Page 67 of King

I bite the bullet. “So…what the fuck are we doing?”

“I have a job offer.”

“A what?”

“Considering your past, I have something that’s up your alley.” His eyes dance around my face before it drops to my chest. His finger falls to the collar of my shirt, pulling it down until he can see my bra. “If you’re up for it.” I push his hand away, but he lets it drop to my thigh. He trails a finger along my skin and shivers erupt all over again. “Come to Isaac’s party tonight. A small gathering. We’ll discuss it there.”

“Why don’t you give me the money?”

“While I’d love to pay you for your services…” His eyes gaze over my chest, before dropping to my legs. He returns to meet my eyes. “‘Ol Sebastien will find it odd to see his finances pummeled into a random account from The Grove. I’ll make all this better. Take it or leave it, Jo”

His lips are close to mine, inches away and they're like heroin. I know it's bad, but I want it.

“Fuck it.” Moving in, I press my lips to his again.

Parties usually mean throwing on denim cut-offs and a comfy tank, but Damien has other ideas.

A long black box with a silver ribbon arrived a couple of hours ago, a black dress inside. The dress itself isn’t as prissy as the box, a plaid and leather asymmetrical piece. But with Damien picking me up in thirty minutes, this is starting to feel like a date.

“Alexander McQueen is definitely your style,” Willow nods.

“I don’t know what that means.” I put on a pair of gold cross earrings, compliments of Nancy, as I take in my appearance.

"It means points for Damien."

Willow buzzed the side of my hair, keeping the edgy style fresh. With a little added gel and hairspray, my hair was looking fit for a photoshoot. Willow had learned a few things from hanging out with those Trust Fund Trolls.

The dress isn’t stiff and with a bottle of whiskey on the bathroom counter, I'm feeling a boost of confidence. I turn around to see Willow head back into the closet.

My eyes widen. “No! No no no! How am I supposed to sneak out the window in those?”

She’s holding a pair of black spiked heels. “At least take them with you.” She looks down at my boots. “And thank god Docs don’t go out of style."

My phone buzzes along the bathroom counter, “Unknown” lighting up the screen again. I swipe on the phone and read the message.

Unknown: Your chariot awaits.

There's a patter in my chest but I have to remind myself, “This is not a date.”

“But it can be!” Willow laughs. “I’m still scarred from hearing you and Damien over the intercom. But it’s pretty cool my sister’s going on a date with the hottest guy in the school.”

And the most sadistic.

“Not a date!” I remind her, stuffing the heels into my backpack. Once I throw on my dad’s leather jacket, his watch and my mom’s rings, I feel more like myself. “I’ll be back tonight.”

“It’s okay if you're not.” Willow hugs me, one of my legs already out of the window.

“Miss Rowland?”

My eyes widen. “Shit.”

Willow runs to the door, stalling while I try my best to get back inside and push the window closed.

“Where’s Jo?" I hear Vincent's voice from the door.

“Right here!” I'm quick, popping up behind my sister, both of us making a barrier.

He looks at me then down at Willow before trying to look around us but we don’t let him. His lip does that thing where he looks like he smells a skunk. “Damien King is here to see you.”

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