Chapter 26: Raising the Price (Taylor's P.O.V.)
I should have grabbed Ann when I ran out, but it was good that I hadn't. I was kind of hoping that Harry and Louis could keep her occupied long enough for her to be late. I hated see her have to get into cars with strange men, knowing what she was doing because I was having to do the exact same thing.
On the other hand, I really wished I had pulled her along so that I didn't have to visit the jackass by myself. I hated to admit it, but ever since that night in the alley, I was kind of scared of Carson. He had always threatened us that if we ever tried to go against him or run away, he wouldn't hesitate to have one of his guys take us out. There had only been threats and words before that night. When he had his guys beat me the way that they did, I knew that he was telling the truth when he always said he could and would have us killed.
I tried to push that to the back of my mind as I walked into Club Royale. I walked right in, no one stopping me because by now they all knew I was one of Carson's girls. My stomach turned as I yelled at myself for calling myself that.
Again, I tried to clear my mind before I headed for the door that lead to Carson's private room. Melvin was turning to head up the stairs. He gave me a crooked smile when he spotted me and stopped to hold the door. I glared back at him before I started to climb the stairs. I could feel his creeping eyes looking me over as he followed me up the stairs. I wanted nothing more than to make sure that my skirt was pulled down but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was getting to me.
"Ah, Taylor," Carson grinned as I entered the room, "right on time."
Melvin moved around to take a seat at his boss's table as Carson sat forward. He wore his usual shit-eating grin, but raised an eyebrow when he realized that I was alone, "No, Ann tonight?"
"She's still getting ready," I replied blankly.
He nodded his head before moving straight into business, "Do you have my money?"
I reached into my bra and pulled out a wad of cash, throwing it onto the table. He picked it up and started counting it while Melvin began to check me out again. I could only imagine what sick and twisted things were going through his head after watching me pull out the cash.
"This is good," Carson said as he waved the money. "You girls are making some progress, but it's not very much."
I bit my tongue. I wanted so badly to tell him to go fuck himself, but knew better.
"I've been thinking," my stomach turned at the sound of his words. "Perhaps, I should start charging your clientele more considering all the good things that I have heard about the way you girls perform."
I wasn't sure how I felt about this. A part of me wanted to celebrate. If Carson charged more, then that meant we could pay off our debt faster and be free of all of this. However, I had a funny feeling about this and it wouldn't go away.
Carson continued, "There is, however, one small issue."
I hate when I am right.
He stood from his booth and walked toward me. He started circling me as he spoke, "I'm not quite sure if I would be fair for me to put a piece on something that I haven't been able to judge myself."
Skin crawled as Carson continued to circle me like a vulture while Melvin eyed me from his seat on the couch. Carson stopped behind me as I felt a pair of hands run down my arms. Goosebumps covered my skin as I tried to contain the urge to run away. His hands went to my waist as he leaned into the ear.
"I planned to have both you and Ann show Melvin and I what you could do," his voice was low as he managed to lean in even closer. "But I guess you'll have to take care of the both of us."
Carson's hands started to slide up toward my breasts as Melvin stood to his feet. I held my breath as I closed my eyes. This wasn't happening. This wasn't happening.