Page 52 of Peasants and Kings
Genevieve kicked off her heels and tucked her legs underneath her, all of a sudden looking much younger than she appeared.
“So,” she began, her gaze direct. “How was your night with Hadrian?”
“Fine.”
She peered at me. “You’re allowed to be more forthcoming than that with me, you know.”
“I know.” I smiled slightly. “I just don’t want to be.”
She paused for a moment and then said, “I had my doubts about you, but I’m glad to see that you’ve proven me wrong. I think you’ll do very well as a Rex girl.”
“Thanks,” I murmured.
“The training program will begin in a few days. As it stands, you now live at The Rex. When you complete the training period, you will be able to live off premises if you decide you want to, but many of our Elite girls choose to live here. They travel a lot and don’t want to rent an apartment or buy a condo. Besides, if you live at The Rex, room and maid service are complimentary. As promised, a new identity will be created for you. Your current residence—do you have roommates? Or do you live alone?”
“I’ve been staying with Tiffany. Everything I own is at her place.”
“Fine. We’ll get you a completely new wardrobe, but more importantly is there anything you want to keep from your old life? Photo albums? Yearbooks? Anything?”
The only thing of value I had was the letter from my mother, which was at Tiffany’s condo.
“No. I don’t have anything I want to keep.”
She stared at me for a long moment. I wondered if she’d ask me why I wasn’t sentimental, or worse, why there was nothing to be sentimental about.
“Good, that will make it easier to kill the old you. We have your car, and we’ll take care of it from here. You’ll be guided through the process of adopting your new identity during the training period.”
“Thanks.” I headed for the door.
“Oh, Eden? Welcome to The Fifteenth Floor.”
I went to my room and slid out of my crystal slippers. I took off the dress and put on a bathrobe. After examining the garment, I placed it on a hanger and hung it on the hook outside my hotel door, along with the shoes.
Then I showered off the remains of the previous night, trying to wash away Hadrian. But he refused to be banished from my mind. When I closed my eyes and let the water spray me, I pictured his body moving over mine.
A quiver of desire shot between my thighs.
But then I remembered the phone call I’d overheard.
He was dangerous. Involved in something dark. But with me, he hadn’t shown any of that. Yes, he’d been demanding and rough, but he hadn’t hurt me.
I got out of the shower and grabbed a fluffy white towel to dry off and then quickly dried my hair before heading to the bedroom.
The black jewelry box was propped open, resting on the nightstand. The key within appeared different in the light of day. It looked like any other piece of expensive jewelry, yet it was a symbol of my newfound power over the direction of my life.
I needed to talk to someone about my night. About Hadrian. About how I was feeling—and that shame and guilt weren’t part of it. I briefly wondered if there was something inherently wrong with me.
Why wasn’t I ashamed? Shouldn’t I have been ashamed? This was what Tiffany had been trying to tell me. There was no reason for shame.
I didn’t want to confide in Annika. She didn’t know me, and even though she was a trained psychologist, I didn’t want to be another case she studied.
My new cell phone was still on the coffee table in the living room. I called Tiffany.
“Hello?” she asked groggily.
“Sorry, were you asleep?”
“Almost. What’s up?”
