Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Seamus had been the only ‘client’ she’d entertained, but Tam had gotten a huge bump in her allowance. It was more money than she’d ever made in her life. In fact, it was more than enough to put down a security deposit and first and last month rent on a reasonably priced rental and have a modest savings account to tide her over until she found stable employment elsewhere. In addition to that, she could also focus on the continuation of her education. She’d been taking some online courses during the day over the last several weeks, but for what Tam wanted to do with her future career she needed clinical hours. In order to get those, she’d actually have to get some kind of internship through the local college.
Though she’d come to the Devil’s Den under questionable circumstances, Tam doubted that Natalia would stop her if she decided to quit and it seemed as if Seamus wouldn’t care either.
Whenever she’d been with Seamus, Tam told herself that he was just a client and not to get attached, but each time they were together, another layer was peeled and she saw so much in him that she never expected. He was damaged liked her. She saw a man who for all his expensive suits and fancy cars was still that vulnerable kid who’d been kidnapped and tortured, wondering if he’d live to see another day.
When Seamus had shared that experience with her, she silently wept for the child that he was. It hurt her that he’d experienced so much grief from a young age. And it didn’t help that he had a neglectful parent on top of that. Even though their lives had taken different paths, with Seamus delving into the underworld and Tam’s life on the streets, they both wanted something different for themselves. Tam wanted to be independent and use her experience to help children. Seamus, on the other hand, had been working for the last handful of years to distance himself from the legacy his father had left behind.
Outside of the incredible, earth-shattering sex, she felt as if they’d developed somewhat of a friendship. He’d take her out on his boat, on shopping sprees, and sometimes, they’d simply take a stroll down by the docks. And they’d talk. That was her favorite part. She learned so much about him and she’d opened up about herself. The fact that he didn’t extend the courtesy of telling Tam that he was done with her underlined how little she’d meant to him all along.
But she wouldn’t allow herself to cry over something that was apparently all in her head. She had a job to do and if that included entertaining someone else tonight then so be it. Tam turned back to the bar. “David, could you get me a cranberry and vodka?”
“You got it.”
As she waited for him to refill her glass she felt a tap on her shoulder. She was expecting to see one of the clients, but instead, Tam found herself facing a smirking Natalia.
“I see you’re by yourself tonight.”
David handed Tam her drink and she took a generous gulp before responding to the other woman. Tam should have known that it would only be a matter of time before that bitch would be over here to gloat, but she refused to let Natalia see her crack. “I am. But hopefully not for long. The club seems to be full of clients tonight looking for some company.” She took another sip of her drink as she scanned the room and she noticed a couple gentlemen looking her way. She smiled at each of them in turn.
Natalia frowned, seeing that Tam didn’t appear to be upset over the fact that Seamus had gone off with someone else. “Well, I did warn you in the beginning that Seamus would eventually get tired of you. The fact that you even lasted this long should be a consolation prize for you but in the end, you’re nothing special.”
“I never claimed to be, Natalia. Look, I’m being paid to do a job and you seem to care more about me and Seamus together than I did.” The lie was almost hard to get out, but Tam silently congratulated herself for how smooth it sounded. If the words hadn’t come out of her mouth, she might have actually believed them.
“Well,” Natalia folded her arms and pursed her lips. “Since you're used to entertaining our VIP, there’s someone I have in mind for you.”
Tam raised a brow. “Oh? Where is he?”
Natalia smiled, which looked like a sinister sneer. “He’s not here yet, but he’ll arrive shortly. I think you’d be a great fit for him and you’d earn a bonus.”
Tam didn’t trust whatever Natalia was up to for a second, after all, how could she have known Tam would be free? “And this client, is he a regular?”