Page 94 of Risks of Temptation
She doesn't need to know this. She's innocent.
Don't lie to her.
"Money and a woman were presented to him as a gift."
Emilia's color drains in her face. "A gift?"
"Yes. He had to choose one."
She whispers, "He chose the woman?"
"Yes."
She sits on my thighs so her back touches the steering wheel. "Maybe he took her to set her free?"
My chest tightens. She's too innocent. She wants to see the good in people who don't deserve it.
Don't bring her into any part of their world. She's already learned enough.
"Malin?"
"There's a room, Emilia."
"A room?"
Disgust rips through me. The memory of that night and the woman's face haunts me. "It's where men who have not displayed their ability to have power over a woman prove it. If you've demonstrated your ability, you can use the space with any new woman you bring, buy, or are gifted. Otherwise, you can watch those proving themselves and break your woman in private, or during the show."
Emilia swallows hard. "You've seen this?"
I close my eyes. "I told you I've done things I'm not proud of. I couldn't stop it. I would have blown my cover, and they would have killed me."
"Malin, tell me you didn't take a woman with you there?"
I open my eyes and hold her cheeks. "I have never had a woman there. It's the one line I will not cross. It's why Gustave is better at this than I am."
Horror fills her face. "Gustave takes women in there?"
"His wife. Only his wife. She plays her role."
"Wh-what does that mean?"
I stare out the window. An education on debauchery is the last thing I want Emilia to have.
In a strong voice, she says, "Malin, tell me. I will not crumble."
"I didn't say that," I blurt.
Her expression hardens. "You don't have to. Every time you think it, I see it on your face. Now tell me what her role means."
I hate telling her any of this, but there is no more holding back. "She's his property. Submissive to anything he demands. There are no boundaries in the room except women cannot be touched by anyone but her owner, unless he gives permission. Gustave does not ever give anyone the authority to touch her."
I expect terror to stay on her face, but it calms. Curiosity replaces it. I immediately feel suffocated.
This is not something for you, ma belle.
"Why does Gustave take her there?"
"All the power lies within that room. Deals and alliances happen there. Trust is either created or broken by the actions men take surrounded by sin."
