Craig froze, tension running through his spine, and a heavy silence settled between them.
Sensing his hesitation, Raina's heart grew colder. She pulled herself from his arms, turned her back to him, and said, "Just go. I won't tell Stella about tonight."
When he still didn't move, she added, "Mr. Townsend likes clean women. You'd better keep quiet too, unless you want to ruin my shot at the high life."
That mention of "Mr. Townsend," though delivered calmly, carried a sly undercurrent that made the air in the room drop.
In the darkness, Raina couldn't see Craig's face, but she could feel the chill emanating from him. She pulled the blanket away from him, wrapping herself tightly.
*****
At six in the morning, a knock on the door dragged Raina from her sleep.
"Ms. Yates, please get re
