“You do what you have to do, Rex. Get at it!” I said, while pumping my fist in celebration.

  I’m fucking certifiable today.

  Taking a good look at me, he ran his hand across my face, making a coarse thrill run through my body from his touch. His mouth connected with my ear and he said, “Believe me, I will be thinking of you the whole time. I can’t wait to get my hands on your pussy. I’ve been dreaming about it for months. Explore the club; I’ll be back, Kitten. Until then, think of me.”

  Bah! Yeah, that won’t be happening.

  “Okay,” I said meekly, trying to make him feel bad.

  He should feel bad. What kind of sick creep went off with another woman to relieve himself when he was trying to be with me? If I needed an indication that he had ulterior motives, then this was it. He didn’t want me. He was just using me to get back at Jett in the worst possible way, and the longer I stayed here, the sooner the day would come when I was the one naked on stage, getting flogged up by Blane the muscle man.

  “Be good,” he winked and walked away with the girl who’d been shackled to the stage.

  In awe, I watched as she followed after Rex with her head down, in a completely submissive state. To say the club was a bit frea-kay was an understatement. Um, how about downright wrong? Men came to Masquerade to watch “demonstrations” on how to dominate a woman, and then they took them to the back rooms to have their ways with them, or they held one-on-one instructional sessions with Blane on stage. Yeah, that’s just fucking weird. Who comes up with something like that?

  I thought about the Lafayette Club and how it was more of a high class strip club; no one was ever naked, and the only thing that ever touched the Jett Girls was a man’s lap…that was about it.

  Diego’s club was slightly different. I wasn’t quite as immersed in his club, but from my understanding, it was a sex club for couples or singles looking for coupling. There were acts that were performed center stage, but they were works of art, well thought-out erotic dances, not some sex shackling. No one was cuffed, no one was forced to have sex; unlike Masquerade where the women walked around like slaves. Where did they even find the women to participate? Even at my lowest, I don’t think I would have stooped this low.

  “Are you just going to let your boyfriend go off with that girl?” an Australian accent asked from the stage.

  A little shocked, I looked over at Blane, who was wiping some sweat off of his forehead and looking down at me with a judgmental eye. How dare he judge me? He was the one practically beating a woman a few minutes ago.

  “Fuck off,” I said, while turning around and taking in the club, trying to figure out how the hell I was going to bust Rex without bringing in my phone to record everything.

  “Cheeky, eh? Don’t be mad at me when you’re being a doormat.”

  “Excuse me?” I said, while turning back toward him and practically spitting fire out of my eyes. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m not with Rex; I actually despise the man and wish that he would burn in hell along with his partner Leo. I am, by far, the farthest thing from a doormat; I don’t take shit from anyone, and I especially don’t take shit from a highlighted haired man with clothes that are entirely too small for his body,” I stated, while looking Blane up and down. “And your accent is stupid.”

  Good one.

  I turned back around, and that was when the realization of what I said crossed my mind. Holy shit. Blane was Rex’s friend, they went way back, he was going to tell Rex everything I just said and who knew what would happen from there?

  Quickly, I turned around to wipe up my mouth diarrhea, but was faced with a smirking Blane, who started to walk toward me with determination, like he owned the room. Little did he know, I had my fair share of experience with alpha males, and I knew how to put them in their place…easily.

  “Listen, I didn’t mean…”

  “Don’t talk,” Blane said, as he grabbed my wrist and started walking me toward a door that was off of the bar.

  “Where the hell do you think you’re taking me, you beast?” I scathed, as I tried to claw my way out of his grasp, but was unsuccessful in getting away from the burly man holding on to me.

  “Just stop, will you?” he said, as his accent grew stronger with his irritation.

  Scratch that…his accent wasn’t stupid…it was press-my-pussy-button sexy.

  We pushed past a mini-kitchen and into an even smaller room that only had a desk and a chair in it. The room reminded me of a manager’s office you would find in a restaurant, stark and depressing.

