“Then what does he get out of it?”

“The guys in the…let’s call it a network. The guys in the network pay him for leading them to us. Then they pay us for services provided. It’s easier to make money in the network than on your own so it’s easy to part with enough of the profit for Aiden’s part of the work. Plus, there’s the house. You don’t have to worry about being out there on your own. If one of us goes missing, someone will notice. It makes you more than just some anonymous whore, you know?”

“I never felt like that.”

“I’ve been attacked, ok? Even though I was only serving supposedly upstanding citizens of the business world. Sometimes I think they’re worse than the guys you get on the street. I’ve been raped. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been threatened. But now I’m apart of a circle. I feel a lot safer. Aiden knows these men. More importantly, he knows their wives…their families.”

“Leverage.”

“Exactly.”

“All the appeal of a sorority.”

“Less sex than a sorority,” Kyla said, laughing.

I got the tour as promised. I saw the kitchen, the pool, the parlor…everything. I met the maids, the gardener, the cook, and John (the security guy.) By the time I made it back to my room I realized Eric had already retrieved all my suitcases. They were lines up like some sort of strange army by my bed.

Kyla had informed me that Madison is absent the most, preferring to meet up with clients outside of the house. Ashley was present the most, taking most of her clients in her bedroom. And Kyla varied as I imagined I would. She seemed nice enough, though she continued making offhanded remarks about Ashley. It really made a girl wonder what the history was on those two. I pictured two spoiled little girls fighting over who got to ride the family’s favorite pony. Their career choice a sure jab at their proper upbringing, a dig at their father for never being home. Whatever the case, I imagined a rivalry was good for business. Kyla was always seeking out new clients and I had to stifle a laugh when I glanced her copy of Sex For Dummies. I couldn’t blame her though. It was a good idea to spruce up the old repertoire every once in awhile.

As the sun set and the house grew dark, I became harshly aware of how lonely I felt. Kyla was “entertaining” and there was nothing good to watch on the obnoxiously large television my room had come equipped with. I lay in bed—lights off—just waiting for something to happen. There’s nothing in life that doesn’t eventually become boring, ordinary. Even for me.

Suddenly I heard a soft knock at my door before it was pushed open, light immediately flooding in fraction by fraction. Once my eyes adjusted to the light I could see that a small shadow of a person emerging.

It was Ashley.

She closed the door behind her and walked the distance of my room in mere seconds before reaching the side of my bed.

“Are you asleep?” she asked softly.

“No, no,” I replied, sitting up quickly, “I’m awake.”

“Good.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Why would something be wrong?” she asked with a smirk.

“I don’t know, you just walked in. I thought maybe you needed something.”

“I knocked.”

“I don’t really…” I began, but was silenced as Ashley slid her robe off and climbed in next to me.

“Whoa…wow…what’s going on?”

“Listen, don’t freak out. You’re the new girl. Starting tomorrow you’ll have a whole new set of clients and they’re expecting to get their money’s worth. How else are we going to find out that you have what it takes before you go and represent this house?”

“I don’t think I understand.”

“Calm down. I did the same thing with Madison…would’ve done it with Kyla but the whole incest thing doesn’t really do it for me. Not that sleeping with you would do anything for me.”

“I still don’t…what?” I was absolutely confused now. And to be honest, I was a little panicked.

“It’s just a trial run, Spencer. Please…relax,” she said before closing the space between our mouths.