15. Summer
Don’t do it.The text glared up at me. You’ll regret it.
I wasn’t certain to whom the unknown number belonged, but I had a suspicion. I typed out my response. Don’t tell me what to do.
The response was immediate. Your father wouldn’t have wanted it.
Red hot anger washed over me. It had to be Rook—the only person opposed to my application. Who was he to tell me what my father would or wouldn’t have wanted? My fingers flew over the glass. Yeah, my father would have wanted me to starve on the streets.
A pause. Then, come work for me.
I traced the edge of my phone, wavering. I’d been unable to sleep last night, old nightmares from when I was a kid resurfacing. Flickering orange sparks against a star filled night, a tightness in my chest, unable to breathe.
It had woken me. My sheets and nightgown, drenched in sweat. My heart, pounding.
The rest of the night, restless, the screams of the past echoing through my mind.
Callie and I had stayed up late talking, reminiscing past stories when we both lived here.
At the last minute, she’d managed to find an anonymous sponsor to pay for her art apprenticeship and was excited to tell me that Beckley, her current crush, was also going. Apparently, she’d broken up with John.
It had been a good distraction from her grief; she would be leaving tomorrow.
When I’d told her what had happened at the Magnolia, she was as mortified as me.
If I’d had any kind of power, or even a few bucks to rub together, I”d have punched Rook in the face.
Instead, I’d had to beg for money, in a room full of people. And not just people, but fancy-pants people. People fat with cash.
With their tailored suits, elegant food, and superior looks.
How they talked about me like I wasn”t even in the room.
I wasn”t good enough for a loan, but maybe their charity.
And Rook, my god, my face flamed, even now. The way he’d spoken about me, with clear disdain, had made it a thousand times worse.
It had been three days, but I still felt as embarrassed as if it had only just happened.
I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m smart enough,I responded snarkily.
Smart enough to make my coffee, I’m sure.
Actually, I’m terrible at making coffee,I lied.
I’m sure we could find other things for you to do…
I stared at the phone, my heart knocking against my ribs like a caged and frantic bunny. Was he saying what I thought he was say?—
No. I clamped down my thoughts, even though heat scorched my insides like lava. It was just my imagination. My wildly, creative imagination.
He’d been sinfully gorgeous in that room, temptation luring me to him the minute I saw him. With a sexy, intelligent face made for brooding, and sensual lips that pursed in disapproval. Day old stubble and a chiseled jaw that clenched every time he looked at me. He’d stared at me with a dark, heated gaze that could melt butter—it had certainly melted my insides. It felt like he wanted to simultaneously crush me and kiss me.
I’d had a hard time keeping my eyes off him, even after he’d shamed me so publicly.
Well??,he texted. Wolf got your tongue, little bunny?
At this, Lux’s warning echoed through my thoughts. This man was a predator in disguise. He was a wolf dressed like a savior. He’d told me so himself, and I had to remember that.
From the minute he and I had spoken, he’d made demands on my life. He’d assumed I would do whatever he asked. No—commanded.
Then, when he’d realized I wasn’t going to fall at his knees—like probably all the other women he met—he tried to block me from access to any other money.
No, this was just a manipulation.A power play. He wasn’t offering me a real job. Instead, he was trying to control me, in the guise of employment.
The sound of a car pulling up the drive caught my attention, and I tapped out a quick reply, eat rocks, before I slipped my phone back into my pocket.
My cell beeped in response but I didn’t look at it. Instead, I watched as a dark gray Bentley made its way up my drive, both dread and hope filling my chest. Horror quickly replaced it when I saw the splash of yellow on the collar of my dress.
Mother-effing-hell. I’d been a little overzealous with a fried egg omelet this morning.
I really shouldn’t eat. Like, ever. But especially before an important meeting.
Or, at least stick to pop tarts.
No, wait, they had jelly insides.
Bread and water.
I quickly ran back inside, knocking over a chair in the process, and grabbed a napkin. Wetting it, then scrubbing at it furiously while rushing back to the front door, texting Callie. Am leaving now. Wish me luck.
I didn’t expect her to reply—it was still early—but grinned at the immediate response, don’t screw this up.
As I was about to put my phone in my purse, it beeped again, and I sighed in exasperation, checking it.
I’ll eat something, alright.
A wolf loves to devour his prey.
My stomach lurched and a rush of heat pooled between my thighs. So. I wasn’t imagining it.
He was making a proposition.
