utique was usually thick with

with Brittany Van

her voice dripping venom. "I said I want th

ional. Maya Rodriguez, top sal

y doesn't allow for private after-hours shopping

harp, unpleasant sound.

count and a pulse knew Brittany. Soc

m. But policies

a little shop girl from... where is it? East LA?

m grateful for every custo

manager,"

rson, scurried over. He listened to Britt

Maya, perhaps we can

still even. "We can't. It's unfair to

nto slits. "You'll regret

heels clicking angril

was about to have a stroke.

me things weren't w

a man walked i

different kind of wealth than Brittany's sh

himself as Eth

e from head to toe. Not in a sle

?" he asked, hi

I help you, Mr

.. interaction with

d fast in th

customer," I sai

rve of his lips. "She can be...

ve a proposition

ait

this

ebrow

. Without the name tag and the forced smiles." He gest

m's latest drinking binge, my younger br

proposition, M

re of you. No more retail hell

. Almost crude. But h

y m

someone who stands up for the

d to be true. A li

n't prepare you for Vander

re you to grab a

my voice steadier tha

imalist apartment in a high-

onth was more than

a limit that made my head spin

and shopping sprees where he'd watch me, a faint smile on hi

Wide-eyed. Grateful

ed to l

s phone unlocked on the night

it up the screen. From B

ong, E? Is she suitably dazzled yet? Can't wait

ran cold.

ject. One-year

e pieces clicking into pl

iguing. This was a game. A cruel, ric

was th

n the bathr

phone back, my f

round his waist, smell

ful?" he asked, his eyes

, innocent smile.

kind of smile was fo

me,

ilts and Van

's

ut money anymore. This was about survival, and

had n