FILTHY LITTLE ASSISTANT

I sat in the back of the black car, staring at my suitcase. The broken wheel just reminded me how messed up everything was.The driver hadn't said a word. Just opened the door, waited for me to get in, closed it behind me.

I was really leaving. Going back to Texas with nothing.

The car door opened again.

Enzo slid into the seat next to me.

My heart jumped. "What!"

"Drive," he told the driver. The car started moving.

I moved as far away from him as I could. "What are you doing?"

"We need to talk." He settled back in the seat, looking completely relaxed. Like this was normal.

"About what? He already said no. I failed."

"Did you?" Enzo's mouth curved into that smile.

I stared at him. "He told me to leave. He said I wasn't right for the job."

"He said a lot of things." Enzo turned to face me. "Tell me, Jolene. What did you think of the interview?"

"What does it matter? It's over."

"Just answer the question."

I looked away. "It was awful. He made me feel like shit."

"And how did that make you feel?"

"What do you think?" My voice cracked. "Like an idiot. Like I was nothing."

"But you didn't leave."

"What?"

"When he was insulting you, making you feel like shit, you didn't walk out. You stayed. You begged for another chance." He leaned closer. "Why?"

"Because I need this job."

"Say it again."

"I need this job," I repeated.

"Louder."

"I need this job!" My voice broke. "I have nothing else. Nowhere else to go. I'll do anything"

"There it is." Enzo reached out and caught my chin, turning my face toward him. "That desperation. That honesty. That's what we wanted to see."

I tried to pull away but his grip was firm.

"What are you talking about?"

"The interview was a test, Jolene." He laughed a little. His thumb ran across my bottom lip. "All of it. You walked into my room, the interview, Marco kicking you out. We were testing you the whole time."

My brain stopped working.

"Testing me?"

"Marco needed to know if you'd break under pressure. If you'd run when things got hard. If you'd fight for what you wanted." His hand slid from my chin to the side of my neck. "You passed."

"I..i what?"

"You got the job."

The words didn't make sense. I stared at him.

"You're lying."

"I'm not." His hand was warm against my throat. Not squeezing, just resting there. A reminder that he could. "Marco wants someone who won't quit. Someone who needs this badly enough to endure anything. Someone..." His thumb pressed against my pulse. "Someone we can mold."

Humiliation washed over me. They played me. Made me beg. Made me cry. Watch me fall apart. All as some sick test.

"You're an asshole," I whispered.

He laughed. Actually I laughed. "There she is. I was wondering when you'd grow a spine."

"Fuck you." The words came out before I could stop them. "You think this is funny? Playing with people? Making them feel like shit for your entertainment?"

"Careful, Jolene." His hand tightened slightly on my throat. Not hurting, but warning. "You still need this job, remember?"

"Maybe I don't want it anymore. Maybe I don't want to work for people who get off on humiliating others."

"Really?" He leaned in close, his breath against my ear. "Then tell me to stop the car. Tell the driver to take you to the airport. Walk away."

I opened my mouth. Nothing came out.

"That's what I thought." His hand slid down from my neck to my chest. "You're angry. Good. Use that. But don't forget, you need us more than we need you."

I hated how right he was.

"Say it," he demanded.

"I need the job."

"Beg for it."

My face burned. "What?"

"You heard me. Beg me for this job. Convince me you want it."

"Please." The word tasted bitter. "Please let me have this job."

"Louder. Like you mean it."

"Please!" My voice cracked. "I need this. I'll do whatever you want. Just please"

"Good girl." His hand moved lower, fingers trailing between my breasts. Not quite touching, but close enough to make my breath catch. "So here's how this works. You do exactly what Marco tells you. No questions. No complaints. Understand?"

I nodded.

"Say it."

"I understand."

"And me?" His voice got quieter. "What are you going to do when I give you orders?"

My mouth went dry. "I..I don't work for you."

"Don't you?" His hand pressed flat against my stomach. "You think Marco makes decisions alone? You think he didn't talk to me before choosing you?"

The pieces clicked together.

"You're part of this. Part of the decision."

"Smart girl." His hand stayed where it was, burning through my blouse. "So when I tell you to do something, you'll do it. Just like you will for Marco. Because you need this job so badly you'll endure anything. Won't you?"

Tears stung my eyes. He was right. I would.

"Won't you?" he repeated.

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, I'll do what you tell me." The words tasted like shame.

"That's what I thought." He pulled his hand away and leaned back. "Driver, take us back to the estate."

The car turned around.

I sat there, shaking. My body still wanted him even though I hated him.

"Welcome to your new life, Jolene." Enzo looked out the window. "It's going to be interesting."

I didn't say anything. What could I say?

The car drove in silence for a minute. Then Enzo spoke again.

"Oh, one more thing."

I looked at him.

"There's one more test you need to pass tonight."

My stomach dropped. "What?"

"You'll see when we get there." His smile was dangerous. "Let's hope you're ready for it."

He didn't say anything else. Just looked out the window like he didn't just drop a bomb on me.

I held onto my suitcase. My heart was going crazy.

One more test.

What the hell did that mean?