Hearing the locks click as the Lincoln pulled out of the clubs front parking lot, my stomach turned. I tried pulling on the door handle and of course it wouldn’t budge. Damn child safety locks. Rogers’s scratchy voice interrupted my train of thought.  

“Good evening Vivian. It’s so nice to see you again my dear.” I heard Rogers say to me.

“Screw you Rogers.” I spat. I could see the look of shock in his eyes as he peered into the rearview mirror. 

“Now, now Vivian; I’m sure your father taught you better than that?” He questioned me.

Sitting back in the seat, knowing I was trapped; I began to think. I had to find a way out, but I knew I’d have to buy my time.  So I might as well get some information.

“So who are you actually working for here; my father or the fuck off sitting next to me?” I nodded towards Damon.

Hearing Damon huff, I couldn’t help but smile. Anything I could do to get under Damon’s skin the

better.

“Well Rogers, which is it? Are you working for the one who has the biggest cock or the biggest bank account?”

“Vivian… girl your mouth. I have to say your father will not tolerate you speaking like that.” Roger stated. I could hear the mirth in his voice.

“Oh, so you’re working for the guy with smallest cock, my fucking father. Well I’ll let you know something Rogers; I don’t give a flying fuck what my father thinks. He can kiss my lilly white ass.” Rogers gasped as Damon growled. I couldn’t help but smile.

“So where in the fuck are you two cock suckers taking me?”

“You’ll see soon enough my sweet.” Damon stated through gritted teeth.

Turning towards Damon, “You don’t have the balls to tell me where you’re taking me? So I should assume you’re kidnapping me? Right?”

“Nobody said anything about kidnapping my love. I have a sweet surprise for you.” I could feel his anticipation as he sat next to me.

“I should warn you, I hate surprises.” I sat back again, folding my arms around my chest.  

Damon did nothing but chuckle, as I turned to look out the tinted window. I had a feeling I was

going to the last place on earth I wanted to go. I was about to come face to face with my father. Trying not to vomit, I swallowed.

After a quick twenty minute drive, we pulled in front of a grand hotel deep in the hills outside of the city limits.  Once the Lincoln had stopped; Rogers got out and walked around the car, coming to open the door on Damon’s side. Before the door opened, Damon grabbed my hand.

“Listen, Vivian. You try to run or say anything inappropriate to anyone, I’ll make the call.”

I knew what type of call he was talking about, but I needed him to say it. I needed to hear what type of monster Damon really was. “Yeah, and what would that be?”

The smile on Damon’s face said it all. “Your little Angel will be found floating in the river.”

That was exactly what I thought he was going to say. He had me and we both knew it. If I wanted to keep those I actually cared about safe, I’d have to follow along. Sliding out for the car, I made sure my gun was still tucked under the folds of my dress. I prayed I didn’t have to use it, but with this bunch the possibly was likely.  Unfortunately, my father and his crew made all the patrons in the club put together look like saints.

I had discovered to late who and what my father really was. If Damon had truly learned all he needed to know from him, I could be walking into anything. The truth is, my father is a crook, the boss, the king pin.  He looked legit, but when you started peeling back layer after layer, he was the crookest motherfucker you didn’t want to deal with. I knew what he was capable of; he’d killed his own wife and would sell his daughter to the highest bidder; anything to gain power. I feared Damon was the same, which only meant that I was the pawn in one or both of their plans.

Pulling me from my thoughts, Damon offered his arm for me to take. Resting my hand on his forearm, we began to walk up the front steps into the grand entry. It had been a while since I’d visited a place like this. All the comfort and familiarity had been lost. I knew the proper way to carry myself, but this life was no longer who I was.

A gentleman in a tailored tux directed his attention to Damon the moment we crossed the threshold.

“Mr. Hannon, it’s so nice to see you again sir. You’re party is waiting in the private dining room for you. Will be so kind as to follow me?”

Damon nodded, and pulled me alongside him. Keeping in step, I held my breath. Not wanting to know what or who was waiting for us.

As the doors opened and we entered the room my fears were confirmed. There he stood, holding his signature class of bourbon, smoking a cigar, surrounded by his goons. I tried to turn away for Damon, but he wrapped his arm around my waist, pushing me into the room.

“Vivian my dear; it’s been too long.” I heard my father say.

“Father.” Was my only reply.

Walking towards us, he placed his drink on the table and took both my hands into his. “You look lovely my dear. You don’t know how happy I am to see you again. I thought I lost you forever.”

“You did, you sick bastard.”

I could hear the wind whistle seconds before I felt the pain across my cheek. He didn’t waste a second in backhanding me. The fucking bastard had actually laid a hand on me. Dazed for just a moment, I started to lunge towards him. Damon still having a hold of my waist, held me back. Struggling I tried to break free, with no luck.

