Page 3 of Throne of Sin

Between school and my part-time job, I haven’t had time to clean the house. My mother stays in her bed all day, allowing the bills to pile up and I’m left with all the responsibility on my shoulders. This is the first day she’s gotten herself out of bed in six months.

“You’re a good girl, Demi. Just remember, if you are nice to them, they will be nice back.” I nod, my eyes going from my foot to the ugly red past due letter hanging on the door. I swallow down my nerves.

My mother continues in a low whisper, causing me to strain to hear her. “I would never ask this of you, but if we don’t pay the bank by tomorrow, they’ll evict us. I don’t want you to be sleeping on the streets, honey.”

My eyes glide to my mother as she does up my other shoe. “Your father used to bring home most of the money. With him gone…” Her words trail off and her eyes tear up. “I can’t keep up.”

His leaving was the best thing to happen to either of us in as long as I can remember. If she could just be well enough to get out of bed, she could help me and we could make this work.

“You need to get out of bed regularly, Mom. I ran into Annabeth and she said she could use your help at the daycare again. It would help with the bills piling up.”

The tears glistening in her eyes begin to spill over her lashes. She wipes them away with her palm, giving me a tired look. “I am trying really hard, Demi.” She grabs hold of my hand. “I promise I will be better. Tomorrow, I’ll go see Annabeth.”

I smile and squeeze her hand back. This is the fourth time she’s promised this. I’m left hoping that one day it will sink in and she’ll actually follow through.

I stand, wearing one of her old dresses. It’s a little snug, exposing my cleavage, and its skirt will show my bottom the second I bend over or sit.

“Make me proud, Demi. I love you.” She kisses my cheek—with the first smile on her face I’ve seen in six months—as she appraises me. I don’t think she even realizes it’s my birthday today. I know she doesn’t. She wouldn’t even be able to say what month it is if I asked.

“Will you be up when I get home?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I’ll be in bed. Come give me a kiss to let me know you made it back.”

I walk out the door on shaky legs, my entire body trembling as my keys jingle together in my hand. Before getting into my family’s car, I pause, glancing at the roof of the Mancini’s, hoping to see Dante. If he saw me, I know he would fix this somehow. Still, I’m flooded with relief that he’ll never know what my mother is making me do. I don’t know if I could look him in the face if he knew. The world doesn’t care that I’m poor. I need to toughen up or I’ll be eaten alive in this town where there’s always someone looking to scam their next victim.

I dig into my small clutch and pop a mint into my mouth hoping to calm my nervous stomach, before I turn the ignition to begin the journey to my first client. My hands quiver as I drive, shakingalmostas fast as the heart beating against my ribs.

It’s not like I’m a virgin.

Slowing down at the intersection that my mother directed me to, I spot the man she described standing there. I hand roll the window down and give him a pretty smile—just like my mother told me.

“John?” I ask, fighting back the urge to laugh at my own inside joke.

The man frowns. “I think names are best left out, sweetheart.”

He walks to the passenger side door and looks around to double check no one he knows sees him. My stomach swooshes. It’s a good thing we haven’t had food in our house for two days now.

I look at his left hand to see if there is a ring on it. Nothing.Thank goodness. I drive back toward our side of town.

“I can see you got your prettiness from your mother.” He places his hand on my leg. I have to fight to not squirm away. My face muscles hurt as I force my smile to stay on my face. I nod, not saying anything. The less I talk, the more they will like me.

This is a one-time deal. My mother said so herself. We just need this to make the bills.

I pull into a dark alleyway not too far from my house. I’m familiar with the location and it gives me a sense of security. If I scream for help, someone might recognize my voice and come to help if I need it.

I place the car in park, turning off its lights.

“Should we get into the back?” I ask, turning to the passenger seat. The man is already out of the car and opening the back door before the sentence leaves my mouth.I guess so.

I walk to the back and take a deep breath to calm my nerves before I pull on the handle. I sit in the dark backseat and see his semi hard cock already out. My stomach cramps and I force myself to lean in and try to kiss the guy.

“I don’t kiss.” The man moves back from me. “Your mother said you knew how to do this.”

It’s too dark to see my expression, otherwise he’d see my face paling as all the blood rushes from it.This is actually going to happen.

“Money first.” I hold my hand out, remembering my mom said to always get payment upfront.

“Yes, yes, of course.” He lifts his ass off the seat and pulls his wallet out.

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