Finding my voice, I speak up, “Madam, are you sure I belong here? I’ve never been the best. I would turn tricks to survive, not.” I look around the room. “Well, this.” I put my hands up and open them to the room. “I think I’m out of my league. What if I mess up?”

  Madam Mia uncrosses her long legs only to recross them the other way. “Let me ask you a question.” She waits for me to look at her. “Do you want to go back to your life?”

  “No, not at all,” I answer quickly and honestly. “I never want to go back. It’s just that I don’t want to disappoint you or bring shame to Sins and Silk. Let’s face it, I’m a bigger girl. I’m not what these rich men want with their stick models, fake boobs, and superficial attitudes. I’ve never even had sex for pleasure.”

  Madam Mia smiles a warm smile, well, as warm as a vampire can. “Hailee, what makes you think rich men want those types of women?”

  “It’s what you see on television,” I offer up as a feeble explanation.

  “Television shows you what they want you to see. Our clients want real women, someone who talks to them, who’s interested in what they have to say. Not just their credit cards. They want someone they can sit and talk with, then fuck until the sun rises. Some of our clients want to experiment, try new things, live out fantasies. Others want to tell you their deepest secrets because they don’t have anyone else to tell. You see, we provide so much more than sex. And I think you will be great with the clients. When new clients arrive, I match each one with the lady I think will be the best fit based on their needs. If someone wants to try being a Dom for an evening, Daisey or Josephine. If someone loves the outdoors and they want to play outside, then Lydia or Loa. Once the client feels they have established a comfortable relationship with a lady, they can request to be her regular.”

  Madam sits forward in her chair. “Hailee, I never place a lady with someone I feel she will be uncomfortable with. Ever. And if for some reason my ladies aren’t feeling the connection or are afraid of who I’ve matched them with, well, then that ends it. You have a voice, and I expect you to use it in that type of situation.” She sits back. “Now, let me ask you a personal question Hailee, you said you’ve never had sex for pleasure. Does that mean you’ve never had an orgasm before?”

  The feeling of embarrassment creeps up my face. The fact that I’m forty-two years old and never had a man bring me even close to an orgasm, I’m sure I’m the only one in the world like this. I decide I’ll answer honestly. If she fires me, then so be it.

  “No, I haven’t. The men I’ve been with were quick and all about getting themselves off. It didn’t matter if I did. They certainly weren’t sticking around long enough to make it happen. But I’ve, ya know, given them to myself.” I quickly glance at her, then back at my hands. “Sad isn’t it. Forty-two years old and never, well, you know.”

  Madam Mia laughs a laugh full of heart. “Oh, Hailee, I’m excited for you to be here and with our clients. A whole new world is about to open up for you. I won’t say more. I’ll let you experience the difference.” She’s smiling from ear to ear like she just heard the best secret in the world and she can’t wait to share it.

  “What about my age? Like I said, I’m forty-two years old.”

  “And?” Madam waits for me to answer.

  “Ah, that’s old for the clients? Don’t they want younger women?”

  “How old do you feel?” She’s sitting so straight and composed, like asking about orgasms and the age a prostitute should be, are, the most normal discussions in the world.

  “Most days I don’t feel forty-two, I feel younger. I guess that’s why I took the job.”

  “What would you say if I told you that you were the youngest lady here?” She steeples her fingers, a small smile in the corner of her mouth.

  “I would think you were lying to me.” I sit as far back in the chair as I can.

  “You’re the youngest lady here. I’m not lying. Ask the ladies how old they are.”

  “How old are you?” The words are out of my mouth before I realize it.

  Shit!

  “How old do you think I am?” The smile spreads, and her eyebrows arch.

  Double shit! How the hell do I answer?

  “Not a day over twenty-five.”

  Madam’s head leans against the back of the chair as she lets out a deep laugh.

  “Oh, my dear, thank you for that.” She closes her eyes and smiles. When she reopens them, she continues, “I was older than twenty-five when I was turned. I’m nine hundred ninety-seven.”

