Cover

Content Warning

Content warning: Please be aware this book contains torture, which may be a trigger for some readers. Proceed with caution.

Chapter One

West

Death was at my door when I opened it. Not figuratively, but literally—Death, the person who did security for the place where I worked. He leaned against the wall opposite my room.

“You ready, kid?”

With a shaky smile, I shrugged to play off how I was about to shit myself. “As long as you don’t call me kid, sure.” I stepped out of my assigned room and into the hall. He started down the hall, and I fell into step beside him. I pressed a hand to my stomach. There was a chance I would vomit, which wouldn’t be pretty, so I swallowed thickly and prayed my light dinner wouldn’t revolt on me.

“Can’t help it. You’re a lot younger than me,” he said. Then, in the next breath, he gave me the rundown on the device I had to wear on my suit while assuring me he would be my backup for that night.

Were they expecting something to go wrong?

That didn’t help my nerves one bit.

In fact, I wondered if Death would mind a pit stop to a toilet, so I didn’t shit myself.

“Wait,” I said, holding my hand up. Turning, I pressed that palm onto the underground garage wall and breathed deeply to try and control my bodily functions.

I hadn’t been kidding. My gut swirled so much it put pressure on my bowels. I inhaled and squeezed my ass cheeks together. If my parents saw me now, they’d disown me. Actually, if my religious and very strict parents saw me and knew I was gay, they’d kick my ass and then disown me. Luckily, they knew nothing about my new job as an escort or the fact I was gay. Something I hid since they would be disgusted.

“West, you okay?”

“Yep,” I chirped and used my free hand to give him the thumbs-up.

Death snorted. “You look like you’re gonna hurl. You don’t have to do this, you know?” His hand landed on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

I pressed a palm to my stomach and straightened. Come on, West. You’re being a chicken-shit. You don’t even have to have sex. It’s a date, for God’s sake.

Nodding to myself, I faced Death, and his hand fell away. “I’m fine. You just threw me with all the protectiveness.” I let out a huff of laughter. “Like you think something will go on.”

Death smiled softly. Even if he was a large man covered in tats and looked scary, he was still a sweetheart under it all. Not that I would tell him. I’d get my head bitten off.

“Don’t stress, kid—fuck, West. I’m sure nothin’ will happen.”