My mind suddenly goes in a direction I have never dared to go. A scent that makes my head spin in the best way possible, and my stomach quivers? Either I am going down with the flu, or I am psychotic, or…
“No way,” I mutter. “That is impossible.”
“Elsa!” Jenny exclaims the moment I walk through the door. The tone in her voice instantly startles me.
“Did something happen?” I ask. “Oh no, something happened, right?”
“I am not sure,” she hurries to explain. “But the boss is here, and said he wants to talk to you immediately. Something about a customer who is willing to pay a lot just to talk to you.”
Goddess, no!
My chest clenches painfully as I make my way to the boss’s office. He has the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen, and frankly, it looks more than a little creepy. So, this is it, I guess. I was hoping I could hang on a little longer and postpone this decision for a week or two, at least. This would have given Amelia and me more time. I guess I can handle the next week without much income by just helping the neighbors, but then we will need to leave.
It's not just the lack of money, it’s also the creepy feeling I have had for a while now. What if someone is going to hurt Faye or Marina? They can’t defend themselves, and if shifters are looking for us, for whatever reason, I might be putting Donna and the whole town in danger.
“Elsa,” the boss says with a bright smile. “You asked for time, and I gave you some, but now I need your answer.” Before I openmy mouth, he raises his hand. “Just listen first. There is a new customer who approached me last night, and wants to talk to you. He doesn’t demand any other services, just conversation.”
So, Jenny was right. Weird request.
“He still offered to pay the full price and wants to book you for your whole shift.”
At that, my mouth drops open. This is a lot of time, meaning a lot of money! In my head, my thoughts run wild. If I take this offer, it means I earn enough so that I can take Faye and Marina and leave sooner than I planned to, and we could stay at a cheap hotel for a couple of days!
Fuck, but should I really do it?
I wish I had someone to discuss this with.
“He just wants to talk?” I verify.
“Yes!”
“No dancing, no anything?” I push.
Again, the boss nods.
“Isn’t that weird?” I ask. “Has that ever happened before?”
“No, the customers here are out for an escort service. While I leave it up to the girls how far they go, they usually at least want to see some dancing or flirting, or at least some roleplay. He doesn’t want any of that. He even said you can remain in your normal street clothes.”
“But why?”
He shrugs. “I don’t care. It’s money he is willing to pay, and a lot of it.”
Goddess, this sounds almost too good to be true.
But what if it’s someone shady? What if the eerie feeling I had proves to be true and I have a stalker, and this is him now? It probably would be really stupid to do it.
I am still wondering what to answer when I suddenly take up the hint of cedar again. My heart beats faster all of a sudden. No way!
Is he here?
This can’t be a coincidence!
Do it!
Something inside me pushes me, as if there is a second voice in my mind, but I don’t have time to linger on it, instead I find myself nodding. “Alright, I’ll do it.”
eighteen
