Page 44 of Prospecting

“I gave up my innocence,” she said quietly. “I gave up school. I sold my body.”

“I know,” he said. “Did you want me to keep this from you?”

“No,” she said. “I need to know I can trust someone because apparently none of my family are trustworthy.”

“Calli’s got a lockdown on the gambling sites,” Cade said.

“It won’t matter,” she said. “I know my mother. She once wanted a pair of shoes. My father said no because they were ridiculously priced. I remember they had a huge argument. Behind his back she took the utility money for three months and bought the shoes.”

“Obsessive,” Cade said trying to keep the judgment out of his tone.

“Stupid,” Sheridan said. “Especially since she wore them twice before they stopped trending.”

“I’m sorry,” Cade said.

“She’s asking me for more credits every week,” Sheridan said. “I’m not … I’ll be damned if I feed into her addiction.”

“What will you do,” Cade asked.

“What you suggested,” Sheridan said. “I can’t say anything.”

“Why not,” Cade asked.

“I’m too angry,” Sheridan said. “If it weren’t for Frannie, I would… I wouldn’t have anything to do with them.”

“Tappn will make sure you see Frannie,” Cade said.

“I’d suggest we take her except it would kill Tappn,” Sheridan said.

“He loves her like his own daughter,” Cade said.

“Let’s hope it’s enough,” Sheridan said. She leaned into him, settled against him, drew comfort from him. “Cade,”

“Anything you want,” he said covering her with his body to keep her safe from everything.

***

“What do you mean you got married,” Hazel said. “You didn’t invite us. Sheridan this is unacceptable.”

“You like Cade,” Sheridan said not accepting the guilt her mother’s tone implied.

“You’re working as a paid companion,” Hazel said.

“He bought me out of my contract,” Sheridan said reluctantly. Her mother would know how much money it cost. “A spiritual guide married us via vid.”

“This is hardly proper,” Hazel said.

“Stop fussing,” Louis said. “Congratulations! I’m very happy for you two.”

“Thanks, dad,” Sheridan said. “We’ve still got more than three years on the contract. We’ll see it through. We didn’t want to wait any longer.”

“Understandable,” Louis said. “Now Cade, do we need to talk?”

“Sir, I love Sheridan. She comes first. I’ll see to it nothing bad happens to her,” Cade said.

“Good. Very good,” Louis said. “Did you hear Mia’s happy news?”

“She’s pregnant,” Sheridan said, annoyance filled her.

---