“This is where Miller and I stay. Make yourself comfy,” Tara remarks, setting the tray on the bed. I look around, noticing fancy clothes all over the floor and an unmade bed with gray blankets and sheets. The floor is made up of white carpet, and the wall in front of the bed is nothing but shelves of books and movies. A large TV displays a movie tucked between the bookcases, but I can’t tell what’s playing.
“I’m going to use the restroom and change,” she tells me, prancing off toward a closed door. My eyes catch another doorway next to the bathroom that’s open. I glance in, finding a desk and more books and files along the wall behind it. My breath takes a sudden absence. This is Miller’s office. If I’m going to find anything, I bet it’s in that desk or in one of those files.
I look back at the bathroom door and notice it’s still closed and Tara is singing. I quickly head into the office and pull open some drawers of the desk. My heart races that Miller might catch me rummaging through his desk. I find a few empty bottles of booze in the first drawer. I sigh, pulling open another. My eyes dart toward the door nervously before shuffling through the remains. I find some paperwork from other escorts and their earnings, but it’s not what I’m looking for. Shit! I throw it back in its place, ready to give up, when my eyes catch a divider in the back of the drawer.
I purse my lips in curiosity and slide the drawer out more, finding some folders with dust on them. I open one, dust falling on my lap, and find some older photos of women, like they’re at a party or something. My eyes trail across Landon in one of the pictures, just as serious in the photo as he is now. I close the tan folder and thumb through the other files that lay under it until I find bright red lettering printed on one. I pull it out and my head spins, my stomach falls, and I feel like I may vomit. It says Evans across it. Evans, like my last name? What could Miller have on me?
“Charlie?” My heart beats quickly, and I shove the folder in the back of my shorts, pulling my shirt down over it – or trying to, at least. My shirt’s too small, not covering much.
“There you are.” She smiles, walking into the office.
“I love this desk, and the view is amazing,” I respond, my voice cracking nervously as I point at the windows. My hands are trembling and my heart is sputtering. I never was any good at keeping secrets.
“Yeah, Miller loves it.” She puts her hands on her hips and leans against the doorframe. “I know what you’re thinking.”
I cock my head to the side, confused.
“You think I’m some gold digger, and that I’m only with Miller for his money and power.”
“I—” I’m not sure what to say, because that very thought has crossed my mind.
“You’d be wrong. Just like the rest of the people at this estate. I love Miller.” She smiles, and her eyes fill with tears. The reaction confuses me. “I hate this estate. When he talks about it, or gets involved with it, it makes him a monster. He’s not a monster, though. He’s so sweet and he’s…” She stops and wipes her face.
“He’s different with me. One day… one day, I will get him away from this fucking place.” She levels me with a serious look. “I’ll do anything to make sure that happens.”
I swallow hard, not sure what to say. The only vibe I get with Miller is evil. But as far as Miller being a monster when it comes to the estate, I’d say his son Landon is just like him.
“You wanna eat? It’s probably getting cold.” She jerks her thumb over her shoulder. This woman is so left and right with her emotions, I can’t keep up.
“Actually, Tara, I’m getting kind of tired. I think I’m going to go lie down before the gala,” I lie, standing up from the desk. I watch my steps, trying to make sure the folder doesn’t fall out of my shorts.
“Oh, yeah? Are you okay?” she questions with concern. I head toward her and nod, keeping my back out of her line of sight.
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just a lot of stress from preparing for my first client,” I half-laugh. Tara gives a wide smile and pats my shoulder.
“You’ll do great, I know it. I have a knack for things like that.” She scrunches her nose. Walking back into the bedroom, I head toward the door to leave.
“I’ll see you tonight, Tara.” I close the door behind me and let out the breath I was holding. My back is soaked with a nervous sweat, and my legs feel like jelly with the amount of adrenaline coursing through them. I hurry down the hall, ready to get in my room and see what’s in this file when Miller, Veronica, and a beautiful redhead turn the corner. I panic, my vision blurring from the amount of blood pumping through my body at such a high speed. I pull the file from my shorts and toss it into a plant next to a window, scared Miller might notice the file from my short shirt or something.
I walk quickly, trying to get far from the plant when Miller notices me.
“Charlie?” He furrows his brows.
“Miller,” I croak.
“What are you doing down here?” he continues.
“I was just having lunch with Tara,” I reply, trying to muster a smile.
“Oh,” he mutters, looking me over. His eyes narrow into slits as he drills a hole into me. I look away, breaking the uncomfortable eye contact.
“Well, I gotta go,” I squeak, walking past them quickly. I look over my shoulder, finding Veronica and Miller still watching me, and closely.
Shit, they’re on to me.
EIGHTEEN
CHARLIE
“Charlie?” shrieks from the phone intercom, the voice nearly bursting my eardrum.
“Yeah, Jean?” I reply.
“Landon asked me to call you and inform you that your date will arrive within the hour.”
I roll my eyes. “Thank you, Jean.” I resume my pacing of the bedroom floor.
“I have to get those files,” I mutter to myself. “But how?”
My door opens, stopping me in my mission to distress the carpet.
Jayden walks in and shuts the door behind her. Her short green dress, sequined with pearls, fits her figure flawlessly, and her crazy hair’s still just as wild as I remember. It’s kinky, curled, and sticking out everywhere.
“Jayden!” I yell, flinging myself into her. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me tightly.
“Man, I missed you,” she whispers into my neck.
“I’ve missed you, too,” I return.
She pulls from me and looks around my room. “This place, Charlie. It’s—”
“Intense, I know,” I interrupt, shaking my head.
“You hit the jackpot.” She laughs, sitting on my bed.
I smile. It is great, but I’d rather not be owned by the Blackwells.
“You need to get me a job here,” she continues, chuckling.
“You look good,” I change the subject.
She looks down at herself before glancing up at me.
“This dress is stupid-nice. I’ve never had anything like it before. I was scared to wear it at first, but now I may never take it off,” she remarks, her tone serious.
“I know all too well what that’s like,” I murmur, glancing over at the black dress Landon specifically asked for, hanging on the doorknob to the bathroom.
“So, how long do you have to stay here?” Jayden asks, fiddling with her dress.
“I’m not sure.” I sigh, sitting on the bed next to her.
“And Landon? How are you and him?” She peers up at me, her gray eyes pinning me. I take in a sudden breath, looking away.
“I’m not sure. I feel that he wants to be with me sometimes, but then he blinks and I’m back to being the whore.” I shake my head, the feeling of him walking away stinging like it just happened.
“Do you want to be with him?” she questions, leaning her head to the side. Her kinky curls shift to the side, and her eyes smile as she waits for my reply.