Chapter 5

　　JANICE

　　I stood in front of the cracked full-length mirror in the tiny bedroom I had shared with Nancy, before she became a permanent resident at the hospital, tugging at the hem of my only decent interview skirt.

　　"When on earth did I become so tall? And so fat!!"

　　The black skirt was two years old and a little tight across my hips now. Probably all the stress eating and sleepless nights. But it looked professional under the soft gray blouse, so it would have to do.

　　I had left the hospital at six this morning, because I had to get ready for this interview for the position of an administrative assistant at a small logistics firm downtown.

　　"You've got this, J," I smoothed my hands down my thighs, willing that nervous flutter in my stomach to go away. "It's not anything you haven't done before…"

　　KNOCK

　　The sound of someone jabbing their palm on my door jolted me out of my head.

　　Was I expecting anything or anyone?

　　No one ever came to this building unless it was the landlord chasing rent or some kids who wanted to make a quick buck by selling candy.

　　Had I ordered something mistakenly again? That had happened once.

　　There was only one way to find out anyway.

　　I padded barefoot down the short hallway, my robe still kept over my interview clothes for warmth. Since we didn't have a peephole or anything to tell me who was on the other side, I just yanked the door open.

　　"Janice Cross?" The man dressed in a crisp delivery uniform asked the moment he saw me. He was holding a massive bouquet of flowers and a sleek black box.

　　"That would be me."

　　"Delivery for you. Sign here."

　　Woah, woah.

　　"You must have the wrong person. I'm not expecting…"

　　"You're Janice Cross, right?"

　　"Yes, but…"

　　"Then it belongs to you."

　　I scribbled my name on the tablet he offered. The roses were a bit heavy, but it didn't matter when their scent hit me the second I carried them inside. A small white card was tucked between the blooms.

　　"Hello, again. I hope you missed us."

　　I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me who sent them.

　　Could they just leave me alone?

　　I set the bouquet on the kitchen counter, then turned to the box. The ribbon slid off it easily. Nestled in black tissue paper was the most expensive-looking lingerie I had ever seen.

　　"Damn…"

　　It was a delicate black lace bodysuit with a shelf bra that was sure to push my breasts up, a deep V that came all the way down to my navel. The crotch was open, covered in tiny satin bows.

　　Next to it was a diamond necklace and a black card, where three small diamonds hung from the chain, each engraved with a single letter.

　　C.

　　L.

　　A.

　　A tiny number had been etched onto the card. The same number from that day.

　　It must have cost a fortune to buy these things. I should throw it away. Or sell them and keep the money. After all, the Business Brothers must have sent it a gift. Or I could wear the lingerie and have all three hands…

　　No.

　　I snatched my phone, typed the number with shaking thumbs, and hit send.

　　JANICE: What the hell is this? I don't want it. Send me a return address immediately.

　　The message was delivered, but no one responded. Then, my phone vibrated with a new notification. I had been added to a group chat of some sort. The first message popped up immediately.

　　Calder: Good morning, darling. Like your gifts? That lace is going to look fucking delicious on you. Could you tell that I was the one who picked it out?

　　Heat rushed up my face.

　　JANICE: Take it back. I'm not playing any of your stupid games.

　　AIDEN: It's too late now, Janice. You already took the box inside. That counts as acceptance.

　　I paced down my tiny kitchen, keeping my phone clutched like it was a weapon that would protect me from the gifts.

　　JANICE: I'm throwing it in the trash right now.

　　LUCIAN: Go ahead. We'll just send another set and another. It doesn't really matter.

　　CALDER: Or you could be a good girl and try it on for us. Send a picture. One thousand for each picture you send.

　　JANICE: I AM NOT A WHORE

　　I wished it was possible for me to smack their smug little faces. To be the one with all the powers.

　　CALDER: You don't need to be a whore to accept my money, darling.

　　LUCIAN: Wear the set tonight. Including the necklace. We want to see our names on your throat while we remind you exactly who you belong to now.

　　My thighs pressed together involuntarily. The ache from a few days ago flared back to life, a low throb between my legs that made me want to press my palm there just for relief.

　　I hated them.

　　I hated myself more for the way my breathing had gone shallow.

　　JANICE: I have a job interview in an hour. I have things to do with my life. I am not wearing this for anybody. Ever.

　　AIDEN: That logistics place on 7th Street can't do anything for you if I don't allow it, Janice.

　　My stomach dropped.

　　How on earth did he know where my interview was happening? Were they stalking me? That was a possibility.

　　CALDER: Come on, darling. Don't make us ruin your big day. Put on the lingerie and slip the necklace on. We'll send a car at eight.

　　I was still thinking of what to send back.

　　CALDER: And when we peel that lace off you, you're going to be so wet. Do you remember how you sounded last time? That little whimper when Lucian fucked you slowly?

　　Heat flooded my cheeks. For some reason, I could still feel the ghost of their hands—Calder's rough grip on my hair, Aiden's fingers in my hair, Lucian's dark eyes locked on mine while he drove into me with that punishing rhythm.

　　JANICE: You're disgusting.

　　I pressed my thighs tighter.

　　AIDEN: And you're dripping just reading this.

　　I set my phone down hard enough that the counter shook a bit. I should shove everything into the trash and never look back.

　　Any sane person would do just that, and get rid of anything that had to do with those men.

　　Step one: Leave that damn group.

　　Step two: I had no idea what step two was going to be.

　　Nancy's hopeful face from yesterday flashed behind my eyes once more, reminding me that pride was not a luxury I could afford anymore.

　　My phone buzzed again. I didn't want to look, but I did anyway.

　　It was Calder. He had sent three new messages, each more explicit than the last, describing exactly what he planned to do to me in that lingerie.

　　How he would make me cum with his mouth first, then his cock, until I was sobbing his name. And the necklace had to stay on the entire time.

　　My hands trembled as I hovered over the reply button. I wanted to scream. I wanted to block them. I wanted…

　　Another message popped up, sent by Aiden.

　　AIDEN: Don't try to make any rash decisions, Janice. Be a good girl and wear that tonight, or you can kiss whatever job you're interviewing for goodbye. And that includes any other job you think you can have. See you at eight.