Hooker Read online

  This book is dedicated to my dad,

  my hero …

  BOOKS BY J.L. PERRY

  Destiny Series

  My Destiny

  My Forever

  Damaged – Jacinta’s Story

  Against All Odds – Angel’s Story

  Standalone Reads

  Bastard

  Luckiest Bastard – The Novella

  Jax (coming soon)

  Nineteen Letters (coming soon)

  It doesn’t matter where you’ve come from,

  or where you’ve been.

  Love is extraordinary. It has the power to heal.

  When you find the one you’re destined to be with,

  the missing part of your soul,

  dreams will come true, and the magic will happen.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Books by J.L. Perry

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Epilogue

  Jax

  Prologue

  Bastard

  Prologue

  One

  Two

  Three

  About the Author

  Hachette Australia

  Copyright

  PROLOGUE

  The Past …

  JADE

  I’m cursed. Or so I’ve always thought.

  But I think things are finally looking up for me. I can’t believe I’ve finally been adopted after all this time. For the past eleven years of my life, I’ve been shifted from one horrible foster home to the next. Today is the day my life changes for the better. Now I’m going to have everything I’ve ever wished for.

  A real home.

  A real family.

  My adversity started the moment I came into this world. My mother haemorrhaged and died giving birth to me—at least that’s what I’ve been told. That alone can come with catastrophic consequences for a child, but that was only the beginning of what was in store for me. Her death started a chain of events that would devastate me. Losing his wife and being left to care for a newborn turned out to be too much for my father. A few months after I was born, he gave me up. That’s how I became a ward of the state.

  Over the years, I’ve been inappropriately touched, mentally and physically abused, and almost sent to the brink of starvation by one incredibly cruel family I was unlucky enough to be placed with. Sure, not all foster homes are bad. I did, on many occasions, get placed with nice families. The trouble with foster care is it’s only temporary. And those nicer homes never lasted. Young as I was, it never took long to distinguish between families who fostered because they cared, and those who did it solely for the money.

  The things I’ve been through in my short life would’ve broken even the strongest of characters, but not me. As the years passed and I realised nothing and no one could change my situation, that no one was going to ride in on a beautiful white stallion and save me from the miserable predicament I was in, I began to use my experiences to my advantage. Every hardship only served to strengthen my will to survive. And if my life has taught me anything, it’s that things aren’t always as they seem.

  As we pull up to the front gates of my new home, I’m sure my jade green eyes are wide with disbelief. I pinch myself on the arm just to make sure I’m not dreaming. This place is huge—like, a mansion. My gaze traces the large initials moulded into the black wrought iron gates, as they slowly open. I wonder what ‘MM’ stands for?

  The long driveway leads towards a large white house. This place looks like something you’d see in the movies. I still can’t believe I’m going to be living here. I can’t contain the excitement that courses through my body as I bounce up and down on my seat. I’ve been told that jade is supposed to be a symbol of luck. It’s even been said to guard against accidents and misfortune. I never believed that. Look at the life I’ve led up to now.

  Maybe I’m wrong.

  Maybe it’s actually true.

  Maybe jade really is lucky.

  When the car finally comes to a stop at the entrance to the house, the excitement vanishes as the fear takes over. This always happens when I arrive somewhere new. It’s probably because I never know what lies behind those doors. Some of the terrible places I lived in over the years flash through my mind.

  Please let this be one of the good ones.

  ‘Are you ready to go inside?’ Cheryl, my social worker, asks.

  She must see the uncertainty in my eyes because she reaches across the seat, taking my hand in hers.

  ‘It’s okay to be frightened, Jade,’ she says in a reassuring voice. ‘I understand this’ll be hard for you, but Melody handpicked you out of all the other children in the orphanage. She can see how special you are, just like I can.’

  I feel a smile tug at my lips. Cheryl has always been kind to me.

  When she lets go of my hand and exits the car, I do the same. After opening the trunk, she passes me my worn brown suitcase. The handle is broken so I tuck it under my arm. It and the few clothes it contains are my only possessions in this world. I treasure them.

  After we climb the front steps and stop at the large wooden door, I notice the same initials that were on the front gate carved into the rich wood. When Cheryl raises her hand to knock, I take a large breath and square my shoulders. I’m a big girl now, I can do this.

  An elderly man answers a short time later. He’s dressed in a suit. His eyes rake over Cheryl before landing on me. He has a look of disgust on his face. I don’t think I’m going to like him much.

  ‘My name is Cheryl, I’m with the Department of Community Services. This is Jade.’

  He looks down at her outstretched hand, but doesn’t take hold. ‘M is expecting you,’ is all he says, stepping aside so we can enter. He seems mean. It brings all my worries back.

  That thought gets pushed to the side when we enter the grand foyer. ‘Wow,’ I breathe as my eyes try to take it all in. I’ve never seen anything like this before. I still can’t believe this is going to be my new home.