  “YEARS?” I blurt out, then realizing my rudeness, I clamp my lips together. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s a shockingly large number. Truthfully, I never thought I would live this long.”

  “Damn, the things you must have seen and experienced,” I say in awe.

  “Yes, times have certainly changed. But that’s a conversation for another time.” She readjusts herself in the chair. “As I was saying, you’re the youngest one here. Hailee, why don’t you try life here, let’s say three clients? Who knows, you might come to love it as much as the other ladies. But, you have to have an open mind and be willing to experience new things.”

  “What about my background? I don’t know the first thing about talking to rich people.”

  “All the ladies here have similar backgrounds to yours. Each has faced hard times, unscrupulous people, and sadness. I won’t share their stories as they are theirs to tell. But, believe me, when you hear them, you’ll be amazed at their strength and determination. So, before we talk money, what do you say?”

  Money. That’s always the deciding vote for me.

  “Alright.”

  “And you’ll keep an open mind?”

  Stop with the negative attitude before she sends us packing!

  “Yes, I don’t want to go back to my old life. So, I guess it’s out with the old and in with the new.” I force a smile.

  “Great. Now, money wise. I handle all transactions, so you don’t have to. Nothing says an enjoyable experience like ‘Can I run your credit card now’?”

  Chuckling, I agree that would kill the mood.

  “The house takes fifty percent for living expenses. Water, clothing, food, that sort of thing. The rest is yours.”

  “That seems fair. I’m happy to have a place to live and food every day.”

  Madam nods her head as she turns and opens a drawer on her side table. I can see a vial of neon pink liquid in her hand. “Since we did your paperwork last time you were here, and you presented your ticket at the airport…”

  The image of Alvaro standing so close to me holding my ticket flashes into my mind.

  “This is a potion for women. It magically stops your cycle. It also keeps you clean of all diseases. All the men are required to submit medical exams in order to participate. They’re also given potions that make them sterile for twenty-four hours.” She cocks her head to the side. “Their potion also makes sure they’re clean from any diseases, even though they have the medical. I had Minnie add that one to theirs as a precaution. One of my smarter thoughts, if I do say so.”

  “That.” I point at the vial. “That will stop my period? And let me have sex without getting pregnant, and I can’t get a disease?”

  “Yes.”

  “Best potion ever!” I cheer. “Where’s that been all my life?”

  “Ha, it’s a definite perk, that’s for sure.”

  “So, if the men take their vial, do they still wear condoms?”

  “That’s up to you. The other ladies don’t require them because of the potion. I understand with you being human that you might be skeptical that a potion would be able to be completely effective. If you feel you would like them to wear one, that’s fine. I have a supply.”

  “The men I’ve been with wore condoms because they absolutely didn’t want to be saddled with me and half-breed kids. Plus, most of them thought I would be the one giving them the disease.”

  “I’m so glad you don’t have to deal with them anymore.” Madam Mia hands me the vial.

  “Should I take it now?” I ask, hoping she will say yes.

  “Yes, that way it can get through your system before tomorrow night.”

  Nodding, I take the cap off and hold it to my lips, then down the contents. I shake it until I am sure I’ve gotten the last drop.

  Minnie should market this potion! She would be a billionaire!

  “Yum, bubble gum flavored.” Licking my lips, I return the cap and hand her back the vial.

  “Now, Minnie has filled you in on the house rules and how you’re to be presented, yes?”

  Nodding, I confirm she has, and that I don’t have any questions.

  “Good. When the clients arrive, they wait in the formal living room, they’re given the potion and will wait for five minutes. With men, the potion goes into effect much quicker.”

  I can’t help it. I laugh at her statement. “Sorry, sorry.” I put up my hand. “Of course, the potion reacts quickly for men.” Shaking my head. “Sorry.”

  “Oh, I get it.” She huffs out a snicker.

