On His Bankruptcy Day, I Gave Him Condoms

When Elias McKay was disowned, the citys elite eagerly awaited my downfall. Id abandoned my arranged fianc for this promising man, only for his stepfamily to seize control, turning him from golden boy to stray dog overnight. I was labeled shortsighted and gold?digging.

Elias stood under a bridge, smoking.

I walked over in heels and slipped a small box into his suit pocket.

He looked downa pack of three ultra?thin condoms.

Whats this supposed to mean? His voice was rough.

We didnt use protection that last night before you vanished. I patted his shoulder. Sell them for a meal. Consider it severance.

Elias stared before letting out a low laugh. Audrey Reed, youre ruthless.

Just matching your style, I replied, turning to leave.

He caught my wrist, grip crushing. If were ending this, return the Patek Philippe Celestial you took from my house years ago.

That watch was his mothers last gift before she died. Id meant to give it back when he recovered.

I lost it, I lied.

Eliass eyes darkened. He released me. Get out.

I walked away.

My phone buzzed instantly: Matt NothEliass half?brother, the McKay heir nowwants to see you. 8 PM, penthouse suite, The Platinum Hotel.

1.

Truth be told, I was even poorer than Elias. My father was a gambler, my mother ran off, and Id been working since I was sixteen to support myself. For the three years I was with Elias, all my living expenses came from him; I hadn't saved a dime. Now that he was down and out, I couldnt even cover next months rent.

My phone vibrated with an unknown number.

Miss Reed? I have a job for you. Interested?

What kind of job?

The new golden boy of the McKay family, Eliass half-brother, Matt Noth. He wants to see you. Tonight at 8 PM, penthouse suite, The Platinum Hotel.

I sneered. He wants me to entertain him?

Conversation, five hundred an hour.

Miss Reed, I hear youre a bit short on cash lately. Matt said if you agree to come, hell pay a ten thousand advance.

I looked at the watch in my drawer, remembering Elias under the bridge, smoking.

Send me the address.

When I walked into The Platinum Hotel wearing my only presentable little black dress, the security guards gazes were like they were sizing up a commodity with a price tag.

The penthouse suite door was ajar. Matt Noth stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to me, a striking resemblance to Elias.

You came? He didnt turn around. Close the door.

I closed it.

When he finally turned, I noticed he was thinner than Elias, with a more feminine cast to his features. His gaze, when it landed on me, held a calculating scrutiny, as if appraising my worth.

My brother has good taste, he said, walking towards me, his fingers hooking under my chin. Too bad hes an idiot. Got into a huge fight with the family over you, and now look, hes got nothing to show for it.

I slapped his hand away. Mr. Noth, Im here for conversation, not to sleep with you.

Is there a difference? He chuckled. Women like you, dont you just do whatever for money?

I turned to leave.

Twenty thousand, he said. Stay tonight, the money will be in your account by morning.

My hand was already on the doorknob.

Thirty thousand, he upped the ante. Audrey Reed, your gambler father went to Vegas again yesterday and racked up an eighty thousand debt with loan sharks. What do you think those debt collectors will do when they find you?

A chill ran down my spine. How did he know?

Ive looked into you, Matts voice was laced with amusement. Thoroughly. You stole a classmates eraser in third grade, got disciplined in middle school for fighting, and in high school, working at a karaoke bar, a customer touched your leg, and you smashed a bottle over his head Tsk tsk, quite the firecracker.

I slowly turned around.

Fifty thousand. Matt loosened his tie. Spend three days with me. After that, Ill clear your fathers debt and give you another hundred thousand. You can go wherever you please.

I stared at him. Does Elias know youre so interested in his ex-girlfriend?

He knows, Matts smile was malicious. Im doing it on purpose. Ever since we were kids, Ive wanted everything he had. Toys, rooms, our fathers attention now its your turn.

What if I refuse?

Then you wont be leaving this hotel tonight. He pressed a button on his phone, and footsteps sounded outside the door, at least four or five people. I dont like being refused.

2.

My mind raced. Fighting was clearly out of the question. Call the police? Matt was bold enough to do this, he must have everything covered.

I need to think about it, I stalled for time.

You have ten seconds, Matt began to count down. Ten, nine

When he got to three, I spoke. I agree.

He raised an eyebrow. That quick?

But I have conditions, I said. First, half the money has to be transferred to my account now. Second, you cant touch me these three days C I mean any physical contact. Third, I want to see Elias once.

Matt narrowed his eyes. See my brother? Still carrying a torch for him?

I want to tell him to his face that I chose you. I forced a smile. Thats what makes it truly exciting, isnt it?

He stared at me for a long time, then burst out laughing.

Fine! Audrey Reed, youve got guts! He pulled out his phone and made the transfer. Twenty-five thousand, half upfront. The rest tomorrow morning. As for seeing my brother Ill take you tomorrow.

My phone vibrated with the deposit notification. I looked at the string of numbers, my heart pounding.

Matt gestured to the sofa. Now, drink with me.

I cant remember how much I drank that night, only that Matt kept badmouthing Elias. He talked about how Elias had bullied him as a child, how he was their fathers favorite, and how Elias pretended to be high-minded but had a messy private life.

Hes slept with more women than youve had hot meals, Matt guzzled some whiskey. Do you really think he loved you? He just wanted to spite my dad, to prove he was independent.

I clutched my glass and said nothing.

But youre pretty impressive yourself, he leaned closer, his boozy breath hot on my face. To make him break with his family over you. Too bad, though, my dad gave me everything before he died. Elias is a pathetic loser now, cant even support himself. You still expect him to save you?

I dont expect anything from him, I said.

Smart girl, Matt patted my cheek. Stick with me, and youll be set.

He drunkenly slumped onto the sofa and fell asleep.

I carefully got up, rummaged in my bag for the sleeping pills Id prepared, crushed them, poured them into his remaining drink, stirred it, and then helped him drink it. Matt mumbled a few words and then completely passed out.

I quickly searched him, found his phone, unlocked it with his fingerprint, and went to his contacts. Sure enough, Eliass number was there, saved as Useless Brother. I jotted down the number, deleted the record, and put the phone back. Then I took a wad of cash from his wallet, about two thousand, and snagged the Rolex from the table C that should fetch another fifteen thousand or so.

After all that, I took a picture of the sleeping Matt and sent it to my phone. Just to be safe.

It was 3 AM when I left the hotel. I hailed a cab and gave the address of the bridge Elias had mentioned earlier.

The driver looked at me in the rearview mirror. Miss, thats not a safe area.

Just drive.

When we arrived, Elias wasnt there. The bridge underpass was empty, save for a few homeless people sleeping. I tried calling the number. It rang three times, then picked up.

It was Eliass voice, tired and hoarse, asking who it was.

Its me, I said. Where are you?

A long silence followed.

Audrey Reed?

Matt found me, I said bluntly. He wanted me to spend three days with him, offered me a hundred thousand, and said hed clear my dads debt. I agreed, took twenty-five thousand as a deposit, and now Im on the run.

Another pause. Then I heard him curse under his breath.

Send me your location, he said. Stay put, Im coming to get you.