Chapter 1: Introduction
The night air was thick with the humid September chill, but the heat inside the bar was oppressive. The worn-out leather stools creaked under the weight of patrons nursing their drinks in silence, the atmosphere heavy with a sense of foreboding. At the far end of the counter, a group of thugs huddled together, their laughter like the menacing bark of rabid dogs.
Grace shifted uncomfortably on her stool, her long brown hair falling over her shoulders as she glanced at Tony.
He sat beside her, his eyes fixed on the group of thugs at the end of the bar, his knuckles white from gripping his beer bottle too tightly. She could see the fear hidden behind his forced bravado, and it made her heart ache.
"You don't have to do this, Tony," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the clinking of glasses and the low hum of conversation. "We can leave, go back to the dorms."
Tony looked at her, his brown eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. "No, Grace. I can't let them push me around anymore.
It's time to stand up to them," he replied, his jaw set in a stubborn line. Grace looked back at the group of thugs, her eyes landing on the biggest one – a hulking mass of muscle with a cruel smirk etched on his face. She knew that look, the one that said he was enjoying the fear he inspired. She felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Tony, I don't think this is a good idea. These guys aren't ordinary bullies. They're dangerous."
Tony scoffed, "C'mon, Grace. They're just a bunch of idiots trying to prove their manhood. I can handle this."
Grace bit her lip, knowing there was no use arguing with him. Tony was as stubborn as a mule when he wanted to be.
Grace sighed, knowing she couldn't change his mind. She was about to say something else when the thugs at the end of the bar started their catcalls.
"Hey, nerd girl, why don't you come over here and let us give you a makeover? We'd have you looking skinny and anorexic in no time. Our coke would do wonders for your figure!"
Tony tensed, his grip on the bottle tightening until his knuckles turned white. Grace felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment and anger, but she refused to let them see her discomfort. She looked at Tony, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and defiance.
"Ignore them, Tony. They're just trying to get a reaction."
The thugs continued their relentless taunts, their voices rising above the din of the bar. "Yeah, nerd girl, you should really consider our offer. You'd look smokin' hot in a leather skirt, all that skin and bones. And don't forget the makeup, caked on like a cheap whore. High heels, too. Women shouldn't weigh more than 45 kilos, right, guys?"
The other thugs hooted and hollered in agreement, their eyes gleaming with malice. Grace felt her skin crawl at their words, their lewd suggestions making her stomach churn. She couldn't bear the thought of them looking at her like that, objectifying her, reducing her to a number on a scale.
Before she could stop him, Tony slid off his stool and stormed towards the thugs, his fists clenched at his sides.
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" he spat, his voice shaking with anger. "Talking about women like that, like they're nothing more than meat. You're pathetic."
The biggest thug, the one who had been doing most of the taunting, turned to face Tony, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Well, well, look who's grown a spine. You're asking for it, nerd boy."
Grace's heart leaped into her throat as she watched Tony square up to the thug, his shoulders tense and his jaw set. She knew he was no match for the brute, but she also knew he couldn't back down now.
She stood, ready to intervene if needed, but it was too late. The thug lashed out, his fist connecting with Tony's jaw with a sickening crack. Tony crumpled to the floor, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Grace's scream pierced the air, a desperate and anguished sound that cut through the chaos of the bar. Patrons turned to stare, their eyes wide with surprise and disgust. The thugs exchanged smug grins, their laughter echoing through the suddenly silent room.
Grace rushed to Tony's side, her hands shaking as she cradled his head. "Tony, oh God, Tony. Wake up!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with tears.
The thugs continued their mocking laughter, their voices echoing in Grace's ears like a nightmare.
She looked up from Tony's prone form, her eyes blazing with anger and fear. The biggest thug, the one who had landed the punch, stood over them, a cruel smirk still playing on his lips. He pushed his black hair out of his eyes, and Grace saw the piercing blue gaze that seemed to cut right through her.
"You're a real firecracker, aren't you?" he said, his voice a low growl. "I'm Jerome, by the way. And you are?" He extended his hand to her, as if they were meeting at a polite gathering rather than a bar fight. Grace stared at his hand in disbelief, her mind racing. She knew better than to antagonize him further, but she also couldn't ignore the insult.
"Grace," she bit out, her voice filled with resentment.
She gave his hand a brief shake, unable to maintain eye contact. Instead, she turned her attention back to Tony, her fingers gently tracing his swelling cheek.
Jerome chuckled, a low rumble that sent shivers down Grace's spine. "Well, Grace, it seems your boyfriend here has a bit of a problem with his mouth. Maybe you should teach him some manners."
Grace's eyes flashed with defiance. "Leave him alone, Jerome. He didn't do anything to you."
Jerome shrugged, a casual gesture that did nothing to hide the menace in his eyes.
"I'm just offering you a deal, Grace. A chance to keep your boyfriend safe. You should be grateful."
Grace scoffed, her voice laced with disdain. "And what deal would that be, Jerome? What could I possibly offer you?"
Jerome's gaze flicked over her, a slow and deliberate perusal that made Grace's skin crawl. "You, Grace. You could offer yourself."
Grace's breath hitched in her throat, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. She knew what he meant, and it sent a wave of nausea crashing over her.
"You're sick," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I won't let you do this." Jerome's words sent a ripple of fear through Grace, but she kept her voice steady, refusing to show her fear. "I won't let you use me or hurt Tony."
Jerome laughed, a sound like distant thunder. "Use? Grace, sweetheart, I'm not going to use you. I'm going to own you. And you're going to like it." Jerome's voice was as cold as ice, and Grace could see the truth in his eyes. She knew he wasn't bluffing. She glanced down at Tony, his eyes still closed, and felt a tug of despair. She couldn't let him get hurt again.
"Alright," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll do it. But you have to promise to leave Tony alone."
Jerome's lips curled into a smirk, a victorious glint in his eyes. "You drive a hard bargain, Grace. But I agree. As long as you do as I say, your boyfriend remains untouched."
Grace felt a knot form in her stomach as she nodded, the reality of her agreement sinking in. She had just sold herself to a criminal, all to protect Tony.
Grace couldn't believe the words that had come out of her mouth. She felt a chill run down her spine as she looked up at Jerome, his blue eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"Good girl," he said, his voice a low purr.