chapter 9

Elena

I sip the tea one of the secretaries made me and nearly scald my tongue. I’m restless and nervous. It doesn’t sit well with me that they knew me by name. This has Elise’s name written all over it. I’m certain this is a trap of some sort, but I can’t walk away either. Not when there’s even the slightest chance that I can save my mother’s life this way.

Maybe it was June who let them know I might drop by? It seems unlikely, but I’d rather have that than falling into another one of my stepsister’s traps. The last time I walked into one of her schemes, I was almost charged with possession of drugs. Not just any drugs. One hundred grams of cocaine. Elise takes going hard or going home to a new level, and for some reason, she’s always seen me as the bane of her existence. I’m not sure why, since I’ve never treated her unfairly. She’s one of the reasons I couldn’t wait to leave home. My heart sinks at the thought of my mother’s nurse and Elise colluding. If that’s the case, it means Elise and Jade have access to my mother. If they can get to June, they can get toMom.

I look around the room, trying my best to battle my nerves. It looks more like a meeting room than anything else, with its long table and the cushioned chairs. This whole building is unlike what I expected. I thought I’d be walking into a nightclub, but instead, I found myself in what appears to be a downtown version of a very luxurious country club. I saw signs for countless facilities. If I’m not mistaken, I even saw one for a swimming pool and a golf area.

God, I hope I’m not in the wrong place. I shake my head. No, the receptionist knew who I was, so I’m definitely in the right place. I just hope they knowwhyI’m here. I really hope I won’t have to explain myself. If I do, I’m not sure I’ll be able to go through with this.

Part of me wonders if running into Lucian and Alexander was a sign, a final chance to turn back around, before I lose any and all respect I have for myself. But then I think of my mother, and I know I’ll always regret it if I walk away now. I’d never forgive myself if she died when I could’ve done something to save her. Even if she never wakes up again, I need to know that I tried everything in my power to give her the chance to. If our roles were reversed, I know my mother would do the same for me.

The door behind me opens, and it seals my fate. A tall blond man takes the seat opposite me, a lecherous smile on his face. A chill runs down my spine when he leans back in his seat.

“How’s your tea, Elena?” he asks, his eyes on my chest. I frown. I’m not sure what’s going on, but something doesn’t seem right.

“I never gave anyone here my name.”

He smiles, a hint of cruelty in his eyes. “You didn’t need to. There isn’t much that we don’t know about you. I’m John, by the way. You and I are about to get very intimately acquainted—as part of your job interview, of course.”

I swallow hard, tremors running down my spine. I try to push down the fear I feel, but I can’t. I start to tremble, my heart pounding, yet I smile. I knew what I’d be getting into… I knew what would be expected of me.“So, tell me why you’re doing this, Elena. Rich girl boredom? Daddy wouldn’t buy you a new handbag?”

I’m at a loss for words. I wasn’t really expecting that question. But then again, I wasn’t expecting them to know who I am at all. I’d been intending to go by some alias. Something like Crystal or Candy. Or better yet,Chastity. So far, nothing is going the way I’d planned it.

“I need the money.” It sounds stupid and obvious, but I’m not sure how else to explain why I’m here. I don’t want to tell him about my family situation. I don’t want him to know much about me at all.

“Well… this interview will certainly be fun for me. How about you stand and take off—”Before he can finish his sentence, the door behind me opens and slams against the wall. I jump in shock and turn around to find Alexander walking in with Lucian right behind him.

Alexander’s eyes are on John, his expression murderous. “You. Get out,” he says, his voice deadly calm. John hesitates and Alexander looks at Lucian. “Get him out of here before I knock him out. Make sure you escort him to Vaughn’s office.”

Lucian nods and leads John out, a concerned look on his face. John looks back at Alexander, a vicious glint in his eyes. He grins at me and pauses at the door. “Not bad,” he says. “Already have a high roller interested, huh? Can’t even blame the guy. Not to worry. I don’t mind having seconds.”

My stomach lurches, and I breathe a sigh of relief when Lucian tightens his grip on John and pushes him out.

I blink in disbelief when the door slams closed, leaving Alexander and me alone. He clenches his jaw and walks toward the door slowly, the sound of the lock clicking closed making me tense further. He walks up to me and I take a step back, only to feel the table behind me. There is nowhere for me to go. I’ve never seen him look so angry before.

“Alexander…”

He pauses, his eyes raking over my body in disbelief. “Do you want to explain what you’re doing here, Elena? Or do you go by Diana now?”

He takes a step closer to me and pinches my chin, forcing me to look at him. Disappointment and rage darken his eyes, and I inhale sharply. There’s no doubt in my mind he knows exactly what I’m doing here. He just wants me to admit it.

“Alec,” I whisper, shame coloring my cheeks crimson.

“Alexander,” he corrects me. “We’re not that close.”

My heart breaks and I look away from his intense gaze, but I nod nonetheless. I’ve always been one of the few apart from his family that could call him Alec, and it kills me that I’m a stranger to him now.

“You’re right, Alexander. We’re not that close. There’s no reason for me to explain to you what I’m doing here. Nor should you care.” My voice is even, and I don’t stumble over my words like I expected to. I stare into his eyes, praying my poker face is as good as I imagine it to be.

Alexander’s grip on my chin tightens. His eyes travel down my body, taking in the skintight black dress I’m wearing. I chose it knowing it would highlight my body. Right now, the outfit makes me feel like a cheap whore. Quite appropriate, I guess.

“It just so happens that this club is owned by my friend, Vaughn,” he says. “I understand you’re here to apply for a position. Vaughn, being the good friend he is, allowed me to conduct your interview on his behalf.”

