Chapter 6
The laptop screen glowed in my bedroom darkness, casting harsh shadows across the degrading form I’d been staring at for an hour.
The Virtue Exchange form sat there like a digital confession booth from hell—demanding age, height, verified medical history, and photos that would essentially catalog me like livestock.
I’d been avoiding this moment all weekend. Every time I opened the laptop, I’d find something else to do. Dishes. Laundry. Reorganizing my already organized closet. Anything but filling out forms that reduced me to a commodity.
But today, with hands that shook like I was defusing a bomb, I finally started typing.
Age: 25
Height: 5’6″
Hair color: Brunette
Sexual experience: None
Medical verification required: Gynecological examination within 72 hours
My hands trembled as I filled in each field. The photo requirements were worse, “Professional quality images showcasing your natural beauty. No nudity. Form-fitting and elegant clothing.”
Christ. I was literally creating a catalog entry for myself. I’d spent an hour taking selfies, feeling more exposed with each click.
Leo knocked on my door just as I was debating which photos made me look like premium merchandise versus clearance rack disasters.
“Jas? You okay in there?” Leo’s voice carried through the walls. “You’ve been really quiet tonight.”
I slammed the laptop shut, heart racing. “Yeah, just working on stuff for tomorrow. Go to bed, Leo.”
“Alright. Love you, sis.”
“Love you too.”
The secret felt like it was choking me and felt like swallowing razor blades. Every breath made it heavier. Five days left, and Leo had no idea what I was considering.
I reopened the laptop and stared at the submit button. My reflection looked ghostly, hollow-eyed. I clicked submit before I could change my mind.
The next morning, I walked into Asher’s office carrying my dignity in a manila folder and my self-respect in a carefully prepared presentation. I’d successfully contained the demo leak and had something that might actually impress him.
Except when I knocked and entered, it wasn’t just Asher waiting for me.
All three Blackwood brothers were gathered around the conference table like some kind of corporate pantheon, discussing deals that probably involved more money than I’d see in my lifetime.
Liam looked up first, and that golden-retriever energy hit me like sunshine.
“Jasmine,” he said, standing with that easy charm that made my pulse forget how to behave properly. “Perfect timing. We were just talking about the Morrison deal.”
Right. The deal I’d potentially torpedoed with my spectacular fuck-up.
I straightened my shoulders and addressed Asher directly. “I wanted to update you on the demo situation. I’ve managed to contain the leak.”
Asher barely glanced up from his papers. “Contain isn’t the same as fix. The damage is already done. Next time, double-check your work before hitting send.”
His dismissive tone hit like a slap, especially with an audience. But I’d expected this—Asher’s ruthless exterior was as predictable as it was infuriating.
Liam’s expression shifted, protective edge creeping into his usually easygoing demeanor. “Christ, Ash, give her at least a chance to finish before you tear her apart.”
“Seriously, man.” Finn nodded, that lazy grin turning sharp. “When did you become such a hardass? Oh wait…” He smirked. “Always.”
“She made a mistake that could have cost us millions,” Asher replied coldly.
But Liam’s gaze was already back on me, encouraging. And that look—fuck, that look was doing things to my nervous system that had no business happening during a professional meeting.
“Actually,” I said, voice gaining strength, “I didn’t just contain it. I used the situation to our advantage.”
I pulled out my folder like a magician revealing the finale. “The leak made their team overconfident about their negotiating position, so I reached out to three other artists they’ve been courting and secured preliminary meetings for us. Two of them are already interested in switching labels.”
The room went silent. Even Asher looked up from his papers, steel-gray eyes focusing on me with laser intensity.
Finn whistled. “Sneaky. I like it.”
“I also negotiated a partnership clause with Morrison’s management,” I continued, sliding documents across the table. “First right of refusal on their next two signings, regardless of how this deal plays out.”
The room fell silent.
“That’s…” Liam’s voice was low, impressed. “That’s actually brilliant.”
“Damn, Harlow,” Finn said, a playful tone replaced by something serious. “Turning a screw-up into a strategic advantage. That’s some next-level thinking.”
Even Asher’s expression shifted, though he tried to mask it. “The Morrison situation is still volatile.”
“Which is why I prepared contingency plans for three different outcomes,” I replied smoothly, spreading more documents. “If we lose Morrison, we have backup options. If we get him, we have leverage for future negotiations. If negotiations stall, we have alternative revenue streams already in motion.”
As I explained each scenario, I became acutely aware of how all three men were watching me. Something different in their gazes, an intensity that made my skin warm and breath catch.
Liam’s attention felt like sunlight, appreciative and admiring, but with an underlying heat that made me hyperaware of every movement. When I reached across the table and our fingers brushed, electricity shot up my arm like I’d been tasered.
Finn’s grin had evolved into something more appraising, like he was seeing me in an entirely new light. His eyes tracked my movements with predatory appreciation.
And Asher… Asher was studying me with that penetrating stare that always made me feel exposed, but now there was something else there. Something that looked almost like hunger, quickly concealed behind his professional mask.
The meeting continued for twenty minutes, but the energy had shifted.
Every exchange felt charged, every look lasted longer than it should have. When they asked questions, I was acutely aware of how they were positioned, how their attention felt like physical touch.
As I gathered my papers, I remembered what Nora had said about “the looks” the Blackwood brothers gave me.
At the time, I’d dismissed it as her imagination. Now, walking out with their eyes following my every movement, I couldn’t deny the truth. They weren’t just looking at me as an employee.
“Jasmine,” Liam called as I reached the door. “Excellent work on this. Really.”
“Thank you,” I managed.
“We should discuss strategy implementation over dinner,” Finn added casually. “All of us. To make sure we’re aligned.”
The suggestion hung in the air, loaded with possibilities I didn’t dare examine.
“I’ll check my schedule,” I said, then escaped before I could say something I’d regret.
Back at my desk, I tried to focus on other tasks, but my mind kept returning to that conference room. The way they’d looked at me, the underlying current of something dangerous and intoxicating.
Despite everything—Leo’s situation, the Virtue Exchange, the impossible circumstances crushing my life—I couldn’t deny that I’d actually loved the way they’d looked at me in that conference room.
The attention, the appreciation, the underlying current of something dangerous and intoxicating.
And I hated myself for it.
Here I was, potentially about to auction off my virginity to pay my brother’s debt, and I was getting distracted by the way my bosses’ eyes lingered on me a little too long.
But the feeling clung to me like expensive perfume, a guilty pleasure I couldn’t quite shake.
That evening, I opened my laptop and found a message from an unknown sender. My heart stopped at the subject line: Profile Approved – Next Steps.
Dear Jasmine,
Your application has been reviewed and your profile approved for our exclusive auction platform. Based on your submitted information, we anticipate significant interest from our verified client base.
Please review the attached documentation regarding medical verification requirements, legal protections, and auction procedures.
Regards, The Virtue Exchange Team
My fingers hovered over the touchpad. I’d taken the first step into hell, and there was a red carpet laid out for the rest of the journey.
Five days until Leo’s deadline. However many days until I had to sit in front of a screen and my virginity selling to the highest bidder.
The irony wasn’t lost on me.
I’d just had the most professionally triumphant moment of my career, earned the respect and attention of three of the most powerful men in the music industry, and felt more desired than I ever had in my life.
And I was about to throw it all away to save my brother from his own catastrophic choices.
Well, there was no turning back now, I guess.
