Page 5 of Throttle All the Way

She narrowed her gaze on me. “I was much more than that, in ways you could only imagine.”

I grimaced, not wanting to know about my father’s treacherous affairs. My eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What do you want in return?"

She slid a business card across the table. "I run an exclusive service for VIPs—government officials, powerful men. I want you to become a part of it."

I glanced at the card, my mind racing with a blend of curiosity and skepticism. "Why me?"

Sabrina's gaze hardened. "Because, my dear, I know your secrets. I know about your struggles. I also know how desperate you are for a way out. I can make those problems disappear."

It was a tempting offer, but there was also an undercurrent of threat that came from the woman. "What if I refuse?"

Her smile faded, replaced by a steely resolve. "You can refuse, Mila. But consider this—what if your secrets weren't so secret anymore? What if your enemies found out just where to find you? It was easy enough for me, why not for them? The choice is yours."

As I weighed the options she lay before me, she continued, "Become my eyes and ears in places I can't be. You'll be compensated handsomely. A life of luxury, far away from this place. In return, I offer you my protection."

I felt cornered, trapped between the chains of my circumstances and the allure of this tantalizing escape. The envelope she slid across the table contained the threat of a freedom that was being forced on me at a cost. She left me with no way out.

With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly accepted the business card, my fingers traced the embossed letters that held the promise of a different life. Sabrina’s calculating gaze bore into me, her satisfaction evident as she leaned back in her chair.

"Good choice, Mila. You won't regret it," She remarked, her tone a mixture of reassurance and dominance.

Days later, I found myself here, in this upscale penthouse, surrounded by this air of opulence that was a complete contrast to the humbleness of the cafe I worked in. A sleek black dress clung to me like a second skin, and I silently damned it, hating how it brought me back to a past life I had never been happy living in.

The room was dimly lit, and the scent of expensive perfume lingered in the air. Cameras clicked as I posed, playing the role of the pet Sabrina had chosen for me. The realization dawned on me, I had become one of Sabrina Wellchild's prized assets, an expensive escort solicited by the rich and powerful to fulfill their perversions

Sabrina stood in the shadows, her eyes fixated on the scene unfolding. "Perfect, Mila. You're a natural."

The sound of the camera clicking was incessant, and my anxiety was rising. I had this feeling

of detachment, as if I were a voyeur, peeking into my own life. The dramatic backdrop I had been thrown into was only meant to conceal a web of lies. That I’d willingly given my freedom away to a woman who could care less about me.

My smile wavered.

I was the new pet atIllicitand Sabrina Wellchild was thrilled at the amount of attention I had brought in, in just a short time. I was nervous, not knowing what to expect, but it couldn’t have been worse than how Yulian had treated me. Nothing could be worse than that.

As the last photo was shot, Sabrina walked up to me and handed me an envelope. "Your first assignment awaits you, Mila. You'll be well-compensated, of course."

I hesitated, as I took the envelope and opened its contents. Inside was a hotel key, an address, and the name of the client. This was where my life had led me. I’d unwillingly become a highly paid prostitute that was at the mercy of some of the most powerful men in Seattle, Washington.

“Don’t fuck this up,” Sabrina’s words hung heavy with an unspoken threat. And I wondered what would happen if I did fuck this up.

“Store any information he gives you and make sure to reiterate it to me as soon as you leave his side.”

The name on the paper looked familiar. Jeffrey Realms, the Chief of Police, wanted Illicita’s services tonight for a date at the Opera. I hoped that was all he wanted, although my profile stated I did much more.

Sabrina seemed to sense my hesitation and placed a hand on my arm. “Do as he says, the Chief can get kinky but he won’t hurt my girls. No one will hurt you, unless you want them to.”

She smiled at me. “Welcome to Illicit, Kitty Cat. Believe me, you’ll start enjoying it in no time. Everybody loves the perks.”

I sat there, giving another hollow smile at the camera. I’d play the part she wanted, after all, she’d conned me into doing this for her. She didn’t want to help me, she wanted to use me, and if that was the case then I’d do the same. I was going to use Sabrina Wellchild to get the fuck out of this hell hole.

CIPHER

Seattle, Washington

Four Months Ago…

She’d become a fucking escort.

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