Chapter 57

ASHER

Maddison sticks around for three more days, never venturing out of the apartment, only emerging for food and water when I’m around.

I can’t help but wonder if I’ve upset her, or maybe Addison spilled the beans about me paying for her; who the hell knows, but she’s been avoiding me like I’m a walking disease.

It’s not like I paid for her to take a week off or anything.

As the week drags on, I find myself growing increasingly frustrated with myself.

I log into my bank account to see the dwindling balance, and what do I have to show for it?

Yeah…absolutely nothing.

Three girls who are invading my personal space.

Three girls sleeping in the spare room where I used to have sex.

One girl forcing me to quit drugs because I’ve somehow found a shred of decency within me.

Can you tell? I’m absolutely pissed off with life right now.

And to make matters worse, rent is due, bills are due, and I’m dreading it.

That’s why I’m out today, sitting in the park near the hotel, soaking up the sun and the rustling of the trees.

I’m completely alone and free, unlike in my apartment, which used to be my only sanctuary.

But sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I spend a peaceful hour sitting alone on a bench, watching the world go by, but nature calls and I have to head home, not to mention my weekly meeting that’s due tomorrow.

The need to use the bathroom overpowers my desire for solitude, free from the intrusion of three girls.

All three of them are lounging on the sofa when I walk into the apartment, Ebony sprawled across Addison’s lap, Maddison seated at the other end, looking more than a little uncomfortable while they watch some comedy show.

I don’t acknowledge them, nor do I approach them. Instead, I head straight to bed as quickly as I can.

But I don’t actually go to bed; I head straight for my walk-in closet, making a beeline for the safe.

I punch in the damn digits of my mother’s birthday, only for it to betray me and unlock itself.

I hadn’t planned this far ahead, hadn’t planned at all, really.

I just acted, as I always do.

And now I’m faced with the damn stuff I’ve been struggling so hard to stay away from.

It’s been over a week now.

A week tomorrow morning, to be exact, which means I’ve had the girls for one week too.

And I still haven’t taken them to Fennick, but that’s going to change today.

I decided that this morning. I’ve just been procrastinating.

I’ll take them soon; it’s Friday. That’s less than a week.

I hold a joint in my hand, pushing the safe door closed as I sniff along the length of the damn thing.

If only I hadn’t made that promise.

If only Ebony wasn’t in the other room recovering from detox.

She’s doing much better, but she’s not there yet.

Still craving the damn stuff.

She’s scratching her skin like crazy and complaining of headaches, dry mouth, and socket pain, among other things, but she’s doing it because I’ve left her no choice.

So that’s why I tear the stupid joint apart, emptying its contents into the trash as I punch the air in frustration.

To add insult to injury, I march outside, announcing that the girls should get ready because we’re leaving in thirty.

“We’re going to see Fennick. Be ready in thirty,” I say.

They all turn to look at me, expressions of pure terror in their eyes as they digest my command, but I can’t put this off any longer.

Once a week, and I can’t afford to spend more than I have to.

Turning away before any of them can argue, I throw on some formal clothes, trying to look like the businessman I’ve always refused to be, and then I emerge from my room again.

I’m pleased to see all three of them are dressed and have shoes on their feet.

Their faces are sour, lips pursed.

“Do we have to?” Addison is the one to challenge me.

I could have guessed it would be her. She seems the stubborn type that never knows when to shut up—just like my sisters.

All five of them.

“Tomorrow’s one week. We have to,” I reply.

“Are you bringing us home?” Ebony asks, her frown deep, eyes crinkled.

She’s worried I’ll abandon her, but I’ve paid to have her for longer than a week.

And her question only irritates me further, making words I don’t mean spill from my mouth.

It seems my anger is slowly getting the better of me lately. “You’re mine. I paid for all three of you. You belong here now!”

Their reactions are immediate, all three of them recoiling. Maddison is the only one who manages to regain her composure, her face twisted into a grimace of distaste.

“Let’s go,” I say, heading for the door.

I snap my fingers, a jerk move, but it gets them moving out of my apartment for the first time in days. I guide them like a shepherd with his flock to the elevator, punching in the override code to take us straight down to the garage.

Then, I usher them from the elevator into my car. Finally, I let out a breath, relieved that we’ve dodged another run-in with Fennick, only to willingly drive into his territory.

The ride is filled with a heavy silence, the unasked questions hanging in the air like a strange odor. None of us want to go; none of us are looking forward to his company.

But we all know it’s necessary—we’re all heading to him to fulfill a ridiculous clause in the contract that seems just as pointless. Yet, here we are, silently covering the distance, each mile bringing us closer to Sanctum.

Then, it’s in sight, the building looming ominously in the near distance. My grip on the steering wheel tightens, my knuckles turning white as I pull up outside.

I refuse to park in the parking lot, leaving my car in the same spot I’ve used during my previous visits. Once again, I have to coax all three girls from my car and into the building.

Maddison takes the lead, guiding them through the doors of what feels like their personal torture chamber. She leads us straight through the back and into the private area.

Fennick is there, sitting by the stage with stacks of cash spread out before him. His shirt sleeves are rolled up, a cigar clamped between his teeth.

“Ah, I was wondering when you’d show up today. Cutting it a bit close, aren’t you, Asher?” he says.

“It hasn’t been a week yet,” I reply, taking a seat with Addison and Ebony standing behind me.

Maddison is the only one bold enough to move around the room, heading to the bar to pour drinks as if she’s slipped into her work persona.

Fennick grins down at the pile of cash in his hand. She’s obviously done something right.

And that just fucking infuriates me.