Page 31 of Gilded Caresses

Nine million dollars. One million dollars for each month I am with them. Like I said before, I handle a lot of money but it is never mine. But every penny of this would belong to my baby and me.

I blink rapidly.

Does this make me a hooker? That idea sours as does the next. Would they respect me less for what I am about to sign on for?

“Do you find everything satisfactory? Any questions, hon?”

My eyes move to the main attraction behind the men. A bed large enough to fit all four of us pins the middle of the room in place. The large expanse is covered in glittering white silk and not much else. No pillows. Nothing to get in the way of men breeding me. Only a single red rose in the middle of the sea of silk adds a splash of color.

Candles flicker on low-placed shelves to offer the ambiance of sinful passion.

If Belle knew what I am about to do I’m sure she would be taking the cap off the pen for me.

Harlon on the other hand would be disgusted and no doubt ready to throw me in the holding cells beneath Club Genesis. Snake Eyes would be laughing his ass off.

“This says I will be your guest for the length of the pregnancy and then what? I won’t leave my child.”

Elyah leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. Dark eyes hold me captive. I fight the reaction my body has, but there’s no controlling the rolling wave of heat sweeping through me. If he has this level of power over me now with just a look, what will it be like when he takes my body?

“We would never ask that of you. If you flip the page, you will see you have all the control. The child we create tonight is yours.Andours. We won’t ever take the child from you, but you will also not be allowed to leave with our child. You are not our prisoner. You do this, it’s a commitment for life. If you want to remain in the child’s life. There is also monetary compensation as you just read. You will also be provided for beyond that.”

I hold a hand up and swallow the lump of fear lodged in my throat. “If I do this, you will not pay me like I am some prostitute incubator. I do not want your money.”

“That is not what we meant.” Elyah pushes his large frame to his full height and buries his hands into his pockets opposite the table I sit at. “Don’t twist our words. You have to be practical and once you are cut off from your family you will need the means to have financial security.”

I place the paper on the table. “That’s very business-like of you.”

Lev, who hovered just behind Elyah’s chair, speaks up. He shoots daggers at Elyah as if to tell him to shut the hell up.

“What my brother means is, we are just trying to think of every angle for the sake of you and the child. No mistakes.”

I nod. He’s right. They both are. I can continue as the undertaker or I can fight for some semblance of happiness. One day I might regret waiting on the edge of life to see what opportunities might drift by. This seems like a pretty damn big one and I would be stupid to let them slip through my fingers since it’s what I’ve dreamed of. Controlling my life, my way.

Family, babies, and peace of mind knowing I don’t have to deal with men like Snake Eyes every single day is worth the sacrifice.

Harlon will never forgive me. On the flip side, did I not encourage him all those times he was afraid to take a chance and share a woman with Cassius and Santi and fight for what he wanted? I know I did. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t take my own advice?

My fingers tremble as they hover over the pen.

If I do this, I have to move forward knowing I have no regrets. A shadow of pain at betraying the last bit of family I have left tears at my heart but the desires of my soul burn hotter, brighter.

“You have nothing to fear from us,malyshka. Nothing.” Lev kneels beside me and takes my face between his large, warm palms. His gaze is honest and true. “Consider us on your side. Your protectors and your friends. Maybe in time…more.” His voice is low where his words are only for us.

I take the pen, uncap the tip and leave the flourish of my name.

“Okay,” I say shakily.

I pass the sheets of paper to him and he does the same. Down the line it goes until all three have their names alongside mine. For better or worse I feel like I just signed my entire life over to them.

Because I did.

Our mediator cants her head, gathers the breeder contract, and stands. “Congratulations, Ms. Constantine. You are now a breeder for the Southern Alliance. I hope you know what you are doing.”

We all stand and she moves to the door and the first thing that goes through my mind is not that I am about to have sex with three gorgeous enemies but that it’s a good thing The Gilded key Society is neutral territory, I remind myself.

“My job here is complete. I’ll send you each a copy of your contract to the address on our membership. And with that, I leave you all to your evening in Room Eight. Please enjoy your stay with us.”

“No,” I jump up and wave a hand. “Can you please send mine to Elyah’s address?”

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