Page 23 of The Collector
"Look- I can't say I have ever been in your position. And I know you must have a thousand questions. You're probably scared, tired, and unsure about being here—"
"Yes, to all of that and more." Mynx didn't bother to lift her eyes between sips of the rich flavor of the coffee.
"A lot of women come here to escape bad situations in their lives— they ask to be here— for this chance. I know that right now, you feel like it's a hopeless situation, over which you have no control. But for now, I need you to try to trust just me. Not anyone else here, just me. Is there any chance you can do that?" Her soft brown eyes searched Mynx's face for an answer.
"If you want me to trust you, I need answers, like what exactly does this contract require me to do? And how long is it going to take for me to earn enough to get back to my family?"
She finished the first cup and walked back to the cart, pouring another without hesitation.
The silence stretched. Mynx stood there, waiting her coffee in hand, nerves masked by motion. Each sip was quick, almost impatient, as if she were trying to swallow the tension along with the heat.
"Right, so straight to business then, I have ten minutes to answer some questions for you. Then I'll see if I can find you something to wear, and we can start this day of ungodly scheduling." She was charming, almost motherly. Mynx decided she liked Shelby at that moment.
"As to the contract, at this point, you will have one of two choices to make. You can choose to work at the club solely as a dancer. You'd receive a flat rate for the weekend from the club, to be determined by you and Raven at the time of negotiation this morning, plus any tips you might earn from our guests. The second option you have is to negotiate a contract with a member at your own discretion, for an arranged marriage—"
"Arranged marriage, are you kidding me? You want me to sign away my life to some man I don't know?" Mynx set her coffee cup down. Walking to the window. She had an unobstructed view of the gardens below; a black wrought-iron fence stood adorned with trailing vines and blooming flowers. In someareas, the foliage thinned just enough to allow glimpses of the breathtaking garden beyond to filter through.
She wished she were lost in the garden at this moment, instead of being forced to consider things she would never choose for herself–– if she had a choice. She turned and began pacing the length of the room.
"No one is forcing anything on you," Shelby assured her, her tone steady as she continued. "You can live here, work to pay off the debt, and move on with your life as you see fit afterward. But you might want to consider the marriage arrangement aspect—if a member is someone you could see yourself managing a life with, even for a short time. Most of these men aren't looking for lifelong commitments. You could think of the arrangement as a business deal if that helps. It could give you the financial stability to take care of your family without so much worry."
Shelby stood, smoothing her skirt as she spoke. "You should also know your father is working to pay off the debt as well. I cannot disclose the details of his position with the family until the NDA is signed. But if you want, we can talk again later."
Mynx stood frozen in shock, her mind racing as she tried to process the situation. With her hands covering her face, she attempted to block out the world around her. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Do you need a hug? You look like you could use one," Shelby offered.
"I could—," Mynx whispered. Without hesitation, she found herself wrapped in the arms of a woman she had barely met. Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks in heavy streaks, a soft sob escaping as Shelby patted her back reassuringly. She was soft and smelled good. Comforting.
"Now, enough of that," Shelby said, her voice firm but kind. "I'm here to help you. I have a few dresses in the hall—what are you, about size 6?"
Mynx nodded, wiping away her tears.
"Right, I'll bring you a dress. You can get cleaned up, and I'll be back to get you in thirty minutes. Sound good?" Shelby asked before exiting the room.
She returned quickly, carrying a red mid-thigh-length sundress and a pair of black sandals. She placed them on the bed and left without another word, leaving Mynx to prepare for her day.
Mynx still felt uncertain about the situation, but one thing was clear—Shelby was someone she felt oddly comfortable with, like someone she might be able to trust here. With her mind still reeling from the details of the situation, she quickly dressed for the day.
Raven Cordoba would be giving her some answers before she agreed to any contract—that was for sure. And she wouldn't be weakened by that handsome face.
Chapter 7
Raven
Raven descended the staircase from the third floor, his gaze sweeping over the dining room below. The space buzzed with lively conversation among the performers awaiting him— a symphony of personalities blending in soft laughter with the occasional growl of morning irritability. The atmosphere was vivid, almost tangible, wrapping itself around the room, around him.
When negotiating with his father about how he wanted to run the business, he insisted on taking charge of their upkeep, overseeing the legality of the marriages, and managing security with the help of his associates. The daily operations kept him constantly on his toes. Living in a house filled with performers who exuded effortless allure and confidence in their charms had proven to be a unique challenge. Rivalries and backstabbing were frequent, forcing him to referee countless disputes over the years.
Despite the chaos, he'd never lacked for an active sex life. A mere snap of his fingers was enough to summon any of themto his bed; each was willing to follow his direction without hesitation. His tit for tat game with Mynx last night left him sexually frustrated and tense.
Raven had no time for dating or personal relationships; the relentless demands of the Kings consumed every moment of his life. He filled the house with people who served the organization. They became his domain—a world he controlled, where he indulged without distraction. He didn't make space for anything beyond the business. Instead, he built an ecosystem that obeyed, performed, and never asked for more than he was willing to give. And now all he could think about was her.
His dreams last night had been full of her—skin, scent, the way she looked at him like she knew something he didn't.
Stoker met him at the bottom of the steps and fell in beside him as they headed toward the dining room. Elanah paused at the entrance, watching Raven with a slow smile before slipping inside.
"Is she gonna be a problem?" Stoker asked.
