Page 21 of Good Girls Beg

"Agreed," Mr. Middle said. "But you don't discuss our arrangement with your classmates or friends. Not the specifics." Again, he nodded toward the paper.

That was also understandable. I'd have to explain to Lyra and my fathers why I was suddenly living with three strange men, but I didn't need to tell them how much money was involved, not until the year was over.

"You said everything has to be consensual," I said. I wanted to be perfectly clear and straight on that point.

"Completely consensual." Mr. Middle raised his hand as if to rub his chin, but remembered his mask covered his face.

I suspected he'd toe the boundaries. They all would. But they wouldn't cross them. How blurred would they get over the next twelve months? Considering I'd been thinking about them chasing me only a couple of minutes ago, they wouldn't be the only ones toeing the line.

"So, if I never want to fuck any of you, that's okay?" I asked.

That was blunt, but I wanted the situation to be crystal clear. I didn't know what to make of Mr. Middle. Mr. Bored was an asshole, and I was still pissed off with Blondie. If they thought they were getting a live-in prostitute, they needed to think again.

"That would be all right," Mr. Middle said stiffly. He didn't seem to like it, but he was willing to agree to it. He must have known I'd walk away if he didn't.

"If you want to fuck us all, that would be okay, too," Mr. Bored said, as if he was very certain I'd spread my legs for him the minute I got the chance.

I was looking forward to proving him wrong.

"I'll be sleeping in my own room," I said half-question, half-statement.

"You'll have your own room and bathroom," Mr. Middle agreed. "We all have our own space. You won't entertain other men while you're living with us."

I figured that one out already. I was curious to know if they shared with each other from time to time, but I knew I wouldn't get an answer to that question if I asked. Not yet, anyway. I decided to ask a different question.

"Do I have to pay rent?"

"All your expenses will be covered," Mr. Middle said.

"All of them?" I could save some money before I got the rest of the payment for this proposal.

"Everything," he agreed.

"I can come and go as I need to?" I asked.

I figured it'd be a good idea to confirm I wasn't going to be locked in the basement for a year. Although it would give me time to catch up on binge-watching a ton of shows, and all the books I wanted to read. A year might put a slight dent in my TBR.

"You can," Mr. Middle said slowly, "but you'll need to keep us informed of where you're going and how long you'll be."

"Will you be doing the same for me?" I asked.

"Absolutely not," Mr. Bored drawled. "Are we done now? I'm sick of this fucking mask."

A couple of kids slowed as they ran past, staring at the three men sitting there with their faces covered. If they went off and told their carers, that might create trouble. As it was, it was likely creating gossip. The grapevine in Saltgrave Cove was as rapid as it was for any city of its size. I wouldn't be surprised if this got back to my fathers before I had a chance to explain.

"I've sent a contract to your email," Mr. Middle said. "All you need to do is sign."

"You’re very sure I'd agree," I said, checking my email and hoping the address it was sent from would give me some clue as to who he really was. It didn't. His email address was the same as his handle on the crowdfunding app, Hel6913. Of course it was.

"We know how important the bar is to you." Mr. Middle rolled his shoulders, putting further strain on the seams of his shirt. "People will do any number of things to help the people they care about."

"Is that what this is about for you?" I scanned the contract, my gaze flicking up at him and back down at the screen. "You want to help."

Whatever he was getting out of this transaction, saving the bar was the least of it. What I didn't know was, what was the rest of it? It couldn't be just about me, could it? Why me of all people? That was another question I'd have to wait for the answer to.

"Yeah, he's well-known for being generous," Mr. Bored said sarcastically. "Sign so we can get the hell out of here."

"You're a ray of fucking sunshine," I told him. Getting through the year without fucking him was going to be a breeze. I didn't know why he didn't get up and walk away if he was so impatient to leave.