The rain poured mercilessly, drumming against the roof of the sleek black car as it slowed to a stop.
Duke barely looked up from the steering wheel. He had seen her the moment she stepped onto the roadside a girl, alone, drenched in the rain.
Kay, seated beside him, tilted her head. "Hmm…"
Her eyes scanned the girl with silent curiosity. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself, shivering, hopeless.
"Interesting."
Duke's fingers tapped against the wheel. He wasn't in the mood for games. "Let's go."
"Wait." Kay's voice was smooth, teasing. "We might have found something useful."
Duke sighed. "This is a bad idea."
"Bad ideas are my specialty."
She rolled down the window. The girl barely reacted, her body stiff as the rain continued to drench her. Kay smiled.
"Now, now… what is a girl like you doing out here all alone?"
There was no answer. Only the sound of distant thunder.
Kay's lips curved. "You're either running away from something, or you have nowhere to go. Which is it?"
The girl swallowed hard. "…I have nowhere to go."
"How convenient." Kay leaned back in her seat, glancing at Duke. "I think she'll do."
Duke's jaw tightened. "There are other options. Women who make sense. Someone polished, from a respectable family. Someone who understands discretion."
Kay's laugh was soft, knowing. "You think those women wouldn't turn on us the moment they got a better offer?"
Duke didn't answer.
"We need someone desperate, someone with no ties, no backup, no safety net. Someone we can control."
Duke exhaled sharply. "This is dangerous."
"So is every deal we make."
Kay turned back to the girl, her expression unreadable.
"Get in."
The girl hesitated. Her fingers twitched toward the door handle, her instincts screaming at her to run. But the night was cold, the world outside was cruel, and she had nothing.
She pulled the door open.
And just like that she was theirs.
Inside the Car
The silence was suffocating.
Nora sat stiffly in the backseat, her hands gripping the hem of her wet dress. The warmth of the car was overwhelming after the cold rain.
Kay crossed her legs, watching her through the rearview mirror.
"What's your name?"
"Nora."
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen "
Kay smiled. "Perfect."
Duke remained silent, his grip tightening on the wheel.
"You should be grateful," Kay continued smoothly. "We're doing you a favor. A girl like you… you wouldn't last long out there."
Nora's jaw clenched. "Why are you helping me?"
Kay's laughter was like velvet. "Because I like you, dear."
Duke exhaled sharply. "Cut to the chase, Kay."
Kay turned in her seat, her eyes locking onto Nora's. The warmth in her voice vanished, replaced by something colder, sharper.
"We don't do charity. Everything comes at a price."
Nora's fingers tightened around her dress. "What do you want from me?"
Kay smiled.
"For now? Just your obedience."
Duke's grip on the wheel tightened. This was the beginning of a game he wasn't sure they would win.
But one thing was certain
They had just made a deal with the devil.