Текст книги "Relinquish"

Автор книги: M. N. Forgy

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

FIFTEEN

CHARLIE

“Please sit.” Landon directs his hand toward the chair in front of his desk.

I comply, crossing my legs and sighing loudly.  I’m so ready to get this over with.

“Rules are as follows,” Landon remarks, tapping his fingers on the desk, his other hand in his pocket. “You are to come to me every day for your agenda of clients.” Landon adjusts his tie and sits in his chair. “You will not receive any payment; that’s something I take care of beforehand. You are to make sure your clients wear protection at all times, and our doctor will be placing you on birth control when your test results have come back,” Landon rambles, as if he’s reading a list of rules off a piece of paper.

I nod, but all I’m really focusing on is the gorgeous green tree he has outside his window. Fresh air. I feel like I haven’t been outside in forever.

“If you are to escort a client to a function, you are to keep quiet unless spoken to. You are not the center of attention; the client is. Understood?” Landon’s voice is serious and stern, making me turn my gaze from the tree to him.

”Yeah,” I mutter, blinking rapidly to clear my thoughts of fresh air. He lowers his head and raises a brow at me, and I shrug and look away. I’m not sure what he wants from me. Hearing how you are to behave like an object and not a human, it’s breaking. But to show that emotion, he’ll just play off it, use my weakness as his power.

“Money. What you make will determine what you receive. But since you live here now, I don’t see money being a problem for you anymore. You’ll have anything you ever need.”

I roll my eyes and stare off.

“In that case, I’d like to send what I make to Jayden.” I cross my arms and sit back in my seat. Landon’s face takes on a softness, his lips parting with a look of shock.  It’s like he’s surprised I would just give my money to Jayden. But if I have everything I need here, why make Jayden work in a dirty motel room for money, when I can just give her my earnings? I don’t need it.

He shakes his head, as if he’s clearing his thoughts, and slides a packet of papers across the desk to me. I arch a brow at him and lean forward to collect them and a pen.

“This is just some information for our records,” Landon explains. I look over the papers and notice it asks for name, health history, medications, and if I’m a drug abuser. I fill out the paperwork, starting with the question of any previous STDs or pregnancies, and if I have any family around the area. My eyes widen a little when I come to the question asking me for my number of sexual partners.

“Um, why do you need to know how many men I’ve slept with?” My eyes flicker from the paper to Landon.

“To know how experienced you are,” he answers, rubbing his scruffy chin with his fingers.

“You’ve slept with me twice, what do you think?” I tilt my head to the side and squint in questioning. I notice the corner of Landon’s lip twitch, trying to keep from smiling.

“I think– It doesn’t matter what I think.” Landon stumbles on his words, causing me to laugh silently.

I sigh and resume filling it out.

“How many?” Landon mutters softly.

“How many what?” I respond, lost answering the next set of intrusive questions.

“How many men have you slept with?” he asks, his tone deep. I take my eyes from the paperwork and find Landon looking at me closely. His hard stare pins me, causing my heart to beat rapidly. I close my eyes and bite my bottom lip.

“Three. I’ve slept with three men,” I murmur. I risk a glance at Landon; his strong jaw is clenched and his face takes on a shade of red. He stands and runs his hand through his hair, staring out the window behind his desk.

“Just finish the paperwork,” he rasps. I swallow the lump in my throat and finish the last question before sliding it back on his desk.

“Terrific,” Landon remarks. He turns and sits, his face unreadable as he takes the paperwork.

“This is a contract, saying what is expected of you as an escort and how long your term at the Blackwell Estate is for. It lists a minimum of two years, and at the end of the two years, we reevaluate the time you have spent with us and decide if you should be let go, or if renegotiating another two years is in everyone’s best interest.” I get the impression there’s a but at the end of all this by his sly smile.

“But?” I encourage.

“But that is for someone who wasn’t traded, or owned by the Blackwell Estate, so it would be pointless to sign it.” He shreds the contract and tosses it to the side. I take in a sudden breath as I stare at the torn document. It’s nothing but ink and paper, but it held the fate of me possibly being free at some point. Him tearing it, telling me there is no out, wasn’t necessary. He did it to remind me of where I stand with him: powerless.

My soul was ripped from my chest just like he ripped the paper. Is he being a prick because he’s really a prick, or is it because he’s jealous I slept with other men? Maybe this has to do with why he became so cold after we had sex yesterday? I close my eyes, trying to fight the emotions racing up my spine.

