CHAPTER X

“B y the way,” Mya added. “Enzo will be your assigned driver before and after your shifts.”

“Mya, I really don’t think that’s necessary. I can catch an Uber or the L-train.”

She chuckled lightly on the phone. “I get that, but it’s not up for debate. The boss said so.”

Oh, well, if the boss said so.

I sighed, massaging my fingers across my forehead, trying to rub out the tension. “I understand, but?—”

“No buts,” she interjected. “Just think of it as an added perk. You’ll get used to it.”

Before we ended the call, Mya went over my schedule for the week. As I finished preparing for my shift, I felt my phone buzz. I pulled it out and saw a text from an unknown number. Opening it, I read a message and saw it was from Enzo, informing me that he was waiting downstairs. With a quick check in the mirror, I grabbed my keys and purse, my heart beating with anticipation, and headed out the door.

I made my way to the main floor and pushed the door open. The crisp autumn air was tinged with a blend of earthy scents from the leaves. Enzo leaned against a sleek black sedan, its tinted windows so dark I couldn’t make out a single silhouette inside.

As I approached, Enzo straightened, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he gestured for me to get in. After I settled into the leather seat, I fastened my seatbelt.

He drove silently, the hum of the engine mingling with my racing thoughts. I stared out the window, watching the familiar streets blur by. What would my first day be like? Would I fit in? Were my co-workers friendly? Would they like me?

When we arrived at the club, Enzo parked in the dimly lit garage. Enzo turned off the ignition and stepped out of the car. He moved around to my side and opened the door.

“Here we are,” he said, his voice deep and steady.

“Thank you,” I replied and slipped out of the car.

With a curt nod, he closed the door behind me. I followed him as we walked into the back entrance. The distant thump of the beat of the music vibrated through the corridor.

Minutes felt like hours as we walked down the long, narrow hall. Finally, we reached a set of imposing black double doors guarded by two men in designer suits that seemed to fit them like armor.

The guards greeted Enzo with a respectful nod and promptly opened the grand doors to allow us entry. Upon stepping into the office, I noticed a woman seated behind an opulent black executive desk.

“Signora Marino,” Enzo said.

The elegant woman lifted her head from the mound of papers that had captured her attention and gazed at me. She looked older than me, but not by much. She rose from her seat with poise, pausing in front of the desk. Leaning back, she rested her hands on the edge of the desk and confidently crossed her ankles.

She looked like an Italian goddess with long, wavy black hair pinned halfway up. Her makeup was flawless, and she had a beautiful smile and perfect white teeth.

“Hi, Winter. It’s nice to meet you in person.”

So, this was Mya. I could see the resemblance to her brother Matteo—sharp features, tan skin, hair as black as night, and fierce blue eyes.

“Has Nico explained what the job entails?” Her tone was casual, but I sensed an undercurrent of concern.

I shook my head, trying to keep my demeanor light. “No, just demanded I work for him.”

Mya let out a laugh. “That son of a bitch.” She clicked her tongue.

I giggled at her response.

“Listen, I’m going to be real with you,” she continued, her expression shifting to something more serious. “Nico is an intense mofo. When he wants something, he will do whatever it takes to possess it. And yes, that absolutely includes people. Like fucking cattle.” Her voice carried a hint of disappointment. “But despite all that, I can honestly say he’s one of the most loyal men I’ve ever known. I consider him like another brother. He’s my family.”

Her eyes shone with an earnestness that urged me to believe her.

“But he’s kind of twisted,” I murmured, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Mya chuckled. “Yeah, he can be,” she acknowledged, giving a small shrug. “But that man has endured hell, more than most could bear.” She pushed off the desk, straightening to her full height. “I’m not making excuses for his behavior. He’s been shaped by his past, like all of us.”

I fell silent, because what could I say? I didn’t know these people, yet a strange sense of trust was bubbling up inside me—a gut feeling that perhaps they wouldn’t harm me.

“So.” She clapped her hands together, breaking the tension. “First things first. I’m going to give you a tour, and then we’ll dive into the administrative side of your role.”

With that, Mya began outlining my responsibilities. My tasks included ordering supplies, filing documents, answering calls, reviewing contracts for current and new members, and handling financial records. After covering my job duties, Mya gestured for me to follow her for a quick tour, with Enzo following closely behind.

