Page 111 of Delightful Sins

I see the dots at the bottom of the conversation, but my head snaps up when Elliot Pearson slams his fist on my door again.

“Sawyer’s dead.”

Yes. I know that.

“Now, now,” Elliot’s voice is a satisfied drawl. The tone of someone who is about to get his long-awaited prize. “Spare your mom the distress of seeing us grab you from your home. Come out like a good girl.”

And to think I let the bastard choke me the last time he fucked me.

My phone pings.

Stanislav: Do you accept the rules? It’s a simple exchange, but I’m a very demanding man.

I don’t even hesitate.

Jade: I accept. If the money stays the same, I accept anything as long as you come get me today.

I had better plans in life than to become an escort for a rich man. Especially one who wants to keep me in his vacation home so he can visit me whenever he wants.Especiallya man who seems to have tastes that could kill me.

When I was little, I wanted to be a stunt woman. Drive cars for a living. What a dream. Look at me now.

Stanislav: Are you that excited to come to me, little puppet?

My throat tightens. The distinctive disgust of using my body as a means to an end never gets easier.

Jade: I am. Just promise me the money is what you told me last week. $2000 every month.

I look at my mom, her sleeping form unmoving. That money will cover her chemo and whatever she needs. All of it is for her. Kay used to pay for it. All I had to do in exchange was to be at her beck and call for any jobs she wanted me to do. Being part of the gang who runs our town doesn’t mean we’re all earning beautiful money. There’s a hierarchy, and I had to fight my way to be even remotely close to the top.

“Jade!” The knocking intensifies. Elliot is losing the little patience he has. “I know you’re in here. Stop being a little bitch. Sawyer told us everything.”

It takes all of me not to stop a whimper of fear. Elliot is going to kill me.

Stanislav: The money is the same. Plus, I’ll be taking care of you full time. You can have anything you want, as long as it’s within my rules. And I promise the dildo I’ll be using for your ass won’t be a cactus.

I sit on the bed I share with my mom and put the phone next to me on the mattress. I don’t often sleep here anyway. It won’t change much for her. And she’s always so tired…

I swallow roughly, forcing the tears away. And then again to bring me strength.

“Ma,” I murmur. She barely stirs when I slide my hand in her hair. “Meh tenu pyar karteh hu.” I love you.

My mother is probably the only person I love.

“I love you,Ma,” I repeat as I get up and grab the bag I packed. It’s a small overnight bag, but Stanislav will have everything I could possibly need anyway.

The knocking is hard.

I go to the kitchen window and look out. The blocks of public housing I live in only have three floors, and I’m on the second. I’ve jumped it before, and I can do it again. I just need to watch my knees.

I throw my bag first. Then I tie my thick, dark brown curls in a ponytail and look at my mom one last time.

“I’ll be back,” I promise in a whisper.

The landing isn’t gracious. I roll onto my shoulder, but at least I don’t break anything. A few bruises at worst. Grabbing my bag, I sprint to the back of the blocks. I run to the gate, a steel gate that’s the only way out. I pull at it and freeze when it stays stuck.

I look down at the lock.

Shit.

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