My lips parted in an aroused exhale at the thought. Imagining what it would feel like, his lips on me… down there. Fuck me, I wanted to know what it would feel like to have a strong, powerful man like Rook want me like that. His next text quickly burst my excitement.
Answer me.
Grrr. I hated this jerk. All he wanted was control. I had to remember that.
Scowling, I turned my phone on ‘do not disturb’ and shoved it into my pocket. I stumbled out the door, tossing the napkin away just in time to greet the woman now walking towards me.
I forced a smile and offered my hand. ”Good morning. Ms. Dubois?”
”Mrs. Olivia Dubois,” she corrected and I squeezed her hand a little tighter than I should”ve, anxious.
”Olivia?”
”Mrs. Olivia Dubois,” she repeated herself, “You’re Summer Duvall?”
“Yes.”
Giving me a brisk, sharp shake, she turned my hand. Her lips pinched downward and I looked down, trying to figure out what she was frowning at.
Of course.I hadn’t managed to get all the dirt out from under my nails. And she was the stereotypical southern woman who thought women should be proper and respectable—not digging around in the garden.
She briskly dropped it, and her eyes landed on the egg stain on my dress.
Oh fuck, why was this my life?
”I hope this is okay,” I indicated at my outfit, trying to draw her attention away from the messiness that was my life. They”d instructed me to be ready at seven a.m. sharp, dressed in business clothing. I’d done my best to find what I could in my mother’s closet, but I could only do so much with what limited clothing there was available.
The sweep of her eyes took in the wrinkles and, once again, landed on the wet spot. ”That”ll do.” She didn”t sound very convinced, but once her sharp gaze took in my hair, wild and untamed this morning, she frowned, shaking her head, ”But that won’t.”
She walked towards her car, reaching inside, and I followed her, unsure what to do next.
”Turn, please.”
I turned my back to her, giving a small squeak of surprise when strong and forceful hands wrapped around my hair, tugging it backwards.
She brushed my hair roughly, making it frizz even more, but then pulled and fussed with it until it was in a tight bun. “There.” When I rotated back towards her, she gazed at it with pride. ”Now, let”s inspect your makeup.”
I shifted on my feet, glancing anywhere but at her while her sharp gaze scrutinized my face.
I was somewhat used to it; my school was strict and we often had appearance inspections; if I’d have known, I would”ve made sure to be more careful this morning.
Her eyebrows furrowed, staring at the slash of my blue eyeliner but finally she nodded. “It’ll do. However, demure and modest makeup will be expected from here on.”
I now noticed that her own makeup was almost nonexistent, with just a touch of mascara and a pale rose-colored lipstick. Her white, immaculately pressed, dress shirt was buttoned to her neck beneath a serious-looking grey pantsuit.
“Wait for me in the car.” She disappeared up my porch as I climbed into the passenger seat, trying to settle my anxiousness.
Then, groaning as she picked up the napkin I”d discarded, I smoothed over my clothing, willing my wrinkles to disappear. She stuffed the napkin into a trash can located in the back seat of her car as her light perfume filled the space between us.
”From here on out,” she explained, “if you are to meet with any members of the Magnolia, you will be neat and orderly.”
”Okay,” I tried to be agreeable, copying the way she was sitting, with an almost impossibly straight back, not even touching the seat behind her. ”Where are we going?”
”To see Dr. Tyler.”
”A doctor?” I stared at her in surprise. “But. I’m not sick.”
”Of course you”re not,” she looked down her nose at me. ”If you were, you most certainly wouldn”t be a candidate.”
I scowled, turning away from her to stare out the window. ”Then why”re we going to see a doctor?”
“Why are we.”
“What?”
“You said, why’re we. It’s ‘why are we’.”
Christ.
“Why are we going to see a doctor?” I barely managed to keep the snark out of my tone.
“To see if you”re a viable candidate for the position.”
”And what are the qualifications?”
She didn”t answer, pressing her lips together instead, and the car fell into silence.
I squirmed, the supple feel of the leather under my skin reminding me that these people had money, and I didn”t.
I was doing this for Callie, and Benson. He deserved to retire with dignity. And Callie was too talented to go to a community college. Plus, the house and my parents memory… I cleared my throat, softening my tone, trying to soothe the situation.
”Whatever I can do, please let me know. I”m happy to do whatever it takes to make this process easier.”
”That”s good.” She nodded, visibly softening and turned towards me. ”You”re perfect for this, I can already tell.”