  ‘This way, please,’ the mean man says after clearing his throat. We follow him into a large room to the side of the main entrance. ‘The child is here, ma’am.’

  ‘Welcome, my dear,’ Melody says, rising from her desk and coming to stand in front of me. She has a pleasant smile on her face, which makes me feel better. She was really nice to me the first time I met her in Cheryl’s office. I hope she’s nice all the time.

  ‘Thank you,’ I whisper, bowing my head.

  Cheryl stays for a short time, but when she finally prepares to leave and says her goodbyes, my stomach churns and the butterflies return. I’m going to miss seeing
her. I’m suddenly feeling unsure again about being left on my own in this big house.

  Standing by the window, I feel sad as I watch her drive away. A short time later, Melody returns from seeing Cheryl to the door, and offers to escort me to my new bedroom. Scooping my bag off the floor and tucking it under my arm, I trail behind her. Silently, I count the white marble steps on the staircase as I go. When we reach the landing, she leads me down the long hallway until we come to a stop outside one of the doors. I can’t believe my eyes when she opens it to reveal the beauty within. My heart rate picks up the moment I step inside.

  ‘Wow. Is this really my room? Like, forever?’ I ask in disbelief, because I really can’t believe it.

  ‘Yes,’ she replies.

  It’s so beautiful. Too beautiful for words. I’m so excited; I have to try hard to hold in my squeal. My bed is so big. It has a pretty pink cover and white lace canopy over the top. I have my very own princess bed. I take everything in as I slowly spin in a circle. I’m a princess, and my new home is a castle.

  I can’t believe I’m rich.

  Boy, I’d love to rub this in Ruby’s face if I could. She’s one of the mean girls from the orphanage. She was always horrible to me. She used to tip water on my mattress and then tell everyone I peed myself. Lying cow.

  I gently place my suitcase on top of the covers of my new bed.

  ‘Get that filthy thing off there!’ Melody screeches, making me jump with fright. Quickly picking it back up, I clutch it to my chest before hesitantly turning to face her.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ I whisper, bowing my head again.

  ‘Come with me,’ she snaps as she walks towards the white door on the other side of the room.

  My heart starts to race. I hope she’s not going to lock me in the cupboard. At one of the foster homes I stayed in a few years ago, I’d get locked in a cupboard for hours sometimes. It was so dark and scary.

  I release the nervous breath I’m holding when she opens the door. It leads to a large white bathroom. ‘Give me that bag and take off your clothes,’ she orders.

  I’m frozen with fright.

  ‘Take off your clothes, Jade.’

  Her voice is stern so I do as I’m told. My hands are shaking as I undo the buttons on my favourite pink dress.

  ‘Everything,’ she adds when I’m down to my underwear. Once I remove my undies, I use both my hands to cover my private parts. Her face screws up as she picks my things off the floor with two fingers, like I have cooties or something. ‘I want you to take a bath and get dressed in your new clothes. When you’re done, come downstairs for lunch. You’ll find everything you need in the chest of drawers next to your bed.’

  ‘Where are you taking my things?’ I ask in a quiet voice.

  ‘These rags? They’re going in the trash, where they belong. You won’t be needing them anymore.’ With that she turns, leaving me alone.

  No! Not my most treasured possessions. I successfully manage to fight back the tears that threaten to fall. Over the years I’ve become a master at it. Crying only seemed to get me in more trouble.

  *

  As upset as I was at the time, my measly possessions were soon forgotten as the weeks and months passed. I now had a wardrobe full of beautiful clothes and shoes. There were even pretty bows for me to wear in my hair. Life here was good.

  M placed me into one of the most exclusive all-girl schools in the country. I’d attended over twenty different public schools in the previous five years. Although I was bright, I was behind on my school work because I’d been shuffled around so much. M hired private tutors to help me catch up. That’s what I call her. I found out the initials MM stood for Miss Melody, but she prefers just plain M.

  It would be another seven years before I’d find out the true meaning behind those initials.

  M sent me to elocution lessons. I thought there was nothing wrong with the way I spoke, but she disagreed. Apparently talking like you have a plum in your mouth is the way people communicate in her circle. To be honest, at the time I was just grateful she seemed to care. Boy, were those thoughts misguided. It was all just part of her devious, masterful plan.

  On weekends, I attended one of the finest finishing schools money could buy. She said I wasn’t refined enough for a lady. Newsflash, I ain’t no lady. Well, I wasn’t at the time. I was an eleven-year-old girl who, due to her past, was tough and street smart. Over the next few years though, that’s exactly what I became. A lady.

  Once I hit fourteen, I was given my own personal trainer to help me stay in shape. M’s words, not mine. There was nothing wrong with my body. I was tall and slim with curves in all the right places. Despite all my misfortunes, I was lucky enough to be blessed with the most amazing genetics.