  “I have one last bit of business for us. Your mark. I give the mark to all my employees. It lasts as long as your employment lasts, meaning when you leave, it will be removed. The mark allows me to sense if you are in distress, panic, or fearful. It allows me to find you and help. I won’t spy on you. I can’t listen in on conversations. For the most part it’s quiet. Like I said, it’s only for emergencies. The reason the mark is required is, well, because of Esther, who I don’t think you’ve met yet. She’s been a tad surly lately and has taken to living in the wall of her room.” She closes her eyes and slightly shakes her nose. “Anyway, when Esther worked here, she was killed. I had no way of knowing what was happening, so I couldn’t help her. I vowed I would never let anything like that happen to one of my ladies again.”

  “Well, that’s frightening.” I say, meaning it.

  “Nothing like that has happened in one hundred years. Higher paying clients helped.”

  “This is how you tracked the human before me, right?” Seeing her surprise, I add, “I heard about it on the way to the movie.”

  “Yes, she was not brought back. That time it worked out for the good. I took the mark off, and they discovered they were mates.”

  “The mark blocks the mate’s pull?” Curiosity gets the better of me.

  “Unfortunately, yes, to an extent. I don’t know how to change it but there isn’t a pull. It’s more like they just like each other. I’m happy to remove it any time so the people can check the pull.” She chuckles. “About a hundred years ago there was a lady who kept having me remove the mark because she kept thinking her clients were her mate.”

  “Did she ever find her mate?”

  “She did, about a year after she stopped working for me.” Madam sits forward in her chair. “Now, do you have any questions for me before I administer the mark?”

  “You’re going to bite me, right?” I’m starting to feel nervous.

  “Yes, but not on your neck. I place it right above your heart. That’s where it’s most effective for me. It also lets clients know we don’t put up with any funny business. Don’t worry or be nervous. The bite is quick and not deep. My fangs will drip the serum into your blood. Then it’s all over. Are you alright with this?”

  “Yes, I have nothing in the world. No family, no home. I need to be here. And actually, the thought of having a badass in my corner for once is a very comforting thought. So, go for it.”

  “Please stand and remove your shirt, so it doesn’t get any spots.” Madam stands and watches as I do as I’m told.

  As soon as I remove my shirt, she steps in front of me. Placing one hand on my lower back and the other between my shoulder blades, which pins my arms in place. I don’t see her fangs come out, but I feel the instant piercing of my skin; the pain lasts for only a second. Then Madam Mia releases me, and I look down. There are two identical puncture wounds at the top of my chest, just above my heart.

  “There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Madam walks over to her desk.

  “No, I hardly felt it. Will the mark heal?” I ask, looking back down at the spot.

  “It will remain as you see it now. The holes are sealed, they won’t bleed any more. It’s a sign to others, a symbol that binds our family together.”

  Still looking at it, I murmur, “Family, I like that. Madam Mia, thank you for giving me this chance. I’ll try my hardest not to let you down.”

  Madam Mia leans against her desk. “I know you won’t. You’re not that kind of person. Welcome to Sins and Silk, Hailee.”

  CHAPTER 6

  I wake up excited. I can’t believe I already have my first client appointment, and this morning I get to have a meeting with Monsieur Lafayette and Rory. From what I hear, the experience should be an interesting one. Wanting to be ready early, I quickly shower and get myself ready, making sure to remember not to wear makeup. Apparently, Monsieur Lafayette doesn’t want marks on the outfits before we buy them. The drive to the warehouse is lovely. Daisey, Clara, and I talk the whole way there. Clara’s client tonight is a regular of hers. Daisey and I both have clients who are new to Sins and Silk. They say I will get my client briefing when we get back. With new clients, it takes longer to get briefs together. I have no idea why, but I choose not to press the issue. I’m nervous about my first client. This is all so different from turning tricks to pay the rent back home.

  “Hey, what’s that look for?” Clara asks me, her gaze firmly on me. Daisey turns and looks. “Why do you look so sad?”

  “It’s nothing, just nerves about my first client tonight. It’s not like blowing a guy in a parking lot to get grocery money,” I say, looking at my hands.

