Chapter Fifty-Seven: Harlow

“I was thinking of how we could spin this whole thing to make more money. Obviously we can’t have a virgin auction, because you my dear, are most definitely not a virgin.”

Harlow pushed herself up off Hudson Rose’s desk, closing her eyes for a brief moment as she attempted to pull herself together. This wasn’t any different than what she’d done with Theon for Cara, before she’d known him. But because of her feelings for Theon, even though they weren’t actually together, and also because she’d told herself at least a dozen times since finding out that Briar was her sister that it needed to stay that way, what had happened between her and Hudson Rose felt a thousand times dirtier. All she really wanted to do was take a steaming hot shower, and scour her skin with a loofah until she felt clean again.

It wasn’t that the sex had been bad. It was obvious that Hudson knew what he was doing. And he’d obviously had an interest in making her feel good, which had surprised Harlow more than anything else that had happened that day. But he wasn’t Theon and that was about the only thing that Harlow could think about as she eased herself away from him, going to sit on one of the two seats that faced his desk as she pulled her dress back on over her head and tugged it into place.

“What’s your idea?” She finally asked, when it was obvious that he was waiting for her to have some sort of reaction.

“We’ll limit the auction. We’ll make it even more exclusive than they normally are. And then I’ll only invite wolf shifters.” Harlow narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. She had a feeling she knew where this was going and she wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about it.

“Why only werewolves?” She knew he wanted her to ask the question, and so she did.

“Because you may not be a virgin when you’re on two legs, but no one has taken you in your wolf form. I’ll auction both. You’ll go to stay with whoever wins you, until your first shift. Before your shift, you’ll service whoever it is in any way that they desire. Once you shift, they’ll have you in your wolf form too. On your first shift.” Hudson looked pleased with himself, as he regarded her from across the table.

“I’ll do it. Under one condition.”

Hudson rolled his eyes before gesturing for her to go on.

“One year. I will only give you one year. It’s enough that I’ll miss twelve months of my daughter’s life. I don’t want to miss a day more than I have to. And if what you’re auctioning off with me is so rare, then I imagine it will get you what you’re looking for in terms of a payday.”

The corners of Hudson’s mouth quirked upwards as he regarded the little She-Wolf who had never shifted, for a long moment.

“You’ve got a deal, Princess. Why don’t you go get cleaned up. I’ll send Stephen and the team up to help you get ready.” It was obvious that she was dismissed and Harlow stood and turned to go, her hand touching the doorknob before she realized that she had one last question that needed answering.

“Should you have worn a condom? I mean, I was on birth control but that was before my life was turned upside down and my apartment was smashed up and I was kidnapped.”

“I’m clean. And you don’t have to worry about getting knocked up by a dragon shifter. I believe the chances of a dragon shifter impregnating another dragon shifter stands somewhere around ten percent. With a human it’s around one percent. And with a shifter of another type, it’s barely higher. Still less than two in a hundred. And the chances that the child will be brought to term is even lower. So no, Harlow. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

She nodded and turned back towards the door, not telling him that she still thought he should have gloved up, although the thought was most certainly in her mind. But she stopped a second time before she’d walked out of his office, and turned to face him again. His expression seemed to be vaguely amused, which only irritated her more than she already was.

“If I do, by some slim chance, fall pregnant I want to be released from my contract. And I want that in my contract when I sign it.” Hudson laughed, shaking his head.

“It isn’t going to happen. So I’ll do it. I’ll have the contract drawn up with that in it. If, at any time, you become pregnant with my child, you are immediately freed of the contract. It will be null and void if you ever are blessed to carry a future Rose dragon shifter. But you have to know. If that happens, as surely as that child will be mine, you will be as well. You may not have to work at the brothel and you’ll be taken care of for the rest of your life, but you certainly won’t be free.”

“As long as it’s in the contract.”

“It will be. I’ll have it drawn up and sent up to you. But Harlow. I plan on enjoying the next year thoroughly. Don’t plan on leaving early. It isn’t going to happen.” Harlow nodded before turning on her heel and actually walking out of the room this time. Hudson’s assistant, the leggy blonde super model look alike who’d been there earlier, smirked at Harlow as she walked by, but Harlow ignored her. She didn’t have time for drama. And she certainly wasn’t going to be competing with any of the women here for Hudson Rose’s affection. It wasn’t something that she wanted or needed.

Breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Caelan standing in the hallway outside the waiting area, she headed in his direction.

“She’s free.” She sighed the words, not entirely surprised that he already seemed to know.

“I know,” he confirmed what she’d guessed. “My cousin told me, via our own mind connection, the moment he made the agreement. Taking a deep breath as he gestured down the hallway, Harlow watched as his nose wrinkled ever so slightly. “He also told me where I’m taking you. He didn’t tell me that you had to fuck him to get that deal though. Or did you actually want him?” Caelan’s tone made it clear that he found that scenario unlikely.

Harlow didn’t say anything as they walked to the elevators, but when they stopped to wait for the doors to open she finally spoke.

“I wanted my sister free. And I did what I had to do to make that happen.”

“Fuck.” Caelan swore under his breath as they walked together into the elevator.

“I have a question, Caelan? What happens if the contract is broken? I know there’s a spell, but I don’t have much experience with witches.”

“You don’t want to break the contract, Harlow.” His eyes grew serious, and as he turned to face her, Harlow couldn’t help but realize just how enormous and muscular the dragon shifter was. He could crush her with one arm if he wanted to.

“I’m not planning on it. I just want to know what happens.”

Caelan shook his head, waiting until the doors of the elevator had opened and they were walking side by side, before he answered.

“Pain. Unimaginable pain. Everywhere. If you don’t rectify what you’ve done, you’ll go mad within the day from it. It’s only happened once, that I know of here. One of the girls fell in love with a John. He told her he’d take her with him if she could go now, but he wouldn’t wait around for her until the final six months of her contract were over. He didn’t have the money to buy her out of her time either. Or he didn’t want to spend it. Anyways, she tried to run away, to go after him. When the curse kicked in she ended up jumping off the top of one of the buildings rather than coming back. So again, don’t sign that contract unless you plan on carrying through with what you’re agreeing to.”

“Understood.” Harlow bit her lip and waited for him to swipe them into her new suite. “Now wash up. The last thing you need to do is have Stephen catch you reeking of Hudson. He’s one of the worst gossips in this entire business. Everyone will know by the day’s end if he finds out. And that would not make things easy for you with the other girls.”

“Thanks Caelan.” He nodded his head and turned to go. “I’ll be back when the contract is ready. Make sure you’re certain. Once you sign it, there’s no going back.”

Harlow closed the door and sank down against the smooth wood, giving herself a moment to breathe. She wasn’t sure she was doing the right thing, but she couldn’t let Briar down. So clinging to that thought she climbed back onto her feet and headed to the bathroom. She had a contract to sign and an auction to get ready for, and no one was going to want to wait around for her to dry her tears.