Yeahone of our sponsors provides a mansion with ocean views where girls can stay and get visits from clients. Youd have total run of the placeawesome media set-up, relaxing by the pool, unlimited access to whatever substances float your boat. Its a constant party.

Alarm bells began ringing in Hannahs head. Ricos description sounded a lot like the house that Jessie had mentioned last night. As keyed up as she was, it occurred to her that this would likely be her only chance to make sure she was on the right track before shed have to submit herself to the kind of interrogatory gauntlet she knew shed never pass. In that moment, she decided she had to go for broke.

That sounds awesome, she said as giddily as she could. And Elodie mentioned that there could be travel too?

Rico shot the other girl a nasty look that seemed to suggest shed spoken out of school. But when he turned back to Hannah, he had a big, clearly insincere smile on his face.

Let me put it this way. If you prove youre a gamer, a lot of opportunities are definitely available. I know girls who quit school just months before graduating because they were raking in more dough than doctors and lawyers. But for that to be you, youve got to put in the work. Are you up for that?

She pretended to take a second to think it over, then gave her most animated nod.

I am, she said.

Great, he said. Then Im going to drop Elodie off and you and I can go get started on that background check.

For the first time since shed gotten in the car, Hannah felt a flicker of what she thought might be real fear.

Now? she said.

Why waste time, right? he told her. The quicker you get the go-ahead, the quicker you can start making big bucks. And like I said, the clock is ticking for you. Once youre legal, your market value drops big time.

There was no way she could go with him. Once they did the background check and found out who she was, theyd immediately suspect her motives for agreeing in the first place. That severed head scenario suddenly seemed uncomfortably realistic.

I would totally do it today, she said. But I promised my mom Id pick up my grandpa from chemo today. She usually does it but she had a double shift. If Im not there when hes finished, theyll call her and Ill be screwed.

Rico stared at her silently for so long that she almost felt uncomfortable.

This isnt good, Hannah. How can we count on you when you cant even do the first big meet that I ask for? And how are you supposed to do your client work if you have to pick up your sick grandfather all the time?