Rouge Read Free Page B

“And Roland said he wanted to go over one of my songs again.”
    “You just want to go back ‘cause you’re in love with him,” Evie teased.
    My face grew hot. “I am not!”
    “Liar,” she shot back, jerking my arm again. “You’re hoping one of these nights he’ll kiss you.”
    That was true, but I didn’t have time to protest. We were in the forbidden back hall, passing door after open door of the small, secret rooms. I peeked inside and saw beaded curtains, red-velvet settees, and mirrors all around beds—one on the ceiling!
    “What is this?” I whispered.
    Evie’s pace had slowed as well, and she stopped at a door leading to a room covered in purple, green, and gold chiffon scarves. Beads were everywhere and feathered black Mardi Gras masks. A heavy scent of sandalwood was in the air, and a gold lamp was lit on a small table. The room seemed to be prepared for something, but it was too late to wonder what. Gavin’s voice was moving quickly up the hall in our direction.
    “Hide!” Evie shoved me through the door and into a tall armoire in the back corner of the room. She pulled the door closed behind us, holding it in a crack with her finger.
    “I’ve changed my mind,” a female voice pleaded softly. “I can’t do this. I can’t. Please don’t make me.”
    “Shut up,” Gavin’s low voice ordered. “You can and you will. He’s already paid and’s waiting.”
    “Please, Gavin,” her voice was so desperate, it made my throat ache. “I’ll do anything.”
    “Let go and stop this!” Gavin hissed.
    I heard a loud thump as a body fell against the wall. Evie flinched. I pushed next to her, peering through the crack. It was the new seamstress who helped Rosa with our costumes. She was a pretty little thing with fair hair and blue eyes. Tonight those eyes were huge, and her cheeks were shining with tears.
    “Please… it’s my first time,” she begged.
    “Which is why he paid extra,” Gavin answered. Then he paused and seemed to soften. “Come here.”
    He dug into his pocket and walked over to a small cabinet. There he poured a small glass of what looked like brandy, and he gave her two tiny white pills.
    “First time always hurts,” he said. “But this’ll take the edge off.”
    With trembling hands, she did as she was told. I watched her put the pills in her mouth and drain the little glass.
    Gavin continued, “Relax, and it won’t hurt as much.”
    My eyes were wide. What was going to happen to her?
    Gavin withdrew from the room, and I watched her go to the bed and sit down, still crying. Then her lips began to move, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,” the words were almost inaudible, but I knew them. “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee—”
    The door opened, cutting her off, and I watched her cheeks turn white with fear. A tall gentleman stepped into the room. His eyes avoided hers, and his face was expressionless. His hands fumbled at his waist, and Evie’s hand went to my chest, shoving me back against the armoire wall.
    The girl made a tiny noise, and the man cleared his throat. The bed squeaked, and I heard a rustling of what sounded like skirts moving. Another low throat clearing. Another whimper. A few moments later the bedpost began tapping against the wall in a rhythm.
    Evie’s eyes were wide in the sliver of light from the door, and I struggled to look, too, but she had me pressed against the armoire, her hand firm against my chest.
    The tapping grew more rhythmic, the man’s breathing more ragged, until a low groan came from him. Then it was quiet again. The sound of fabric rustling was followed by a metallic clink of coins hitting a crystal dish. The door creaked open and then closed, and we were left with only the girl quietly sobbing.
    She stayed that way a long time, her whimpering making my head ache, and Evie slowly leaned back against the armoire