Meet me down on the beach. I’m waiting. J.
I clasp the card to my chest and look around again. The writing clearly states where Jace is, but still I look for him in the house. With the card still in my hand, I decide to listen to his words and head outside. With each new step, my head is screaming what am I going to find. There’s even one telling me it’s a trap given from Clara. I push that one away to replace it with sweet mental images of reaching an orgasmic height in the sand dunes. The heat swirls in me and my core seizes with pleasure. It’s as I feel the butterflies awaken, I realize I’m barely breathing.
I laugh at my ludicrous behavior.
When I hit the end of the garden, where the beach meets Jace’s property, I’m given more candles, but instead of rose petals, I’ve got Jace. I watch him as I trail down the sandy banks, the sand filling my shoes as I take each step. He’s standing by a few dozen candles and he’s wearing an expression I cannot read.
“Took you long enough,” he teasingly quips as I finally come to stop before him. I’m speechless for a moment. The effort he’s put into this moment is far more grand than I could have expected.
“What is this?” I finally ask and the butterflies set themselves free within me.
He steps towards me, taking my hands. “Just a token of my love for you.”
“But why?” I can feel my brow ache as it furrows. He said finale, but why this? Why the need to keep this a secret?
“Why do you have to always ask questions?” he asks me teasingly and chuckles. He takes a step forward, his hands reaching for his pocket. “Joely, I have something I want to ask you.”
Now the world stops spinning. I see in his hand a red velvet box and my heart starts to palpitate. I’m filled with delight, but there’s a distinct ebb of panic as my mind rallies to tell me what’s going to happen before it does.
“Don’t look so afraid of me,” he quips and I laugh nervously. “I’ve seen this moment a million times in my head, but I’ve never seen you answer. I loved you from the very first moment we met, that’s no lie. You brought me back from the brink of whatever I was on and have cared for me and loved me whatever. You have given me happiness and sorrow and showed me that I am capable of loving a woman whole-heartedly.”
I feel the tears prick the corners of my eyes, my vision blurs, my heart falters. I’m consumed with fierce heat, lust, adoration for the man who holds the world right before me.
“I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you, adoring you, worshiping you. I vow to support you and influence you. I want to be the man that picks you up when you’re about to hit rock bottom. I want to be the man who gets to wipe your tears away. Who causes you to make that adorable snort when you laugh too hard.” He pauses as I tearfully laugh. “I want to always be that easiest hello and hardest goodbye like you always claim me to be.” Now he stops to calm himself. It’s the way his voice has become that tells me exactly how he’s feeling about his words. “And, Joely, I want to be the man that can call you his wife. I want to take you away from being a Viper Girl to being Mrs. Mason.”
I wipe my face quickly, ridding the tears that are spilling down my face. I can feel them draw along my jaw line, meeting at my chin and this isn’t how I want to be for this moment. I don’t want to be a red faced, sobbing mess for this.
“So,” he speaks and drops down onto one knee, sinking a little in the sand. “Joely Gilbert, will you marry me?”
And there is only way to close this moment.
“Yes.” My whisper is silenced wholly as Jace jumps up, slips the ring onto my finger and pounces to kiss me.
“Yes?” he asks in disbelief. His face is a concoction of so many emotions. He knows I’m truthful, but a part of him doesn’t believe me.
“Yes,” I tell him again and seal the deal entirely.
Chapter Twenty
I look at the ring on my finger. The engagement ring Jace picked out takes my breath away every time I look at it. It’s a round cut solitaire diamond and has a vintage feel to it. It is surrounded by smaller diamonds that reach around the entirety of it. I didn’t ask how many carats it was or how much it cost. He would never have told me anyway, but I couldn’t believe the rock on my finger was now adding to another part of my future with Jace. Everything seemed to be going right. I just had to last.
A tapping on the door comes and I quickly slip the ring off. I place it into the drawer beside my bed and head out. I open the door and find Eli leaning against the frame casually.
