Page 74 of Vicious King

With a nod, I sit back in the seat and watch Vegas go by. I used to know this city so well, but a lot has changed in the years that I’ve been gone. New resorts, new homes, different billboards.

Soon, Ricky turns into a gated neighborhood and then pulls into a driveway.

Bacon opens my door for me, and I climb out and walk up the porch and ring the bell. Shortly after, a young woman opens the door and scowls.

“We don’t want any.”

“I’m Rina. I’m here to see Dr. Asgood.”

“This ain’t a fucking hospital,” she says. “Go away.”

“This is Rina St. James,” Bacon says, his voice hard and cold. “Carson’s wife.”

The woman’s face goes white, her dull brown eyes widen, and she stumbles back two steps.

“Oh fuck. I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Please don’t tell him⁠—”

“It’s fine. Can I come in?”

“Sure. Yeah, sure.” She pushes her hair behind her ears and stands back away from the door, giving me space to walk by her. “Doc’s upstairs with Fancy. That ain’t really her name, that’s just what we call her. I don’t know her real name.”

“That’s okay. I can wait for the doctor to finish up.” I smile at her. “What’s your name?”

She licks her lips, and her eyes flick over to Bacon, who walked in with me.

“Bacon, would you please wait for me outside?”

“The boss wants me with you at all times.”

I turn to him with a nod. “I understand that, but these women don’t want men in their home. I’m safe in here. Please wait on the porch.”

He blows out a breath and then grimly agrees. “Fine, but I’ll be right outside, and I want this door to stay open.”

“We can live with that.”

Bacon walks out, and I turn back to the woman.

“There. He’s gone.”

She offers me a small smile. “I’m Stacy.”

“How are you holding up, Stacy?”

“It’s been a shitty few years,” she says with a sigh and rubs her hand over her eyes. “And I’m doing my best to stay sober, but fuck if I don’t want a hit of something.”

“How long have you been sober?”

“Two years. Since I got taken. If they were going to kidnap me, whore me out, and smack me around, the least they could have done was feed my goddamn addiction.”

Her eyes meet mine again. “Why are you here?”

“I’m a nurse, and I have a meeting with the doctor. But I was once one of the girls taken too.”

Her jaw drops, and for the first time in a long time, my stomach doesn’t roll with the admission.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “I got away, but it was a goddamn nightmare. I’m glad you’re here, you’re sober, and that you’re letting Dr. Asgood take care of you.”