For the first few months in her new responsibilities, Renee often thought of her last conversation with Sasha.
“The most important thing to remember is that these girls are human beings with feelings and emotions just like anyone else,” Sasha had told her. “Trust and respect are earned, not given freely just because you’re daddy’s little girl. You are no better than they are, and don’t you forget that. Watch out for Mr. Crescent.” Sasha had certainty in her eyes that told Renee this was one of the most important points in their conversation. “He is unpredictable, as well as the eyes and ears for your father. Be watchful of him. That little bastard can be sneaky.”
Trying to hide and control the enormous amount of loss she was feeling was physically causing Renee pain. She couldn’t let the hurt show because, in this life, people came and went, and that’s just the way it was. Sasha, however, leaned in and hugged Renee, not ashamed to let a few tears run down her face. “I love you.”
Renee hugged Sasha harder, almost willing her not to walk out the door, but still she would not allow herself to cry. “I love you too.”
Renee’s eyes were rimmed in red, waiting for the dam to break as Sasha stepped into the hallway. As the door closed, Renee was left feeling unquestionably and completely alone for the first time in her life.
***
Renee stayed in her room with the door open to wait for the girls to check in after their clients left. While reviewing upcoming appointments, her head snapped up when she heard the sound of heavy footsteps as Kristin ran into the room, out of breath and full of panic.
“Help!” Kristin yelled, trying to catch her breath.
Renee bolted down the hall toward the girls crowding the open door of Saffron’s suite with Kristin on her heels. Before she was close enough to cross the threshold, she heard the crack of a fist making contact with flesh, then a muffled cry of pain coming from the far end of the room. Renee knew she couldn’t waste a second as she burst into the room, in no way prepared for what she saw.
Saffron, naked except for the shreds of fabric clinging to her that used to be a silk robe, was cowering against the far wall of the room in unquestionable terror. Her face colored red and black from the fresh bruises forming at the hands of her attacker; her hands and ankles bound so she couldn’t defend herself. All she could do was try to scream, but her lips were swelling too fast to let any sound escape.
On the bed, Mr. Escalona, an attaché to a visiting diplomat from Columbia, was out cold.
Her attacker was Evan Crescent. Renee never considered a confrontation like this as he hunched over Saffron, his right arm poised above his head, ready to strike. Even though he was taller, stronger, and older, Renee didn’t have time to think things through. Crescent was able to bring his fist down to connect with Saffron’s face one last time before Renee jumped on his back, wrapping her legs around his waist and locking her ankles together for balance. As he raised his right fist for another strike, she hooked her arm through his and pulled with all her strength, willing him not to swing again, and put her face between his head and right shoulder, biting down as hard as she could. Within seconds she tasted blood as Crescent’s head snapped up, connecting with Renee’s, forcing her head back and loosening her dental grip on his shoulder. He gave a grunt of pain as he violently twisted his body, trying to dislodge her, finally deciding to slam Renee up against the wall. The back of her head connected with the wall with a painful thud, but she wouldn’t budge. He slammed her against the wall a second time, knocking the wind out of her as her body slacked and she slid to the floor while trying to catch her breath.
Kristin, Michelle, and Charlotte succeeded in helping a barely conscious Saffron out of the way as Crescent focused on Renee, his face speaking nothing but rage and death with blood spilling from the bite on his neck. He lifted his leg and kicked. Renee had been able to react fast enough to turn to her side and take the blow in her arm. She could have sworn she heard bone crack but didn’t have time to think about it. As he readied for another kick, she rammed a fist into his groin, lunging around him as he doubled over. She quickly crawled over to the bed and lifted herself off the floor, using the bedpost for leverage. The bedpost snapped off in her hand and she saw an opportunity, watching Crescent advance on her and knowing it was her last chance to try to stop him. She choked her hands around the bedpost, bent her knees, planted her weight on her left leg, and swung the broken post as hard as she could. Her eyes widened and loud gasps of surprise came from behind her as Crescent collapsed on the floor in front of her, blood not only dripping from his right shoulder, but now also from his left ear.
Renee stood where she was, momentarily stunned. She heard the cries coming from behind her and turned to see Saffron, also unconscious, being protectively held by Kristin, and the crowd of girls all staring in awe. Renee’s legs felt weak as she dropped the broken bedpost on the floor. She sat on the floor and leaned against the bed, her head tilted as she stared at the ceiling.
The drama wasn’t over. She still had to deal with her father.