t two hours exp

father's car had. Luxury soap and shampoo lined the shelves, brands I'd only seen in magazines. There was even a

set was

ooked lost among the empty hangers and shelves. A note sat

ll be re

and threw it

dside table and found it stocked with things that made my face burn. Condoms. Lubrica

what he

sat on the edge of the bed,

a. Think lik

ves were the real danger. Five women who knew this game better than I did,

ure out which o

lculating, probably ran things among

Possible ally if I played it

Might be useful, mi

caught, was dangerous in a different way. She w

t warm smile. The most dangerous of all,

door pulled me

age, peeked in nervously. "It's time t

't nee

d inside, carrying a garment bag

urse

the color of wine or blood, with a neckline that plunged and fabric that would

off. Stake his claim

t weari

went pale. "Bu

lothes and pulled out the only dress I owned. Simple, black, mod

angry," sh

oo

The black one fit differently than I remembered, tighter in places I'd

he maid looked li

r. "If he's mad, tell

hat anyway,"

r p

it simple like I asked. Natural. When I looked in the mi

y fo

s exactly as obsce

ly cost more than my college tuition would have. Candles everywhere, c

table like they'd done this a thousand times. They'd all cha

aking evening wear look rebellious. Vera had chosen something flowing and pale that made her look like a ghost. The q

ped talking w

es raking over my simpl

ard,'" I replied, taking the

ed into her

, looking at the empty cha

rance," Thalia said gent

I said. "Makin

s about waiting. Waiting for his attention. Waiting for his moo

the room dropped

ia said soft

e glass, and I noticed her hand was shaking slightly. "Welcome to hell

e for the first time, her voice surpr

Vera m

nued, turning to me with a small smile.

mer. I nodded

even more predatory. "Tell us about yourself, Cassia. W

s debt," I

. Even Isla's mask

w?" Ness

know. I'm n

," Isla said. "They think he loves th

"Payment. Property. His sixth attemp

like her," Ness

eyes never leaving mine.

to bet

n the air between us

opened, and Kil

ive, and his eyes went straight to me. I watched his gaze tr

ticed the

g his seat at the head of the tab

ainted," Isla said sweet

ere still on me.

he dress you sent,"

le

ce against the table. "No,"

o see how this played out. I could f

steadily. "Red'

our color," he

use

p." Not a

ng in his expression told me that's exactly what he wanted. A reason to punish

kept my chin up,

standing in front of me. Close enough that I could sm

n ar

tting him look. L

t fire in your eyes." His hand came up, fingers trailing along my shoulder, down my arm

ds were out before

ghtly on my arm. Not pain

y brushing my ear. "Or I'll dress you m

urned to his seat like

at. I want to look