Authors Interviewing Characters: Heather Levy interviews Rae Dixon

About HURT FOR ME

A single mother’s brutal past threatens to destroy the new life she’s built in this suspenseful dark romance set in the underground world of kink.

Rae Dixon is lucky to be alive. Fifteen years ago, she survived being trafficked and abused, escaping her captors to reclaim her life. Now, she’s running a thriving business with her best friend and raising a teenage daughter on her own. Rae’s finally in control—literally. As Mistress V, Rae is the one calling the shots catering to Oklahoma City’s elite in her private dungeon, which is fronted by a spa.

But when a client goes missing, Rae’s world spins out of control.

Detective Dayton Clearwater shows up at the spa, sparking panic when he asks questions that risk exposing Rae’s true business. After several young women from her underground community disappear, too, Rae spots a chillingly familiar pattern. Together, she and Detective Clearwater must find answers before more lives are destroyed, including those they love.

Heather Levy interviews Rae Dixon

HL: Hi, Rae. Or should I say Mistress V? I’m so glad you could meet with me given your busy schedule.

Rae: Unless you’re paying me to whip you, call me Rae. But you know that since you made me. And thanks for the coffee. It’s been a day.

HL: Tell me about it.

Rae: Which part? The one where my life as I know it is about to crumble into a million pieces? 

HL: I’m guessing this has something to do with a certain detective’s visit?

Rae: (Takes a sip of coffee) Detective Dayton Clearwater. What a piece of work.

HL: But a pretty damn hot one?

Rae: Don’t change the subject. He’s about to undo fifteen years of hard work. Everything I went through to give my daughter the life she deserves, everything Angel and I have built together in this business so we would never have to answer to anyone but ourselves—all of it’s at risk because of him.

HL: But isn’t he just doing his job? I mean, Thomas Highsmith is your client, and you are likely the last person who saw him before he went missing. 

Rae: But that doesn’t mean I have anything to do with it. If Detective Clearwater gets the search warrant he promised, Angel and I are screwed. And Lily…

HL: Is that what you’re really afraid of? Your daughter finding out?

Rae: What do you think? I’ve lied to her for her entire life. How do you think she’d react to finding our that instead of her mother owning an exclusive spa, I’m really beating rich, old men in a backroom dungeon?

HL: Maybe now is as good a time as any to tell Lily the truth about yourself. About your past and being trafficked. How you escaped…

Rae: You know I can’t. Lily can never find out what I did so that she could live. 

HL: What if the handsome Detective Clearwater does more digging beyond Thomas Highsmith?

Rae: He won’t. 

HL: I’m not so sure, Rae. He seemed very interested in you. 

Rae: Only because he thinks I’m a sex worker who did something to my client.

HL: Well, he’s right about the sex worker part.

Rae: I can’t think about that right now. I have to prepare myself if this thing blows up.

HL: Oh, it will.

Rae: Thanks for the vote of confidence.

HL: I’m just being honest. And maybe this will be a good thing for you. You’ve been in a bit of a stagnant period when it comes to romantic relationships. This could shake things up.

Rae: I fail to see how this situation will help, not that I need any.

HL: (Smiles coyly)

Rae: Oh, my God, seriously? He’s a detective who could ruin my life! 

HL: But…

Rae: (Throws up her hands) Fine. He’s good-looking. Are you happy now?

HL: A little bit. Just wanted you to admit it.

Rae: It changes nothing.

HL: You never know. Maybe he has secrets too.

Rae: Well, if he does, they’re not bigger than mine.

HL: No one has secrets bigger than yours, Rae.

Rae: Now do you finally understand why I’m freaking out?

HL: I do. I should’ve invited you for a drink instead.

Rae: I know a good place in the Paseo.

HL: Let’s go before happy hour’s over. (Stops in tracks) Oh, crap, I think Detective Clearwater followed you here!

Rae: What? (Frantically looks over shoulder to see no one there)

HL: Made you look.

Rae: God, I hate you.

 —

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Heather Levy is a born and bred Oklahoman and graduate of Oklahoma City University’s Red Earth MFA program for creative writing. Her work has appeared in numerous journals, including CrimeReads and NAILED Magazine. The New York Times called her Anthony-nominated debut Walking Through Needles “a spellbinding novel at the nexus of power, desire, and abuse that portends a bright future” and the L.A. Times called it “a standout for its frank but sensitive exploration of trauma and desire.” Publisher’s Weekly says her thriller Hurt for Me “delivers both heat and heart.” Her novels focus on kink-positive stories centered around badass women. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two kids, and three murderous cats. Readers can follow her on X and IG @heatherllevy or on her website at www.heatherlevywriter.com     

 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing