Page 33 of Wild (Chicago Underground 4)
“That’s disgusting. Also, please stop being creepy.”
“My point is, the guns and the beatings, even the money, that’s the web. It’s easy to see, so people think that’s why prostitutes stay in the life. But really they’re stuck because of the venom, the sick poison of shame and fear that we’ll never fit in with regular people again—it paralyzes us. We stay there, frozen, even knowing that we’re going to get eaten.”
“Oh, Shelly,” came Allie’s voice from the door. “You are like normal people.”
Something caught in my chest before I breathed it out. “This is why you don’t lie,” I told Ella. “Too easy to spot.”
Allie dropped a box of doughnuts on the table, and Ella grabbed one.
“Now what is this I hear about a trip to a club?” Allie asked as she grabbed her own doughnut.
“Who told you that?”
“A little birdie.” When I stared at her, she conceded. “Okay, Adrian may have told me about your clothes. And the fake IDs.”
“Traitor,” I said, snatching the doughnut from Allie’s hand.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed another. “Someone has to talk you out of it. It’s a dumb idea.”
“It’s the only idea,” I said. “Which makes it a good one.”
“I assume you’re bringing Philip along for protection,” Allie said, probing.
I examined my nails, feigning nonchalance even though I’d never get it past her. “Actually, I’m bringing Luke. Or I will, as soon as I ask him and he says yes.”
Allie’s eyes never left mine. “Ella, can you excuse us a moment?”
“Uh-oh. It must be time for my spanking.”
She grabbed an extra doughnut before heading out. “Okay. If I hear any screaming, I’m going to assume they’re cries of ecstasy.”
“What are you teaching that girl?” Allie asked when Ella had cleared the room.
“I think she’s been watching too much HBO.”
“And what’s this about Luke?”
“Yeah, you know, the detective who can gather clues and make arrests and stuff. I figure he’ll be useful to have around, since we want to get our names cleared. Legally. Philip would probably start World War III before our drinks came.”
“Whatever, it’s always about Luke with you. Seriously, can you guys just go fuck it out? The world would be grateful.”
“Tried that. He didn’t want me.”
She made a sound of disbelief. “The way he looks at you, the way he talks about you. He’s into you. Big-time.”
“Yeah, and he still doesn’t fuck me. Makes you wonder what’s holding him back, doesn’t it?”
“Honestly? Not really, no. He’s a nice guy and all, but I’m much more concerned about you. Why d
on’t you just forget about him? There are other cops, other men.”
She didn’t sound convinced, though, as if she knew her words were falling on deaf ears, and oh, they were. Other cops? To pay off so I could work uninterrupted. Other men? Other paychecks. There was no one but Luke for me. There wasn’t even him. Just me and my wanting of him.
“Don’t you think I’d let him go if I could?” I dropped my voice. “I can’t. I think…I think I might love him.”
“Bullshit,” she said with a roll of her eyes.
“Excuse me?”
