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Brielle had no idea what to say to that, so she kept listening.
“He provides companionship to his friends and colleagues. That’s where his girls come in.”
“Companionship?”
“Trust me, it’s a great gig. When I first left home, I tried turning tricks on my own and it was a total nightmare. The guys were so gross. Our clients are rich, so it’s a totally different world.”
The truth of what Desi was saying hit Brielle like a slap to the face. “You’re prostitutes.”
“No, no, no.” She wagged her finger. “We don’t use that word. We’re not whores, hookers, prostitutes, or escorts. We’re luxury companions.”
“So you don’t sleep with them?”
“Oh no, we do.”
“Then how is that not prostitution?”
“It’s a subtle distinction. Don’t worry, sweetie, John will explain everything. Although I kind of wonder if you’re going to be able to live in the lodge with us. I think it’s near where you’re from, and if you’re still considered a missing person, that might be a problem.”
“What’s the lodge?”
“Oh my god, it’s going to be the best. John is building a huge lodge in the mountains. Right now, most of us live in a couple of apartments, but we’re right on top of each other. There’s no space. And we mostly spend time with clients in hotel rooms. The lodge is going to change everything. John’s going to have us live there and he’ll bring clients to us. We get to attend parties and service our clients right there.” She let out a wistful sigh. “It’s going to be the best.”
Brielle felt oddly numb. She sat there, gaping at her.
“That was why he picked me up that night,” Brielle said, her voice sounding far away. “To make me one of his girls.”
Desi rubbed her arm again. “Sweetie, it’s okay. He’ll take good care of you. He takes good care of all of us. Trust me, I’ve seen what it’s like out there for a girl on her own. You don’t want that. Besides, we get to keep any gifts our clients give us. I’ll probably be able to retire on the jewelry alone.”
“I wasn’t going to be on the street. I was going to Vegas to get a job. A real job.”
She scoffed. “Oh honey, he did you such a big favor. You don’t know how lucky you are. You just have to do what you’re told and he won’t send you away.”
“Send me away where?”
A flash of fear crossed her face. “No one really knows. Girls who get sent away don’t come back. They get sold. I figure they end up in Mexico or South America or something.”
“Sold?”
“Don’t worry about it. He obviously really likes you. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“He put me in the trunk,” she said weakly.
“Sounds like he had to make a quick getaway. Sometimes things get a little crazy in our line of work. It’s not a big deal.” She patted Brielle’s leg. “Are you hungry? You probably haven’t eaten in a while.”
She nodded.
Desi glanced around. “I’m not supposed to do this, but why don’t you come out there with me? Do you cook?”
She nodded again.
Desi smiled. “Fabulous. I’ll let you out and we can have some dinner. Just don’t tell, okay? A little secret between friends?”
A secret? It seemed like there were more secrets than Brielle had realized. What was one more?
She felt so stupid. She’d thought she was special. His kitten.
Turned out, he had an entire litter of them.
