CHAPTER TWO

May 31, 2011

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. My new name, my new identity. Today marks two years since that night I thought I had died. The scars on my body will always be a reminder of the life I had tried to bury before Jesse came into it and afterward. Jesus Christ, I can’t stop shaking... I’m scared shitless! Two more months and he will be free! Out of prison for good to come looking for me, possibly to try and kill me again.

Now that I am three hours away living in a different City, dyed hair, contacts and a new name, a new life, he won’t find me - there’s no way he will find me! I will not go to the extent of changing everything about myself! I am not that weak, pathetic little girl anymore.

Today will mark my new beginning, not as the scarred Kelly Ward, but my new life as Chloe Green.

Chloe stopped writing. Her hand shaking slightly. Staring at the last sentence as though she was trying to convince herself that her words rang true. The pen hovered over the dark burgundy bound book she had kept for most of her adult life to pour her soul into, her only release.

Shaking her head, she laid the pen down and ran a hand through her long brown hair. Chloe’s stomach fluttered knowing damn well she was scared beyond belief, but she also knew that she had to be strong like she had been her entire life. But today was special. It was the two year anniversary since that dreadful night and also the day of her new identity finally becoming legal.

She stood up and shoved the book into her dresser drawer. She didn’t even glance at the mirrored armoire that was sitting in the corner of her bedroom. She knew what she saw. Kelly Ward. Blonde, frail, broken and scarred. But now she was Chloe Green, brunette, blue eyes, slender figure, self-provider, and the woman men wanted but couldn't have. She had written them off and always on guard.

Now she wore a hard shell, learned to rely on no one, no matter how bad things got. For the last two years, she had learned very fast to mold herself into someone new. Grabbing her large black leather tote bag, she threw in her lip gloss, pepper spray and Spyderco pocket knife.

“Are you coming? We’re going to be late!” The female voice drifted from down the hall.

Throwing the tote over her shoulder, she yelled out as she exited her room. “I’m coming.”

“What the hell took you so long?” Lexi threw her a scolding look.

Looking down at her watch Chloe frowned at her roommate. “We have lots of time. Relax for Christ sake.”

Lexi was already out the front door and in the car when Chloe walked out and locked the door to the small apartment they shared. Turning, she walked to the Jetta, got in and they drove off.

**

Chloe walked out of the room, fanning herself with her recently earned wad of fifty dollar bills. A layer of sweat had started to gather over her skin, making her hands slick with perspiration. The music of the prestigious private club pulsed through the furniture and the walls around her making the air thick with vibration. She saw one man re-enter the main floor, his face wearing a casual smile as he met his business associates.

Finally approaching the bar, she gazed around at the dancing lights that highlighted the various strippers and lustful business men. The counter was smooth marble and cool to the touch as she rested her weight against it. She could feel the various gazes on her as the customers eyed her up and down.

Ignoring them, she waited for the bartender. Lexi walked over with a smile on her face. “How was it?”

“Not too bad.” She replied as she handed her the money. “He didn't try it on.”

Lexi flicked through the wad of bills and raised her eyebrows. “At least that's something.” Placing it beneath the bar, she pulled out Chloe’s cigarettes and handed them to her along with her lighter.

She smiled in gratitude. “Anyone else out there?”

“Nope, the others are working.” Chloe grinned as she spotted a familiar looking man sitting in one of the private booths. “Holy Shit. That is Judge Wilks over there.”

Lexi’s eyes followed Chloe’s. “Fucking slime ball. If only his wife knew he was here.” She smirked in disgust.

Chloe looked over at Roxi who was eyeing her. At her questioning gaze, she quickly slapped the marble counter before retreating from the bar to head outside with her boss. She weaved in and out of the people in the dim lit room and stepped out into the cool air taking a refreshing breath and savored the clean oxygen that entered her lungs. Opening the pack of Players, she pulled out a cigarette and placed it between her lips. Stuffing the pack under her arm, she lit the end and watched it glow to life. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes as the nicotine worked through her bloodstream and blew out the smoke that filled her mouth.

“What’s going on with you?” Her boss asked grabbing the pack of Player’s from her arm and lighting one.

Chloe turned to look at the taller blonde woman. “Nothing. Why?”

Roxi’s vibrant blue eyes landed on Chloe; her mouth turned up at the corners not believing a word she just said. “Don’t bullshit me, Chloe. I watched you snap at your last customer.” She turned and leaned against the brick building.

Chloe took in a deep breath and looked at her boss. She had met Roxi almost two years ago at a dingy restaurant she had worked at when she first moved to Rhode Island from New York. Roxi instantly offered her a job at her prestigious private club and then later rented one of her beach condos to her and Lexi at a major discount. She and Roxi became close, almost like the sister she never had but Chloe knew deep down she could never share her past with her boss.

Looking down at her smoke she replied. “I don’t know. Just uptight I guess. Half these men are cheating on their wives. It just irks me, ya know?” She shot her boss a half smile.

Roxi eyed her carefully knowing Chloe was feeding her a line but wouldn’t press the matter. “Honey, those men are Rhode Island’s elite, most rich, famous in some way or another and you can’t be bothered by what the hell they do in their personal time.” Roxi reached for the door, looking back. “Play nice.”

Chloe took another drag as she watched her boss re-enter Club Roxi. Rhode Island’s private gentlemen’s strip club for the elite only. If you wanted in, you needed a pass, no exceptions. They had everyone from judges, to famous lawyers, to bankers and actors that came solely for the discretion.

Chloe rested her head against the brick wall, closing her eyes. She inhaled a deep breath of fresh spring air. The reality of it was, even in the perfection of her camouflage here, she really hated her job, but it was her only way to fast track back to her one goal of becoming a teacher. She had already completed the first two years and still needed to collect enough money to finish the remaining two years. So in the meantime, she would do what she had to do. No distractions.

Throwing the cigarette on the pavement, she squished it into the ground with her black high heel. As a light breeze swept a piece of hair in her face, she brushed the dark brown strand aside. Just a few more hours and her shift would be over she thought to herself as she retreated back inside the club.