Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“Did you have a good time?” he asks Nate, his tone begrudgingly neutral.
Nate nods vigorously. “Yes, Daddy! I loved it. Can I go with Mommy again?”
Christopher looks at me, a flicker of something—maybe surprise, maybe something else—in his eyes. “We’ll see,” he says noncommittally.
I kneel down to hug Nate tightly. “I’ll see you soon, okay? Be good.”
Nate hugs me back just as tightly. “Okay, Mommy. I love you.”
“I love you too, Nate.”
As I walk away, my heart aches with the bittersweet pain of parting, but I hold onto the hope that today’s small victory is the start of something better for us both.
As I get ready to head to Club Greed for my first night as a Greedy Girl, I can’t tamp down the excitement coursing through me. Butterflies dance in my stomach, a mix of nerves and anticipation. I don’t know if I’m more excited to see Father Carmichael or to earn some extra money to help aid my case.
It’s the money. Yes. Definitely. Who am I kidding? I’d do anything to steal a glance at the Father’s baby blues one more time. Why does he have to be so good-looking? It’s kind of unfair. A man like him—gorgeous and compassionate—never being allowed to have a relationship with anyone. I wonder what made him decide to become a priest. Was it a calling? A moment of clarity? Or something else entirely?
I want to learn everything about him, but as I slide on a simple black dress, I try to remember the task at hand: gain the Delgados' trust. The dress clings to my curves just right, exuding a subtle allure. I fix my wig, ensuring it's perfectly in place, transforming my appearance with the short, sleek strands.
As I apply my makeup, I focus on creating a look that’s both captivating and mysterious. Heavy smokey eyes that draw attention to my gaze, fire-engine red lipstick that adds a bold pop of color. Each brushstroke and application feels like donning armor, preparing myself for the night ahead. The persona I’m crafting is confident and alluring, everything I need to be to blend in at Club Greed.
My mind drifts back to Father Carmichael. The way his eyes crinkle when he smiles, the warmth in his voice when he talks about helping others. The conflicting emotions inside me are almost overwhelming. How can someone so dedicated to his faith also stir such feelings in me?
I shake my head, trying to clear the thoughts. This isn’t the time for distractions. I need to focus on the mission. Gain the Delgados' trust, get the information Father Carmichael needs, and help secure the future I want for Nate and me.
Stepping back, I take a final look in the mirror. The transformation is complete. Gone is the struggling single mother, replaced by a confident, enigmatic woman ready to take on the night. I grab my purse, checking one last time that everything is in place. Wig secure, makeup flawless, dress perfect.
Check. Check. Check.
I head to Club Greed, my nerves bubbling through me. "I can do this," I say to myself, trying to muster the confidence I need.
When I enter the club, the dim lighting and pulsing music greet me, and my anxiety spikes. Adele is there, her familiar smile instantly putting me at ease. She walks over, leading me to a small server area tucked away from the main floor.
“I just want to make sure you’re up for this, Lina,” she says, her blue eyes kind and reassuring.
I nod, feeling a bit more grounded in her presence. “They won’t make me do anything I don’t want to do, right?”
Adele shakes her blonde head, her expression serious. “No. You’re in control. Just stick to taking drink orders and making sure they’re happy.”
I nod again, more vigorously this time. “Okay. I can do that.”
She leads me down a narrow hallway lined with private rooms on either side. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation and mystery. “Remember, Father Carmichael is watching,” she adds, her tone soft but firm.
That tidbit of knowledge makes my nerves heighten tenfold. Just knowing he’s there, watching, studying, making sure I’m okay, makes my insides tingle with a mix of anxiety and something else—something that feels a lot like desire. It’s bad to want a priest, right? Of course it is.
However, the way he looks at me sometimes isn’t how I’d expect a priest to look at a woman. There’s an intensity, a depth in his gaze that makes me feel seen in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.
As I follow Adele, I can’t help but replay our previous interactions in my mind. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled at Nate, the genuine concern in his voice when he talked about helping others. It’s confusing and exhilarating all at once.