When We Wake Up
Chapter 15
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"Almost a million dollars ...."
"A million dollars......" Sonny got up and started to pace. "Exactly how much drugs were in that car Carly?"
Carly could see that Sonny was angry and she huddled into herself. "Please Sonny, don't be angry with me, I didn't know I swear."
Sonny didn't realize his actions had scared her and wondered just what had been done to her. He walked over to her and kneeled in front of her. "Hey, it's ok, I'm not mad at you, its the situation that you were put in.." she tried to turn her head away from him but he reached up and held it into place. "I promise"
Carly smiled a little. "If only those guys were as nice as you......He told me and I about fainted at the news. He thought it was funny...asked me how much I thought drugs cost. I didn't know, I'd never dealt with them before. I told him I couldn't' come up with that much money."
Carly laughed and got up to pace. "He knew I couldn't come up with the money, hell I was only seventeen, where did he think I was going to get that kind of money?" she shrugged her shoulders and continued. "He said then I would have to work off the debt."
Sonny looked up afraid of what she was going to say next.
"They told me I could come work at their club. I agreed." she threw her hands up in the air. "I mean what else could I do? He said that I would work the debt off, then I was free to go...HA, yeah right, your never free from the mob."
Sonny looked away at her comment, but Carly didn't notice.
"He handed me an address and told me to be there at seven the next night, then he left. I sat there and stared at the address in my hand. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I was upset so I asked to go home. The next day I pretended to be sick and stayed home from school. As soon as my parents left I headed out the door to look for the address. I soon realized it was in a sleazy part of town. I found it then headed home....As soon as I walked in the door the phone rang, It was them. They said that they were calling to make sure I was coming to work, they said that they had men watching me and knew I came and found the place. I told them I would and we ended the conversation."
Carly sat down by Sonny, who put his arm around her shoulders and leaned them back against the couch. He watched her face as she told more of her story. He knew what was coming next but he didn't want to believe it.
"That night I told my parents that I had to work and left the house. When I got to the place the person at the door immediately recognized me and took me to the back. That's where I met Mark. He was really nice. He told me that I would be working as a waitress there and that I was to make sure all the guests were happy. I just nodded and thought sure, it couldn't be that hard. That was till I saw the outfit they wanted me to wear. It left nothing to the imagination, I promise you that. Mark say the worried look on my face and reassured me that nothing would happen to me as long as I was in the club. For some strange reason I believed him, nodded and went to change."
"This Mark guy....Who is he?"
"Apparently he is second in command to the "boss". "The Boss" you wouldn't believe how many times I heard that"
"Yes I would" Sonny mumbled under his breath.
"What?" Carly asked him, not knowing what he said.
"Nothing, please continue."
"Anyway....work was fine for the first couple weeks. The tips were great and Mark only took thirty percent, so I made a pretty decent check to go home with. Mark seemed to watch me and I didn't' think nothing of it till one night a man started harassing me. The man grabbed me and Mark came running to the table. He jerked the guy up and almost beat him to a pulp. Told him to never ever touch me again and that he was no longer allowed in the club. The bodyguards escorted him out and Mark turned to ask if I was alright. I said I was. I was naive and thought he was a hero. He asked me to dinner and I agreed."
Sonny tightened his arm around her urging her to continue.
"Boy was I naive. I thought he was the most wonderful man. We started dating and everything went great for a while. Chris was the only person I had ever loved and gave myself to, so I didn't let Mark touch me for a while. He seemed fine with it and we continued to date. One night out of nowhere Mark told me that he wanted me to start working at his other club for him. I didn't think nothing of it and agreed."
Carly started laughing, Sonny looked over questioningly. "Why would I agree to something before I knew exactly what I was getting myself into?"
"Carly you were young, you didn't know what this stuff was like" Sonny tried to reassure her.
"I sure learned quick though. That night I arrived and walked into a strip joint. I couldn't believe it. Mark was waiting for me at the counter. I asked him exactly what I would be doing at this club. He pointed to the stage and I shook my head. He played me for all I was worth. Some how he sweet talked me into it and I started dancing the next night. I was good, oddly enough. I earned a good bit of money and my relationship seemed to be going good with Mark till one night he got drunk."
Carly shuddered but continued "I was at his house waiting for him, cause he was out on business. He came in and started to grope me. I pushed him away and he got angry. He said that I let the people at the club see me almost naked and touch me, why couldn't he. I yelled back at him telling him that he was the one that wanted me to strip and that no one ever touched me."
Carly started to cry and Sonny wrapped his other arm around her and held her close. "Carly what happened then?"
Carly buried her face into his chest. "He hit me"
Sorry this took so long. Will get another chapter up very soon I promise :)
~Sting~