She led me through a maze of hallways until we reached a door guarded by three men who look like linebackers, dressed in designer suits and wearing earpieces. I watched Enzo enter a code on the panel, and the door swung open, revealing a luxurious VIP room in red and black.

“This is the entertainment lounge for our clients. We have servers to provide them with what they need,” Mya explained. With a hand on my back, she guided me to walk ahead. “And those are the private rooms.” She pointed upward to the second floor, where the rooms were discreetly tucked away behind grand pillars adorned with reflective surfaces, which give the illusion of there being mirrors.

As I walked further into the VIP room, I saw the room was adorned with plush furnishings, and in the dim lighting, sultry hues cast shadows on the walls. Each piece of furniture seemed meticulously chosen, from the deep sofas that invited relaxation to the low tables that held an array of artisanal cocktails and elegant glassware.

A bar stood at the far end of the room, staffed by a bartender whose hands mixed drinks with fluid grace. Three female servers, clad in sleek red and black pantsuits, navigated the room with purpose, their expressions focused yet welcoming as they attended to the guests.

“What goes on in those rooms?” I asked Mya, looking back to the upper level.

“The clients have the girls sit on their lap, dick, feet...” a familiar voice said nonchalantly, making my head swivel like Linda Blair’s toward the voice. “Whatever they want you to do,” Davina finished.

Oh, oh !

I gaped at her. “Like prostitute services?” I asked in a whisper.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Davina said in a bored tone. “Some of the men will want you to stroke or suck their dick. And others are more ruthless and will fuck you to submission. What are you, a fucking virgin?”

I reared back at her crass words. “I’m not fu—” I caught myself before continuing. “Having sex with anybody.” Or sucking any man’s genitals, for that matter. I looked frantically between the two women.

Davina rolled her eyes.

“Davina, knock it off,” Mya spat, glaring up at her. “I’ll have your ass thrown out and banned from the club. Don’t push me.”

Davina gave her a respectful nod but shot me a glare before striding away.

“Sorry about her,” Mya said. “This is a private, elite club,” Mya explained to me. “All the girls are willing participants. There are members who come to this place to explore their sexual desires.” I knew she was trying to reassure me, but it didn’t help.

“Is it legal?” I asked.

“Behind these walls, yes,” Mya said without hesitation. “I promise you that whatever happens in this club is wanted by both parties.”

My expression must have made it clear I didn’t understand. “Winter, think of it as having a certain hunger that only something forbidden will satiate. That’s what these men come here for.”

My God. It was like a forbidden vacation.

“Do you want to leave?” she asked.

“No,” I said quietly.

“The girls are assigned bodyguards and are escorted to and from work,” Mya continued to explain.

“So, when you mentioned ‘members’ contracts,’ what exactly were you referring to?” I asked as we started back toward the door.

“The members pay a substantial monthly fee for services that no ordinary club can provide,” she replied. “And the well-being of our girls is vital, not just financial. Their safety is our priority.”

“How does it all work?” I asked.

“The members come with specific requests,” she began.

“Requests like… sexual services?” I asked hesitantly, unsure how far I wanted to delve into this dark world.

She nodded slowly, her expression not changing. “Yes. It’s not uncommon for certain members to develop preferences for specific girls and vice versa. All members are required to undergo monthly health screenings as part of their membership, ensuring everyone’s safety. They also sign a non-disclosure agreement, and not just for their protection, but also for the girls’.”

I nodded, absorbing all the information, and at the same time caught sight of a stunning girl with dark blue hair stepping out of one of the rooms, flanked by two men.

“Two?” My eyes widened as I turned to Mya.

“Yes, some members prefer to engage with more than one party. It’s not as rare as you might think.”

This was crazy. I never knew clubs like this existed.

“Have any of the girls been forced into anything they didn’t want to do or… have any been attacked?” I asked.

Mya shook her head, her expression hardening. “Hell no. Nico would never allow that. He’s fiercely protective. If something like that were to happen, he would make an example out of anyone involved.”

I winced at her fierce tone.

