Chapter 6 The Last Payment

• Lily felt the crumpled bills in her hand, her heart pounding against her chest as she walked through the dimly lit club for what she knew would be the last time. The familiar scent of stale beer and cigarette smoke filled her nose as she made her way to the back room, where Karl was always loitering.
• Karl sat at his usual spot behind the desk, a cigar in hand, the smoke curling upward and blending with the haze that hung low in the room. He glanced up at her, his eyes cold and calculating, as if already sensing something was different.
• "Lily," he greeted with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. "You’re done already ?"
• She walked towards him with steady steps, though every fibre of her being wanted to turn and run. With a deep breath, she placed the stack of cash on the desk between them.
• "Here," she said, her voice firmer than she expected. "That’s everything Trent owes you."
• Karl stared at the money, then up at her, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What’s this? How did you get so much money ?"
• "That's none of your business," Lily replied, her gaze unwavering. "I’m done, Karl. I won’t be working here anymore."
• Karl’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "None of my business, huh?" His voice took on a sharp edge as he stood, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. He towered over her, casting a long shadow. "Everything you do is my business, sweetheart."
• Lily didn’t back down. "Not anymore. I’m getting my things, and then I’m leaving."
• As she turned towards the hallway that led to the dressing rooms, Karl’s voice boomed behind her, stopping her in her tracks. "You’re not walking out of here like that, Lily. You think you can just quit?"
• Her pulse quickened, but she didn’t turn around. "I’ve already quit."
• Karl hissed, his voice low and venomous. "Don’t think you can just disappear without consequences."
• Lily swallowed hard. She had heard this tone from him before, the threats veiled in intimidation.
• "Don’t be stupid, Lily," Karl called after her. "You leave here without my permission, and I’ll make sure you regret it. I already have buyers lined up for you."
• "Buyers?" Lily's heart pounded in her chest at the implication of Karl's words. " What do you mean ?"
• Karl's smirk was barely audible in his voice. "You know exactly what I mean, Lily. You're not getting out of this that easily."
• His words sent a chill down her spine, but she kept her pace steady. She had heard enough. His power over her had been built on fear, but fear wasn’t enough to keep her anymore.
• Inside the dressing room, she hurriedly gathered the few belongings she kept there—a worn leather jacket, her makeup bag, a handful of personal trinkets. As she shoved everything into a duffel, she could hear Karl’s heavy footsteps approaching.
• He appeared in the doorway, his face dark with anger. "You walk out that door, and you’ll wish you hadn’t. I’ve got people who can find you. No matter where you go."
• Lily zipped her bag and finally turned to face him, her heart hammering in her chest.
• "I’m not your property," Lily said softly but firmly. "You don’t own me."
• Without waiting for his response, she pushed past him and made her way to the exit. Her legs felt shaky, her palms slick with sweat, but she didn’t let herself look back.
• Lily stood in the alley. The cool night air did little to soothe her nerves as she clutched her bag tightly, staring at the cracked pavement beneath her feet. She had walked out. She had finally done it.
• As if on cue, the door to the club creaked open. Karl stepped into the alley, his face twisted in anger . He was a man who wasn’t used to being defied, and the idea that Lily was actually leaving seemed to enrage him even further.
• "You really think you can just walk away?" Karl sneered, his voice dripping with venom as he took a few steps towards her. His heavy boots thudded against the pavement. "You’re not done here, Lily. I told you, I own you."
• Lily’s heart raced, but she forced herself to stand her ground. "I’ve paid you. You got your money, Karl."
• Karl’s lips curled into a cruel smile. "You think it’s that simple?"
• Fear prickled at the back of Lily’s neck. Her hand shook as she gripped her bag, willing herself not to panic. She couldn’t show him any weakness, not now. Not when she was so close to being free.
• "Stay away from me, Karl," she said, her voice shaking just slightly.
• He moved closer, his presence looming over her like a dark cloud. "I don’t think you understand the situation you’re in," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You leave here without my blessing, and I’ll make sure you and anyone you care about pay for it. You know what I’m capable of."
• Lily’s blood turned cold. She was on the verge of saying something when the sound of footsteps echoed down the alley. Both of them turned towards the source of the noise.
• A tall, well-dressed figure emerged from the shadows, his sharp features illuminated by the dim glow of the streetlights. Giovanni. Karl froze, his eyes widening in recognition and something far more powerful—fear.
• "Is there a problem here?" Giovanni asked, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable undercurrent of danger.
• Karl stepped back, his face paling slightly. "Giovanni, I didn’t know you were—"
• "You didn’t know," Giovanni interrupted, his gaze flicking towards Lily for a brief moment before locking back onto Karl. "But you should’ve. You’ve had your fun with her, Karl. That ends tonight."
• Lily could feel the tension in the air shift as Karl faltered. The bravado that had filled him moments ago seemed to drain away in the face of Giovanni’s cold stare.
• "Listen, I didn’t mean anything by it," Karl stammered, suddenly unsure of himself. "It was just business, you know?"
• Giovanni took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "Business? Threatening women is business for you now."
• Karl shook his head quickly. "No—no, of course not. I didn’t know she had... I mean, if I’d known she was with you—"
• "You didn’t," Giovanni said, cutting him off. "But now you do."
• He took another step forward, and Karl took an instinctive step back.
• "Lily is leaving tonight. You won’t follow her, you won’t call her, and you won’t even think about bothering her or anyone she cares about. Because if you do..." Giovanni’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper, "I’ll make sure you regret it in ways you can’t even imagine."
• Karl was trembling now, his eyes darting between Lily and Giovanni. "I swear... I won’t bother her. It’s done. We’re good, right?"
• Giovanni smiled slightly, but there was no warmth in it. "For now."
• Karl nodded frantically, backing away towards the door. "I’ll just... leave you both to it. No hard feelings, yeah?"
• Giovanni didn’t reply, only watching as Karl slunk back into the club, his tail between his legs. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the alleyway quiet once more.
• Lily exhaled a breath she didn’t realise she had been holding. She turned to Giovanni, her heart still racing from the encounter. 4
• "Thank you," she whispered, her voice unsteady.
• Giovanni turned to her, his expression softening ever so slightly. "You don’t have to worry about him anymore. He knows better than to cross me."
• Lily nodded.
• "Come on," Giovanni said gently, gesturing towards the car. "I’ll take you home. You shouldn’t be walking around here alone."
• Lily hesitated for a moment, the events of the night still swirling in her mind. But then she nodded, realising that for the first time in a long while, she felt safe.
• As they walked towards the car, side by side, Lily couldn’t help but glance at Giovanni, wondering what kind of man was capable of scaring Karl. But for now, she didn’t question it. All that mattered was that she was finally free.