Shit, what in the hell just happened? Franco has just kissed a really beautiful woman as we entered the Cartel Exclusive Escort Agency.

I’m pretty fucking sure he used his tongue. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity.

What in the hell am I thinking? I can’t have any feelings for these guys. I can’t even compare to this woman Franco kissed.

She’s so tall and slender with her long hair flowing down her back.

These guys can have their choice of any kind of woman they want. Who am I compared to them?

“Maria, I’d like you to meet Sofia.” Franco motions toward me. “I have some business I need to take care of right now. So, I need you to take Sofia around here and introduce her to some of the girls.”

Maria nods with a smile. “Sure, no problem at all, Franco.”

She turns to me, and we shake hands.

“You’re so beautiful.” I sound like a fucking idiot.

“Well, thank you.” Maria blushes a bit.

When I say she looks like a model, I damn well mean it.

“Sofia, you’ll be in good hands with Maria. I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.” Franco heads out of the foyer and down a hallway. I have no idea where he’s heading, but I’m guessing his office here at the agency.

I’m left standing with Maria.

“Like Franco said, I’m Maria. I’m the head of the ladies here at the escort agency.” She smiles at me. “Even though I’m their boss, I still have a few clients. I didn’t want to give them up when Franco put me in charge. He said it was up to me.”

“I can understand that I guess.” I don’t know much about this kind of business so I’ve been soaking up as many details as I can.

“I had clients coming to me and saying if I didn’t keep them, they were going someplace else. I assured them we have other girls just as good as me, but they insisted.”

“It’s what they’re used to.” I sounded less like a fucking idiot.

“I don’t blame them a bit for wanting me to continue, though, so I obliged. Franco has treated me so well, I didn’t want to upset the clients we’ve worked hard to get.”

“I imagine that hurts business.”

“Of course.” Then, her smile disappears. “I’ve been here quite a while now, and Franco’s generosity continues to grow each year.”

“It’s great that he takes good care of you and the others.” My jealousy of this woman changes just a little bit—but only a little bit.

“Let’s go to our lounge area. I know a few of the girls are in there, and you can meet several of them.” Maria points me in the direction of a huge room off the foyer.

We stand in the opening between the foyer and the room.

“Hey, ladies, I want you to meet a friend of Franco’s. This is Sofia. Let’s give her a warm welcome. Make sure you take a couple of minutes and introduce yourself.”

As I move around the room, I meet each girl.

“Hello, Sofia, I’m Daniella.” She reaches for my hand. She’s a little taller than average, with long curly blonde hair.

I think back on the story Franco told me on the way here. I chuckle inside.

“Franco’s a great guy,” she says. “He takes good care of us. I go to uni so I can earn a degree and get a better job. For now, though, this job pays my bills. I couldn’t get through uni without it.”

As Daniella and I talk, another girl walks up to us.

‘Hi, Sofia. I’m Britney.” She shakes my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Britney.”

“I heard Daniella talking about going to uni. She’s right. I could never have afforded to go there if it wasn’t for Franco. This job pays for all of my tuition there. I don’t know what I would do without it.”

“And he’s not worried that he knows you’ll leave for a better job once you finish college?” I glance at each girl.

“Oh, no. Franco’s a very understanding man. He’s even offered to help us get jobs once we finish. He says he has connections to different businesses.” Britney’s face brightens at this prospect.

“I need to get to an appointment with a client. It was so nice to meet you, Sofia.” Daniella walks away, leaving me standing there with Britney.

“Did I hear you two talking about university?” Another girl walks up to Britney and me.

“Yes, Rita,” Britney says.

“Hello, Sofia.” The girl holds out her hand and shakes mine. “I’m Rita. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” I try to be as polite as they are.

I feel like a fucking broken record, though. But I can’t be rude. They’re being so nice to me, and they don’t seem stupid by any means.

“Hey, girls, how’s it going in here?” Franco enters the room where we’re hanging out and getting to know each other.

“It’s going great, Franco,” Rita says. “We’ve been taking turns introducing ourselves to Sofia here.”

“I appreciate that.” He leans into Rita and kisses her on the cheek.

I see his hand on her lower back.

“I’m sorry I had to leave you with the girls like that. But I had some pressing business I needed to take care of,” he says to me.

“Oh, you’re always taking care of business, Franco,” Britney says to him.

“Well, somebody has to do it or you won’t get paid.” Franco smiles back at Britney.

Maria joins the group again and says, “We appreciate that, Franco.”

I love the way this place makes me feel. I see the happiness these girls have in their eyes. I can tell that they’re one big happy family.

I know Franco will get tired of me sooner or later, though. He’ll be just like all the other relationships that I’ve had—even the one with my father. Franco will leave me when he gets tired of me.

I can’t let this man or his two brothers get in my way. I need to fucking focus on my job, get the work done like the senator tells me to do, and get the hell out of this place.

This is nice and all, but I have a job to do.