Page 42 of Virginity Sold

Liam extends his hand, shaking Edward’s, then turns and heads for the elevator. Killian gazes at me a moment, his eyes holding words his mouth doesn’t say, before turning to follow after his uncle.

“This isn’t the end,” Kyrian leans in and whispers in my ear before handing me my purse. I watch as all three of them walk away.

Wait, how did he have my purse?

Oh shoot, I forgot it. That must have been what he did when he ran back into the penthouse while Liam, Killian, and I went down to the car as we were leaving.

“Come with me, Virtue.” Edward steps up to me, slipping his hand around my waist to my back, and leads me down the hallway. I glance over my shoulder, seeing the two men following behind us.

“Are you okay? You can speak freely now.”

“Yes, I am, Edward. It was a great opportunity and a lovely weekend, thank you.”

“And the money you earned by doing this will help you?”

I nod. I can’t answer. How can I tell this man by allowing me to take part in this auction he’ll be changing not only my life but my mother’s also?

“And will you be quitting the diner, perhaps going to school?” Why does he have so many questions? Isn’t it my choice what I do with it?

“Umm, no. In fact, I have to work every day this week.”

“Then I guess I’ll get the pleasure of continuing to be able to see you.” We stop in front of a door and he opens it, gesturing for me to step inside.

He walks over to a desk where two black duffel bags sit on top of it.

“As promised, five hundred thousand dollars. You are free to count it.” He unzips the bags and I step over, gazing in, almost fainting at the stack of green bills inside of them.

“No, it’s okay. I’d just like to go home now,” I say quietly.

One of the men, I’m not sure Edward even said who was who, steps up to the bags, zips them back up, and takes them in his hands, while the other loops his arm in mine.

“Time to go, Virtue, your driver is waiting.” I look up at him and nod with a small smile.

“I’ll see you in the future, Virtue. Take care,” Edward tells me before stepping behind the desk and taking a seat.

They lead me out of the club, straight to where Jeeves is waiting, depositing both me and the bags in the car.

Jeeves makes small talk during the ride home, but I’m too tired to say anything while trying to hold the fragments of my broken heart together.

Reaching over I unzip one of the bags, running my hand along the money, and smile. Please, God, let me find Mama so I can send her to rehab.

“We’re here, Virtue. Shall I help you inside with your bags?”

“Oh, sorry. No, I have them. Thank you for everything.”

“It was my honor. Have a good night.”

He goes to open the door, but I don’t need the fanfare.

“There’s no need to get out. I can open the door.” He nods in understanding and I loop the handles of the bags on my arm, along with my purse, and open the door, stepping out into the chilly night air. Looking up at the sky, I see the moon shining down on me.

As I make my way up the sidewalk and onto the porch, I see the light shining through the sheer curtains. I left it on, knowing I would return late and for someone to think I was home. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Jeeves is still waiting. I put the key in the lock and open the door, stepping inside, turning only to wave before shutting the door.

It’s then I realize the light I saw through the window isn’t from the lamp I left on, but from the ones in the ceiling. Turning quickly, I see Mama sitting in the chair against the far wall, beer in hand, as she glares at me.

I’m too excited to care. Dropping the bags, I rush across the room, sinking to the floor in front of her, wrapping my arms around her.

Chapter 22

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