“Well, you definitely do look better,” he quips a welcome to me. “Still a little wounded though, eh?” he asks and I just nod. I know I’m not entirely healed and won’t be just yet, but I’m trying to be courageous and give Clara what she wants. “C’mere,” he murmurs and comes at me with open arms. He wraps himself around me, hugging me tight. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I mumble into his chest as I hold onto him. “I’m glad I have you tonight.”
He chuckles as he pulls back. “We better go. I don’t want to make you late.” I can see how happy he is to have me back, but he also knows how precise we have to be with timing and etiquette. “We’ve got all evening to talk.”
I nod again, grab my bag and follow him out. In the two weeks since the attack, I’ve found myself having to deal with many things – nightmares, pains, Jace changing the game, and Clara’s incessant visits. She’s the reason it’s taken me a few more days to go back to work. I wasn’t aesthetically ready, but now I am.
I don’t say much on my way to the car. I’m still fuelled with insecurities and worries. My body is pulsating with fear, but Eli is beside me the entire time. The way his hand is pressed to my back, guiding me, shows me he’ll be with me all night. Once I’m in the car, I feel out of the loop.
“You’ll be fine,” he tells me as he hands me the seat belt. I get a wink and the door is slammed shut. As he climbs into the car on his side, he starts the engine almost immediately. “You aren’t required for much tonight, Joely. You’re just going to pour a few drinks and speak to Clara. You can do that.”
“My room,” I admonish his caring sentiments. “What about my room?”
“It’s been cleaned and ready for you to come back,” Eli responds and I freeze. It’s all done, the preparation, the readiness. All that’s required is for me to step foot back in there. “We can take you there before we open. I mean, if you want to?”
“I do.” My response is precise and I remember Jace’s words about getting back in there sooner rather than later.
Eli doesn’t press me, just smiles at how easy I’m being on the matter. He drives us to work and walks beside me again. I freeze at the door, but he takes my hand and leads me in, proving he isn’t going to leave me behind.
We enter and it’s dark inside, but the moment we’re on the steps leading into the main room, the lights flare on. “Welcome back!” Everyone screams and I jump back. Eli catches me and holds me, and I hadn’t realized how skittish I was until this happened.
Everyone begins to swamp me. I'm hugged and spoken to, but it's unbearable. I was beaten and took some time off. I was hardly gone, and yet, everyone's overwhelming like this. I'd have preferred to turn up and do my job.
“Oh, Joely, we didn’t mean to scare you!” Clara yells as she jumps into action. “I’m sorry, dear, we just wanted you to know we’re thrilled to have you back.” She comes over to me, taking me off Eli’s dutiful hands. “Someone grab this girl a scotch on the rocks.” She sits me down and smiles. “You okay?”
“Yes,” I murmur as I look around. “I was just caught unawares.”
“That’s the point,” she counters and flaps her hand around at the balloons and everyone. “We just wanted you to know we’re so happy to have you back. It’s time for big things to happen.”
I see the glint in her eyes and I worry, but I have no time to question it as my welcome back party is cleaned up and we’re all thrust back into the working life.
“Bring y
our drink,” Eli orders me as he goes towards the bar. “Let’s go to your room.”
I get up and follow, Brianna stalking behind me. Eli throws his coat onto the bar and heads towards the door. No one will know how terrified I am of this moment and how confused I am by my welcome back party that ended the moment it started. It was rushed and random.
“Have you got your key?” he asks and I get the key from my bra and hand it to him. Eli steps into the room and put’s his hand out for me. “Welcome home, Gilbert.”
When I enter, there are no traces of a struggle. No signs of my prior demise. My room has been rearranged, the carpet replaced, my blood stains eradicated. My bed is no longer a mess, my trinkets and little things that make my room mine are back in place. I can hardly remember the room before the attack, but the change helps me move forward a little more with my life.
“Now you’re all reacquainted,” Clara speaks and breaks the moment. She claps her hands together excitedly as she looks to me. Yet another game change. “I think it’ll be good to test the waters tonight. You’re not as bruised as you were and the cut on your lip is practically healed, so I think it’s time we got you back in business. Are you up for that?” Clara asks me, her attention solely on me as I struggle for an answer.
