After five years of being the traveling
companion and lover of a secretive man thirty years her senior, Erin Matthews
fears his increasing paranoia. At age twenty-two, Erin escapes to a new city,
determined to survive with her limited skills and experience. She cannot run,
however, from the dark act that facilitated her escape. Making one bad decision
after another, she lands in the Philadelphia demimonde world of entertainers,
hustlers, and thugs. But will her newly learned skills, native intelligence,
and honed instincts be enough to keep her alive until she gains the redemption
and forgiveness she seeks?
I knew I was taking a risk, but I had no
idea how much trouble it could cause me…
I couldn’t hide forever so I lathered more makeup on my face, hoped the
darkness and smoke below would hide any traces left by Charley’s fist. I left
the empty dressing room and went downstairs. Nothing seemed different. Trixie
was on stage. A few eyes were on her, but as usual most of the men were either
drinking, masturbating, smoking, or all of the above. Yet, for me everything
had changed. I lingered at the bottom step and looked for Charley. If I saw
him, I would have Joe arrest the bastard.
I sat by myself in a corner under the stage, thinking what I needed was a
stiff drink. Joe was busy with a group at the other end of the bar. While I
waited for him to notice me, I kept busy imagining Charley behind bars. I knew
that wouldn’t happen. Not to Tony Corelli’s partner. Corelli knew judges. He’d
proven that with my case.
Tony wouldn’t let anything interfere with his plans for Atlantic City. He
made that plain enough. He was in trouble and I was the oil that would grease
the kinks to smooth sailing. Once he found out I willingly went upstairs with
Charley, he’d say I deserved whatever I got. He might even look at the incident
as a betrayal. I’d gone behind his back and possibly made Charley a threat to
his plans. How stupid could a girl get?
Joe noticed me after about five minutes. His eyes narrowed and his jaw
tightened.
“Charley Rossino stormed out of here like the devil himself was after
him. Never knew he could move so fast.” He leaned closer. “Did he do that to
you?”
“Let it go, Joe.”
“No way,” he said. “That asshole hit you. You can’t hide the bruises with
makeup.”
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