  As I grew older, M enforced strict rules. She forbade me to have a boyfriend. Like, threatened to go ninja on my arse if I even went near a boy. I honestly thought she was looking out for me, so I did exactly as she requested. I was only a child after all, so I didn’t really care, or know any better. Boys weren’t high on my agenda at the time.

  I was about sixteen when M confessed why she’d handpicked me from the orphanage. ‘You’re exquisite, my dear. You have the face and body of a goddess. Those eyes, breathtaking. The moment I saw you I knew you were the one. My men are going to be clawing to get their hands on you.’

  I had no idea what she meant by her ‘men’. Unfortunately, I’d find out soon enough.

  I’m not going to lie, I was confused and hurt to think she’d chosen me solely on my looks. Appearance was everything to her, so it shouldn’t have surprised me. I was continually scolded if I hadn’t dressed to her high standards, or acted accordingly.

  As long as I played by her rules, I had everything handed to me on a silver platter, the finest designer clothes and vacations all over the world, but my new home lacked love and affection just like the others. Looking back now, I suppose you can’t miss something you’ve never really known. Sure, M treated me well, but there were times she made me feel more like an object than an actual human being.

  It wasn’t until my eighteenth birthday that I discovered the real reason M had been putting so much time, effort and money into making me so refined, so perfect. As it turns out, she wasn’t as generous as I thought. She was grooming me. With all my experience, I should’ve known nothing in life comes for free, and the day had come when I’d have to pay M back. Every single cent she’d invested in me, and more.

  It was also the day I found out the first M in MM didn’t stand for Miss at all, but Madam. Madam Melody. Monster Melody would be better suited. Madam Melody owned the most exclusive, high-class escort agency in the country. I became her protégé. Her new meal ticket.

  ‘I’ve put a lot of time and money into you, my dear,’ were her exact words. ‘It’s now time for you to repay that debt. You will be coming to work for me.’ The tone in which she spoke told me this wasn’t up for negotiation. ‘With your exquisite beauty, that body, and your sweet persona, Jade, you’re going to make me a lot of money. Make us both a lot of money.’

  A week after my birthday, her long awaited plan came to fruition. I was set up in my own luxurious apartment, and began the training that would ultimately make me her number one girl.

  Six months later, I was ready to embark on my new life as a high-class escort—a hooker, for lack of a better word. She made me sign a contract, binding me to her for the next seven years; one year of service for every year I’d lived with her. Initially I was devastated. After reading the contract, I felt sick. Physically sick. It hurt to think all the nice things she’d done for me weren’t because she cared. It was obvious I was just a commodity for her sick and twisted plan. This was why I’d been forbidden to associate with the opposite sex. She needed to guarantee my virtue would remain intact. That way she could sell me off to the highest bidder like a piece of meat.

  My contract stated fifty percent of all my earnings were to go to M. Repayment for all she’d outlaid gettin
g me ready for this role. She was my carer, my guardian. There shouldn’t have been any need for repayment. I felt trapped. I had no money and nowhere else to go. Sure, I’d had a good education and would eventually find employment, but if I fled, I’d be forced to live on the streets. She had manipulated me into thinking I owed her, and that what she was doing was for the best.

  The only positive thing I could see in this situation was the kind of money on offer, as it would give me the opportunity to set myself up for life. A chance to start fresh, once M released me. To live my life the way I’ve always wanted to live it. A chance to be free from all the horrors of my past.

  My first night on the job was the worst. That first sexual encounter will haunt me forever. For-fucking-ever. The night I lost my virginity to a disgusting client. He was a short, stocky, balding, middle-aged, perverted pig of a man. He was the highest bidder for my innocence.

  The day before, M had paraded me around in front of all the potential suitors, wearing only skimpy white lace underwear, a garter belt and stockings. It was humiliating, and so degrading. Once they’d had their fill of ogling me, she made me leave the room so the bidding could begin.

  Two hundred thousand dollars was the amount he paid to strip me of my virtue, and all my self-worth. I only know that because one hundred thousand dollars was deposited into my bank account the next day. My cut. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t relive that night for all the money in the world. No fucking way.

  Over the years though, I’ve learnt to deal with my situation. The life of a high-class escort isn’t all glitz and glamour. There’ve been times when I’ve struggled with what I’m expected to do, with the person I’ve become. Like, really struggled. I remember thinking to myself I’d rather die than do it again. What little respect I’d still had for M was gone. It was replaced with hate. With contempt. How could she do this to me?

  As much as I hated it, however, in the grand scheme of things, it was a walk in the park compared to most of my childhood.

  I only had two more years of my sentence to serve, and then I’d be free. I’d finally accepted this was my destiny, my fate. This is who I was meant to be. For the interim anyway. Or so I thought.