“Ahhhhrrrrrrrrrr!” I cried, trying to squirm from his grasp. “Leave me alone… pleeeeze!” I felt him jump onto my left leg and pull my right leg, which was kicking out at thin air.
“DENNIS!” a thunderous voice boomed from the open bedroom doorway.
“What the fuck?” exclaimed Dennis, turning to see who was disturbing his fun. His arm hovering in mid-air, ready to deliver the next blow to my defenceless butt cheeks.
Tony stood in the doorway, his size almost blocking the entire space. He’d taken his jacket off and rolled the sleeves of his white shirt up above his elbows, while his hands were balled into fists. The man looked like he meant business!
“Aint you pleased to see Beth, after what happened to her?” the big man asked.
“Tony, this aint none of yor business. I’ve got to teach the little cunt a les…”
“I’m making it my business,” Tony replied, interrupting his friend and taking a stride into the bedroom.
Dennis climbed off my legs and slowly slipped off the end of the bed, whereupon he stood up to face Tony. I scrambled up into a sitting position, stunned, but pleased by the intervention of my knight in shining armour, or in this case, gangster in white shirt.
“Tony, you shouldn’t interfere. All the whores need to be taught a lesson from time to time,” Dennis exclaimed. “You had to give Deb a hiding the other day…”
“Beth aint like the other whores, Den. Give her stuff back and let her go back to the hostel,” he said emphatically. “If she gets into trouble then she’ll have to go back to prison.”
I had spun a story during dinner, in which I’d explained the terms of my release from prison. I tried to sound sincere about wanting to go back to Dennis and return to the streets when I reached my 21st birthday, but Dennis obviously wanted more. The men glared at each other for a minute, before Dennis finally climbed down and turned toward me.
“Beth, you’ve always liked the rough stuff, haven’t you?” he asked in his most genial voice. I couldn’t make eye contact with him, because I was afraid I’d see the sadistic man behind the mask. “Beth?” he urged, wanting a reply.
“Yes Dennis, I do.” I muttered.
“You see Den. The bitch loves this shit.” He turned back to me. “And as soon as the filth are off yor case you’ll return to the street?”
I nodded and braved a smile at him. “I promise Den. I’ve fucking missed your three ugly faces.”
“Good, I’ll get your box.”
Tony stepped aside to allow the naked figure to pass through into the hall. I looked up at the man mountain and despite my tears, gave him a brave smile.
“Get dressed Beth, before he changes his mind,” he urged.
I scrambled off the side of the bed and rushed over to him. He put his hands out to stop me, but because I was naked he was too embarrassed to grab me. I leant forward and as I kissed him full on the lips, he held my sides gently for a moment, before pushing me back.
“Beth, don’t fool around, there isn’t time,” Tony said, while drinking in my nakedness.
“Okay stud,” I replied, backing away to get dressed. “I’ll make it up to you when I see you next time.”
He nodded, winked at me and then disappeared into the hall. I wasn’t far behind him, for it only took a minute to slip into the dress and thong. I found Dennis in the kitchen, getting himself a beer. The shoe box that I kept all my valuables in was sitting on the breakfast bar alongside a pile of £20 notes.
“I’ve been looking after that while you’ve been inside,” Dennis said, taking a seat on one of the bar stools. He took a swig of beer and plonked the tin on the bar top. “You can go home, Beth. Here’s your box. I want to see you on Thursday night at 8 o’clock. I aint working Thursday so we could have a meal or somat, whatever you like.”
“Sure Dennis, I’ll ring you,” I replied, while checking the contents of the box.
“It’s all there, Beth. Things can go back to normal, like they were before. You alright with that?”
“Yer, sure Dennis. Once I’ve sorted myself out.”
I felt bolder, so I looked him in the eye and from the expression on his face, I think he believed that I would return. Everything I remembered being in the box was there, including my passport, but I didn’t mention it just in case he twigged I needed it for a trip. I counted the notes, which amounted to £300.
“It’s what you deserve from that night Beth. Get yourself some decent rags.”
“Cheers Dennis,” I said, before leaning over and gently kissing him on the lips.
He grabbed my head and opened his mouth so that he could aggressively attack my mouth with his powerful tongue. I luxuriated in the thrilling sensation of his fervent embrace and only pulled away when I needed to catch my breath.
“Ahhhh!” I sighed. “Hold your passion Dennis till I see you next time.”
He looked disappointed, making me feel guilty, but I had to leave. I returned to the bedroom, retrieved my bag and jacket, and went to say goodbye to Tony. He was standing next to Claire, which prompted me to go close to him and kiss him again lightly on the lips.
I glanced at Claire and this time it was me that was smirking, while her face was as sour as a lemon. Ten minutes later, I was on the street hailing a taxi, relieved that I’d got my stuff and that I’d escaped what might have been a terrible thrashing. My ass was sore from the blows Dennis had delivered, but it could have been so much worse!