Page 638 of Filthy Elites

His arms are lined with tattoos that are just the right amount that can be covered up with a dress shirt. He also has the kind of muscle you’d see on a marine.

Dad doesn’t look like that and they are roughly the same age. Dad is fifty and Cal is forty-eight.

“Hope you don’t mind,” he states, his voice carrying a hint of his Russian accent. He’s the only person I know of who sounds like that. “I thought it would help you feel more at home if your room looked similar to your last.”

I stare back at him, not knowing what to say.

I like it. There’s something reassuring and comforting in the gesture. It makes me drop my guard, and I don’t even feel bad about Chad anymore.

I stare back at him, and I could imagine him going crazy if I told him Chad was blackmailing me in exchange for sexual favors.

It’s my fault this is happening, but I know he would still stand up for me if I told him.

“Thank you. I… appreciate it.”

His smile widens. “Oh, good. Well, I have a few days off work. If you want, I can do the rest of the room. Just move your stuff around, so I don’t get paint on them.”

I would like that. “Thanks, I will.”

“Dinner’s ready if you want to grab a bite. I made lasagna. There’s more for us because your mom’s going to be working until tomorrow night.”

“Oh. I like lasagna.”

“I know. Are you okay?”

I nod slowly and drop my gaze briefly to my feet. When I return my eyes to him, concern fills his eyes.

“I’m fine.”

“I know it’s weird changing your whole life in a matter of months. I understand. I know it’s weird having me around too, but I promise I’m not as bad as you think.”

He winks, packs away the paint then leaves.

As I watch him go, the brat inside who thinks he’s trying to replace her father still wants to hate him, but more and more, I’m finding I can’t.

I go into my room and plop myself down on the bed, catching sight of myself in the long mirrors lining my wardrobes. I can’t help but notice how radiant my skin looks.

I look like I just had sex. My skin is in full afterglow mode even though I left Chad’s house a long time ago, and we didn’t have sex.

We could have, though. I was sure we were going to once we got to his bedroom.

Next timewe see each other I don’t think he’s going to allow me to leave unscathed. If it’s anything like tonight, I worry how I’ll feel after.

It’s better to feel like a whore than the way I do now. Earlier I got way too close to the fire and almost got burned.

I can’t let that happen to me.

THIRTEEN

Billie

Come straightto my house after school.

Take your panties off before you come in the house, and make sure you take those pills of yours.

Chad’slast message with his orders for today plays through my mind on repeat like a song I can’t get out of my head.

It’s so entrenched into the fibers of my mind I can’t think past the words.

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