Page 56 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

Kayne hops into the limo before I barely hit the brakes.

“Go around to the back alley. Where’s the stuff?”

“Under the ice bin,” I direct him, looking straight ahead. I spy through the rearview mirror as he pulls out the silver bucket, grabs one of the little white pills, and dissolves it in a glass of champagne. When I pull into the alley, the silhouette of a woman illuminates in the headlights. I glance back at Kayne, suddenly worried. What is this fucking idiot up to?

I get out and open the door for her, dutifully playing my part. This is the first time I’ve ever seen the infamous Ellie up close. She’s an adorable little ball of energy with long, golden brown hair and big, bright green eyes. She smiles up at me coyly as she slides in next to Kayne. I immediately feel sorry for the sweet little naïve thing who has no idea about the deceit awaiting her in the back of that limo.

Fatigued, I climb into the driver’s seat and catch the reflection of Kayne mauling Ellie.That’s new for him.

I observe quietly as he encourages her to finish her champagne. Bottoms up. Rocks form in my stomach.

We barely get out of the city before she’s limp in his arms, the roofie almost immediately working its magic.

There’s a resounding silence in the car as he cradles her protectively and strokes her cheek. Who the hell is this man? The Kayne I know is clearly absent. I’ve never, ever seen him handle a woman with suchcare.With such, dare I even say it,emotion.

“Now what, evil mastermind?” I ask, conflicted. Just about everything I stand for has been violated tonight, but something inexplicable has happened to Kayne between the time he left the house and right now. Something I’d always hoped for but never expected.

“Now . . .” He dotes on her. “We come up with a plan.”

Bloody.

Fucking.

Hell.

JETT DEFINITELY STRUCK A NERVE.I feel guilty for getting mad at him, but when he asked what else would make me happy, and what more I want out of life, it felt like he stabbed me square in the heart. A direct fucking hit.Moredoesn’t apply to my life. Barely surviving does. Flying under the radar just to see another day. That’s my reality.

How could I confess what I really want when my simple dreams mean nothing. Whenmoreis nothing but a fleeting wish. More is meant for other people. Normal people. Not people like me. Damaged, abused, shredded, a whore. A woman used beyond repair. Who would want to be with someone like that? Who would want to love, or marry, or have a family with a disgraceful, polluted woman like that?

No one, that’s who. Because that’s exactly what I am. No one.

Nothing.

Undeserving of being anything more than a high-class slut for hire.

“London,” Amber snaps.

“Huh?”

“Can you hand me that pink lipstick? I’ve asked you like four times. Where’s your head?” She looks at me dumbfounded through the illuminated vanity mirror.

“Sorry.” I robotically grab the tube of Dior lipstick and hand it over.

“Daydreaming about Jett?” she pesters me as she sensuously rings her plump lips in a warm pink hue.

“Why would you ask that?” I scoff.

Not that her accusation is far off. I was daydreaming about Jett, just not in the way that she thinks.

“Because you’re Jett’s girlfriend.”

“Are you being serious right now? That’s absurd.”

“No, it’s not. We all see it. He’s never been so smitten with a woman until you. Trust me, I know. I’ve been here a long time.”

“Smitten? Did you really just accuse Jett of being smitten? That man and that word are on opposite ends of the earth. It’s almost comical to hear.”

“You wear denial as well as you wear that corset,” she accuses.

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