Finding Beauty in the Darkness - Nikki Ash Page 0,46

same story I told Amber, leaving out most of the gory and horrific details, but telling them enough so they understand.” I know Gio said I need to lay low and I am, but it feels good to talk to people other than him. It’s not like these women are going to go running to the news channels.

“Are you planning to go back to school?” Natalie asks as she takes a bite of her sandwich and moans in approval. Everything Maggie makes is delicious. She’s offered to give me some cooking lessons and I’ve taken her up on them. I can now successfully make lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and chicken fettucine alfredo.

“Yes… are you?” Cecilia walks into the kitchen, her nose stuck in the air as usual, butting into our conversation.

“I’m planning on it.”

“And with whose money? Giovanni’s?” Her question is meant to be rude, but I don’t let it get to me. I’m here at Giovanni’s insistence. He sought me out, not the other way around. I’m extremely appreciative of him getting me out of that basement, but I would never take advantage of him, and I sure as hell don’t want to owe anybody anything.

“I haven’t figured it out yet, but no, he has given me enough. I don’t want to take advantage of him. I obviously need to make my own money but I’m stuck under this roof, which is making it difficult.” I know if I asked Gio for the money to go to school, he’d give it to me in a heartbeat, but I don’t want him to. I want to be independent. Show the world that what happened to me didn’t break me. He’s made it clear, he doesn’t want anything to happen between us, so keeping our relationship on a friendship level means not taking anything more from him than necessary.

“If you don’t want to rely on him, why don’t you work here? You can do that right from under this roof.”

“Cici!” Sienna yells.

“What? Mariah left and I’m hiring. If you’re serious about needing a job, you can work here.” She flips her hair behind her back as her head tilts slightly. Ugh! She’s such a damn bitch.

“As an escort?” I clarify.

“I mean, unless it’s beneath you.” Her eyebrows raise in a challenge.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just…” I look around then sigh. “I haven’t had sex since I was raped.” I bite the side of my cheek hard, the metallic taste of the blood hitting my tongue.

“You wouldn’t have to have sex,” Natalie says.

“What do you mean?”

“We all have a profile. It lets the members know what we allow. Whether we allow sex and if we do, what our hard limits are. You could just put you don’t allow sex.”

Cecilia scoffs. “I’m not sure how many clients you’ll get, but I guess if that’s what you want.” The thought of having sex with a stranger terrifies me, but the fact that I wouldn’t have to until I’m ready settles my nerves, and who knows, maybe this’ll be good for me while making money to pay for school.

“I’ll think about it.” This is a lot to consider. I can make money while living under this roof, but I’m not sure how I’ll feel having to be close to men I don’t know.

“Think about what?” Gio asks as walks into the kitchen and grabs a peach from the fruit bowl, with his brother following behind. All the women stop talking and stare at him. He’s in his usual power suit—well most of it—his jacket and tie are missing—and his hair is messy like he’s been running his fingers through it. The guy sheds clothes throughout the day like a dog sheds its hair. It’s rather comical. He takes a bite out of the peach, a bit of juice coming out the sides, and suddenly I’m fantasizing about licking peach juice off Gio’s lips.

“Aria was just saying she’ll think about working here,” Cecilia says.

Gio chokes on his peach, his hand coming up to his mouth as he coughs to get a piece that seems to be lodged in his throat. Once he’s recovered, he shouts, “Like fucking hell!”

“Excuse me?” My hands go to my hips, preparing for a fight because who the hell does he think he is?

“I’m not hiring.”

“Yes, we are,” Cecilia jumps in, earning a glare from Gio.

“Cecilia, stay the fuck out of this,” Gio barks, his eyes never leaving mine, his tone brokering no room for argument. She huffs and walks out, her