Page 13 of The Devils of Saint City

Silence.

Both of them are staring at a loss for words, and for the first time, I feel like I have a leg up on them. After a few moments Manson stumbles out an “oh” before clearing out his throat. “How many clients do you have like that?”

“A couple. Not necessarily with the same history, but a fair few of them just want to spend an hour feeling like they’re talking to someone who loves them.” It’s true, and they’re my favorites. It gives me an excuse to pretend to love someone, too. “But the rest are freaks.”

I take a slow sip of my coffee as Ash stands up to walk out of the room, but when I don’t hear his room door close, I have a strong feeling he’s still listening.

“How many freaks exactly?”

“Enough to pay the bills,” I admit. “One gets so turned on he’s offered me ten grand to fuck him in person. I might’ve, but he’s really into wet work and I don’t want to get pissed on for real. It’s just not my thing.”

Releasing a deep breath, Manson sits up straighter with clenched fists just as Asher returns. “Some dude wants to piss on you for ten fucking grand?”

“Pretty much. I’m not above doing it for the money, but the guy honestly gives me the creeps. I’m not entirely sure he’d let me leave after.” Which isn’t any different than the situation I’ve found myself in, so maybe I should’ve taken the money.

“Of course he wouldn’t. No one would pay ten grand for something like that and then let it just walk away. He’d probably be wearing your skin by now.”

I don’t know why Ash is pretending to give a fuck about my life, but his voice sounds strained. Good. “Which is why I just talk to him instead. Up until quite recently, I’ve been pretty good at keeping myself out of kidnapping situations.”

The guys share a look that sends a shiver up my spine before Ash disappears again.

“Is it kidnapping if you came to us?” Manson doesn’t sound accusatory at all, but there’s still tension written all over him.

“Yeah, it’s still fucking kidnapping. Or at least some variation of the same crime. Did you think you could just keep someone locked up when they didn’t want to be and it was perfectly legal?”

Shrugging, he leans back on the couch and rubs at his temples. “Someone? No. But, we wouldn’t do this to just someone.”

Meaning they wouldn’t risk taking someone who would actually be missed. It isn’t much of a crime when no one fucking knows it’s happening.

It’s a slap in the face, an ice bath reminder that the only person I had left in this world was a monster who took the first opportunity to use me. “Well I’m glad it was so easy for you. Can you please get him out of my room? I want to lay down.”

“Rhea,” he starts, but seems to think better of it and walks off to go check in on Asher. I have no clue what he’s doing in there, but when Manson comes back out alone, I know it’s not good. “So you really don’t remember your episodes?”

“No, I don’t. To save us all the trouble, yes I know at least one of you took the liberty of fucking me last night. The bruises, the bite, the cum, I’m not stupid. What big men you are drugging and fucking a girl who can’t say no.” Anger flashes through me until I think I’m going to cry — and since that’s the last thing I want to do, I decide to fight fire with napalm. Standing, I move as close to Manson as I can without physically touching him, then look up to meet his eyes. “It’s a shame, too. If you’d have just asked... I’d have let you do whatever you wanted to me when I was awake. Just not him. Never him.”

Something flashes in his eyes so suddenly I don’t need to see his hands reaching out for me, I feel them, but he stops before we make contact. “Whatever I wanted?”

His voice is lower now like what we’re saying is between us alone, but I know better. Demons like Asher have excellent hearing.

This is one time I’m thankful for it.

“Whatever you wanted. I always had a crush on you, to the point that I pictured you when I lost my virginity,” I lie. “I could’ve been yours without the lies and the imprisonment. All you had to do was ask.”

I hate that I actually feel something when he finally makes contact with me, but I manage to pull off keeping my face neutral. “And now?”

Fingers curl around my hips, sending heat straight to my core. I hate the fact that he gets to me. “And now, you chose your side. I told you yesterday, Manson. My obedience, my submission? It’ll never be real. You’ll never earn it. Enjoy mewhile I’m sleeping, because it’s all you’ll ever get — and you can thank your boy Asher for that.”

“Whomp fucking whomp,” Ash hisses. “Long as you know your role, who gives a fuck?”

If he didn’t care at all, why does he sound so annoyed in there?

“So, what?” Manson’s fingers curl even tighter. “You’re ours, but only until you find a way out?”

They’re not hearing me. They’ll never hear me.

So why do I bother trying to explain?

“It’s fine, Manson. Let me know when you need something.”

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