Page 16 of The Devil's Heir

Liliana

I knew the day would come when I would see Jarek again. The tabloids do not do him justice. If I thought he was handsome in high school, he's devastatingly beautiful now. Only, there's a hint of something just below the surface that I can't quite pinpoint.

I remember that I once said he was the devil, and he just confirmed it.

Why would I involve myself with someone like that?

He's part of the Mafia, for Christ's sake, but—I can't help thinking about that itty bitty part of him I saw flash through his eyes when he looked me in the eye.

It was almost as if he was pleased to see me.

I must be wrong, though, because he was the bane of my existence years ago; I doubt he's changed all that much.

"Do you mind telling me what you were doing being dropped off by that fancy car from earlier?" A raspy voice behind me makes me jump, and I spin around to see Fran smirking at me.

"It was nothing, really," I rush out.

Fran leans into me and, for my ears only, says, "If you're turning tricks in order to make money, don't be ashamed about it. You can talk to me; I'll keep your little secret."

I jerk back and stare at my friend shockingly.

"Fran! Why on earth would you ever think that of me?"

She cackles and shrugs her shoulders. "I don't, but I do like getting a rise out of you." She crosses her arms as she continues to smirk. "Seriously, though. Why were you being dropped off by that fancy car?"

Sighing, I sit in the rickety old chair I keep outside my tent. "That was Jarek Falcon, the—"

"Mafia Boss, well, soon to be anyway." Fran cuts me off.

"What? No, he's not the Boss," I deny .

"Yes, he is. Are you daft, child? His uncle was the King Pin before he passed, and that nephew of his was his only living relative."

"How do you know all this?" I ask baffled.

"Let's just say that I knew his uncle years ago.

He wasn't a nice man, but for some reason, the only thing he did halfway decent was that he always got permission from a female before doing anything.

It was like a game to him. He'd tease and tease until he got what he wanted, but then he'd toss them aside after using them. "

"How do you know all this?"

Fran studies me as she lights up a cigarette. Taking a long pull on it, I watch her inhale before smoke billows out her nose and mouth. Her gaze then moves just over my shoulder as she says, "Because I was that rare one who wouldn't give him permission."

I wait for her to continue, but she doesn't, so I ask, "What happened?"

"You're looking at it, sweet cheeks. The bastard ruined me. Got me fired from my job, sabotaged every job interview I had gotten before they stopped coming altogether, and got me evicted. I was a social pariah—still am. Unless I get a new identity, this is my life."

"Oh, Fran…" I say softly, not really knowing what else to say.

She waves my words off. "I've made peace with my way of life now, but you are still young, and you need to do what is best for you, so you don't end up like me. Tell me, what did young Falcon want?"

I decided to start from the beginning and tell her about my high school days and how Jarek bullied me. I told her how I ran and then found Heath—I even told her my real name. What was the point anymore? Then, I told her the proposal Jarek gave me before going silent.

Of course, she's going to tell me to tear up his card and never speak to him again. It's what any sane person would do. I should have known better because my friend is far from being rational, and her advice shocks the hell out of me.

"Do it, sugar. This is your only way out of this hell hole. Times are different now, and I'm sure young Jarek isn't like his uncle, but you have the power here."

"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 for me. 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, and his voice 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."

The door clicking shut is deafening as I realize I'm alone with my high school bully. Jarek waves me forward as he stands and comes around his desk.

"Ah, pauper. It's so good to know that you've accepted my offer," Jarek states.

Stiffening my spine, I look him in the eye, and no matter how embarrassing this will be, it needs to be done. "I'm accepting only under one condition."

His amused smile tells me he's enjoying my acceptance. "Hm, please… tell me what this one stipulation is, my little pauper. "

"I need you to promise that you will be gentle for my first time," I tell him.

His brows raise, and he asks, "Your first time for what?"

My face heats, having to say the words directly, but I push on. "I'm still a virgin, Sir."

The room goes quiet, and for the first time ever, I've rendered the Falcon Heir speechless.