Little Black Box Set (The Black Trilogy)

by Tabatha Vargo

  “You stayed,” he commented after he sidled up to me. “Good girl.”

  He was too close again; Sebastian obviously didn’t care about personal space. It made me uncomfortable and tingly at the same time.

  “It’s not like I had a choice,” I oozed sarcasm.

  I could hardly believe the way my words sounded. I was never rude to people and I’d never had such a tone in my voice before. Instead of getting angry, he just smirked down at me, like he enjoyed being snapped at.

  “A little bit of fire in heaven, I see. I like that. However, everyone has a choice. You could have left, but you didn’t.”

  His words were true, so I didn’t respond.

  He took the seat beside me and held out a glass. “Would you like a drink?”

  “No, thank you. I’m not much of a drinker.” I responded.

  “Good to know.”

  Even the way his words rolled off of his tongue was sexual. He could be talking about politics or something equally as boring and still get your panties wet.

  “You mentioned a proposition earlier?” I asked.

  I hadn’t even thought about the fact he might be asking me to stay behind so he could rape and kill me. Desperation erases your mind of all fear, apparently. Then again, was it considered rape, if the other party is willing and ready?

  Shaking my train of thought, I tried to focus. Willing and ready? Did I really just think that?

  “Yes.” He turned toward me and the side of his mouth lifted, drawing my attention to his perfectly sculpted lips and the hint of a dimple that begged him to smile bigger. I wanted to finger it. I also wanted to run my fingers though his thick hair. “I’d like to buy you.”

  And just like that, my new found sexual fantasies went up in smoke. Surely I’d heard him wrong. I really needed to get out of my head and pay attention. I’d been around men before. What the heck was wrong with me?

  “Excuse m-me?” I stuttered.

  “I said, I’d like to buy you,” he repeated.

  I sat and gawked at him, positive he’d lost his marbles. For the life of me, I couldn’t speak. Part of me was mad at Trish for not telling me her boss was a total head case.

  “I’ve shocked you. Okay let me finish. I find you extremely attractive. If I was a man who enjoyed being in a relationship, I’d ask you to go on a date with me, but I’m not that kind of man.

  “I don’t like complications of any form, and I find that when emotions get involved, things become problematic. So, I’d prefer to have the sex, without the relationship. Your company, without the hassle.”

  I looked around the room to find a hidden camera somewhere. This wasn’t actually happening to me for real. At any moment, a show host would pop out and the joke would be on me. But there were no cameras, and there was no host to relieve me from the awkward situation.

  “Here’s what I’m offering you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black book. “I’ll put your number in my book, and when I want you, I’ll call you.” He leaned in close and I could smell his cologne. It smelled like hot sex, and spice. At least, what I imagined hot sex smelled like. “And when I call you, you’ll come, in more ways than one. I promise, beautiful girl, it will be mutually pleasurable for both of us.”

  My mouth dropped open and with a single finger to my chin, he closed it.

  “I only have two rules.” I stiffened when he ran that same finger down the top of my breast that I had foolishly exposed for him earlier tonight. “Don’t ever deny me. And don’t fall in love. As I said before, emotions are messy and I’d prefer not to get involved.” He tucked his book back into his pocket. “If you break either of those rules, I’ll remove you from my book and payment stops.”

  When I found my voice again, I spoke. “Payment? You want to pay me for sex?” I sounded as shocked as I felt.

  “Not just for sex, your company as well, but that will be on my terms. And yes, at some point, I’m going to want to fuck you.”

  He lifted his drink to his lips, while keeping his eyes trained on mine. His throat worked up and down, swallowing the remnants of his glass. Then, there was his dimpled smile once more. “So what say you, Jessica? I can make it worth your while.” A single brow lifted in emphasis.

  Oh, I had no doubt in my mind he could “make it worth my while,” but hell would freeze over and the devil himself would ice skate on it, before I sold my virginity to him. I mean, for the love of all that’s holy, he was attractive... But I just couldn’t. It wasn’t in me to sell my body to some stranger, regardless of the amount of money.

  I lifted my head, even though I wanted to hang it low and disappear. I knew for sure I was walking out of the club without a job, which meant things were about to get a lot worse.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t do that. I appreciate the offer, but I’m no one’s whore.”

  As I stood to move away, he pulled me against his body. I looked up at him in shock, and to my dismay a little bit of excitement. My breasts crushed against his chest and he was very much aware as he bent over to whisper in my ear.

  “My name’s Sebastian, not sir.”

  I shook off the chills from his whispers, and walked away without looking back. As soon as I stepped into the cool morning air, I let the tears fall.

  I’d just lost my job.

  I made sure to wipe away my tears before I got back in the car with Kyle. He was asleep on the back seat with a smile on his face. I knew it would be gone the following day.

  I DROPPED KYLE OFF AT school, and then slept for an hour on the back seat, before using almost all of my gas to job hunt. I didn’t tell Kyle I’d lost our only source of income because it was clear he was starting to worry even more. He was old enough to know things couldn’t get much worse. We were already living in a car. He didn’t need to know that pretty soon our car would be out of gas and we’d really be screwed.

