Page 198 of Destroyer
21
THE TERRIFYING TRUTH
SYDNEY
Sydney had a short amount of time to gain Tara’s trust. She needed Tara to feel like she was sincerely interested in a side hustle of her own.
“So, you and Mr. Santini,” Tara said. “That’s cool.”
“We’ve been hanging out,” Sydney said. “He’s chill. I like that about him.” She smiled at Tara. “And I get the whole Santini brothers thing. I melt whenever he looks at me.”
“They’re all so handsome, it’s kinda crazy.”
“I’m super interested in yourotherjob,” Sydney said. “My consulting gigs are dying, but The Sovereign Method sounds so pious.”
Tara laughed. “Actually, it’s just the opposite.”
Sydney leaned forward. “Oh, yeah?”
“I talk to lonely guys.”
“I can do that.”
Tara hesitated, glanced over her shoulder. “You cannot tell anyone, especially Mr. Santini. I think he’d fire my ass straight away?—”
“No worries.”
“Sometimes I do a strip dance or I’m naked,” Tara confided. “I’ve done some sexy things, like touching myself.”
Sydney nodded. “Lots of women earn extra money that way.”
“I was seeing this man, Hollywood. He got killed. It messed me up a little, but I’m okay now.”
“Were you seeing him for long?”
“No, but we got close fast. He told me he was in love with me.”
All part of their mind-fuck manipulation.
Sydney stayed quiet, hoping Tara would continue.
“He started pressuring me to get together with these guys, you know, in person, and talk—” she did air quotes around the word talk. “I’m pretty sure he wanted me to have sex with them. I’m sad he’s dead, but relieved in a way because I didn’t want to do that.”
“Were the guys paying you?”
“The money went through the app, so my clients didn’t pay me directly.” Tara started fiddling with her napkin. “I see where you’re going with this.”
“I’m looking to make an extra grand or two a month. Your side hustle sounds perfect.” Sydney drank down some of the water. “If your boyfriend is gone, who’s your contact now?”
“I worked with the head of the group, King A.”
Inwardly, Sydney cringed.
“He came in to tell me that Hollywood was dead and told me he’d follow up, but I never heard from him.”
“How can I start?” Sydney asked.
“You need a sponsor,” Tara said, “I can be yours, and you need at least one paying customer.”
