Read Online Wanted: A Blood Courtesans Novel by Michelle Fox, Kristen Strassel - Free Book Online Page B

Corynne once she got settled that evening. As much as I’d liked the sexy gowns that left nothing to the imagination, I loved her casual clothes more. In jeans and a sweater, she had no problem curling up on my couch in front of the fire, with a pillow against her chest and fingers twirling in her ponytail. This was who she’d been before she came to me, and I hoped she’d someday consider this her home.
    Corynne’s face brightened with my question. “I don’t know that much about her, actually. I met her at the dinner before the auction. I know she’d been here several times before. I have no idea why she was so determined to get picked.”
    “Money, usually.” They wanted something they were willing to sell a piece of themselves for. Some things more admirable than others.
    “I’m not here for money,” she reminded me. “I liked Olivia because she wanted to help me. She didn’t have to do that. I realized she could’ve been giving me complete shit advice, since it was her third attempt at selling herself to a vampire. I figured it couldn’t have been so bad if she kept coming back for another crack at it. Even if she did need the money, I think she needed other things more; a friend, and someplace she belonged.”
    I leaned over the back of the couch and kissed the top of Corynne’s head. She looked up at me, dazed. Giving the pillow another squeeze, she smiled.
    I sat next to her. “Remind me what happened to her at auction, and at the reception. I only had eyes for you that night.”
    The grin that spread across her face was worth every cent I paid her to stay with me. “She went right before me. For two hundred bucks! At first no one bid. I was pretty horrified. She’s little, blonde, and beautiful. I figured I didn’t stand a chance if that’s what she got. And she was so excited about it. At the reception, her vampire got pretty frisky with her. Had her dress down around her waist, and she was covered with blood.”
    “That’s usually what happens at the reception. We feed, the girls get paid, and we go our separate ways.” I’d done it so many times. If I were just hungry, I’d bid on a girl with no V on her chest. The virgins were pure, but the other girls knew exactly what they wanted. “Most of the courtesans go for under a thousand dollars.”
    Corynne took a moment to consider that and frowned. “I had a bad feeling about what happened to her, even before I knew what the rogue vampires had done. Problem is, I don’t know if it’s a legit premonition or if I’m making it happen.”
    She looked at me, eyes wide, unblinking, full of fear. “Come here,” I said, holding out my hand to her. She crawled into my lap, and rested her head on my shoulder. That wave of power that I’d felt the night she was onstage slammed against me. Time to find out what it meant. “What are you thinking about?”
    “Olivia, ripped up and dirty, sitting on the ground. She’s got leaves stuck in her hair, and she’s bleeding. A lot.” Corynne squeezed her eyes closed and burrowed against me. “I’m scared for her.”
    “What were you thinking about the night of the auction?” I asked.
    Corynne picked up her head, her gaze full of disbelief. “What does it matter? I need to know that she’s safe, and not with some lunatic vampire who paid nothing for the chance to ruin her life.” She pushed away from me, off the couch. She stood in front of the fire, staring into it. “There should be a minimum bid, to protect the courtesans.”
    I was behind her immediately, and she bristled at the intrusion. “You’re radiating the same power that you did the night of the auction. The one that drew me to you. If your thoughts are similar to that night, we can figure out if you’re simply worried about your friend or if it’s something we need to investigate.”
    “If I’d had anywhere to go, I would’ve run as far away from that stage as I could when she got that bid. I was terrified for her.” She