Page 84 of Kings of Lust

‘Ok,’ I smiled knowing she wasn’t really doing this for the money. She was doing it because she had no other choice, and I felt bad forcing her. ‘I wish we had a different solution. I promise to tell you what this was all about when it will be over.’

‘What use would I have for it then?’ She asked, lighting herself another cigarette.

‘You would know that my intentions were good, but the limited time left me with no other choice.’

‘I know you’re a good kid, Bea. What the hell did you get yourself into?’

‘Something I can’t back out of.’ I reached for my bag ‘I’ll be here in two days.’

‘Bea, wait.’ It was bad and, I could sense it. She had something to tell me since I stepped foot into the office. I was just too afraid to ask what that look in her eyes was really about. ‘I’ve been thinking if I should say something or let you go without knowing. But what the hell? I’m breaking every rule in the book anyway,’ she gasped, preparing to take a burden off her chest. ‘How are things with Ferris?’

I dreaded that our conversation would be about him. I feared it to the point that I was considering leaving without hearing her out. But I couldn’t ever be at peace with myself if I did that. Although I couldn’t answer her question either.

What could I have said?Great. He just drugged me a couple of days ago, but all good in the rest.

I just looked at her, probably confirming something that she already suspected.

‘The reason why I’m asking you is that a few former employers of mine have taken Pleasures with him in the past.’

‘I know.’ And for some reason that hurt.

‘How should I put this more delicately? One of the girls that worked with him had become particularly fond of him.’

‘He has a specific charm.’ I completed.

‘Bea, he tried to kill her.’

‘He what!?’ I couldn’t really put that past him but the news still came as a shock.

‘He had a breakdown. Not sure exactly what happened... She didn’t tell me everything. But it made her leave town and never return.’

‘Thank you, Vanya. I’ll watch out for him.’ I just couldn’t let her go on.

I closed my eyes, trying to take in the information and slowly smother it. That’s what I did with every suspicion or bad thought about Ferris anyway. That’s what I did not because I loved him, but because it was the only way I could move further with my plan.

Chapter 19

Istormed out of Vanya’s, locking myself in the limo.

Out of breath. That’s all I could ever think about lately. I was always out of breath while the confusion in my mind grew exponentially with every new gesture of my kings and every new piece of information.

My phone was ringing— six, seven times. I couldn’t tell how many missed calls and messages before I managed to pick it up.

‘Yes, Brax?’ I spoke with the exhaustion of a woman that’s been through hell and back and just paid the ticket for journey number two.

‘Am I disturbing you?’ The arrogance in his voice was set out to match my tone.

‘I just got out of Vanya’s.’

‘And where are you now?’

‘I haven’t left yet. I’m recollecting my thoughts.’

‘Stay there.’ And he hung up only to ask his driver to stop his car next to me two minutes later. ‘Get in,’ he rolled down his windows, then opened his jeep’s door.

I couldn’t do much but follow his order, even if this was the worst time for the two of us to interact.

‘What did Vanya say?’ Brax asked with the coldest tone he possessed. I noticed from the instant I got into the car that he was trying to keep his distance, practicing wearing a mask so thick nothing could break through it.