Page 54 of Seduced By Contract

In a way, I can understand her. Although for different reasons, both of us had mothers who left home. In my case, my siblings and I were already adults.

"Where is Brooklyn?"

"In a coma," she says without any emotion in her voice, although her face tells me the whole story. She's grieving for her sister and hiding that pain. "That's why I need to go on Sunday. It's the day I have the most time to spend with her and to share my latest news."

"What happened?"

"She got involved with the wrong guy. Despite all the mistrust, she ended up in the arms of a liar—a dangerous liar. He owed powerful people. All we know is that someone broke into their house and shot them both. He died instantly, but she didn't. Fortunately, the monster who did that spared my niece and nephew."

"Niece and nephew?"

"Soraya and Silas. They're twins. Two beautiful babies. Do you really want to hear this story?"

"I do, but come here."

"I'd rather stay here."

"I know, but you're under contract. You don't have a choice."

She gives one of her rare smiles and shakes her head. She stands up, her beautiful body covered by the bikini I bought her. Reluctantly, she approaches.

I pull her onto my lap, sitting her sideways. "Now talk."

"I don't like talking about this stuff."

"I know, but I'm controlling. I need to know everything."

"I would never have guessed, Mr. Kostanidis."

I smack her ass. "Don't be cheeky."

"Okay. My niece and nephew are the most adorable babies. They barely have any hair, and their blue eyes are huge, just like Brooklyn's. That's why I told you I needed the house. There's a social worker who thinks that Eleanor and I don't take proper care of the babies, but I promised my sister when they were born that if anything happened to her, I would take care of them."

"Why does this woman think you’re not suitable caregivers?"

"Because we're poor, I guess. She knows I clean houses. Well, actually, I thought about what you said, and I don't need that extra income right now."

I have to restrain myself from saying that I could arrange for her to never have to clean houses again, but I've learned how her mind works. If she feels pressured, she'll shut down.

"Anyway, to cut a long story short, I applied for a job at the club because I hoped to earn more and be able to rent a decent place for the kids. I saw it coming, you know? The social worker was always trying to find an excuse to take the babies away from us. So I tried to prepare myself."

"And what happened?"

"I didn't even have time to receive my first week's salary. She came to our house for the eighth visit in just two months and said that if I didn't get a residence of a hundred square meters with a yard and a contracted job, she would write a report to the judge recommending the children be put in foster care."

"That's blackmail."

"I don't understand the laws, and I don't know if she can specify the size of the house, but I was terrified. Even with the club salary and the high tips, I could never afford a place like that. Besides, if I told her what my job was, she'd be even more determined to take the children away."

"That's why you reached out to me." I lift her off my lap and stand up, a burning sensation eating away at me. I step out of the bathtub and grab my robe.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"I took advantage of you. I knew there must have been a serious reason for you to offer me the contract, but I let my desire take control."

"You’ve got it all wrong," she says, getting out of the water too, coming closer and hugging me. "I would have picked upfood from the street if I had to, but I would never sleep with a man to secure a home for the kids. In fact, I think it was me who took advantage of you. I wanted you, but I was too cowardly to admit it. Being your sugar baby was the best excuse I could come up with to enjoy your body."

I'm far from being a light-hearted guy, but I can't help but smile at her audacity. Instead of putting on my robe, I grab hers first and cover her. Then, serious again, I say, "If you had told me the truth, I would have helped you. I would never have let them take your family away."

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