”
“Do you need a ride somewhere? Mr. Langston made it clear that we were to give you whatever you needed. We have a car service that will take you anywhere.”
For the first time, I realized that I didn’t have cash for a taxi or the subway. Or anywhere to go. But I couldn’t keep standing on the sidewalk. “I could use a ride. Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure. Just a moment.” He pulled out his phone and made a call. A few minutes later, a car pulled up. I thanked the doorman and slid into the backseat. Without thinking, I rattled off Ralph’s address. He cared about me. He’d understand.
The driver kept stealing glances at me through the mirror. I caught a glimpse of myself in the window’s reflection. My mascara was streaked from crying, my eyes were puffy, and my hair was a mess. No wonder he kept looking at me.
I rubbed my neck, feeling oddly naked without the collar. Despite what it meant, I felt safe and secure in it. Without it, Brick’s comfort and protection were gone too.
But not his love. Because I never had it. Despite everything that he said to me, I never had his respect or his love.
“Ma’am. We’ve arrived,” the driver said softly as he pulled up to the apartment building. “I’ll be happy to wait for you until you’ve concluded your business.”
“No. I’m staying here. Thank you, though. I appreciate you giving me a ride.”
“You’re staying here?” The driver arched an eyebrow and peered out the window. “Does Mr. Langston know?”
“Mr. Langston doesn’t own me anymore,” I said, grabbing the handle and throwing the door open. I shut it too hard, but couldn’t seem to care as I made my way up the stairs to Ralph’s apartment.
Standing outside Ralph’s door, I swore to make it up to him. I’d betrayed our relationship by falling for Brick, and failed Ralph for not finishing the contract. But Brick’s lies and empty promises would never trick me again. Ralph was the man for me. He’d take care of me, and I’d make everything okay.
Raising my hand, I knocked. It took a few minutes, but Ralph opened the door and frowned. “Daisy. What the hell are you doing here?”
“Can I come in, please,” I whispered.
He stepped aside, and I wrapped my arms around myself while Ralph closed the door behind me. “You look like he worked you over pretty good,” Ralph snickered. “I guess he likes it rough, huh?”
“What?” Tears sprang to my eyes again as I whirled around and stared at him. “Why are you laughing?”
“Christ, don’t get all uppity. What the hell are you doing here, Daisy? Did he give you an advance?” Suddenly, his eyes darkened, and he licked his lips. “Did he give you half? Give it to me.”
My mouth dropped open. Was that all Ralph cared about? I was crying on his front door, and he just cared about the money? I stiffened. “No. I didn’t get any money, Ralph. And I’m not going back. I won’t do it anymore.”
“What the fuck do you mean you won’t do it anymore?” he hissed. “You’re dressed in his fancy clothes. You rolled up in his fancy car. You’re living in that fancy condo, but he gets a little rough with you and you want out?”
“It’s not like that, Ralph. I can’t do it anymore,” I pleaded. “Please don’t ask me to.”
“That is my future, Daisy!” Ralph screamed. “You will go back there and earn your money. Do whatever the fuck he wants, and you don’t come back without cash in hand. Do you understand me?”
“Ralph…”
“You think you’re good for anything else? Your mother was a cokehead and your father is an abusive alcoholic. You think you’re going to take that money and go to school and do something with your life? The only thing you’re good for is spreading your fucking legs and choking on a dick, so go do your fucking job!”
Horrified, I just stared at him. I’d been so blinded by my need to have something stable in my life that I hadn’t even seen him for what he was. Everyone else knew, but I’d wanted so desperately to have something good in my life.
“No,” I whispered. “We’re done, Ralph.”
Whirling around, I fled from the apartment. Penniless and alone, I stared at the unforgiving city and wondered what the hell I was supposed to do now.