Stepping out of Madam’s office, I ignored Jerome’s glare.

I didn’t need him to spank me for being a bad employee. Not with my mind set on tracking down that bitch, Angel. I wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of here. I was starting to really hate coming, never knowing what it was I was going to find.

Hurrying down the steps, Madam’s words played on repeat inside my head.

I asked myself what Madam meant when she said she chose me for a reason. She didn’t choose me. I chose her. Signing up to be one of her paid escorts was my payback to Alex. I had been a bitch to my best friend by nearly getting her killed when I got rid of the money she found, and taking over her debt was the least I could do to make things right between us.

Madam.

What a fucking whore.

“She chose me,” I mumbled to myself with a constricted heart.

Lifting the small package still firmly clamped inside my hand, I shook my head with disbelief. A sour taste filled my mouth at how inconsiderate Madam was when speaking of Tonya. It made me sick. She didn’t care about us. To her, we were replaceable—there was always a young woman ready to pay her bills.

Marching up to Janine’s desk, I kept my head down, deep in thought.

And if what Madam said was true about Kelly, he knew about Tonya.

My feet dragged as I caught sight of the picture displayed on Janine’s phone.

Which would explain everything. Kelly’s taste for adventure and risk seemed to take on new heights these last 24 hours. Regret would do that to a man. Guilt made us all do funny things. And thinking about his requests, his need to constantly fuck me, he knew that Madam set him up to have Tonya killed. It was the only explanation. Sex was his escape, the only thing to truly take his mind off of what happened.

Janine glared as I passed.

Not having time to deal with her, I couldn’t peel my gaze away from the image displayed on her cell phone. It was of her parents and it made me think of my own.

Fuck.

“Have a nice day,” Janine called to me as I pushed through the front doors.

Working with Madam was like walking on thin ice. I never knew when I would fall into the freezing water below. And that was what made crossing Madam so dangerous. If she ever found out about me wanting to get out of my contract with her, she’d have my head.

Double fuck.

Looking up and down the street, I turned to my right and galloped up the tree-lined sidewalk with my mind spinning like a tornado.

Everyone’s faces kept flashing behind my lids. First Angel, then Kelly and Timothy, before finally ending with Madam and Tonya and coming back full-circle to Angel again.

Before my meeting with Madam, I thought it was Tonya I needed closure with. Then I’d be able to move on to dealing with my parents. But now I had little doubt I should first see what was up with my parents. Maybe it would be easier.

Rounding the corner at the next street, I headed toward the park I knew was only a block away. Ignoring the cars driving past, I barely recognized the potted plants and colorful flowers beautifully displayed in the yards in front of the buildings I strolled by.

I couldn’t just let this go.

That would be impossible.

My uncle wouldn’t stop until I did what he’d asked. He would keep finding ways to surprise me when I least expected him. And I would do anything to stop having to confront him, always being on edge thinking that he could be waiting around the next corner. It was no way to live. Even with Kelly’s promises to protect me.

Sucking back a deep breath, I lengthened my stride when the park was within sight.

Taking a seat on the first empty bench I came across, I knew it was time to confront the demons of my past. Setting Madam’s package off to my side, I dove my hand inside my tote, reaching for the phone number written on the back of Grandma’s will.

Shaking my head, I fluffed my hair and dialed the number. Wringing out my hands, I lifted the phone to my ear and waited for someone to pick up.

A child was swinging across the way.

A dog barked at a squirrel in a tree.

And time slowed as I waited to see who would be first to hear my voice.

Suddenly, the line clicked over and my heart stopped.

“Hello,” Mom’s frail voice answered.

It was clear she wasn’t the same woman she’d been when I left. I could hear it in her voice. It was older, weaker, with years of hidden torment and wisdom that whispered between her breaths.

“Hey, Ma.”

“Kendra?” I could practically see her brows pinch. “Is that you?”

My eyes felt heavy as I closed them. “It’s me.” My voice was soft. Much softer than I expected. When I thought there would be anger, there was only remorse.

She started laughing. “Tell your mother how it’s been living on the east coast.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I felt my mouth curve into a silly grin. It was a lie. Something I’d said to throw them off, knowing they would never have the means, or desire, to come after me if they thought I was living on the other side of the country.

“I’m back, Mom,” I said, nearly tearing up.

“In California?”

“In LA.”

“Thank God,” Mom rejoiced. “It is so good to hear your voice, baby.”

Opening my eyes, I turned my head and watched the kids playing on the slides. “Mom, how’s Dad?”

The line shuffled just before it went quiet. I could still hear Mom breathing, so I patiently waited for a response. “Not good, honey. Not good at all.”

Not sure whether I should laugh or cry, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

“He’s battling ALS.”

Thinking that this must be the trouble my uncle had warned me about, I didn’t know much about the disease. But I recalled the ice-bucket challenge sweeping the nation and figured if people were willing to put themselves through that kind of agony, it couldn’t mean anything good for those living with the illness.

“His body is deteriorating. Humble times, sweetie.” Mom’s voice was light. “Kendra, tell your mother what you do for a living. Do you have a boyfriend? Please don’t tell me you’re married.” She laughed.

I was mentally numb. Unresponsive. This was quickly becoming too much for me to handle. “I have to go, Ma.”

She sighed and her sadness could easily be felt through the line.

“I’ll call again soon.” I turned my head and sighed. “I promise.”

We said our goodbyes and I quickly put a request in for an Uber to pick me up before tucking my phone away. I didn’t feel any better than I had before the call. If anything, it only left me with more questions than answers. Though it was a good start, and now I knew what to prepare for the next time we did talk.

I caught movement off to my side. Turning, my eyes widened as I braced for impact.

Her beady eyes narrowed. “You’ve been looking for me?”