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“You are not a whore.” He bit down. “You arebetterthan this.”

“So are you.”

“I’m not.”

“Either we both leave, or we both go in.”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’mstaying. We need money.”

“Then we both go in.” I tried to brush by him, ignoring the absolute terror I felt at what I was agreeing to and what it might entail.

Ash grabbed for my arm again, dragging me into him. “We’ll find the money somewhere else.”

“Where?” I motioned around. “We have nothing left to sell. We don’t even have enough to gamble. We are out of options.”

“I’ll figure it out—”

“I agree to your terms,” the gentlemen stated. “Two thousand leueach. But it’s both of you or nothing.”

Ash sucked in, understanding how much that was in an area like this.

Nerves thickened my throat as I nodded. “Agreed.”

What the hell was I doing? This was so far out of my comfort zone I couldn’t even figure it out. This was not at all where I thought this evening would lead.

The man grinned at me and stepped aside, indicating we should enter his room.

“Raven…” Ash’s low tone was a blend of fear, anger, and panic.

Terror sloshed in my stomach, my head spinning as I ignored him and stepped into the room, crossing the threshold, the decision made.

The room was simple, but a lot nicer than our room. It housed a queen bed with two nightstands, an armoire, and a desk with two comfy side chairs. This room even had its own bathroom.

The armoire was open, revealing his suitcase. A briefcase was on the floor next to the desk, and on it were two bottles of alcohol and lines of fairy dust. He was probably here on business, coming through for just a few nights, looking for fun between meetings.

“Please, help yourself.” He poured a glass and placed it in my hands, gesturing to the dust. “It will help you relax.”

I had tried fairy dust and ecstasy a few times at clubs, but it wasn’t something I did regularly at all. My parents would’ve killed me if they found out I’d even tried it. And as much as I was a rebel, alcohol had been more my thing than drugs. But as my hands shook, anxiety almost crippling me, I stared at it with need.

Ash came into the room, his anger covering up the distress I felt coming off him. He looked like he was about to grab me and run, his eyes jumping around, his feet not able to stand still.

“As I promised.” The gentleman nodded to the drugs and alcohol. “It will help.” He leaned down, sniffing a thick line of dust, his head going back as he let out a light moan.

“You can’t touch her.” Ash’s voice was clear and concise.

“What?” The man’s head jerked up.

“Touch me. Do whatever you want, but not her.”

“I’m the one paying a lot of money for the both of you.” He poured another drink, handing it to Ash. “I get to do what I want. And I will be touching her… and you.” He took a huge swig of the alcohol. “But I think you have me mistaken for someone who cheats on his wife.”

“Huh?” He was married? I wasn’t even sure where he and Ash met, but I figured it was when he disappeared earlier.

“I’m confused.” Ash lowered his lids at him. “Why are we here?”

“I’m as faithful to my wife as I can be, but it doesn’t mean I don’t haveparticularinterests she would not approve of.” His head danced between us. “I can touch, and I can play, but I don’t fuck anyone. What I really enjoy iswatching.”

Shock knotted my stomach when realization tricked down my esophagus.