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“We can ride the bus,” Cameron suggests. I shake my head.
“It’s too dangerous, and you know it.” He has to remember what happened last time. I don’t want a repeat.
“I’m older now,” he reminds me.
“I know you are, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still too dangerous.”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere, mom. Can’t we at least try to fit in,” he snaps at me. I know this is hard for them, and I get that, but I can’t change the rules now. I just can’t risk it or them.
“You will fit in, Cam, just not on the bus. Now come on and get ready. I have to get to work,” I tell him once more. He stands from his seat and grabs his jacket and bag before ushering his brother out the front door. I sigh and grab my keys before following them out to the car.
The drive to the school wasn’t a long one, as I didn’t want to be too far from them in case of an emergency.
Once I drop them off, I drive the twenty minutes to the office and park. Grabbing my bag, I climb out and stroll inside with a smile on my face. I never once in my life thought I would be doing this. A chill runs down my spine, but I shake it off, knowing it’s just a job and one I can handle. I have to be able to handle it. It’s the only job I could get that paid me under the table, meaning I couldn’t be tracked.
“Lyra, you’re here,” Jessica gushes as I walk toward her, a smile plastered to my face.
“I’m here. Did you think I wouldn’t show up?” I ask her. I met Jessica a few years ago when I was in another state. We kept in contact over the years and became best friends. When she moved here to Iowa, I decided it would be a nice change for us and came here as well.
“I knew you’d show up. The money is too good,” Jessica laughs as she throws her arm around my shoulder. She leads me down the hall to an open door, and we both walk inside.
“Kimber, this is my friend, Lyra,” Jessica introduces me to a woman sitting behind a desk. She looks up and smiles at me. She looks me over, taking me in, and my stomach knots. What if I’m not pretty enough? Or what they’re looking for? What if they want someone younger?
“You’re thirty-six?” she asks, not sounding too impressed with my age.
“I am.”
“You don’t look your age. That’s good. Have you ever done anything like this before?” I shake my head. Never have I done anything like this.
“She’s new,” Jessica chimes in.
“That’s fine. Just fine,” Kimber says under her breath as she writes on a sheet of paper. “What you’re going to be doing at first is basic. These men want company. Typically, no sex is involved. Dinner dates and lunch meetings are all they’re looking for at this point. If they want more, you give it. It’s that simple, but for now, I’m starting you off slow.” I swallow the lump in my throat and nod my head as she continues with the rules and directions. I zone out. I can’t believe this is what my life has come to, but if I want to keep the kids in one place for longer than six months, this is the best option I have.
“I understand,” I tell her once she’s finished explaining everything to me. Jessica smiles brightly before grabbing my hand and leading me toward another room. In this room, I find an assortment of clothing, from casual to straight-up stripper.
“What is all this?”
“It’s all clean. Kimber makes sure of that. You can pick whatever you want to wear. Most of the girls here don’t like wearing their clothes to these things.” My heart kicks up a notch as I walk along the long line of clothing racks. I can’t believe there is so much to choose from. I reach for a shirt, pull the hanger free, and look it over.
“I don’t know what to wear,” I tell her.
“It’s fine. This is just casual, remember? You’re going to be doing lunch dates for right now. Most of these guys just want someone to talk to. Nothing more,” she tells me. My heart still doesn’t calm inside me as she helps me choose the clothes I’ll be wearing. Once we’re finished, I change, and she helps me with my makeup. Then, I’m ready for my first appointment.
The thought of that makes my stomach turn. My appointment. Bile rises in the back of my throat before I turn and rush to the closest bathroom. As I lose my breakfast, I hear the door open and close.
“It’s just nerves. You’ll be fine. There’s no sex involved in this, Lyra. Just eat and talk. That’s it,” Jessica says on the other side of the door.
I’m debating why I even said yes to this mess.
3
Knight
Isit at the table, tapping my fingers on the edge as I wait. I don’t like waiting, and I’ve been waiting for ten minutes longer than usual. It annoys me, pisses me off a little too.
Finally, I hear the door beep, and it slowly opens, allowing light into the room. I stay in the corner, in the dark, where they can’t see me. I don’t want them to see me. They have no reason to.
“Hello?” I hear the small feminine voice say.
