There’s a sick feeling in your gut. You should have never come here. You can’t imagine what they are saying right now. No—you can. “Temptation doesn’t come in the working hours.” But you throw quotes back at them: “I can resist everything except temptation.”

Did that clear it up?

They will never believe it when you tell them you didn’t die and or get arrested for committing murder. That’s what they thought would happen, right? It’s a dangerous place for a sweet little girl like you.

But the night’s not over. Only a few hours until it’s time to leave and you get into a mess like this? Just another page in someone’s book “based on actual events.” Can’t they come up with a story on their own?

Your story is just that good.

Hold on for another round of drinks. He wants to get you drunk. You can barely stand at the moment, stumbling over his left foot, keeping a tight hold on his arm. The stiletto heels they make you wear don’t help. Good thing your drink didn’t spill on his suit. That would have been asking for trouble.

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He’s a fifty-fifty man when it comes to promises. Say a silent prayer behind your smile. Will he come through for you this time?

He moves to the V.I.P. room on the right. He is practically dragging you now. You can’t move on your own. It’s not just the alcohol—you know what comes next. And he’s determined to make you the only witness. Get through this and the rest of your life should be smooth sailing.

“Got the goods?” A briefcase appears. Exchange of money. Two silent gunshots. The silencer is new. A great way to break it in, he tells. You haven’t seen this before, but you know you can’t see it again. Not in this lifetime.

He tells a couple of guys to clean up his mess. You’re fading, but you hold on long enough. He hands you a stack of hundreds. “For being so good to me, Baby.” He kisses you. You try to run, but you fall over. He stands over you, wondering just what it is that you are up to. He kicks you lightly with his toe. You look up. His smile is like the devil, fiendish and greedy. It’s the last thing you see before you black out.