“Er, y-yes, Boss,” I stutter and try to find my inner Viper Girl.
***
“You’re eight o’clock’s here,” Eli states and nods to Jace as he comes down the stairs into the club. My heart thuds happily at the sight of him. He’ll make tonight better.
“Mr. Mason,” I greet him and I see he’s confused my by open attitude to his arrival. “I’m allowed clients if I want them,” I announce pleasantly. “Are you up for some alone time?”
He grins at me, happy for my content aura. I’m less frazzled now he’s here. “Are you sure?”
“Positive,” I nod and grin back. I can tell him about Clara’s words to me when we’re out of sight. “I just want you.” I see he’s game and I begin to cover the space towards my room, I see Clara watching me and she looks less than pleased with my sudden change of behavior. I look back to Jace and back at Clara to find her gone. Thinking nothing of it, I pull the key back out of my bra and unlock the door.
“Joely,” I hear my name and allow Jace to enter, but I pause to see Brianna rushing towards me. "I was told to come and get you," Brianna whispers into my ear as she steps in beside me. "Clara wants to see you urgently."
I look at Brianna and find she's clearly hiding something. My first thought is her romance with a client, it's slowly eating her away, but the look is far more twisted. This isn't guilt of who she loves, this is guilt over what she's done.
I look to Jace who’s stripped his blazer off. “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
"I wouldn't keep her waiting if I were you." Brianna’s acting like a little devil in my ear, prompting me.
That statement sold it for me. With my heart pounding in my chest, I head to Clara's office, Brianna shadowing my every step. I knock and await the devil's call. The moment I receive it, I freeze before Brianna pushes past me and opens the door. Clara sits before us, looking like a queen. She’s full of attitude and exudes power and she’s ready for whatever is to come. She’s prepped and her talons are sharpened.
"You said to bring Joely here," Brianna announces upon entering the room.
“Thank you, Brianna,” Clara appreciates and nods her head. Brianna clearly sees this as her reason to leave, but Clara clears her throat. “I didn’t tell you to leave quite yet.” Clara looks to Brianna, a gleefully wicked smile on her red lips. She leans forward on the desk, her hands clasped in front of her. “Snitches don’t get to run free.”
My eyes widen as I look to Brianna. She was leading the lamb to the slaughter all along. Now, I’m in the lion’s den and there’s absolutely no way I am getting out of here alive. I’ve been betrayed by my own friend and the thought causes me to move away, ready to flee before I can meet my maker.
“On your knees, Joely!” Clara barks her order at me and I drop. The power she holds is too frightening and I have no other option but to kneel down. “Shads, I want Brianna here put in the pit for her ability to be break the sacred bond of sisterhood I want between my girls. She’s unable to be loyal and she must be punished.”
“No!” Brianna’s voice is stolen with terror and she’s looking feral and Shad’s grabs her. “Joely, I’m sorry, please help me.”
“I’m not going to help you now,” I sneer quietly. I don’t look at her, I just stay in my position. She brought this on herself believing that Clara wanted her to play devil’s advocate.
There is utter silence in the room. It’s ironically deafening and causes my skin to prickle. I have no idea what’s to come of this, but I know my life just got cast into hell.
“I think you need to give this back to him.” I slowly look up and my heart stops the moment she raises the engagement ring into the air. “It’s gorgeous. He clearly does live up to the bank account he has, but that’s not your issue anymore. Brianna found this, along with a phone with only one number on it. Jace Mason’s to be precise.”
“No,” I whisper and shake my head. I know what she’s getting at and already I can’t bring myself to admit it.
“Rule number one, Joely,” she begins to say, throwing my ring up in the air and catching it in her palm. “What is it?” I hesitate, squeezing my eyes tightly shut. “What is it, Joely?” she asks, her words ground out.