Unsure what that meant, I forced a smile. ”Um, thanks?”
She only shook her head, and we drove the rest of the way in silence.
Mrs. Olivia Dubois didn’t speak to the valet who took her keys, nor to me as she pressed the fifth floor button of the gold carpeted elevator. There was an uncomfortable silence.
“We should go over some things,” Mrs. Olivia Dubois finally spoke. “If Dr. Tyler finds you worthy, the Magnolia will begin the application process.”
Worthy?
“Okay,” I tucked a stray hair back into my bun. “What will I need to do? Submit my grades? Or…”
“No, that won’t be necessary.” Her thin lips were pinched. “Dr. Tyler will take care of everything on your end.” I wanted to interrupt her to ask more questions, but, remembering Saul’s rebuke from yesterday, kept quiet. She continued, “Once Dr. Tyler has given us the all clear, any custodians who are interested in sponsoring you will fill out an application.”
“They will fill out an application? For what?”
She met my eyes. “For you.”
My own eyes widened. “For me?” Was my voice too high?
“Yes. For you.”
“I’m sorry,” I was trying my best to be demure and modest, but, I was really struggling here. “What does that even mean?”
“It means that they will offer a sum, and you will decide which one of the custodians you’d like to accept.”
There was a sudden knot in my throat, and Lux’s words, that the interest rates in this place aren’t the kind of rates you’d want to pay, once again echoed in my mind. The way Saul had put his arm around me. The greedy eyes of all the men in that room. And—odder still—how the men were the only ones eating. There were several women in the room, but not a single one of them had even spoken.
Unease trickled through my stomach. “But why am I the one picking? I thought I was the applicant.”
“Because, in return for the sum of money, you will have to do whatever they request.”
* * *
The only soundwas the elevator moving, and the pounding of my heart. “Whatever they want?”
“Yes.” She said, her tone bland. “Whatever they ask. You will also be expected to fulfill any duties the Magnolia requires.”
“And, do I have a choice in this?” My voice was still a squeak.
“Of course. They will submit their applications. Once all applicants are in, you will be given your selection of men, and the Magnolia will tell you upfront what we expect from you. Then you will have a choice to accept or reject.”
“It’s as simple as that?”
“Yes.”
“How much do you think they’ll offer?” Would my dignity be worth all this, I wanted to ask.
“I have a feeling that the offers will come in high. Six men have already expressed their interest.”
“Six?” My eyes bugged out of my head. “You’re joking.”
“I never joke,” she clicked her tongue. “Not when it comes to the Magnolia.”
The elevator stopped, dinging, but I shifted to stand in front of her. “How much do you think they’ll offer?”
“At least six figures.”
A lump formed in my throat. That was a lot of money. But…what would they ask me in return?
“Will it be worth it?”
For a single second, the woman looked human, her eyes softening. But then she moved around me, leaving haunting words in her wake. “Only you can decide that.”
I didn’t have time to process what had just happened.
”Welcome.” A black woman with long hair and blue nurse scrubs was waiting for us outside the elevator doors, and I had to rush out so that they didn’t shut on me. Olivia didn’t respond to her, brushing past her without even a sideways glance.
She took us directly back. “Please. Take a seat.”
Within seconds, I was squirming onto a brown, cushioned bench. The nurse eyed me appraisingly and only gave Mrs. Dubois a cursory glance before leaving the room.
Mrs. Olivia Dubois’ tall, willowy stature towered over me, her bronze eyes inspecting the room just as carefully as she had me.
Fortunately for whichever doctor worked here, there wasn’t a speck of dirt or dust to be seen, and she made her assessment coolly and quickly. Once complete, she sat down, again, her rigid spine not touching the back of her seat.
It didn”t take long before the door opened again—the nurse from before stood there, a polite smile frozen to her face as she waited, holding the door open.
Shortly afterwards, a small, elderly man shuffled his way into the room.
I couldn”t stop the grin lighting up my face—he reminded me of Amara”s grandpa, who used to sneak me treats of chocolate and mint from his fanny pack every time he visited.
The elderly doctor stared at his feet as he made his way into the room, until, finally, he waved a hand at the nurse and she closed the door behind her with a sharp click.
”Hello, Olivia.” Once again, the hand, sun marked and wrinkled, waved, this time in Mrs. Olivia Dubois’ direction.
”Hello, Dr. Tyler,” she responded crisply, not correcting him, I noticed.
He shuffled his way towards me, his eyes finally leaving his feet when he reached where I was sitting.