  With his foot, he closed the door to the room and turned on a small desk light before turning toward me and leaning on the desk.

  I looked around, and then eyed him suspiciously. “So, what now? You gut me and sell my organs on the black market? Well, too bad for you, I’m missing my appendix, so good luck selling everything as a whole package. Suck it.” I crossed my arms over my chest as he studied me with crystal blue eyes. So what, the man was hot, wouldn’t be the first time I came across a hot, domineering man.

  “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”

  “I do, actually,” I replied smartly.

  Nodding, he smirked again and said, “So you don’t like my dearest friend Rex?”

  Sweat instantly pricked at my temples, as I tried to figure out what to say. The man seemed too relaxed to be having this conversation with me. I felt like, if he was truly mad, he would have grabbed me by the hair and dragged me across the floor until we reached Rex, where he would toss me at Rex’s feet and yell “traitor” at the top of his lungs while shaming me for everyone to see.

  Maybe that was a little farfetched, but he seemed too calm and collected right now.

  “He’s cool,” I shrugged. It was the best I had. I mean, the man was fucking another girl in the other room. Oh, wait, pardon me, he was letting her “pleasure him,” completely different, apparently.

  Laughing, Blane shook his head and said, “You’re so full of crap, but that’s okay. I’m not a fan either.”

  “Wait, what?” I asked, a little shocked to see how easily Blane spoke of his distaste for Rex.

  “What? Do you think hating Rex only belongs to you? Well, you’re wrong, the guy is a prick.”

  I eyed him, looking for a tell that he was lying. “Is this one of those moments where you trick me into telling you how much I don’t like him only for you to record and divulge my secrets to the man in question later?”

  “No,” he laughed. “You already let me know about your feelings for the man without me tricking you.”

  “So, you are trying to trick me, then,” I poked his chest, only to find that I probably sprained my finger from how strong his muscles were. I should have known better. Men in New Orleans, in the circle of Jett and Rex, equaled, hot, dominant, muscular, and downright irritating.

  “No, I’m actually not. I’m trying to find someone to finally be on my side,” he said, more seriously.

  Oooh, he wanted to be in cahoots. Things just got interesting!

  I leaned forward and said, “You really hate him?”

  “Do I hate a man who is blackmailing me to be in his club, forcing me to do things to girls that I, by no means, want to do? Yeah, you could say that.”

  “He’s blackmailing you?”

  “We’re not getting into that now,” Blane said with authority, snapping me into my place.

  God, I hated myself, I reacted so well to a dominant man; it was annoying.

  “Fine, what do you want then?”

  “The same thing you want.”

  “And what do you think that is?” I asked with my hands on my hips.

  “Freedom, you want to bring them down and live your life, just like me.”

  Well, slap me on the hammy hams, he nailed it.

  “I’m going to try to forget why you know that about me…”

  “I don’t know you at all,” he cut me off. “But I see the same look in your eyes that’
s in mine. You’re repressed, you can’t live the life you want because he’s casting a black cloud over you, holding you back. Am I right?”

  “Yes,” I nodded, a little sadly. What I would give to be wrapped up in Jett’s arms right now…It was the one and only thing I wanted, but stupid Rex and Leo were ass cocks and couldn’t let the poor guy live his damn life.

  “Good. I’ve been waiting for someone like you to come around. I have some ideas, but we have to act quickly.”

  “Why?” I asked, starting to grow anxious.

  “The interviews for Lot 17 are coming up, and from what I’ve heard, Rex and Leo are in the running to take it. If that happens, we’ll be trapped here forever, because the new club will be improved…it’ll be bigger, more exclusive, and more erotic. I want out of this, and I know you do too. I’ve heard what Rex has planned for you, and believe me, you don’t want to be a part of it.”

  “Gang bang,” I mumbled.

  “Something like that,” he mumbled back, making my eyes pop out of their sockets. “The only way to keep them from getting the property is by exposing them and their business.”