“Are we done?” I ask before standing, my pulse drumming so hard in my temples my vision blurs.

“I’m sorry?” Landon leans back in his chair, looking at me with that smug-looking smirk.

“Are we done? I would like a client already. I would like to go to work now, make a living!” I shout, losing control of my anger. I need to feel. I need to feel wanted, cared for, anything but the gut-wrenching hurt I’m dealt when I’m around Landon, when he treats me like dirt.

“Hardly,” he replies drily. I scoff and turn around, trying to get ahold of myself. How can he be so warm, so alive when he’s inside of me, but turn cold the very next moment?

“Are you going to talk to me about last night?” I mutter, turning back around and slamming my hands on the desk. My hair falls over my face in my rage.

“Why would I?” Landon sits up straight in his chair and steeples his hands.

“Why would you? Why wouldn’t you?” I sneer, my face twisted with annoyance.

“Because nothing happened,” he states, striking my heart with a vengeance.

I clench my teeth, close my eyes and seethe, “I’m pretty sure—”

“It won’t happen again!” Landon roars, making me jump. He straightens his tie, gathering his composure.

“You are far from being ready for any of our clients with that loose mouth of yours, and I still need to get the test results back from our doctor. God knows what you’ve fucked.” Landon’s face scrunches with disgust.  My nostrils flare with rage, pissed we’re back to him treating me like some common whore.

“That didn’t stop you from screwing me yesterday, did it?” I jeer, glowering at him.

Landon stands, placing his hands on his desk as he leans over. The powerful, ‘take charge’ vibe radiates off his confident stance.

“You—”

The door to the office is thrown open, and Veronica walks in. “Mr. Harron is ready!” she cheers, clapping her hands excitedly, a stupid train of a red dress falling behind her.

“Great. Take her!” Landon sits in his chair and throws his hands at me to dismiss me.

***

I groan while looking down at the bowl of salad, the forks and spoons of all sizes setting around the placemat. A tall man wearing a butler-looking outfit paces in front of the table. His black hair is balding, causing the lights from above to glow off his scalp. His hands are tucked behind his back as he sticks his large nose into the air. He looks like a snob for short, and the way he keeps staring at me with disdain, I can tell he doesn’t think highly of me.

“It’s all about size, Charlie,” Harron starts. I nearly snort with that statement.  “The smaller of the two forks is for the salad. The larger, the dinner fork,” he instructs. I nod, grab the fork and dive into the luscious-looking greens.

He turns and groans, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Close your mouth when you chew. You sound like a cow,” he mutters, rolling his eyes.

I close my mouth, wiping away dressing that trickled down my chin. My face turns into a permanent frown from his harsh tone.

“Sorr—”

“No elbows!” He points to my elbows sitting on the table, his brows narrowed in anger.

“Okay, chill out,” I murmur, taking my elbows from the table. This guy is starting to piss me off.

“Don’t speak with your mouth open. You disgust me.” He tilts his head to the side, eyeing me as if I have grown two heads. My eyes go wide, shocked at his amount of hatred toward me. There’s no reason for him to speak so ill of me. I close my mouth and swallow my food, staring at him while my anger fuels my fury.

“Where did the Blackwells pick you up from? I mean—”

“That is it!” I stand and throw the stupid napkin, which I had to re-adjust perfectly in my lap thirty times before I got it just right, into the salad.

“Screw you! I’m done!” I shout, walking out of the dining room. I will not sit here and be talked down to. I won’t feel any less of a human than I already do. Landon is one thing; he holds my fate here. But this pompous ass can go to Hell.

“You get back here, right now. I have never had anyone leave one of my training sessions!” Harron grabs my upper arm, halting me just outside the door. His face is flustered and red, and his nose is making a whistling sound from his heavy breathing.

“Well, it’s happening now,” I seethe, trying to pull his fingers from my arm.

“You are trying to make a fool of me in front of the Blackwells and I won’t allow it,” Harron threatens, tightening his grip on my arm.

“You’re hurting my arm,” I grit between my teeth, my voice wavering from the pain.

“Do you think you’re special? I have news for you. You’re nothing,” he sneers, lifting his nose into the air.

“You have about two seconds to let go of my arm,” I threaten right back, fisting my other hand.

He laughs, holding a tone of mockery.  “You despicable whore,” Harron insults. “I’m the man here, honey. What could you possibly do?”

Just as I’m about to swing my fist, a flash races past me and a loud smack echoes through the hall. Harron instantly falls to the ground with a loud thud. I glance from a passed-out Harron up to a red-faced Landon, holding his fist and glowering at Harron. My eyes grow heavy with realization that Landon just came to my defense.

