Page 120 of Injustice and Absolution

“You’ll be expected to acquiesce to their every desire, no matter what it is. That’s what they’re paying me for. You’ll be on your best behavior. No screaming. No trying to run. If I find out you’re less than pleasant to them in any way, there will be dire consequences. Do you understand?”

I close my eyes and steady myself, refusing to break down again.

“What if I don’t agree to this?” I challenge as though I actually have a choice.

“Come on, Delilah. I know there’s nothing in the world you wouldn’t do to protectthem.Maggie... Royce...”

He leans forward with his eyebrow cocked—knowingly, threateningly—and places his elbows on his knees.

“If you refuse or do something else just as stupid, you’ll disappear as swiftly and quietly as your piece of shit father. And then I’ll have two deaths to pin on the Royal Bastards.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

DELILAH

Ihaven’t voluntarily uttered a word to anyone for the past week.

The other girls have begun to question me, asking me what’s wrong. They’re wondering what could have possibly happened to make me want to end the friendships we’ve formed.

I want to open up, but I can’t trust them. I can’t trust anyone. So I stay in the bubble I’ve formed around myself.

I have no one.

Drew took my phone away shortly after I left his office that night. The first thing I did before getting dressed for the evening was send an emoji to Maggie. The one we’ve always sent one another when we’re in trouble.

The one I considered sending her the night Drew was at my house for the bonfire. The night this farce began.

I told myself it seemed silly at the time, overkill.

Now I wish I had.

That didn’t go over well. He knew it meant something, but I refused to tell him what. He looked like he wanted to hit me all over again, but he didn’t. Something about not wanting to bruise the merchandise.

A lot of good it did anyway. Days have gone by without the Bastards storming the club or Drew’s house to rescue me. I knew I fucked up, speaking to Royce the way I did that night.

He’s done with me. I made sure of it.

Maggie too, if her radio silence following that night is anything to go by.

Drew already had a long list ofclientswaiting for me that first evening. Whether I had disobeyed him in his office that day or not, forcing him to drop the bomb on me that followed, I would have started performing my new duties that night.

Maybe I should feel glad I had a bit of a heads up?

A humorless laugh forces itself from my lungs.

Each night, when my regular shift ends and after the other girls have left for the evening, I meet with guys in the champagne room. Drew, Ethan, or sometimes both of them stand guard to make sure the clients aren’t trying to get away with more than what they’ve paid for.

And to ensure that I’m playing the dutiful whore.

I’ve cringed my way through each session, plastic smile in place while fighting to ignore vile and debasing commentary from the men. Some of which have been regular customers of mine since I first started.

Men who I’d had to warm up to because of my past but who had never made me feel disgusting and unsafe until they were finally able to take off their delicately balanced mask and let their true nature run free.

A few have wanted to take me home with them, but Drew informed them they need to make an appointment if they’re interested in additional services. A couple nights ago, I overheard him explain to one of them that the site is currently down for maintenance. I thought I may be getting a reprieve, until Drew told the guy he has a list of available dates in his office, and he’d be happy to let him pick from those.

I know it’s coming, and I dread the moment I have to have sex with someone. It’s bad enough enduring Drew’s demanding hunger every night.

“Let’s get you upstairs and in the shower,”Drew instructed when we got home that first night.“I can’t fuck you while you still reek of other men.”

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