Resist

I sigh and wait for her to elaborate. I know Jess well enough to know there’s probably an entertaining story involved.

“So, my friend Terra gets to this interview, and she’s in shock when she meets this guy, because it’s Jaxon friggin’ Murphy.”

“Jaxon Murphy, as in the guy whose girlfriend disappeared a few months ago? The guy who was acquitted of her murder?” I gasp.

I studied him in my investigative journalism class. Nobody other than the police could get near the guy to hear his side of the story. He was acquitted after a poorly put together prosecution team all but ruined any chance of his facing justice. I’ve heard nothing about him since.

“Yup,” she replies gleefully. “Apparently he’s even hotter in person, if that’s even possible.”

“Who cares how hot he is?” I laugh. “The guy murdered his girlfriend!”

“In his defense, they never actually found a body,” Jess interjects. “And he was let off because the evidence against him sucked.”

“Okay, and why would anyone in their right mind want to work for him? Why would I? Especially as his personal sex slave, or whatever the fuck it is that he wants.” I laugh. This whole thing is way too weird and definitely not something I’m interested in. I don’t care how insanely sexy he is.

“Think about it, Char: Nobody got the scoop on this guy. Imagine how in demand you would be if you managed to dig up a story on him. Seriously, this is your big chance. Besides,” she giggles, “have you seen the guy? I’d fuck him for free.”

“I don’t know, Jess.” The whole thing screams “danger” to me. I’m stupid for even thinking about it. Holy shit, is that what I’m doing? I’m actually considering this? “What if he did kill her? If he could do that to his girlfriend, imagine what he would do to me if he found out I was only there fishing for a story.”

“He won’t find out,” she argues. “I’m not suggesting you rifle through the guy’s things. Just go in there and observe. See if anything feels off. Just think about it. Go for the interview and then see how you feel. I mean, you probably won’t even get the job.”

“Gee, thanks for your vote of confidence,” I chuckle, rolling my eyes.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that. Terra told me hundreds of women applied. He’s only interviewed a few of them.” She pauses dramatically. “He is really ruthless with his selection criteria, apparently.”

“Won’t your friend be annoyed that you’re pushing me to apply for a job she wants?” I tease.

“She doesn’t want it. She’s too scared she’ll end up dismembered and buried in his backyard,” she cracks.

I roll my eyes, loving that it’s okay for Terra to be scared but not me.

“Anyway, I gotta go,” Jess sighs. “I’m supposed to be working. Call me later, okay?”

“Okay,” I agree with a laugh.

As I hang up, I ponder her words. I wonder what the cat

ch is. You don’t just wake up one day and decide to post an advertisement for a sex slave. I mean, is that even legal? I read over the ad again, finding myself even more intrigued. Jess is right about one thing: This could potentially be a huge story. My big break. Newspapers would be falling all over themselves to hire me.

God, it’s tempting…

And if I want a career in journalism, I have to be ruthless, right? Nothing in life is easy, and if you want something bad enough…These thoughts keep circling through my mind.

His missing girlfriend wasn’t the first time Jaxon Murphy was in the news. When he was fifteen, his mother, father, and younger sister were brutally murdered during a home invasion. Jaxon was spending the night at a friend’s house and arrived home the next morning to find the bodies. I shudder at the thought. How does a kid get over that? I guess that’s the point; he’s probably never gotten over it.

When he turned eighteen, he inherited his father’s multimillion-dollar fortune and became CEO of his business, Hamden & Murphy Enterprises, along with his father’s old business partner and lifelong friend, Ryan Hamden. For years he was completely out of the spotlight until earlier this year when his longtime girlfriend, Brynne, disappeared.

A half hour later I text Jess, who I notice is back on messenger.

Me: This would be an awesome story…

Jess: Oooh, you’re thinking about it, aren’t you?!?

I laugh and tap back a reply.

Me: Thinking and doing are not the same thing. I really don’t think I have the balls for this kinda thing. This is more your forte.

Jess: Hmm, I’m pretty sure our guy isn’t after a chick with balls. That’s a whole different fetish. ;) But seriously, what harm is there in meeting the guy? If you smell a story, go for it. If not, nothing lost, right?