Page 179 of Powerhouse: Boxed Set
“Eighteen, sir.”
“And this is your first night out.”
“Yes.” She clenched her jaw tight to keep from crying. I’d seen that expression on some of the girls at Violent Delights. It was a big, flashing sign. Crying was to be expected at a BDSM club. Trying not to cry before the play had even started?
Irritating. On the surface I was annoyed that Rex had brought me someone this breakable. But underneath, I was…pissed. That I wasn’t with Elaine, doing what rich people do after events like Tinsley’s birthday. Fucking in a hotel room. Going to drive-throughs in formal wear.
Wanting to do those things with Elaine was against everything I stood for.
Natalie’s presence in my apartment became a distraction in an instant. I couldn’t let my mind wander over Elaine’s body with Natalie clutching at the blanket on my sofa.
“What do you owe?”
She blinked, shrinking down under the blanket, pulling it up to shield herself. “I don’t think I’m supposed to talk about that.”
“You’re in my apartment now. Tell me.”
Natalie’s shoulders let down a fraction. Lots of the girls were like that. Relieved not to have a choice. “Ten thousand dollars.”
The amount was nothing to me. Less than nothing. Like a ripped-up dollar bill. But Natalie’s face went pink, then red, and she looked down into her lap to disguise the tears gathering in her eyes.
“How’d you end up owing that much money, Natalie?”
Her eyes met mine again, and she took a determined breath. “I was trying to save for college. A guy in my neighborhood said I could earn some money delivering packages.” Jesus, the innocence. “One night I got mugged, and—”
“And now you have to pay for lost merchandise.”
“Yeah.”
She looked so fucking mortified.
“And if you pay it off?”
The corners of Natalie’s mouth turned down. “I won’t be able to do that any time soon.”
“Play along.”
A little sigh. “If I paid it off, I could go back home.”
There was actual longing in her eyes. Longing for home. If I didn’t want her gone, I’d have asked her about it. I wouldn’t know what it’s like to miss the place you grew up. “Your parents don’t know where you are?”
Laughter burst out of her. “No. I said I was at college. I said I didn’t want to see them anymore.” Natalie straightened her back. Shook her head like it would wake her up from a nightmare. “One of the girls said you made it hurt, but you made it good, so if you wanted to start, we could—”
“No.”
She jumped at the word, her face paling. “But—”
“I’m not going to fuck you tonight. What I’m going to do is settle your debt so you can go home. Go to college. Whatever.” I could feel her watching as I went to the small safe set into a panel next to the TV. One of quite a few I had in the apartment. This one held emergency cash. I pulled out two of the bundles.
Natalie couldn’t take her eyes off it.
“This one is for you.” I handed her the smaller bundle. Five thousand dollars. “Forschool.Not for fucking around. Do you understand?”
She nodded, cradling it in her hands like it was a fortune.
“Andthisone is going with my driver. So are you.”
“What?” New fear washed over her face. “Your driver? I thought—”
