Page 108 of The Darkness Within Us

“Of course. Are you looking for a third? It is one of the few exceptions we make to servicing male clients.”

Pushing aside my pride, I pull forth the lie. “Actually, the problem is my husband doesn’t find me attractive enough to perform. We need to produce an heir. I’m hoping you have a woman who can help him get in the right mindset so I can then take over.”

The madam eyes my face and figure before turning to the duke. “You like fair-haired women, then?”

Eryx is speechless, likely still reeling from my explanation.

“Precisely,” I say for him.

“I think I have just the girl for you. I will explain the situation to her and send her up. Here.” The madam hands us a key from her ring. “You will take room thirty-seven. Your men will need to wait outside the room.” She eyes the “valets” warily. “I have my own staff on standby should anything go poorly.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I assure her. “The men will wait outside.”

“What?” Dyson says, looking up from a woman he’d been eyeing.

I take the key. “Let’s go.”

I lift my skirts as I take the stairs, three men trailing behind me.

“Of all the— This is such a stupid plan,” Eryx says. “We’re paying a woman to—”

“Get you impassioned. Then we can practice. It’s such a clever ruse I’ve thought up, isn’t it? She can come in and out of the room as many times as necessary. And we can return as long as we need to. It can take a while to produce an heir, you know.”

“I don’t want to become impassioned.”

“Do you want to get a grip on the monster? Do you want to continue your life this way?”

We reach door thirty-seven. “Don’t let him stray,” I say to Argus, obviously referring to Dyson. “You two have a job to do.”

“Understood.”

Unlocking the door, I step foot inside, and Eryx reluctantly follows. I try not to laugh at the pink wallpaper, crisp white blankets and pillows, or sweet-smelling fragrance. Eryx must loathe it, but he doesn’t say a word. I don’t think he’s really even seeing our surroundings.

“You could try looking less unapproachable. You’ll scare the woman away before we can get started.”

“Maybe I don’t want to be approached.”

“This is the only way. You said you didn’t want me bringing out the monster with words, so now we’re stuck with option B. Once you get this under control, you can go to a brothel for real. Besides, it’s been far too long for me. I intend to make use of this place after we’re done here for the night.”

“What?” he asks, his whole body tightening.

“You will recall that I had to stop visiting because you cut off my stipend. Now that it’s returned, I don’t intend to spend tonight alone when we’re already here.”

“No.” The word is low, fierce, and demanding.

I spin toward him. “Hmm?”

“You’re not staying the night here. I’m not doing this. We’re not doing this. This is outrageous.”

“Eryx, what do you—”

He stomps to the door, opens it a crack. “Change of plans. Send the girl away when she gets here. We’ll be using the room, though. No questions. You two spend the evening however you think is best.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Dyson says at the same time Argus manages, “But—”

Eryx slams the door and locks it before turning back to me. When he does so, his eyes have shifted to amber. “Why do we need another woman in the room when you and I can manage just fine on our own?”

My heart speeds up at the words, and I have to swallow before speaking. “Because you couldn’t pay me enough money to do that job.” The words come easily, but the force behind them is somewhat lacking.

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