Landon turns and raises his brows. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Landon looks me over, squinting with worry.

“I– yeah, I’m okay,” I stutter, trying to get a hold over what exactly just happened.

“He shouldn’t have ever talked to you like that, Charlie.” Landon shakes his head, looking down at Harron.  I arch my brows and laugh. Is he serious? The way Harron talked to me?

“Him? Have you heard the way you talk to me?” Landon’s eyes trail to mine, his brows slanting downward and causing two small wrinkles to form between them. He opens his mouth to say something but quickly closes it and turns. He rubs the back of his neck, his head tilted down as if he’s thinking.

He whips his head around and looks at me with such intensity it has me shifting on my feet.

“I– You don’t understand. I—” Landon begins but is cutoff.

“Landon, what is this?” Miller questions, looking over the banister. We both look up at Miller who is quickly making his way down the stairs to inspect the scene. My body instantly grows cold again. I cross my arms, an act of protecting myself.

“Harron is fired. He is unethical and put his hands on Charlie,” Landon informs his father, his tone serious. He looks more collected, as well, not so frazzled.

Miller finds his way to us, looking Harron over before his light green eyes find mine, causing the shrill of panic to bloom in the pit of my stomach. I quickly look away, breaking eye contact. I don’t know what it is about this guy, but my body goes into a state of alarm every time I’m around him.

“I see. Are you all right?” Miller questions.

“Fine,” I mutter.

“Did you do something to anger him?” Miller proceeds. I look at him, my mouth parted in shock. Landon’s head snaps to his father so quickly I think it may twist off.

“Excuse me?” Landon sneers, glaring at his father.

“I’m just pointing out that Harron has been around for years without incident.”

“I’m in charge, not you! Not anymore. I said he’s fired, end of discussion!” Landon bellows, pointing his finger in Miller’s face. Miller takes in a deep breath and glares at me with accusing eyes before walking away.

I shrink against the wall from his intensity.

“Very well,” he grumbles, making his way back up the stairs.

***

Looking out the window of my room, I notice a large cage off to the west. I chew on my cheek, wondering what’s in it. My curiosity getting the best of me, I leave my room and head toward it. At the bottom of the stairs, on the opposite side of Landon’s office, I find big double doors leading off the back of the house, and exit. The smell of fresh air makes me stop to inhale its crisp scent. A smile creeps on my face as I make my way toward the cage.

Getting closer, I notice the cage is actually an exhibit, like you would see at the zoo. There are gilded bars where I stand, but further back it goes into a concrete housing where whatever animal is in here can escape from the open. Looking around the exhibit, I notice lots of trees and thick ropes, a couple of tire swings, and a hammock hanging. I furrow my brows, not sure what was, or is, in here.

Movement catches my eye near the back, and my mouth parts.

“Is that a—”

“Gorilla.” I look over and see Landon standing next to me. I didn’t hear him walk over here I was so lost in the exhibit. My eyes catch his hand, noticing his knuckles are bleeding.

“You should wrap that up.” I lift my chin toward his injured hand. Landon glances down and flexes it.

“It’s fine,” he mutters. I smirk, his bad-boy attitude a complete turn-on.

“That’s Jaheem. He doesn’t like anyone,” Landon explains, pointing toward the primate. Landon looks like a child right now as he watches Jaheem stretch and yawn. My eyes dart to where Jaheem came from, and I find another gorilla walking out.

“That’s Ebele. She’s a lush for a treat.” Landon laughs and I echo it, watching the two apes wake up lazily.

The two apes hold hands and walk toward us.

“Awww,” I coo.

I lift up on my toes, excitement building as they come to us. I catch Landon looking at me from the corner of my eye. When I turn, I find him smiling, an unreadable expression on his face, but one that makes my heart pound harder.

The apes stand in front of the bars, just inches from us. I’m shocked at how close they are. Their fur is the blackest of black, matching their eyes. Jaheem is muscled and toned, with a little bit of silver coloring around his ears. Ebele is rounder and chunky, with silver along her neck.

“Hey, Ebele,” Landon greets, putting his arms through the bars to touch her. Ebele gets excited, her mouth parted while she shifts from foot to foot as Landon holds her hand. My heart just explodes. To see Landon show such care and love toward an animal, I know there’s more to his story. This right here, and the man he was in the hotel that night, that is the real Landon.

