Page 26 of The Devil's Heir
"How so? If I move in, I'll just be his little puppet…"
"Maybe, maybe not, but let me ask you something. Is a year really too long to be someone's bitch if, in the end, you can live your life how you want to because you'll be rolling in the dough?"
"You don't understand, Fran," I say softly, then lean toward her, adding, "I'm a virgin. I've never had sex before."
Fran's eyes widen. "I thought you and that Heath guy…"
I shake my head. "No. I never gave it up all the way. What if Jarek's too rough, and he makes it hurt more than it should?"
Fran's cackle has others momentarily looking our way before returning to their business. I tell her to shush, and she quiets down enough to give me direction on what I should do.
"Sugar, the ball is in your court. You make the stipulation that he has to go easy on you the first time, or else you won't agree to his terms. If he wants you bad enough, he'll accept them. But I will warn you, if you plan on leaving there after a year, you must not develop feelings for the man. Sex can do that to people. Keep your head on straight and keep your end goal at the forefront at all times."
I can't believe I'm even considering this. I'd be crazy to go back into the lion's den, right? I chew on my thumbnail as I consider everything Fran has said, but when she says what she says next, my mind makes itself up.
"You said this Heath guy was going to pimp you out, and that you were more worried about him finding you than about young Falcon finding you. Well, the way I see it, the Mafia protects their own. You will be free to come and go, and this Heath guy can't touch you. You will have a semblance of your life back."
She doesn't wait for me to respond as she stands and flicks her cigarette butt out into the littered street. Giving a slight wave, Fran disappears inside her own tent, leaving me to my thoughts.
Maybe Fran is right. I mean, I'm a twenty-two-year-old virgin with a bleak future. What can it hurt to give myself to Jarek for a year? Food, a roof over my head, protection, and lots of money in the end—it's not like Jarek isn't easy on the eye. The only con I can think of is the loss of my pride. I'd say my humility is at stake, but honestly, who can say what is right or wrong in this situation?
Being at Jarek's beck and call may be wrong to some people, but I bet none of them have ever gone to bed hungry or worried about when they would have their next meal.
After considering everything Fran said, I stand and enter my tent. Maybe if I sleep on it, everything will be clearer in the morning. Sighing, I dress for bed, donning the raggedy pajamas I've had for years now, and snuggle into the sleeping bag I once found in a dumpster two blocks away. Considering every little aspect of my life until now, I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.
I hug Heidi a little tighter before she leaves for work, and Fran, well, she holds me a little tighter, knowing that I won't be there when they return. I didn't get much sleep last night, tossing and turning with indecision, but as the sun rose, it all became clear to me.
My life is what I make of it. I can sit around trying to get ahead like I have for the past four years, with no such luck, or I can grab the bull by its horns and ride out the storm until the sun shines again. There's always a rainbow after a storm, right?
My things are already packed. At least my most important things are anyway. I've written a note for Heidi and Fran, letting them know I will be back for them. I could never leave them behind, and if I have as much money as Jarek claims I will, then I can help my two friends out as well.
I leave the address that is on the card with Fran, just in case of an emergency, along with instructions on what they can do with my things. I prefer that they hold them for me in case I return, but if they need something and bartering my belongings will help, then I give them permission to do so. I know they will do what's right.
As soon as the two women are out of sight, I grab my bags and start out across town. I know it hasn't been twenty-four hours but if I didn't rip the band-aid right off, then I was afraid I never would.
It takes me well over an hour to get to the Falcon Estate, and when I do, I'm surprised the guard at the gate opens it immediately forme. I assume Jarek told the guard that there was a possibility that I would be coming, so he was prepared for my arrival.
"Thank you," I say to the guard, and he smiles warmly at me, nodding.
I'm not sure if that was sympathy I saw in the man's eyes, but I don't want to think about it. I've made up my mind; this is what I need to do.
Stepping up to the large wooden door, I press the buzzer and wait. A moment later, the same guy who was driving Jarek last night opens the door and smiles.
"Miss Sumner, Mr. Falcon is in his office. Follow me."
I do as he says, looking all around as I follow behind the man. When we get to the stairs, I look up, and there stands a beautiful blonde dressed in a sheer robe and a collar around her neck. Her stare is anything but friendly toward me, and I can't help but wonder who the woman is.
"My name is Jackson, and I am Mr. Falcon's butler and driver. If you need anything, let me know."
The man looks very familiar, but I can't place him, so I put it to the back of my mind for now. We come to a door Jackson knocks on, andhisvoice sounds from the other side. It's a deep, baritone voice that sounds sexy as hell, making me tingle between my legs.
Jackson opens the door saying, "Miss Sumner has arrived, Sir."
"Thank you, Jackson. Show her in and then leave us." Jarek's words leave no room for argument.
Jackson steps aside and waves me in. "I'll be back to escort you to your room. In the meantime, I'll take your bags up."
I nod. "Thank you."
