Sinners and Saints (3 page)

Chapter 6

Bright rays of golden sun shone through the upper level windows. The view it offered was an ugly one. The
inside of this dream like vision of a castle was pleasant, but beyond the glass were run-down buildings with tattered curtains billowing from broken windows and dank streets full of winos, and things alike sputtering around like common rats. She pulled her eyes away and instead focused on the beauty inside her new found hell.

Mrs. Travine set a slow pace that was easy to follow as they made their way down the stairs. Halfway to the lower floor, she spotted people moving about as if it were any other day a
nd no one was being held against their will. Business and usual. Several of the older woman carried clipboards and corralled the younger ones from here to there, sending them in the direction they needed to go. All the girls were dressed differently, some in business suits, some in everyday and a few looked like they were going out for drinks. She finally caved and asked what she was thinking.

“
What's with all that?”

“
With all of what?”

She nodded toward the commotion a few feet away. “
Them. All of the girls.”

“
What about them?”

“
Why are they dressed differently? Where are they all going? Do Johns really want girls in suits?”

Mrs. Travine's small laugh was sweet as was her tone.

“No, dear they are not going to see Johns. They are however, going where they need to.”

“
Which is...”

“
None of your business. You are scheduled to be at the salon and that is where you are going.”

She stopped and yanked her hand free of the woman.

“No! What if I refuse? I want the hell out of here!” her voice cracked, “Why can't I just leave?”

The tears in her eyes hid the movements of the woman next to her. When she blinked her hands were in the grip of the woman, not too tight
, but not loose enough to break free and her voice was full of sincerity.

“
I cannot give you the answer you want or let you leave, but I can tell you that you are not here for what you think. After the salon, you have a photo shoot and an exercise class and that will fill your day today and tomorrow you have a seminar. I know it is difficult, but you must trust me.”

She stepped back and glared at Mrs. Travine.

“Why should I trust you? Because instead of some dingy building you keep us in this lavish one? You think since it looks pretty it’s anything less than a prison?”

“
Calm down. This is not a prison and you are not a prisoner.”

“
Really? If I am not a prisoner then I can leave anytime I want. So...” she jerked free and headed down the remaining steps toward the door, she entered when she first arrived, that lead out of the building. Mrs. Travine's heels clicked across the marble floor as she rushed after her. The cold knob just under hand and a guard appeared from thin air it seemed. His deep voice sent chills down her spine.

“
Don't open that door. Go with Mrs. Travine and this doesn't have to get ugly.”

She
looked back at the tall mountain of a man and recognized him from before. It was Lewis, the one who offered her pain meds. Her eyes went from the spot she stood to the guard, Travine and back as she worked to gauge her odds of getting away. Lewis answered the one question she had.

“
I see that look in your eyes. Yes, there is a guard on the other side of that door and no you won't get far.”

Damn!

Defeated, she let go of the door and walked back to Mrs. Travine. Lifting her arm, she motioned for her to lead the way. Past the stairs, she followed the woman through a light colored glass door and once again, it was a more lavish dreamlike place. The floor, in decorative S shape patterns in gold and silver marble swirled and swam across the floor in intricate designs surrounding a large flowing fountain. What should have been 'salon chairs' were nothing more than fancy adjusted comfy looking recliners. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling sending sparkles of light across the entire large area like a disco ball. Looking around at all of it, all she could do was shake her head.

“
Beautiful isn't it?”

“
Yeah,” she murmured.

She turned back to Mrs. Travine.

“Why? Why all of this? Do prostitutes need all of this?”

A hiss filled the air at the mention of 'prostitutes' and s
he looked around to see she had everyone's attention. None of the hand full of people surrounding the salon gave her good looks. All faced her way, glared and growled at her. Mrs. Travine nudged her.

“
We do not use that word here.”

She whispered back, “
I see that. Why? That is what you have us for, right?”

The woman next her tsked.

“So much to learn.”

She was just about to toss back a retort when a tiny dark haired girl rushed up wearing a cute pair of jeans and top covered in a black stylists' apron.

“Hi. I’m Lissa. I will be your stylist for the day. If you will follow me, I will get that...”

Folding her arms over her chest, she glared at the little woman who looked to be shooting daggers with her eyes at the rats nest of hair atop her head.

“...I will get that managed and beautiful for you. Do you have a specific way you like to wear it?”

Narrowing her eyes,
she said, “Clean! Clean and straight.”

Lissa and her bounciness sprang into action by grabbing her arm and dragging her to a nearby chair.

“Great. I can do that for you.”

She fell into the koosh chair and the bright eyed stylist went to work. The seat fell back with ease and soon her hair was immersed in warm water and shampoo. As angry and scared as she felt, it was hard not to
relax between the soft chair, massaging hands and the subtle scent of lavender floating in the air. Catching herself dozing off, she jerked her eyes open.

This is not a day spa...Stay on track...get away as soon as possible.

The chair went back into normal position and Miss Perky's voice sounded in her ear bringing her back from her mind.

“
So, you want it straight? I can curl it up nice for you.”

“
Do whatever. I don't really care.”