  “Duh, that’s why I’m here,” I pointed out, so he knew he wasn’t the only one with the genius plan.

  “The only problem is, there is no way we can with the security Rex has on this place. We need to devise a plan, and I think I have one, but you might have to get your hands dirty.”

  “How dirty?” I asked, with a quirk to my eyebrow.

  “Not too dirty, but you won’t have the luxury of just sitting around, teaching the girls. We have about two weeks to watch Rex’s pattern and take advantage of it. We need to get him in a routine when he walks in here…”

  A slam of a door cut Blane off from speaking as he looked toward the door.

  “You have to go. You can’t let Rex see you with me. He’ll know something is up.”

  “Okay,” I said, while opening the door.

  “I plan on seeing you every day. Don’t approach me; I will approach you when the time is right. Until then, do what Rex says, don’t let him think any differently.”

  I nodded, and without a glance back, I exited the small room.

  With renewed confidence, I walked down the service hallway to the main room, feeling like a secret spy. I wanted to crawl against the walls and do hand motions to Blane to tell him the room was clear. Where were my spy glasses? My magnifying glass? We were going to bust this joint wide open!

  “Goldie, where were you?” Rex boomed as he came toward me.

  My inner excitement was squashed instantly by the fury pouring off of him.

  Taking a deep breath, I looked around, and then grabbed my crotch instinctively and started dancing around.

  “Can you believe I almost went to the bathroom in the sink over there? Where’s the damn pisser?”

  The worry lines that were etching Rex’s face relaxed as he watched me pretend to struggle with my over-filled bladder.

  “To the right,” he pointed. “Second door.”

  “Thanks,” I said with a pained voice. I ran toward the bathroom and locked myself in it. I looked in the mirror and took a deep breath. My heart was racing from almost being caught with Blane in the little closet office. Rex would have had a man-fit if he saw us exit at the same time. As if he had the right…he was just with another woman. I was still trying to get over the audacity he had of going through with such a thing. What a squid.

  After I went to the bathroom, I washed my hands and opened the door, where I was greeted by Rex. He was leaning against the wall, waiting for me. He was definitely paranoid.

  “All set?” he asked, eyeing me.

  “Yup, are you? Did you have a nice time?” I asked with a sweet voice, trying to show that what he did wasn’t the weirdest thing in the world.

  Taking a deep breath, he leveled with me and said, “It was just fine.”

  “Just fine? Do I need to teach her some moves?” I asked, swiveling my hips.

  “No, you just need to fuck me,” Rex said, while grabbing my waist and pulling me flush against his body. “I won’t be able to wait long for you, Goldie. Especially with you sleeping such a short distance away from me. You belong to me, simple as that.”

  So, the man was a creep, but I still got a little excited when he talked to me in his dominant voice. There was something about his dark, stubble-caressed jaw and the deep gaze in his eyes that turned my insides into a little flutter. I was a lady with an overactive vagina that drooled when an alpha walked in the room; I couldn’t help it.

  Clearing my throat, I gently nodded and pushed away. “Am I going to meet the girls? When do I start? I’m still a little unclear on what you’re looking for from me.”

  “Fair enough,” he nodded and grabbed my hand. “I will introduce you to the girls.”

  Rex dragged me through the back of the club and into a small room that was closed off by only a curtained door. The back of the club was a disaster. There were exposed pipes and beams and garbage scattered everywhere amid the construction; it appeared to be in a constant state of disrepair. It surprised me how unprofessional it was, but then again, the members never came to the back, and it wasn’t like the health code inspectors were invited for a tour. I guess I just expected more from Rex. From the way he presented himself, I would have thought he had the same standards as Jett, but boy was I wrong about that.

  The two men were complete opposites. Jett was modern and dignified, a real man. Rex was a crusty old hoarding historian with a pack-rat problem. Lesson learned, never judge a book by its cover, because where Rex is more open and welcoming, he really was a terrible man. Jett was closed off and rude when you first met him, but he’s a true gentleman at heart.

