Chapter 1

The moans and groans grow louder as I approach the door. I stand there for a second, wishing that my ears are deceiving me. They’re not. Realty slaps me in the face as the door swings open. His head is between her thighs and her fingers tug at his dark brown hair like she’s holding on for her dear life.

“’What-the-fuck, Jason!” I exclaim and he raises his head slowly to find me. I should be looking away but strangely, I can’t.

“Welcome back, little trouble” He says casually, like I didn’t just notice an anatomical display on shared property.

“Not on the fucking kitchen counter” I groan “Don’t you have any conscience?” My eyes dart between him, now on his feet, and the petite blonde. She scrambles off the marble, trying to gather her underwear like it could magically reattach herself if she finds it fast enough.

‘’Conscience? You weren’t supposed to be home this early” he shrugs. I try not to stare too hard at his well-defined torso now soaked in sweat.

“I live here” I walk over to the fridge and grab some juice. “So you just stay home all day and…entertain?”

“It’s not like I plan it” He runs his fingers in his raffled hair like he’s posing for a camera only him can see. ‘’It just happens’’

Of course it does. Women just fall from the sky and land on MY kitchen counter at three in the fucking afternoon! The blonde finally gathers her dignity and her purse. She avoids eye contact as she slips past me.

“Sorry” She mutters and I nod stiffly.

The door closes almost immediately and I sigh.

Jason leans back against the counter like nothing in the universe is remotely wrong. He is too calm for my liking.

“You know, unless you want a threesome, you could knock next time” He says lazily.

 I let out a short incredulous laugh.

“I could knock? On my own apartment?”

“’Our apartment”’He corrects and I scoff.

‘’You could at least warn me” I feel my chest tighten slightly as I walk in the direction of the sink to wash my hands aggressively. I can feel his eyes on me even with my back turned. His quiet, assessing gaze.

“’Are you jealous, little trouble? He smirks as I turn to face him

Of course not. I just hate that I noticed his muscles flexed when he moved. I hate that he’s attractive enough to get away with all this. Most of all, I hate that he knows he’s attractive.

“Of what?” I chuckle

He pushes off the counter and steps closer.

‘’You look mad”

“I am mad” I raise my voice slightly as I turn away and walk towards my room.

“Why?” he presses, following closely behind me

Because you are reckless. Because you are infuriating. Because you make it hard to breathe when you stand too close.

“I like clean surfaces. I’ll be disinfecting that counter myself.” I reply flatly.

I drop my bag on my desk and make a mental note to call the agency. Maybe I could request a new roommate. One who absolutely doesn’t turn shared spaces into adult cinema sets.

‘’You wish you were on that counter, little trouble” His voice disrupts my thoughts and I turn slowly.

“For what? So I could fake moans and orgasms? No thanks”

His eyebrows lift and that teasing look disappears. He narrows his eyes then walks towards the door. I hear the click of the lock echo in the room before he turns. He moves toward me slowly. His eyes are so focused on me that it’s slightly intimidating. My feet retreat until my back hits the wall. Then, he presses his hand against the wall, beside my head to cage me in. He’s too close. Way too close. I can feel the heat radiate from his tall, masculine body as he allows his eyes to pierce mine.

“Why don’t we find out” he murmurs, voice low ‘’Just how fake those orgasms can be?”

I feel a flush of red spread across my cheeks. How dare he assume that I would want anything to do with him? The audacity!

The sound of my phone ringing brings me back to reality and I shove him hard in his rock-solid chest

“Get away from me, pervert”

‘’Diane?” A shaky voice responds on the other end makes my mind race at a million thoughts per second.

“Yes?’’ I say hesitantly

“’This is Joanne, Lucy’s neighbour” My stomach instantly drops at the mention of my mother’s name.

“Is­­ everything alright?”

“I don’t want to scare you but…” The old woman pauses “ Your mother’s door is wide open”

“What?”

“ I was watering my plants and noticed it. I thought your brother was home but I haven’t seen him leave or come back. I knocked and there was no answer”

My pulse pounds in my ears. Where the hell is Darole?

“She’s not supposed to be alone” I whisper.  Jason’s head lifts at my tone as he straightens. His playful expression disappears and is replaced by a concerned look

‘’Are you sure no one’s inside?” I ask

“I saw two men earlier” She adds hesitantly.”They were standing by the house but I assumed they were officials or something. They left not long ago”

I suddenly feel cold spread through me.

“I’m on my way”’

I swear to God,if that drunk,gambler of a brother I have actually left our sick mother at home alone…

“What’s going on?” Jason’s voice cuts my thoughts as I raffle through my bag for my car keys

“It’s none of your business” My voice comes out ruder than I expected

“I could drive you there” He says and my hands finally get hold of my keys

“No,thanks. Just don’t bring anymore whores to my house”

…

As soon as the car comes to a halt, I see the door widely open. I rush down the hallway, my pulse pounding so violently it drowns everything else.

“Mom!”  My voice cracks once I push the bedroom door open

I’m met with a sight I can never forget. Two men dressed in black stand on either side of her, masks covering their faces. One grips her arm and the other hovers too close. Mom looks confused. Not frightened like she should be. Her grey hair is dishevelled, her nightdress twisted at the hem. Herr eyes lazily drift toward me as though I am a sound she can’t quite place.

‘’MOM!” I rush forward “Who are you? Please let her go. She doesn’t even know what’s happening. She’s sick.”

“Who are you?” My mom’s voice breaks my heart even more. “You’re so loud”

I feel hot tears run down my cheeks and suddenly breathing feels too hard.

“It’s Diane, mom. Look at me.” I whisper desperately and she just looks away.

“Is it Darole? Does he owe you money? I’ll pay now, just leave her” I turn to the men, my voice now trembling.

I search through my bag for my purse and just then I feel a sharp sting on my shoulder. The burning sensation spreads through my whole arm. My fingers fly to my shoulder but my muscles betray me. Opening my mouth to talk feels like a chore and my eyes blur as my legs turn into a pool of mashed potatoes. I feel my body collide with the cold floor. Darkness surrounds me.