Page 70 of The Client
“Why didn’t you tell me you were trafficked by Zoric?” he says.
“What?”
“I found out today,” he says. “I saw a…I saw evidence.” He moves to the windows and stares outside with his hands on his hips.
My legs suddenly go weak and I’m glad I’m already sitting. I didn’t realize that he didn’t know about that. I figured, since he was buying my time, that he understood the arrangement I had with my employer. Realizing that this is new information for him—I need to process that. But he’s already moving on.
“It’s just, this situation is going to cause a lot of problems for me,” he says. It’s not a complaint, just a fact. He’s in damage-control mode. “So we need to figure out how to fix it.”
I frown. My being forced into sex work by a man holding all the power is a problem forRhys? “In case you didn’t realize it, the situation hasalreadycaused a lot of problems for me,” I say. “So, yes, let’s find a solution that serves you.”
I don’t hold back the bitterness from my voice. Throughout this whole arrangement, I’ve played my role as ably as possible, keeping the majority of my feelings and opinions to myself. I’ve done every single thing these men have asked of me in order to protect my sister—her health, her safety, her future—and my family.
And despite being played like a puppet, I found myself fully entwined around Rhys McConnell. Emotionally, physically. I’ve fallen for him, and though I don’t fully understand it, my tenderness towards him grows every day.
Maybe he didn’t know about my arrangement with Mr. Zoric, but I swear to God, if he tries to make me feel guilty about it, I’ll—
“Izabela, that came out wrong—”
“You think?” We’re both quiet for a moment, staring at each other across the chasm of what we didn’t know about each other. “Just, whatever solution you come up with, it can’t compromise my family. Zoric has people on the ground,everywhere. Don’t do anything to anger him.Please.”
Realization lights his face. “Your family. Of course. He’s been holding them over your head to ensure that you comply, hasn’t he?”
Looking at the floor, I nod. “He also has my passport. I couldn’t run if I wanted to.”
“I listened to part of your interview with Zoric, the interview in which you found out about the auction. He… Wanted to sell your virginity to the highest bidder.”
“Oh, I am very aware of what happened to me, Rhys. You don’t have to spell it out for me.”
He holds up a placating hand. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to work this out in my head. I can’t begin to understand what that must’ve been like for you. And had I known about all of this when I made the offer to buy six months of your time, I would have paid for your total freedom instead.”
Standing, I go to him and grip his bicep, forcing him to continue looking at me. “What?”
“I’m not perfect, Izabela. You know this. I’ve done things that I’m not proud of. Probably too many things if I really think about it. But I would never participate in holding a woman prisoner. What he forced you into is deplorable and unforgivable. But what’s done is done, and I need to change the narrative here or everything I’ve worked for is going to implode.”
I’m torn. I hear a lot of selfishness in his words, but I also saw a deep regret in his eyes when he spoke about what happened to me. His voice is thick with apology, almost pleading as if I need to forgive him. He has a lot at stake. I’m sure if it comes to light that he purchased me from Konstantine Zoric, who’s been sex trafficking women for who knows how long, it will shine very badly on his company. What would it be like to have my name leaked in all of this? To have my name and face thrown into the press? My modeling career would be over before it even got started.
Then again, Rhys isn’t in a position to confront Zoric about this, either. Then it will become a tit-for-tat media game, with each of them dragging the other through the mud. I don’t know him well, but I get the impression that Mr. Zoric is a very powerful man. There’s no telling how much damage he could do to Rhys’s business.
Pulling away from him, I return to my seat on the bed.
It all comes rushing back.
The helplessness and the hopelessness and the un-believability that something this bad could really be happening tome.
It made me feel small then and it does so now as I sit on this huge, luxurious bed and relive it.
Rhys seems determined to lay it all out. He’s trying to be sensitive about it, I think, but it doesn’t make it easier for me.
“Has he threatened you?”
“When I spoke to Eva the other day she told me that an American man has begun watching the house. That my uncle told him to leave, but he came back. I would call that a threat, yes. Zoric knows all my money goes to them, that they are the most important thing to me. That’s why I can’t step out of line.”
Emotion makes my voice crack. Rhys leans forward and takes one of my hands in his, squeezing gently.
“Jesus, I’m sorry, Izabela. What Zoric forced you into is deplorable, indecent, not to mention illegal. He needs to be punished.”
“He needs to be stopped,” I interrupt.
