Chapter 01

“We are here, ma’am.” Penny is pulled out of her thoughts as the taxi driver announced their arrival at the destination. She stopped fiddling with the necklace her mom had given her on her sixth birthday.

“Here.” She passed the taxi fare to the driver before alighting from the cab. She thought it best to stop a couple of blocks from the building where the gala was being held.

‘I may have a job to do but I don’t want my face plastered everywhere on the newspapers and blogs. Those media vultures are always eager to broadcast other people’s misfortune while they guffaw to their banks.’ She thought internally.

She fiddled with the sleeves of her black fur coat where she was adorning a silk red dress underneath with an open back and took multiple breaths in as I let them out.

It was always chilly in the city of *** at nights so she was glad to have something to keep her warm. “It is show time, Penny!” I chid myself and started walking into another episode of the death traps I am strapped in.

Cain didn’t let me where my comfy sneakers or sandals. If I didn’t listen to him, his next point of action would be to lecture me on the importance of being feminine.

Ugh! Feminine, my butt. Lord knows I have received my fair share of lecture to last me a lifetime and the next one.

I kept walking to the building till I sew some men in dashing black suits from afar standing next to a sports car. One was busing scrolling through his phone while the other stood stoic and rooted to a spot. The later stood out to be the most.

I could see how he filled his suit with his body physique. He looked quit young from a distance.

Great! At least, I wouldn’t be escorting a man over his 50s. they are usually slimy and a pervert.

“Where is she, Fred? I instructed you to call it off. Nothing good comes out of hiring a prostitute for an arm candy, even if it’s just for a night.” The stoic man gritted out, making me stop in my tracks.

“Goodness, Killian! Those are harsh words. She should be here any minute.” The calm man called Freddy said.

What?

The more she moved closer to the men, the more one of them looked familiar. My hand quickly reaches for my borrowed clutch to pull out my phone and start scrolling to the picture Cain sent to me.

It can’t possibly be this judgemental man. I obviously cleared him off too early. He is just like the rest of them.

The light was dim so it was difficult to make out all his features but a sharp jaw and piercing eyes like that were hard to miss.

She cleared her throat to gain their attention. “Glad to know how you feel about us.” She retorted, unable to hold herself back.

Killian sharply turned around where he heard the feminine voice till his eyes were set on hers but couldn’t place her face because she was adorning a mask. It was a masquerade charity ball, after all.

“You must be Miss. Winters.” The other man said, offering his hand. Knowing the impatient man was staring at her, she gladly took his friend’s hand and shake it.

“I apologize for my friend here. He is not himself tonight. Couple too many glasses to drink.” The friend laughed. “Forgive my manners. I am Fredrick Bones. Feel free to call me Freddy.”

Killian snapped his gaze and glared at Fred for the fleeting excuse he gave on his behalf. He needed no one to apologize on his behalf as he stood strongly on his opinion. They were quite the opposite.

Freddy exuded warmth while the handsome man depicted coldness.

Did I just call him handsome? Crap! Focus on the job, Penny. Your livelihood depends on the outcome of this evening.

“You are late!” Killian sneered, finally turning his body to look at Penny.

Her breath got caught in her throat at his intense stare. It took her a minute to respond.

“A woman likes to take her time. Being an ‘escort’ isn’t an easy feat.” Penny ensured to make an emphasis on the escort. Those words differ greatly.

It didn’t escape his notice. The words got Killian scrunching up his nose in annoyance. “Let’s go, Freddy.” He grunted out.

Penny purposely walked closer to Freddy with the knowledge that Killian was her actual client. Freddy got a whiff of the game she was playing so he gleefully played along by offering his arm for her to take, despite knowing how short-tempered his childhood friend was.

Killian let out a grunt and stepped towards Penny, his dark gaze boring into hers and say, “You are mine.” The words were to only convey one message but Penny couldn’t help picturing something else in her head. It had only been a couple of minutes and his words had that much effect on her. “Tonight.” Killian added and offered his arm, waiting for her to take it.

Reluctantly, she took his arm and passed Freddy an apologetic look. Freddy shrugged it off with a goofy smile and walked ahead of them into the building.

His arms felt warm against hers. It was obvious he worked out.

“I had a special request for…” He started but Penny cut him off.

“An escort. It is not an abomination to say the word out loud.” She supplied the word for him since he sounded stuck.

She could feel his laser glare directed at her temple but pretended not to notice and kept her gaze ahead as they walked into the building. Freddy was nowhere to be found.

“… you are anything but the meek I requested for.” Killian continued as if she hadn’t said anything.

Penny let out a huge sigh of frustration. Clearly, she had her work cut out for her for the evening.

Without any more word from me, I followed him into the vast hall. If I thought the building was magnificent from afar, then the interior took it upon itself to magnify my surprise.

It was so big with the walls very high. The hall has a glamorous design and feel to it. Every head is turned in our direction but I couldn’t give two cents about them.

It was warmer in the hall so she handed her fur jacket over at the entrance, revealing her devil-may-care dress and took off her black gloves.

Killian couldn’t help himself from staring at her flawless creamy skin and his eyes betray him as they lingered on her exposed back, giving him a tease of her shapely butt. He was still curious about how she looked under the mask that covered more than half of her face. Was she hideous beneath the mask?

Clearing his throat and willing his gaze away from her, he warns, “Say nothing when anyone talks to you.” Thereafter, he tightened his hold on her.

But Penny was too busy staring at the decorations to really care about his warning.

“Mr. King!” A man with pepper-salt hair came to greet Killian which prompted him to let go of her arm. The man’s eyes widened a little when he spotted her. “Who is this beautiful lady?” He asked extending his hand.

She extended her hand out to him. He took it and laid a kiss on the back of her hand. “Penny.” I answered with a bright smile as she retracted her hand, which seemed to unnerve the man next to her. Killian shifted on his foot beside her impatiently.

I am not a mute if that is what he expects me to be. If he needed one, he should have taken his time to choose an escort but he doesn’t look like anyone who would contact my agency. A man like him can have fleet of women at his beck and call. What is his story?

“Quite the controversial name.” The man says, chuckling.

“Donald.” He called his name in warning, making Donald step away from Penny. Don’t hassle my date.” Killian finally spoke out, despite his disgruntled acts.

But the man had some guts as he continued to ask Penny questions, “Darling, what do you think about this event?” He gestured at the whole building.

“She--” Killian tried to speak but she cut him off instead.

“Not my scene. It would be great if the kids that the charity is for are here but this looks like a media stunt for the rich and wealthy snubs just to keep up the top 1% status. No offence, Daniel.” Penny answered with a straight face.

My answer must have stunned Donald because he stared at me for a minute before he threw himself into hysterics. “This is one formidable woman you have got here. Keep a tight leash on her, Killian.”

Killian let out forced smile. “That is a very nice suggestion.” He says, staring at me with his dark gaze. His sharp features were more prominent under the light now. The light shone on his dark as night hair, making it low glossy as it was swept back.

“Enjoy the evening, Penny.” He said with a wink as he raised his glass of a bubbly golden liquid.

“You had an order.” He gritted out in her ears. If anyone was looking, they would think they were having an abominable tryst.

“Killian!!!” A voice screeched as it approached us.