  Once I picked him up, we got some fast food and ordered from the dollar menu again. It was all I could afford to buy without a kitchen to use for preparation. I had to make the tips I’d received stretch as far as possible.

  I parked near his school, so I wouldn’t have to drive back and waste gas, and we sat and did his homework together. When night came, he curled up in the back and I got as comfortable as possible in the front passenger’s seat.

  Kyle set the alarm on his watch, so I let myself fall into a deep sleep. It had been days since I’d actually gotten any sleep. I was in the middle of a decent dream, starring Sebastian Black, when I woke abruptly to the sound of thumping on the window above my head.

  I jumped up and pulled the blanket closer to my body. Once my eyes adjusted to the early morning light, a police officer came into focus.

  He looked down at me with furrowed brows, tapping on the glass again. “Miss, we need you to open the door.”

  Looking past him, I saw two other officers. One as round as he was tall, and one who looked like he’d just graduated from high school.

  We’d overslept. I knew this because teachers were already starting to pull up and make their way into the school. All eyes were on my car, as it was surrounded by police cars. I didn’t understand why they had to have their flashing blue lights on. We weren’t criminals on the run. It didn’t make any sense.

  I reached out and popped the door open letting in the cold air. Kyle sat up at that exact minute with wide, shifty eyes.

  “Roz?” he asked nervously.

  “It’s okay, Kyle. Just stay back there.”

  I crawled out of the car closing the door behind me and rubbed at my arms. It was freezing and I’d left my jacket inside the car.

  “We had some reports about an abandoned car outside of the school. Some of the staff were worried.” The police officer’s expression changed and he shook his head. “Are you and this young man living in this car, miss?”

  I didn’t want to answer him, but I didn’t have any other choice. “No. I accidently locked us out of the house last night and I di
dn’t want him to be late for school this morning. I’m sorry, officer. I’ll move the car right now. Thank you, but all is well.” I started to move closer to the door.

  I thought I was home free, until I felt a hot hand on my wrist. I looked up to see the round officer staring back at me with pinched lips and knowing eyes.

  “I’m sorry, miss. We’re going to need to take the young man into custody until it’s verified that everything is indeed well.”

  I shook him from my wrist and turned to open the car door. I obviously wasn’t thinking clearly since all I could think about was outrunning the cops. “No. That’s not necessary. Like I said, we’re fine and I’m taking him home right now.”

  No matter how many times I said those words, the police officer didn’t listen. He pushed me to the side and pulled open the backdoor.

  “Roz!” Kyle said in a full on panic. His tone tore at my heart and fear roared through my body.

  He struggled in the officer’s arms and reached out for me with tears on his cheeks, as they pulled him to the car with the blue lights on.

  “Roz, please help!”

  I pushed and fought against the other two, while my little brother was thrown into the back of the police car like a common criminal.

  I lost it. Pulling free from the hands that held me, I ran to the car and pounded on the glass. Kyle’s tear-stained face stared back at me.

  “Miss, if you don’t stop, we’re going to have to take you into custody.”

  I heard the cop talking, but I wasn’t processing it. I lost all track of reason. Reaching down, I picked up a rock and threw it at the window. The rock went through, leaving a gaping hole in its stead.

  It was then reality hit home. I was thrown against the police car and my arms were pulled behind me. The cuffs were too tight, and when I was tossed in the backseat next to Kyle, I knew I’d sunk lower than I ever thought I would.

  There was nothing I could do. I fought. I fought with all I had left, but it didn’t matter. All that it got me was a one-way ticket to jail. Me—the virgin who’d never drank or done drugs.

  I’d failed Kyle. I’d failed the last person left in my life and there was nothing I could do to make it right. Turning away from his sad eyes, I stared out the window and cried.

  “WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT?” I asked the second Vick came into my office the following day.

  “Not much. The young boy she’s riding with is her little brother. They’re living in their car outside of the middle school.” She flopped into my favorite chair and put her feet up. “It’s a damn shame she didn’t take your deal. Looks to me like she could use it.”

  I was relieved to find out the boy wasn’t her son. I would have continued to pursue her regardless, but a brother made things easier to deal with verses a kid. Either way, it was still an extra mouth for her to feed.

  “I’m not worried. She’ll be back. This is New York. The city will eat her alive if she doesn’t take my deal.” I went toward the door. I had a few business meetings to take care of and the walls were starting to close in on me. “Until then, keep an eye on her. Make sure nothing bad happens to her or her brother.”

  I spent the day going over deals and turning down offers to buy my club. Every greedy bastard in New York wanted to get their hands on what was mine. I wasn’t having it. By the time I was getting in my car I was pissed, and annoyed that Vick hadn’t called me with good news about Jessica.

  I’d gone to my meetings, certain she would return to the club before I was done. I was on my way back when Vick sent me a text message that instantly changed my mood.

  Vick: Jessica’s been taken into police custody.

  SB: Meet me at the station in twenty minutes.

  I put my phone back in my pocket and grinned. Turning at the next light, I drove away from the club and toward the police station. I wanted her desperate, not desolate. The poor girl was totally innocent. Jail would break her down, which was the last thing I wanted. I wanted to break her in and I wanted to do it my way.