“Mr. Hastings, it’s so nice to see you.” Damon acted like nothing was wrong or that I was trying to free myself from his grip.

“You too Kurt, I mean Damon. How have you been?”

“I’ve been doing well sir, and you?”

“I’m wonderful since you’ve brought my daughter back to me.”

“Both of you knock it off.” I spat. “Stop acting as if this is normal. You both know I’m here against my will.”

Both my father and Damon ignored me. It was as if I wasn’t in the room.

“Here, both of you take a seat.”  My father gestured to the table.

Looking around the room, as Damon pulled the chair out for me; I noticed a guard at each entrance.

Fuck, there was no way to slip out.  Sliding his chair next to me, Damon placed his hand on my thigh, as my father took a seat at the opposite side of the table.

“I’ve taken the liberty of ordering. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all sir.”

“Please call me Thomas, since we’re going to be family.”

Immediately, I stood up. Placing my hands on the table I screamed. “What the fuck.”

“Vivian, sit down this instant and shut up.” I heard my father growl.

“Like hell I will. I don’t know what you two worked out but it isn’t going to happen.”

Damon stood up and moved behind me, coming in close. I felt him place both his massive hands on my shoulders as he pushed me back into my seat. “Keep in line or I’ll make the call. Is that what you

want?” I heard him whisper into my ear.

I swallowed hard and sat back down. Damon stood behind me; his hands still resting on my shoulder. “Now why don’t you relax and hear your father out. You might like what he as to say my love. I know I’m quite excited.”

“Doubt that.” I replied.

“Well, let’s change the subject for now.” My father said, as he clasped his hands together.

Giving up, I sat quietly. I listened as my father and Damon chatted about politics, the economy, and other things that really didn’t interest me. I hated being made to wait to find out what they had cooked up. Either way, I wasn’t going to like it.

Finally, dinner was served. My father had ordered my favorite. I looked at the plate and could barely stomach the sight of the food.

“Vivian, you must eat. You know you love prime rib.” Even though he sugared her words, I could hear the scolding undertone. To appease him, I took a bite.

As we ate, my father stated to direct the conversation towards me.

“I know what you have been up to Vivian, or should I say Violet.”

“Good to know.” I replied.

“How could you stoop so low? Being as stripper is so beneath your stature in life. Didn’t I give you everything you wanted or needed?”

“You know why I left. Do we really need to get into it again?”

“You are such a child Vivian.”

“Child, right or wrong, I’m my own person. You can’t and will not make me do anything I am not willing to do.”

“Really… I beg to differ.”

“Well father, we can continue to play this game or you can spit it out. What is it that you and Damon plotted out for me? I can assure you it will be a cold day in hell before it actually happens. I’m not either of your pawns.”

“Damon do you wish to tell her or should I?”

“Thomas, why don’t you do the honors?” I swear Damon was almost gitty.

As the wait staff took our plates, I sat back and listened to my father’s speech.

“Well Vivian it seems that you have put me in a tight spot. You see I raised you to be put on a pedestal. To be the wife of a high society gentleman, but your transgressions over the past few years have caused you society value to plummet. No A list gentleman is going to want an ex-stripper as his wife or to raise his children. I honestly had no clue what I was going to do with you, once you’ve been located. Yes, I have been looking for you since the day you left. I have to say I am quite impressed with your skills. Each time I thought I had you located, you slipped away. But no worries, Damon here has found you and brought you back into the fold.”

“What to do with me; there is nothing to do with me. I’m not your bargaining chip.”

“Hush child. I am still your father. You will do as you are told. Do you understand me?” I jumped as his fist hit the table.

Even though I feared the man sitting before me, I refused to lose eye contact.

“I understand one thing. You are a no good son of a bitch and I’d rather die than to do anything you have planned out for me.”

“That can be arranged little girl. You have no clue the power I hold.”

“I know what you hold; a cold dead heart. The day you killed my mother, is the day you lost me. I am not your daughter and you will not bend me to your will.”

“That’s it. I’m done. Boys take her to her room upstairs.”

“What, my room. Like hell I’m staying here.”

“Like hell you are. Tomorrow you will marry Damon in a quiet ceremony. You are lucky this upstanding young man wants your hand.”

“Marry! Damon! Fuck No!” I screamed.

“Vivian, if you fight me on this, I’ll kill your little skank of a girlfriend in front of you with my own hands. Do I make myself clear?”

“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!” I screamed as two goons grabbed me by the fore arms and lifted me out of my chair.

“Boys, now make sure you pat her down. I want to make sure she’s not hiding anything that will allow her to escape.” My father ordered.

Struggling I tried to break free.

“Don’t bruise her.” Damon called out. “She needs to look stunning for tomorrow.”

“Fuck you,” I screamed.

“Now darling, I’ll be up in a few, I have some details to work out with your father.”

Before I could say another word, I was being hauled out of the room.