Page 34 of Toxic Attraction
But Ethan's face flashes in my mind—trembling with fear, and trusting me to keep him safe. And I don't have a choice.
I pull out my phone and call Tash.
She answers immediately. "Please tell me you have good news because I'm dying in this godforsaken economics lecture."
"The nanny quit. Sofia offered me the position."
Silence. Then: "Holy shit, Val. That's—that's perfect! You'll have access to everything now!"
"I know."
"Then why do you sound like someone died?"
"Because Mila trusts me." My throat tightens. "She's seven, and she's been through hell, and she actually believes I care about her. And I'm lying. Using her to get to her father."
"You'resurviving." Tash's voice goes firm. "Doing what you have to do to keep your family alive. That's not using her—that's staying alive long enough to figure a way out."
"Feels the same."
"It's not." She pauses. "Look, this is huge. We should celebrate! I'm taking you out tonight. Club, drinks, dancing—"
"No. Absolutely not."
"Come on! You've been trapped in that fortress for a week—"
"Exactly. One week. I can't just disappear to a club. What if Lev has someone following me? What if Patrick sees me not taking this seriously? What if—"
"What if, what if." She sighs dramatically. "You're so boring now."
"I'm trying not to die."
"Fine. No club." I can hear the smile creeping into her voice. "But you could use this promotion to your advantage in other ways. Get closer to Lev.Personallycloser."
"Tash—"
"I'm just saying, the man clearly has a thing for you! Use it. Seduce him. Get him talking. Men are stupid when they're thinking with their—"
"I'm not seducing anyone!"
"Why not? You're already living in his house, taking care of his daughter. Just bat your eyelashes, wear something low-cut, and—"
"Have you completely lost your mind?"
"I'm being practical!" She's fully laughing now. "Or skip the subtle approach. 'Accidentally' walk in on him in the shower again. Worked last time."
"That wasn't—I didn't—" Words fail me completely.
"Or leave your door unlocked at night. Let him come to you. I bet he's the type who likes the chase but also likes taking what he wants—"
"I'm hanging up."
"Wait! What about roleplay? Pretend to be a helpless maid who needs discipline from her big, scary boss—"
"Goodbye, Tash!"
Her laughter follows me until I end the call.
Despite everything—the fear, the guilt, and the impossible trap, I catch myself smiling. Just for a second. Because Tash is ridiculous and inappropriate and exactly what I needed.