  When I pulled up, Vick was already waiting outside.

  “Are we rescuing the fair maiden?” she asked sarcastically.

  “Not we, you. Post her bail, get her out. Do it without me learning her name.”

  I leaned against my car and looked down at my watch before crossing my arms. It distracted me from the tiny voice taunting me, saying I might not forget this whole thing even if I did learn her name.

  Finding her wasn’t something that happened every day. The best things in life are always more difficult to obtain. It was currently taking me a little longer than usual to get what I wanted, which made it that much more exciting. It had been a long time since one of my girls presented me with a challenge and it was exactly what I needed. In the end, I knew she would be mine. I always got what I wanted. Always.

  I sat outside for what felt like an hour, and then Vick came out of the door, followed by Jessica. Her eyes connected with mine and her brows pulled down in confusion. Seeing she was safe, I turned away and got into my car. I waited until she climbed into Vick’s car, and then pulled away.

  I stopped for a quick dinner before going home. The club was closed on Sundays and Mondays, so being that it was Monday, it was deserted when I pulled up and parked. I slung my keys around my finger as I walked in, locked the door behind me, and went to my office.

  Jessica was there waiting for me, like I’d hoped she would be. She stood from the couch in my office and our eyes locked as soon as I opened the door. Something about her was different. She looked as if she was seconds away from falling apart. Her shoulders were stiff and her flushed cheeks stood out from the rest of her pale face.

  I closed the door behind me and ignored her as I walked past and sat behind my desk. I could sense her anxiousness.

  “Sit,” I firmly commanded.

  When she was seated in front of me, I laced my fingers together and stared at her.

  “Are you okay?”

  I never asked such questions, but I needed to know she was mentally stable and able to make the decision I wanted her to make.

  “Fine.” Her voice broke. “Thank you for bailing me out,” she said, as her eyes watered over.

  I had to look away. I’d seen women cry… hell, I’d even made a few cry, but seeing her do it was different. It hurt in my stomach—made me feel empty. Tears never bothered me before, but her tears cut deep. Luckily, I had mastered the art of ignoring annoying emotions.

  “Vick bailed you out.” I didn’t want her to think I was soft. I wasn’t.

  Bailing her out was how I got what I wanted. Nothing more, nothing less. Sitting back in my chair, I let my eyes devour her. “Was that all you came here for? A misplaced thank you?”

  She looked as if she wanted to say something more, or possibly slap me, but apparently she lost her nerve because she nodded, and left the room. The strange part was, I wanted to go after her and ask her to stay.

  JAIL WAS NOT FOR ME. The minute we got to the station, I was taken into a separate room from Kyle and told he was being transported to child services.

  I cried when they took my fingerprints, and when it was time to take my mug shot, I almost threw up. What would my parents say if they could see me now? What would Gran think?

  I sat in a cell with another girl who was there for prostitution. It was kind of comical since I was starting to believe that selling my body was the only way to fix everything. Maybe when I got out, I’d go to Sebastian and accept his offer. Sleeping with him didn’t sound totally unappealing. It was really the part about getting paid that made it creepy.

  An hour later, and a cop came to the cell calling my name.

  “Your bail’s been posted. You’re free to go.”

  My confusion on how the hell my bail was posted overshadowed any relief I might have had in being free. I didn’t have anyone to post bail other than Trish, and I hadn’t had the chance to call her yet.

  And then, there was the fact I was being set free, while m
y brother was being held God-knows-where. There was nothing for me to collect when I left. It was a sign of how my life was turning out. I needed to get used to having nothing.

  I was shocked when I came out and found Vick looking back at me.

  “I left my white horse outside,” she said sarcastically. “Let’s go.”

  I followed behind her and as soon as I walked through the station doors, my eyes found Sebastian’s. In that moment, I knew who bailed me out.

  How did he even know I’d been arrested? Should I be freaked out?

  I climbed into Vick’s black car and she pulled out with squealing tires, directly outside the police station. Like I wasn’t already deathly afraid of going back.

  “Sebastian bailed me out?” I asked when the silence in the car became too thick.

  “Yep,” she responded. “No offense, but I have better things to spend my money on.”

  I didn’t bother responding.

  “My brother, they took him into child services. Is there anyway…” I started.

  “I’m taking you to Sebastian. Ask him.”

  I turned and stared out the window, as we drove entirely too fast toward Clive’s. I had so much spinning in my head. First and foremost, I was seriously considering his deal.

  I needed the money, and it wasn’t like I wasn’t attracted to him physically, despite his outrageous proposition. My body seemed to respond to him in ways I had never experienced with another man. It came alive whenever he was near.

  LEAVING SEBASTIAN’S OFFICE, I MOVED through the darkness of the club, knowing that once I stepped through those doors, I’d be on the streets for the night. My car had been impounded and I had no money to get it out.

  Vick took off after dropping me at the club, and I wasn’t about to call and bother Trish because I knew she was using her Monday as a day to relax.

  The door was cold against my palm when I reached out for it. The moment I began to push it open, the lights behind me came on. Turning around, I found Sebastian standing on the bottom step of the stairs.