Mrs. Travine stood in front of her, from several feet away, looking very disappointed.

“What?” She threw her arms in a give up fashion. “If you want me to be happy let me go home!”

The woman looked as if she were going to say something
, but was interrupted by Mr. Buchanan as he walked into the room.

“
How are things going in here, Mrs. Travine.”

“
Not well, I am afraid.”

She paid no attention to the brush raking through her knots as she listened to the conversation between the billionaire and pretty warden.

“What is the problem?”

Mrs. Travine pointed in her direction and she returned the gesture
with a glare.

“
What's wrong with her?” he asked.

“
She is clearly unhappy and upsets the other girls with her outbursts. I think we may have to tell her...”

Tell me what?

She scooted as far away from the loud hair dryer roaring in her ear, straining to hear the rest of the comments from the two people who knew what was going on. Irritated, she slapped the pink contraption of noise out of the girls hand and got up from the chair.

“
The truth about what? What is going on around here and why can't I just go home?”

Well damn, Mr. tall, dark and full of money has a charming smile full of the 3-D white teeth and a smooth deep voice, the type of voice that drove her crazy. He had to be sexy too?

“Please, if you will bear with us. I know how scared and alone you must feel, but I assure you it is not what you think and you have nothing to fear here...”

“
Then why can't I leave? I just...” her emotions reached their peak and broke the damn. She did something she had never done in front of people before, without being in pain, she cried. Real tears fell from her eyes.

“
...I just want to go home. Please, just let me go home.”

Mrs. Travine felt like a warm blanket when she wrapped her in her arms, Mr. Buchanan lowered his voice and stepped forward.

“I beg you. If you can just hold on for today, all will be explained tomorrow. I promise you. You will not suffer here and I will not ever send you to be someone's play thing. That is not what we do here. Please, I beg you, stay calm for today and do what Mrs. Travine asks of you, I assure you it is nothing out of your comfort zone and in the morning, you will know why you are here.”

She lifted her tearful eyes toward the man before her and her entire impression of him changed.
When she looked at him, she saw his heart break. It was written in the lines of his face, the frown upon his lips and the tears that filled his eyes. She leaned into the warmth of his hand when he touched her face and whispered.

“
I swear to you I would never hurt any of you.”

In that moment, she knew he
was telling the truth. She saw it in his face and she felt it in his touch. Her breath caught in her chest when she realized it and she threw her arms around the man and cried like a baby in his arms. His soft murmurs in her ear were the sounds of angels and she clung to it for dear life. He was truly the light in her darkened tunnel, and peace filled her being as he hugged her close, letting her get it all out. He let her stay as long as she needed, never rushing her healing.

All things must come to an end,
and she stepped back wiping her face with her hands.

“
I’m sorry.”

“
Please, do not be sorry, ever! There is no need for it. It is expected in your situation.”

She watched him as he spoke. Although he looked no more in age than her, mid twenties to late tw
enties, she swore she watched him get older in those few moments. His dark business like hair seemed to get a bit lighter, his broad shoulders seemed to slump slightly and his perfect complexion extended a few lines, but it was his eyes that changed the most, which were dark penetrating gray eyes the first time she met him, grew a shade or two darker.

His words finally made their way into her mind and she shook her head in understanding.

“I will do what Mrs. Travine asks.”

“
Thank you. Are you going to be okay? I have some other things that need attending.”

She wiped her face free of tears once more, “
Yes. Thank you for talking to me.”

“
One more thing, please do not be angry with any of these women, none of them are allowed to say anything to any of girls. That too, will be explained tomorrow.”

Her eyes slid to Mrs. Travine and she smiled.

Mrs. Travine hadn't come right out and told her anything of importance, but she had tried to comfort her by hinting that the situation wasn’t what it looked like.

Her ey
es back on the man before her. “I won't.”

She bid him farewell and watched him walk away, and unbeknownst to him, with her heart in his suit pocket. Mrs. Travine's voice pulled her attention away from the stranger and back to her.

“Shall we get your hair ready?”

She turned to the woman, “
Yes, I suppose. I still don't know what is going on, but thank you for being kind and trying to ease my worries.”

Mrs. Travine smiled, patting her hand and what came out of her mouth shocked her. “
It's alright dear, I understand. I do. I don't advertise this much, but two years ago I was right where you are now. Mr. Buchanan helped me as well...and that is all I can tell you on that front.”

Smiling,
Vylette said, “Fair enough. Let's get my hair done.” She started to walk off and turned back. “Why am I getting my hair done?”

“
All I can tell you is that is for a photo shoot...which you are running late for.”

“
Okay. I'm going.”

“
Will you be okay to be left with Lissa while I go check on the photographer?”

“
Yes, I won't cause any trouble, I promised, remember.”

“
Alright then. You get your hair and face done and I will be back in a few to get you.”

“
Okay.”

She waved and walked back to the stylist and her waiting chair. Lissa stood with a smile on her face and the remains of tears
in her eyes, but said nothing.

“
I suppose make it look nice, Lissa.”

“
Can do, sweetie. I can do your make up to if you would like.”