  “No, that was what you had to do. This is different. Clients treat you like you matter, have worth. Which we do. Not just someone for them to bang, then throw money at us out their car window as they drive off,” Clara states, with Daisey echoing her agreement.

  I think of the fear I used to feel that I wouldn’t get paid as they started to drive off, then threw money out of the window. On windy days, I would have to chase the money. It was all so humiliating.

  “That part of your life is all over now. You work at Sins and Silk. You’re under a very old, very bad ass vampire’s protection. You have a say in your clients,” Daisey encourages me.

  “What if I’m not good enough?” I hesitate to look at the girls, but then do when they don’t answer.

  “What if you are?” Daisey says, arching her pointed eyebrows. This time it is Clara’s turn to echo her agreement.

  Blowing out my breath, I whisper, “What if I am?” Then continue in my normal tone, “Thanks ladies. I needed to hear that. As a human, restarting your life at forty-two with nothing to your name is hard. My brain gets in the way sometimes.”

  “Restarting your life at any age is hard. Forty-two is still young. Look at me. I’m eighty-six,” Clara states, then laughs at my shocked expression.

  “One hundred and seventy-nine, here.” Daisey raises her hand.

  I thought I was shocked to hear eighty-six. I was not prepared for Daisey’s age. I want to ask what exactly she is but just then the car stops, and we’re told we have arrived.

  We walk into a large, bright, white warehouse with covered, rolling clothing racks lined up in row after row against the back walls. There are three pop-up canopies set up, forming makeshift changing rooms with three mirrors outside, arranged almost in a half circle. Two sofas are sitting along the left side wall and random chairs spread out all over. There are younger, thin people in all white outfits with black aprons, everywhere. All the women have their hair pulled back, and all the men have short hair. They look like some sort of weird cult. I’m shocked when I see Monsieur Lafayette walk into the showroom in a fluffy, white, floor length fur coat. His elongated head sticking out the top draws attention to his gigantic eyes with thick, black makeup encompassing his eyebrows. He looks like some sort of clown, which causes me to shiver. Monsieur Lafayette has stark white, short curly hair that has been cut very close to his head, like the other men in the room. Only he has random rogue curls springing out from his scalp here and there.

  Again, I get clown vibes. Clowns and dolls are just terrifying.

  He, in this large, poofy, white coat, resembles a dandy lion before they’re ready to burst. Rory, or who I assume is Rory, struts in directly behind Monsieur wearing leather pants, a t-shirt, leather coat, and combat boots. All black. His ginger-red hair is in a pageboy cut that bounces as he walks. He’s wearing chalk white lipstick, which makes him look shockingly pale. The two of them look like the yin and yang symbol.

  Wait for him to address you. Always call him Monsieur Lafayette, and make sure to ask his opinion of everything. Flattery, always flattery. Also, tell Rory he looks like he belongs on a runway in Paris or Milan. I remind myself of the advice the girls gave me in the car on the way over.

  “Sugarplums, how delightful to see you again.” Monsieur Lafayette makes his presence known as he sweeps off his coat in a dramatic swooping motion. A younger man dressed all in white except for a black apron runs forward and picks it up, then hustles off to the side. It reminds me of the kids in tennis matches who run out to get the ball. “Clara.” His voice pulls my attention back to him. “You gorgeous little one. Kiss, kiss, hug, hug.” He half jumps to face Daisey. “And you my luscious demon, kiss, kiss, hug, hug.”

  Daisey’s a demon! Of course, she is. Her red skin, and tail. I should have known.

  Rory steps next to Lafayette. “Ladies, lovely to see you again.” He tilts his head to the side and half bows.

  “And you, you’re Hailee, yes?” He and Rory stand in front of me, looking me over.

  “Yes, I’m very excited to meet you both.” I try not to show my true level of excitement and the fear that’s now settling in.

  “Of course, you are, stand now, sugarplum. I want to get an idea of what we’re working with. Come out here and turn slowly.”