In the car back to the brothel, Valerie watched as the Garden District flew by. They passed through the Business District, then High Street, then Restaurant Row. Like a voyeur, from the safety of the tinted windows of the car, Valerie watched the people that talked and walked and laughed together and she wondered about their lives. She wondered what kinds of lives they must have led in order to walk freely and smile freely.
Madame Allegria hadn’t said two words to her on the ride back to the brothel. They hadn’t been at the party for very long at all. Their hair had taken longer to do than the amount of time they’d spent speaking with the Larchmonts.
But evening was falling over Everton and she knew why Madame Allegria had to get her back. Clients would be coming soon. And Valerie was always the one that greeted them.
Valerie felt like she was in a hushed trance. Still in shock, perhaps. Then again…nothing really shocked her anymore.
She wondered if she should be worried about that. Her mother had always said that life was full of surprises. Hopefully happy ones. Valerie didn’t think those surprises should include a hasty arranged marriage to a stranger. Her mother had married for love. Valerie had always wanted to until she realized just how foolish that ideal was.
“I can’t do it,” Valerie said, though she hadn’t realized that she’d said it out loud until she felt the heat of Madame Allegria’s gaze on the side of her face.
“Yes, you will.”
Her words were final. She didn’t even bother to raise her voice. If anything, the quietness of her aunt’s words were more frightening.
“Why do you want this?” Valerie whispered. “Why are you doing this? You never wanted anyone to know about me.”
“The Larchmonts own half of Everton’s importing business, not to mention their Genesis and Edinton branches. Gabriel is the heir to it all, but his family’s tradition is written so that he can only begin to assume control once he marries. His father wishes to retire to Genesis soon. You should be thanking me.”
A sharp snort escaped Valerie’s nostrils, anger rising within her. There was only a brief moment before her aunt slapped her across the face. Valerie’s cheek stung as her head jerked to the side. She bit her tongue in the process and she tasted her metallic, coppery blood.
This was about money and position and power. Madame Allegria was too old to marry Gabriel herself without raising a few eyebrows among their social circles, on Everton and elsewhere. She couldn’t afford the scrutiny.
The next best thing?
Marrying off her niece, whose life she controlled entirely.
A pawn and nothing more.
Not to mention the fact that Mr. Larchmont probably had no idea that his beautiful wife was visiting a Krave every couple weeks. Madame Allegria had a little black book full of names of the rich and powerful, one she had used before to blackmail members of higher society for her own gains.
She did it sparingly but Valerie knew that the Larchmonts’ wealth was reason enough to use herinfluence.
“You will marry Gabriel,” her aunt hissed softly, though they were in a driverless car and no one could hear them. Or see them, for that matter.
Ever since Khiva had left, Madame Allegria’s temper had been more mercurial than ever. Her patience was almost non-existent now.
Even still, Valerie whispered, “Or what?”
The smile that crossed her aunt’s face was wide and wrong.
“Or I will whip Dravkaevery nightuntil you agree.”
Bile rose in Valerie’s throat.
“I may even fuck him every night too. It’s been a while since I had a Krave and I do soloveDravka’s perfect, perfect cock,” she purred.
Like salt in a wound. Madame Allegria knew what it would take to bend Valerie’s will easily. And it was only Dravka that would make her cave in like a house of falling cards.
“Are we in agreement?” her aunt asked as the car slid in front of the brothel, coming to a stop. Valerie looked at the Old World brick façade of the buildings, at the quiet street. Her tone turned mocking. “Or should I call Derek and tell him you’ve got a little case of cold feet?”
Valerie wiped at the tears that spilled down her cheeks, streaking through the thick makeup.
Then realization washed over her calmly. Madame Allegria, for once in her life, actuallyneededValerie to be amenable to this. Valerie could ruin it all. All it would take was a public declaration at one of their fancy parties, in front of the high society members, people whose opinions her aunt cared for.
So, her aunt could threaten Dravka all she wanted. But if she laid a finger on Dravka, Valeriewouldruin all her plans.
Anger was burning in her gut, a fire that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Slowly, she turned to face her aunt, who looked so much like her mother that sometimes it was sickening. Her mother, who had been Madame Allegria’s polar opposite. Who had been kind and loving and sad. Who had tried to give Valerie everything growing up, though they were poor, though people looked at them like they were nothing. And still, Valerie had been happy.