I look away in shame, unable to face him. Alexander’s hands move to my waist, and he hoists me up onto the table behind me. Before I can react, he’s nudged my legs apart so he can stand between them. I know he must’ve gotten a glimpse of my red lace underwear when his eyes darken. If I thought he was angry before, I clearly hadn’t seen anything yet. His eyes are flashing with rage and his expression is tense.

“Elena, do you understand that men will be able to touch you whenever and wherever they want? Do with you whatever they please?”

I nod, swallowing hard. I’m not stupid. I knew what I was signing up for, and I’m not going to let Alexander intimidate me out of making this decision. Because that’s exactly what he’s doing. He’s trying to intimidate me so that I’ll run out of this room crying. Boy, is he in for a surprise.

“Yes. I’m aware. I understand that you’re shocked, but I’m not going to change my mind.” Someone like Alexander can’t possibly understand what it’s like to be in my situation. To have lost your home and to have no one around that you can rely on. Even worse, to have someone to provide for, and being unable to. The helplessness I feel tears me apart, and grants me steely determination at the same time.

A few years ago, I never would’ve been able to dream of finding myself in this situation, so I understand where Alexander is coming from. But I’m not doing this for the fun of it. My mother’s life depends on me seeing this through.

“Very well,” he says, his voice low.

Alexander moves one hand to my hair, and the other to my bare leg. “Is this what you want, Elena? You want men to touch you whenever they feel like it? Spread your legs for anyone that throws some money your way?”

I shake my head, biting down on my lip. He strokes the inside of my thigh, his hand moving up slowly.

“This is what will be expected of you, and much more. I’m barely even touching you. Can you bear to drop down on your knees and suck my dick? What if I want to bend you over and fuck you?”

His eyes are on mine, and the way he’s looking at me right now is how I always imagined he would in every single dream I’ve ever had of him. Like I’m someone he wants, and not just some kid that follows him around everywhere. Like I’m desirable. He caresses the inside of my thigh, slowly edging closer to my underwear. I hate myself for the burst of arousal I feel, but despite the situation, I can’t help myself.

I stare at his collar, my heart racing. His fingers are at the edge of my underwear, moving slowly, teasing me, and I’m a jumbled mess of lust and panic. I know he’s trying to shame me for my choices. I know this is meant to be a punishment, a way to change my mind. But all I can think is that I want more. More of what his fingers are doing to me.

Alexander gently tugs on my hair, making me lift my face. His rage hasn’t abated at all, but there’s something more in his eyes now. Lust. “Look at me. Tell me why you’re doing this.”I look away, unable to face him. I want to explain, but all my words seem to be stuck in my throat. “If you can’t even handle this, how are you going to fuck countless men?”

He caresses me with his index finger, right through my underwear, and I jump, a burst of arousal going straight to my core. Alexander’s eyes darken when he realizes that I’m wet, and he seems even more pissed off. He shoves my underwear aside roughly and slides his finger along my slick folds. I’m so wet that his finger slides into me easily, eliciting a moan from me that surprises both of us. He tightens his hold on my hair when he realizes how turned on I am.

“You’re fucking soaking wet.”

He keeps his finger inside me and starts twirling his thumb around my clit, driving me insane.“Tell me, does the idea of being used by men turn you on so much? Are you enjoying my finger inside you? You’re so wet, I can probably slip my cock straight into you.” His voice is husky, and he licks his lips. My eyes trace his tongue as it darts over his lips, making me wonder what those lips taste like.

Alexander finger-fucks me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. “Tell me I’m wrong, Elena. Tell me you’re not here to sell your body at Vaughn’s club. Tell me that you didn’t mean to deceive me that night.”

When I don’t answer, he increases his pace, his touch driving me insane. If this is what he thinks constitutes punishment, he’s sorely mistaken.

“Alexander, please,” I moan.

“Please what? Please stop? If you don’t want me to treat you like a common whore, all you have to do is say stop. Sayno. Push me away.” He’s panting as hard as I am, and the bulge in his pants tells me he’s just as turned on too. He watches me as I drown in the feelings he arouses in me.

Alexander lets go of my hair and moves his other hand between my legs, using one hand to tease my clit while finger-fucking me with the other. The intensity is almost too much for me, and it takes all my willpower to not come right there and then.

I grab Alexander’s shoulders and bite down on my lip to keep myself quiet. His fingers feel way better on me than my own ever have, and I know I can’t hold on any longer, I’m about to come. Alexander watches me so intently that I can’t help but close my eyes.

“Alexander, I’ll... I can’t... I’m going to—” I whisper, my voice sounding more like a moan than the protest I meant it to be. I’m about to come, and I know that if I do, Alexander will lose the tiny amount of respect he might still have for me.

Alexander groans and increases his pace as he pushes me over the edge. “Mm, oh fuck…Please,” I moan, losing control. I come all over his fingers, and he watches me with a satisfied expression.

The moment between us breaks as the last tremor shakes my body, and Alexander pulls his fingers away suddenly, as though he scalded himself. I watch as he pulls his handkerchief out of his pocket and wipes his fingers, looking down at his hands in disbelief. It’s like he can barely believe he touched me like that, and worse, that I enjoyed it. I look away in shame, reality suddenly catching up to me. I’m as disappointed in myself as Alexander is, if not more. I swallow back a sob as he turns his back to me, clearly unable to look at me.

Alexander sits down in one of the chairs in the conference room, his head in his hands. The silence between us is heavy and I don’t know what to say. I clench my thighs closed, the wetness that’s still there making me feel ashamed all over again. Alexander looks up at me and sighs, his eyes softening a little.

“I don’t know what you’re doing here, or what has caused you to be in these circumstances. What I do know is that you’re coming home with me.”