“Let’s head back to the office and start your training,” Mya said. Her eyes flickered to Enzo, who nodded in agreement, and together, we crossed the softly illuminated corridor. Along the way, we passed a room with imposing double doors with two guards stationed outside.

“What goes on in that room?” I asked, gesturing toward the doors.

Mya glanced at it before responding. “Our dancers perform in there for our VIP clients. We maintain a strict policy about who gets to see those performances.”

Huh. I wanted to ask more questions about the performances and who was on the VIP list, but I brushed those thoughts aside since it was not in my job description to know all the details.

We continued down the hallway, and I heard a voice I hadn’t expected to hear.

“Oh, my god! Oh, my god! Oh, my god!”

I turned to see Tabi walking in my direction, wearing a silver rhinestone top that looked like a bra, and a matching thong with a garter and silver heels. The rhinestones sparkled in the light. Her long platinum hair that she normally left down was pulled halfway up. She broke into a beaming smile when our gazes met. “I can’t believe you’re here!” she cried, rushing over and grasping my hands. “I take it you got the job?”

“Yeah. Wh-what are you doing there?”

“After that night you were kidnapped by the boss man, Lola came back after my last show and said that I had to be let go too. And that I should expect a call from a Mya from Luxe Club for a great opportunity,” Tabi said excitedly. “I wanted to tell you so bad after that night, but I was told to keep it a secret.”

I looked to Mya, who didn’t say a word but had a sly grin on her face.

“Plus, the money is sooo good, and it allows me to go back to school,” Tabi continued.

“That’s awesome, Tabi,” I told her.

“I heard today was your first day and wanted to check in before I started my shift.”

“Star!” one of the bouncers called to Tabi as he approached.

That must have been her stage name. It fit her.

“You’re up in five,” he reminded her.

“Shit,” she muttered. She pulled me in for a hug. “I’m so happy we still get to work together.”

“Me too,” I said with a smile.

Her smile widened and she sauntered away, the bouncer following close behind. I turned back to Mya when I heard her phone ding. She glanced at the screen and muttered a curse before looking back at me. “I’ve gotta handle a situation,” she said, waving her phone. “Enzo will walk you back to the office and when I return, we’ll start your training,” she added and walked away.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied, falling into step beside him as he led the way down the hall.

He was slightly intimidating, but I felt comforted by his presence.

Enzo stepped aside to let me in the office, standing sentinel at the door. I walked in, scanning the room, and noticed Mya’s desk was cluttered but cozy. Among the papers, I spotted a picture of Mya with an adorable little boy who looked about three or four. He must have been Mya’s son. He had her smile.

I saw more photos on the walls of Mya with what looked like her parents, and another shot of her with Nico and the guys at some kind of party. They all looked like they were having a blast, and it was clear they were a tight-knit crew.

With a resigned sigh, I plopped down in one of the chairs, pulling out my phone to pass the time since I wasn’t given an actual task to do. Scrolling through my feed, I tried to distract myself, but the minutes dragged on. After a while, I tucked my phone away, feeling bored and a little antsy. I glanced at the clock and realized an hour had slipped by.

Just then, my bladder made its demands known. I opened the door and peeked outside. The hallway was empty, except for Enzo, who quirked an eyebrow at me as if silently asking where I was off to.

“I have to go the bathroom,” I told him.

“Go down this hall until you see the stairs. Take them to the next level and take a right. It will be on your left.”

I nodded and headed to the lady’s room. I walked past a few people going about their business and found another hallway that led to another lower level. This place was so confusing. I couldn’t seem to remember where anything was from when Mya gave me a quick tour. But I did remember her telling me there was one area that was forbidden and to stay clear of it.

When I reached the steps, I glanced over my shoulder to see if anyone was looking, but the coast was clear. My gut told me I shouldn’t go down there because I wouldn’t like what I saw. But my mind told me to be nosy and take a peek. Ever since my parents were tragically taken from me, I’d come to understand the importance of knowing every escape route and hiding spot.

When I walked down the black spiral stairs, the music from the club faded away.

No way. Is the area soundproof?

I cast another quick glance behind me as though someone was going to reach out and snatch me away. What if this was a dungeon where no one could hear the victims scream?

I shook my head at the thought and continued forward.

The lights on the steps were only bright enough to see the next step. Upon reaching the bottom, I entered an open area with a marble floor and a chandelier hanging above.