I smile and look over at Jaheem, who is staring at me intently, tilting his head back and forth as he looks at me curiously. I don’t break eye contact but just smile at him, letting him know I’m friendly. He thrusts his fists into the ground and closes the gap between him and the bars. His quick movement and size has me flinch backwards as he grasps the bars and brings his face to them.  I look at Landon, confused if I should pet him or not. Landon’s face is scrunched in confusion, as well, little wrinkles forming on his forehead.

“I’ve never seen him do that before. He won’t come to anyone.” Landon shakes his head like he can’t believe it. I take a deep breath and slowly raise my hand to touch Jaheem. My heart beats wildly against my chest as I move closer. I close my eyes and push my hand forward, caressing the soft fur. I open my eyes and find Jaheem has closed his, enjoying my touch.

“Holy shit,” Landon mutters. I give an uncontrollable laugh and deepen my petting.

“Hey, buddy, I’m a little offended,” Landon jokes, walking up beside me. Jaheem opens his eyes and peers up at Landon before taking off toward Ebele.

“I come out here several times a day, see them to bed, give them treats and toys, and his ass never comes to me. I always have to leave his things for him to collect when I’m gone,” Landon explains, watching Jaheem preen Ebele.

“They’re magnificent,” I admire. I grip the bars, watching Jaheem show love and care to Ebele. They look truly in love with the way Ebele looks up at Jaheem as he picks at her fur. They are letting out little noises back and forth, talking to each other, lost in their own world. I furrow my brows, looking at their surroundings.

“They should be free,” I mutter.   I look at Landon for his reaction, and notice him sigh and run his hands through his hair.

“I agree. I’m working on it.” He exhales.

“My grandfather got them from a circus years back. My grandmother didn’t like the way they were being treated, so he just bought them off the guy. As much as I don’t want to see them go, they deserve to be free. I’ve been looking for the right home for a couple years now,” Landon admits, putting his hands in his pockets. “I want them to have something big and deserving. Not something where someone throws some slop their way twice a day.” He shrugs and looks at me.

I nod in agreement and look back at the gorillas.

“They have programs where they can teach them how to survive on their own, don’t they?” I ask.

Landon nods. “Yes, they do, and I’ve called a few people. I’m waiting for a call back is all.”

I smile.

Jaheem is leaning over and pressing his lips to Ebele, who is smiling and communicating with him. I can’t help but laugh. I catch Landon staring at me from the corner of my eye. I bite my bottom lip and turn, finding him still staring at me. A look of endearment crosses his face as his upper lip curls into a smirk.

“What?” I ask, trying to get a handle on my giggling.

“You. That laugh, it’s…” He pauses, swipes his tongue across his lips, and looks back at the gorillas. “It’s something else.” My cheeks heat, as does the rest of my body.  My heart, once cold and questionably dead, is warming and growing with need. The worst part is it’s because of Landon, who has the potential to rip it from my chest and make it to where I’m dead to anyone following his footsteps.

Looking back at Jaheem and Ebele, he has her cradled in his lap, still trying to kiss her.  They look so lost in one another, and I’m jealous. I want that.

“They seem to have it all figured it out,” I mutter weakly.

“What?” Landon grabs the bars, his hands brushing against mine and causing a tingle to spread to my toes. I don’t move my hand, just leave it next to his and take my gaze toward him. He looks at me as if he might feel the same pull I do.

“Love.”

Landon’s face softens, his eyes holding a fire behind them as he stares at me. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows and turns his head back to the primates, his profile hardening and jaw clenching.

“There is no such thing as love. Not here,” he rasps. “Love is an amateur term to diagnose one’s affection for another. In reality, we’re all animals, and that so-called love is just us wanting to reproduce. To fuck. Love has nothing to do with it.”

I sigh heavily. At one time, I would’ve said Landon was right, but I’m not so sure anymore. There’s a difference between the throbbing between your legs and the longing in your chest.

“I refuse to believe that,” I whisper.

Landon’s head whips in my direction and he smirks. “Oh, yeah? Are you one of those ‘love fixes everything’ kind of girls?” he jokes.

I laugh. “No, quite the opposite actually. I’m just talking about those old couples who sit on the porch and hold hands throughout the day. Or a husband who sits by his wife’s grave day after day after losing her from some terrible incident. They don’t need to fuck. They care about each other. They love each other.”

Landon worries his bottom lip between his teeth as he sucks in a breath.  His eyes narrow in a way I’ve never seen before. Almost like he’s confused, yet intrigued.

“Well, I’ve never seen it.”