I lean back against my desk and cross my arms over my chest, waiting to hear what she has to say.
“So… uhm…” Her tongue darts out to wet her lips before she continues, “I need work.”
Not saying anything, I slowly shake my head while another wave of rage crashes through me.
When a tear rolls over her cheek, she glances at the shelves behind me, quickly wiping it away with her fingertips. “I’m desperate. I just lost my job, and I’m broke. I spent last night in a diner, and I don’t think they’ll tolerate me again tonight.” Her voice cracks over the words, taking a swing at my heart.
Tilting my head, I ask, “You spent the night where?”
“At a diner.” Laurie wraps her arms around herself. “This isn’t easy for me, but I’m broke and homeless. I’ll do anything.”
“You’re living on the streets?” I ask because I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“Yes…” A pleading expression tightens her ashen features. “I just need to work. Please give me the job.”
“I’m not letting you take your clothes off in my club,” I reply, my tone so harsh and unforgiving she takes a step backward.
My mind races to put all the puzzle pieces together, but there are gaping holes. How did Laurie lose her job and house in two days?
Suddenly she darts forward and throws herself at my feet.
The sight of her on her knees does something unexplainable to me.
A sob bursts from her as she holds her hands in a praying gesture, and her voice is thick with shame and desperation. “Please, I’m begging you.”
An idea pops into my mind, and when I take too long to reply, she cries, “Then how am I supposed to survive?” Kneeling in front of me, sobs begin to shudder from her.
I crouch down, and as I take in the tears wetting her cheeks and how they make her light blue eyes shine, I say, “I’ll make you a deal.”
Hope sparks to life in her stunning irises. “What kind of deal?”
Knowing she won’t be able to resist, the corner of my mouth lifts. “You will get twenty thousand dollars right now and ten thousand per month for as long as the deal lasts. You come when I call.”
A frown forms on her forehead, and when she stares at me with parted lips, I wonder how they’ll taste.
“And what do you expect me to do whenever you call?”
A grin forms on my face as my eyes devour every inch of her. “Anything I want.”
Laurie gasps, and a myriad of emotions play out over her very expressive features. Everything from terror to embarrassment to hopelessness.
Finally, with a defeated expression in her baby blues, she whispers, “Okay.”
The longer I stare at Laurie, the more my obsession grows, and knowing I’ve just caught my little butterfly makes satisfaction creep through me like a dark shadow.
Mine.
All fucking mine to do with whatever I want. I could tell her to marry me right now, and she’d probably agree.
I’m bombarded with all the things I’m going to do to her, but they’ll all have to wait.
First things first. I want to know why she’s on the fucking streets.
Chapter7
Laurie
After I agree, Adriano stares at me for such a long while, it unnerves me completely and makes my tears come faster.