”Well, what do we have here?” He didn”t ask for my name, but reached in his pocket, pulling out a small pen light. For some strange reason, I’d expected a piece of candy.
I blinked as he shined it directly into my eyes. ”Please keep your eyes open,” he stated patiently.
I forced myself not to blink, though my eyes watered briefly until the light disappeared.
I blinked away the spots as he checked my ears, then shuffled across the room towards the sink and counter. ”Age.”
“Eighteen.” Mrs. Dubois answered, even though I”d opened my mouth to reply myself.
I stared at her.
It seems as if she was right. I didn’t need to do anything, practically. They would do it all for me.
Dr. Tyler didn”t respond, but slowly shuffled towards me with a tongue depressor in his hand.
I stared through his thick glasses but he didn”t once meet my gaze. His thin, silver grey hair fell over his large forehead and into steel brown eyes. He tossed his head, moving it out of the way before he nodded towards me. “Perfect.”
Next, his hands went to my throat, pressing around there, then he checked my reflexes, muttering the whole time.
”Now lie down.”
The paper crinkled as I awkwardly moved onto my back, wondering why they needed to check all this. My head was at an awkward angle because of my bun. The smell of talcum powder filled my nose as he leaned over me, pressing on my stomach and doing all kinds of random stuff.
I jerked upwards when the nurse reappeared, handing off a needle and some vials. ”Woah, what”s going on here?”
”Please lay back down.” He didn’t look at me, but proceeded to patiently wait as the nurse began to wrap a band around my arm. ”What are you doing this for?” I stared at him, waiting for an answer. When he didn’t give me one, I looked at Olivia. “Ma’am?”
She didn’t answer, only pursing her lips together, the edges turned downward. “I gave you the information you needed in the elevator.”
“That wasn’t—“ I stared at her in astonishment. “But you didn’t…”
The nurse finally took pity on me. ”We’ll be doing a blood count, chemistry panel, plus a DNA registration with Veritas.”
”DNA registration?” I didn”t understand anything else she”d said, but ”DNA” and ‘register’ didn’t feel right to me.
“The tests are pretty standard,” the nurse gave me a small smile as Dr. Tyler pricked my arm. I peered over the doctor to look at Mrs. Olivia, who was hardly paying any attention, her gaze staring blankly at the wall in front of her.
“Is this really necessary?”
She snapped a sharp gaze towards me. ”Yes, Ms. Duvall. If you want to apply for the program, you have to be approved first. That includes a blood panel, as well as a urinalysis, and a hymen check.”
It took a few seconds for her last words to register, but her meaning became clear quickly as the doctor pushed me back down and then began to tug the hem of my dress upward. ”Please spread your legs.”
A cool wave of shock overcame me and I stared, open mouthed at him, then at Mrs. Olivia. “Wait—” I began to protest.
”Don”t move, Miss. Duvall.” Mrs. Olivia was now paying strict attention to me, her eyes narrowed in warning.
I squeaked in protest as a gloved finger shoved up inside me.
Dr. Tyler didn”t even look at me as he poked up inside there--it happened all so quickly, I didn’t even have time to react, except to stare in shock at him.
The nurse leaned over, blocking my view, giving me a reassuring smile. ”It only takes a minute.”
I gripped the hand she offered me, squirming in pain until the pressure down below disappeared.
Dr. Tyler stood, yanking off his gloves with a snap. He gave Mrs. Dubois a faint nod before handing me a plastic cup. ”Make sure you return this to the nurse before you go.”
Mrs. Olivia stood, thanking the doctor, who didn”t give her a second thought as he left the room. What the hell had just happened?
”Here.” Once again, the nurse”s kind face filled my vision, pressing tissues into my hand. For your,” she stumbled over her next words, “…you know.” She seemed just as embarrassed as I felt.
I took the tissue without thinking as shame, humiliation, and anger washed over me. How dare they?!
“If you—” the nurse started.
“Time to go.” Olivia’s stern face loomed over me.
The nurse clamped her mouth shut and looked away, sealing off the words she wanted to say.
“Come, come. We don’t have all day.”
I glared at a now impatient Olivia, who turned her back on us to leave. I wanted to tackle her to the ground. Shove something up inside her.
“Now, Summer.” Her back was still to me. “Unless you’re not interested in what the opportunities Magnolia has to offer.” Her reminder had me sliding from the examination table, shame and a chilling realization washing over me.
Rook was right.