9

"Ah!" She said more out of surprise than understanding.

The woman seemed annoyed. She went behind the counter and pulled out a soft pack of cigarettes. She pulled one out, as well as a lighter, lit it, took a drag and exhaled. Bunny just stood there. She thought Rome and all of this was strange.

He appeared to act impulsively quite a lot. She didn't know if he was spoiled or self entitled but whatever it was, it was hard for her to sit in. He obviously didn't respect Baxter. He had no boundaries. If she was in theory Baxter's. Why then did he take liberties with her last night?

Why not let her stay in that room until the debt was paid? Why was he taking her shopping and letting her meet his family? And now they were at an exclusive dress shop. It made no sense to her. As if the lady had once more realized Bunny was in the dress shop, she took one more drag of her cigarette, wet her finger, and put it out.

She used a wet wipe and wiped her finger then threw it in the trash. There was a bottle of perfume on the counter along with several more. She took it and spritzed herself and the air around her.

"I'm so sorry about how I'm acting. I just...didn't think he would do it."

"Do what?" Bunny was confused.

There was an awkward silence.

"Oh, nothing. Let me go get it. I will be right back." She walked into the back of the store.

Bunny turned around and saw the car was still there. The tinted windows still rolled up. She knew he was watching her. He seemed like the type to her. A table set up with a sparkly array of expensive jewelry caught her eye. She couldn't help but migrate to it.

She picked up a gold chain link bracelet. It was beautiful. She turned the tag around. It read $3,800.00. She put it back down. Just as she did, Angelique was back with a garment bag and three more medium sized shopping bags.

"Here you go. Please tell Mr. Richards we appreciate his business." She said, smiling at her.

Bunny returned the warm smile, took the garment bag in one hand, and the two medium sized shopping bags in the other.

"I'll get the door." She walked over to the tinted glass door and opened it for her. she spoke once more. "Oh, and Bunny, it was so nice to meet you. I know Mr. Richards can be ... stubborn. Just give him time. I am here if you ever need a new friend."

Bunny had no idea what this woman was talking about. Maybe she thought Bunny was dating Rome. Had he told her that? Whatever the case it was wrong. She would be gone in a few days. The debt would be paid. Baxter was wealthy. He had the money. He was good for it.

"Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day.'' Bunny said then she exited out the door that was being held open by Angelique.

She looked back as she walked to the limo. She waved at her. She turned back around to see Rome standing by an open car door. When she was close enough he helped her with the shopping bags.

Once they were in the car she spoke, "What is all of this?" She asked referring to the day they were having and wherever else he was taking her for the day.

When they first started today, she had been riddled with anxiety. That anxiety had subsided to a dull hum in her mind. She should be upset, but the truth was she was being fed and sheltered. He hadn't laid a hand on her, even though he enjoyed telling her what she was, which she was still trying to get to the bottom of for the time being. It wasn't ideal.

Who could she call that would help her out of her current situation other than Baxter? No one. Her father was in the hole in prison. Her mother was drunk and crying constantly. Her sisters could never know just how bad their life was right now.

"These packages I purchased are not for me these clothes are for you..."

18

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"

She could feel his hard stare boring into the left side of her face. She couldn't look at him now.

"No." She replied.

"What?" He said.

"Nothing."

"Say it."

"No."

"Now."

"How did she get this order together so fast? I haven't been in your life a full 24 hours?" She asked him.

"You are right about that. How is it so far? Being in my life the last few hours?" He was curious.

"It's been...Eventful." She supplied.

He laughed loudly at her use of the word. "Eventful. Nice description. Do you want to know how I feel being in your life?"

She looked at him then and swallowed nervously.

He was looking at her lips. She saw the hunger in his eyes.

"No." She answered honestly..

"No." He repeated her, not pleased with her answer.

"Why would I care? I am going to be gone in a few days, once Baxter pays the debt off."

"And what if Baxter doesn't? Or something happens to Baxter?"

She looked at him then. Their eyes met. Bunny felt lightheaded. She felt her stomach sink a little then.

"What would happen to him?" She asked.

"I don't know. Life, I guess, anything. Fall down some stairs. Get stabbed in a mugging. Who knows. Baxter isn't the brightest." He stated so matter of fact.

He was right about that. What was he up to? She wondered.

"That won't happen. Baxter will pay. He is a part of the elite and they always pay their debts."

"That they do,Princess."

"Don't call me that." She said under her breath.

"You liked me calling you whore?"

"I didn't say that either. Just call me by my name, please." She informed him in a clipped tone.

"Alright, Bunny. " He obeyed.

"Where are we going next?" She asked him.

"To the airport." He was looking out of the window watching the scenery just as she had.

"The airport? I don't have any of my identification."She admitted to him.

"Don't worry about that." He assured her.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"You ask a lot of questions. You know that, Bunny." He told her.

"Yes. I like to be informed about where my captor is taking me. Does Baxter know we are going to all of these places?" She spat.

"Who gives a damn about what Baxter thinks. You are here with me. I do what I want. I need no ones approval. You are also a whore."

"Yes! I am but I am his whore. Not yours! And you are taking certain liberties with me that I don't think he would be ok with. You are being a bully. I didn't ask for any of this."

"You are right. You did not ask for any of this. I have heard this word used in conjunction with me for some time as well as stubborn. I get those impulses from my father. They have never led me astray. We are getting on this airplane. You will forget about Baxter and you will only think about me, now. You're free to spend my money and fly around the world with me, just don't ever betray me, Bunny." The look on his face let her know he wasn't joking around.

She was angry at him once again. He was so good at getting under her skin. The way he spoke at her and not to her in his bossy, condescending tone. He treated her like she hadn't ever used her brain in a single day of her life. It reminded her a great deal of how her father would speak to her mother when he thought no one was around watching.

The dynamic in this relationship was different. Rome was right. Baxter had paid her for her services. She held no real loyalty to him, especially in her current profession . Her only loyalty was to herself and her survival.

She shouldn't have a problem with this, so why did she? That question was hard for her to answer as they drove in silence to the private airport. When they arrived she saw the private Jet waiting for them on the tarmac. One of his men took her bags from her. She watched him load them onto the plane while she sat inside of the car.

Rome pulled out a sleek chrome cell phone from the breast pocket of the suit he wore. He sat it down on the divider next to her.

He looked at her then and spoke. "Call whoever you need to. Let them know you're safe and that you will be going out of town for a few days. If they ask, tell them a new client has requested your company. Tell them not to worry. I will be outside waiting for you. Take all the time you need." He assured her and then exited out of the car.

She closed her eyes and remembered her mother's cell phone number. She answered on the third ring.