I walked to the door and noticed an entry pad with buttons. Crap. I couldn’t get in unless I had access. Just as I was about to walk away, the door opened, and I quickly hid behind the alcove by the door. A man in a suit exited, engaged in a phone conversation, allowing me to rush in without being noticed. The door quietly closed, and the light on the keypad turned red.

“Oh, my God,” I whispered.

The dark, beautiful room was decorated with rich colors. Another stairwell reached toward the lower level. In the middle of the room was a round dancing platform covered by a black and red crystal curtain that resembled a waterfall with two very naked woman dancing in heels.

A few men sat on the black leather sectional that curved around the area and... holy shit! They had their dicks out and were jacking off as they watched the women dance.

I turned to the left when a woman’s high-pitched laugh cut through the air. My jaw dropped at the scene that could be straight out of a porno. A naked woman rode a man’s dick like it was a wild bull. And as if that wasn’t enough to render me speechless, a second naked woman sat on his face while he ate her out.

I stood in place, unable to move while my curiosity took control of my body and mind. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from every movement, every moan, and every touch that seemed to ignite a hidden desire within me.

“What the...?” I said quietly.

The sound of footsteps approached from behind, and a deep, authoritative voice said, “What are you doing here, angel?” I spun around to find myself face to face with Nico. His sharp gaze pierced through my very soul, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

Oh, shit.

* * *

NICO

I’d been watching Winter on the security feed since the moment she decided to roam the club on her own. I smirked when her curiosity got the best of her and she found herself wandering into the back of the VIP room at the exclusive sex club. She didn’t know what she was getting into, but I was going to love playing this game with her.

She was naive and didn’t notice how close I was behind her. Once she snuck into the room, I made my move.

I typed the code on the keypad, and the door opened quietly, as it was designed to. Right as she became lost in her thoughts and took in the scene, I walked behind her and said, “What are you doing here, angel?” She shivered. My eyes started at her legs, and by the time they landed on her heart-shaped ass, she spun around to face me.

Stammering slightly, Winter mumbled, “I... I was looking for the bathroom and got turned around. I’ll just go.” But I shook my head, a slight smirk playing on my lips as I took in the sight of the innocent angel who dared to venture into my forbidden domain.

I took a step closer, now just inches away from her. “This room is off-limits to workers and non-members, especially angels like you.”

As Winter tried to back away, I moved closer, trapping her between myself and the stairwell. Her chest rose and fell. I could smell her berry scent. The tension between us crackled in the air, charged with a dangerous energy.

“Tell me, angel, are you looking for something you can’t find in your perfect little world?” My voice was soft now, almost taunting, as I gently brushed a strand of hair away from her beautiful face. She flinched at my touch but didn’t move away or tell me to fuck off. She would run and never look back if she was smart, but something held her in place, rooting her to the spot as if she was under a spell. Or maybe she was the one who had me under a spell.

I studied Winter’s face, a flicker of something unreadable passing across her eyes. “I can guarantee you that my world is anything but perfect,” she responded bluntly.

“Either way, you don’t belong here, angel.” My words carried a warning, a promise of the darkness lurking within this forbidden world’s shadows.

With a sudden surge of courage, she met my gaze head-on. “I may not belong here, but that doesn’t mean I’m afraid.”

We stood locked in a silent battle of wills for a long moment. Finally, I shattered the moment. Unable to resist the urge to touch her, I closed my hand around her wrist, pulling her closer until our noses touched.

“You should be.” My voice was laced with frustration as I lowered my lips to hers, a promise of something forbidden yet irresistibly tempting. A rush of heat flooded my body as our lips met in a deep consuming kiss, igniting a spark that I knew would change everything.

I pulled back slightly and looked into her amber color eyes that shined like diamonds.

Fucking beautiful.

“You’re treading on thin ice, angel.” My voice was a dangerous whisper. “Leave now, Winter, before you experience a scorching pain that will sear your soul, a torment you can’t even begin to fathom.”

My gaze honed in on her lips and then moved down to her neck as she swallowed. My eyes then trailed up to hers. I gave her a smirk and reluctantly pulled away.

She stepped around me and walked straight out the door without looking back.