  Rex cleared his throat to gather the attention of the room. I peeked around Rex’s shoulder and saw three women, stark naked and sitting in chairs like robots. They weren’t talking, they weren’t moving, just staring at the wall and sitting in a row, waiting to be commanded to do something.

  Holy hell, was I living in some kind of sex slave paradox?

  “Ladies,” Rex greeted them, but they didn’t lift their heads. “This is Goldie; she will be your manager and teacher when it comes to the acts you will be performing out on stage. She comes with great experience, and I encourage you to listen to her.” Rex turned to me and grabbed my hand to bring to his lips. “I have to go work on some paperwork. Please start working on some choreography for a still-life show. I would prefer to see them slowly touch each other in different positions.”

  Gross! Fucking pervert.

  Smiling and nodding, I allowed him to kiss my hand, even though I wanted to punch him square in the teeth.

  “When will they need to know the choreography by?”

  “We need them to know it by this weekend, and they need to know it without you leading them, because you will be attending a gala with me Saturday night.”

  “Oh, really?” I asked, feeling a little apprehensive of who might be at this gala.

  “Yes, your dress will be picked out for you. We’ll go over the details later. Be useful, Goldie, and whatever you do, stay away from Blane; I saw the way he looked at you, and I didn’t like it.”

  Swallowing hard, I smiled brightly and said, “Not a problem. He’s got that whole jock thing going on anyway, too bulky, you know?” I asked, while flexing my muscles. “Like, where’s your neck, dude? Bench much?” I elbowed Rex, but he just looked at his arm where I touched him and then took off.

  Pull the fucking stick out, dick wad.

  Despite what I said, Blane wasn’t too bulky at all; he was just perfect and he had a neck, boy did he have a neck. The perfect neck to lick…

  Fuck, I was horny. A couple of days away from Jett and already I was envisioning my tongue running up some other guy’s neck. Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I turned to the girls and eyed them all. Their heads were down and their hands were in their laps, all posed the same way.

  They either went throug
h some crazy sex slave shock therapy or they were desperate for cash. I would say it was the latter. I didn’t blame them; I knew exactly how they felt.

  Clearing my throat, I stood in front of them with my arms crossed, channeling my inner Kace and screamed at the top of my lungs, making all of them jump about a foot out of their chairs and look at me as if I was some crazy banshee on the loose.

  “That’s better,” I said, while I started to pace the room, looking at all of them. If I only had a whip and a whistle, I would be ready to teach these girls a lesson in submitting to a man. Defiance was the true key to submission. Without defiance, what was the point of having a dominant man? They wouldn’t be challenged, and you would just be a doormat. Plus, a good spank to the old backdoor melon was a pleasant way to spend a night.

  “Listen up you swaying kumquats, when I’m in the room, you look me in the eye, you puff your chest out with pride, and you own the fact that you are naked with two other women in a room that is less than satisfactory for our fine asses. Yes, that’s right, you ladies are fine, you’re beautiful, you’re more than just a smooth piece of skin with a beating heart. You’re women, damn it, you have the power to take down any man you want to, and do you know why?” I pointed at them and then gripped my tits and crotch. “Because we hold the ticket to that pestering one-eyed pant snake that is trying to eat up our gentle lady folds any chance it gets. We get to tell it when it can enter and when we can clench around the swiveling little worm and suffocate him until he squirts his man seed.” I clenched my fist and held it in the air as I spoke. “We hold the cards, ladies. Now, let’s stand up, smack our tits together, and show those men who’s in charge.”

  I held true to my fist pump and waited for the cheer from the women below from my incredibly inspirational speech, but was greeted with silence instead of a loud victory call.

  Tough Crowd.

  I lowered my arm and looked at them to see they were all staring at me as if my vagina just fell off. Glancing at the ground, I made sure that wasn’t the case, and then clapped my hands together to lift the silence in the room.

  “Up and at ‘em, ladies. Let’s go, stand up, yup that’s it. Get on those feet.”