He knew he was a good-looking man and used it to his favour. He knew how to look into someone’s eyes so they blushed and looked away, and that a well-timed smile could win almost anyone over. The slightest touch, like placing his hand on someone’s thigh or holding a hug farewell a beat too long, could earn him thousands in the end. Extorting money from a stranger’s family was only half of the execution. Seduction always played a part.

His phone vibrated in his pocket.

Are you awake?

James smirked as he read the text. His latest catch was well and truly in the net. He almost pitied him. Almost.

I am now, James replied.

Almost immediately, he texted back.

Sorry. Woke up and thought of you.

James looked at himself in the mirror. He looked good for someone who had been up for almost twenty-four hours. Tired around the eyes maybe, but still desirable. Far better than he had looked as a young teenager, when he had been overweight and smothered in cystic acne, and was so shy that he struggled to meet anyone’s eye. But he wasn’t that little boy any more. He didn’t need food to fill the void when deception tasted so sweet. But silver stretch marks lingered on his hips and in his groin as a cruel reminder of who he had been before.

He ran his fingers through his hair and gave himself a once-over in the mirror. He needed to sleep for a little while before the day unfolded; perhaps sex would help.

Come over.

James had begun to brush his teeth when the next text came through. Penelope scratched at the other side of the door.

I can’t. She’s in bed.

James rolled his eyes and continued brushing. He washed his face and body in the sink. When he was clean and ready, he picked up Penelope and headed down to the front door.

The door’s on the latch, he texted back.

James carried Penelope into the living room and kissed her on the head.

‘Daddy’s got some work to do,’ he said as he placed her in the dog bed and shut the door behind him.

When he was back in his room, he straightened out the creases in the sheets and plumped up the pillows. He stripped himself naked, changed into a tight pair of underwear, and positioned himself on the bed.

Minutes later he heard him on the stairs.

James’ heart began to race. Manipulating others was perhaps the best rush he had ever had, like a drug or an orgasm. Somewhere along the way, it had stopped being purely about the money. More and more, it became about the catch. After years of being sneered at for being spotty, overweight and attracted to the same sex, he was finally desirable; he was finally in control.

Richard appeared in the doorway and their eyes met.