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jenny
While the lawyersdrew up the final contract, my mind raced. Cole’s father would go ballistic if he discovered his son was negotiating my return. I was risking the wrath of Lewis Bryson, and I didn’t know what to do.
I’d said I’d return, but I was just buying time. Part of me wanted to grab my things and run out of AccommoDating right then and there. But I couldn’t do that to Audrey and Elena. Would Cole do what he threatened and expose them? I doubted it, but people did terrible things when they were mad. Audrey and Elena were the only two people I had. I couldn’t risk hurting them.
I sat there, thoughts racing, wishing a solution would present itself.
But the only exciting thing was that Elena brought me lunch: a juicy cheeseburger, chips, and a chocolate shake. The Madam left me alone, and I ate in silence.
My thoughts darted between Cole’s father and Cole himself. Their threats surrounded me. I was damned if I did, damned if I didn’t. But I’d navigated some tough shit in my life. I’d been in the business a long time, and before that—at sixteen—I’d beenhomeless. I’d made it this far because I knew how to handle myself.
If I was going down, I was going down swinging.
And the people I loved? I would protect them. No matter what.
As I finished the chocolate shake, an idea came to me. It was risky, but it was at least something. If I signed the contract, there was nowhere to hide from Cole’s father.
I took a deep breath.
And then I picked up my phone and called him.
“Hello?” Lewis Bryson’s voice lilted with disdain. “Is this who I think it is?”
“Yes, Mr. Bryson, it’s Jenny. I’m sorry to bother you—but I need your help,” I said.
He snorted. “I don’t recall offering my assistance.”
“I know,” I said quickly. “But I have an issue.”
“Make it quick. I have a meeting.” At least he didn’t hang up.
“Cole wants me to come back and work for him for the next month,” I said, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Our friends James and Audrey are getting married in a few weeks. They asked us to be in the wedding.”
“I have no idea why you’re telling me this,” he said coldly. “It’s not my problem. And I already told you that I want my son to have nothing to do with you.”
“I understand,” I said. “But Cole wants me back for the wedding. He wants tohireme back. He said he’d sue me if I didn’t comply. He threatened me. I don’t know what to do.”
It killed me to ask for his help, but I needed to appeal to him. Not appeal to his sense of decency—based on his behavior, he didn’t have any. No, I needed to appeal to his sense ofsupremacy. He needed to feel like he was calling the shots, that I was just a silly little escort with big hair, a checkered past,and an overdrawn checking account. So, ofcourse, I needed his wise guidance.
In other words, I needed to appeal to his sense of entitlement.
“Are you looking for money from me, Jennifer?” he asked.
“No, sir—not at all. I just want to know what to do.”
“You should go away and not look back.” His tone was icy.
“I would, but Cole’s threatening to sue me. Among other things.”
“That’s not my concern,” he said.
I sighed. Cole’s father was like a wicked rich brick wall. “Of course not. But… He’s threatening my friend. If I don’t do what he says, he’ll expose her for being an escort. And Iknowyou don’t care about that, but Cole knows I would never do anything to hurt my friend. Do you see where I’m going with this?”
“You’re going somewhere with this?” he asked.
“Hurting her isn’t something I would normally do. People will know something is wrong. Cole will know,” I said. “You said it was important that he didn’t find out we talked. If I leave, he’ll be suspicious.”
“Perhaps I’d rather have you out of the picture than worry about my son’s feelings,” Lewis Bryson said. “And who would be aware if I was involved in your absence? You are a nothing, after all. You’re a nobody. I’ve had you looked into, Jennifer. Your aunt is the only relative you have left, and I don’t exactly think she’d be sad to see you go.”