“Do not fall for a client.” I’m shaking all over, anticipation is not a friend in this room. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“Well it did!” she snaps her retort and drops the ring onto the desk. She stands up and begins to pace, her four inch stilettos clicking against the tiles of her floor before me. “And you have disappointed me far more than anyone before. Do you know how stupid I felt when I learned of your affair with Jace Mason?” She then cackles at me, sending my nerves off the deep end. “I’ve let you have your fun, but now it’s time you quit. You’re mine, Joely, not his. You signed your life to me.” She clicks her way over to the wall where a large, oversized dresser sits and I know what’s coming. I feel my body brace itself. She opens the top drawer and pulls out a riding crop, one much like the one Eleanor was beaten with. I morbidly wonder if it’ll be put on my wall for my clients to see. “I have your contract where you give your body to me and this club for six years. It’s hardly unreasonable now. I don’t torture you every day. I feed you, clothe you, house you, and this is my repayment? You’ve got it far luckier than most and you repay me by breaking my rules? Well not anymore.”
“I’m sorry,” I apologize, my voice not travelling the room very well. I sound weak and feeble and I know it’ll only make it worse for me.
“That isn’t good enough,” she reprimands me fiercely. “You’ve been with him, living in his penthouse, having him in your apartment. You swan off on little escapes with him and lie to me with where you’re recovering. I knew all about your trip to Fire Island and The Hamptons. I’ve known for a long time about your relationship with one of my clients!” She spits at me venomously, her voice a hiss as her anger explodes. “How dare you defy me when you’re lucky I found you in the first place!”
The crop lashes down onto my back and I scream out in pain. My body shakes under the force of the pain lancing across my back, shooting between my shoulder blades. I wasn’t expecting that, nor was my body. Tears bead upon my lashes, a few fallen to their demise down my face. She issues me with two more chosen lashes, calculated to cause me pain and weaken me. But then she leaves me writhing in pain as she goes and sits on the edge of her desk.
“End it,” she demands and I know that’s the deal. End it or else. She ponders a moment and her face lights up with a brilliant idea. “Although,” she starts to tell me, her anger replaced with amusement. She approaches me, hastily grabbing my head to lay upon me the deal she has. “I can allow you to continue this relationship with him,
Joely, on one condition,” Clara bargains with me and she releases my hair, throwing my head violently forward.
“Wh-what’s that?” I ask, uncertain I actually want to know. I want to allow my heart to heal and believe Jace and I will remain a happy couple, but this is the devil we’re dealing with. Nothing comes without consequence.
“You get to watch him die before the month’s up. That is a guarantee.”
I feel my body shudder on the thought. My mind screaming in disagreement to the idea of Jace dying; it’s unimaginable.
“I can imagine his throat slicing open nicely, or him catching a bullet to the heart.” She snickers on the thought, playing with the end of the riding crop as she calculates the many ways to murder a man. “Hmm, beaten, stabbed, burnt. There are countless ways to do this, Joely, and you can contribute ideas. I mean, it’s fair, isn’t it? For you to stay with him, you can decide his death!”
“I can’t,” I sob on a tearless cry. I feel sick to my stomach at the idea.
She jumps off the desk and approaches “Then you only have one option left.” I'm forced to look at Clara as she puts the riding crop against my neck and trails it up to my chin. "Well?" she asks me impatiently. "Do you take the deal or face the consequences?"
What do I do? Either way I lose Jace, but one way is worse than ever. I know what I have to do and I know I will never be the same again. It's a selfish moment, shrouding me with its hateful nature. The flames of my own defamation begin to flick and lick at me. What I'm about to do is going to haunt me forever.
"I'll end it," I tell her solemnly and regret it as a tear falls from my eyes.
"Good girl," she leers at me and removes the crop from my chin. "For your indiscretion I'm adding another year onto your time here. You get to keep your room and status here if you end it and remain faithful to me. Count yourself on probation."
She motions for me to stand and I obey her silent command. I clear my throat and ask the one thing that beckons forth from the dark recess of my mind. "Ms. Delvine," I begin to say, "Boss?" I ask and stand waiting for permission to speak.
Saturdays at the Viper Rooms Page 21
