by J. M. Walker
A large shadow filled the doorway. “I happened.”
Lexi
I FELL BACK ON my ass at the deep voice sliding into my ears. It slithered over my skin like a cobra ready to strike its victim. I swallowed hard, staring up into the cold, dark eyes peering down at me.
The large man towered over us. He was dressed in a suit that probably cost more than our apartment and deli combined. He reeked of power and strength, and he scared the utter shit out of me.
My heart jumped behind the walls of my rib cage.
The man pulled out a white cloth from the inside of his jacket and started wiping blood off his knuckles. Tattoos lined his skin that hadn’t been covered up by the expensive suit. The black intricate designs were on the backs of his hands and sides of his thick neck, stopping just below his ears.
His hair was dark, almost as black as night. Bangs fell into his eyes every so often and with a swipe of his finger, he would push them out of the way.
I swallowed hard, the small movement sending a shiver down my spine.
“What do you want?” I asked, my voice shaky and not as strong as I would have liked.
“Money,” he said, his brow furrowing in the middle like I was dumb for even asking such a question.
“We don’t have any money.” What the hell had Charlie gotten himself into?
“Well you see, little girl—” The man took a step farther into our apartment and shut the door behind him. “—I happen to know that you do have money. And quite a bit of it in fact.”
“No.” I shook my head. “We don’t. I swear we don’t.” And then I remembered the cash Charlie had brought home a month ago. “In the kitchen. In one of the cupboards. There’s an envelope with money in it. Take that.”
The man’s jaw clenched. Stuffing the cloth back inside the pocket of his suit jacket, he crouched in front of us. “This is your sister,” he said to Charlie.
Charlie only groaned, muttering under his breath.
“Who are you?” I asked, not liking how the farther he got into our apartment, the smaller I suddenly felt.
This man seemed to take up so much space around him without physically doing so. He was large. Even in a crouched position. His piercing dark eyes bore into me. “Your brother here, owes me money. A lot of it. I gave him a down payment to do a job and he hasn’t done it yet.”
“What kind of job?” I asked, my voice weak under the intense scrutiny of this man staring back at me.
“Doesn’t matter. What does matter is that he hasn’t completed the job yet. I have quite a few clients depending on me and if the job isn’t done, they’re not happy which makes me not happy.” His lips pulled up into a wicked grin. “And we don’t want that to happen, now do we?”
“How much does he owe you?” I nudged Charlie. “How much do you owe him, Charlie?”
Charlie’s good eye fluttered open but he wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“Charlie.” I shoved him again.
He grunted.
“Tell me,” I demanded.
“Half a mil. And that’s not including the money I already gave him.”
My gaze snapped up, landing on the dark stranger in front of us. “Excuse me? You’re kidding right?”
The man raised a black eyebrow. “I don’t kid about money.” He stood.
I jumped to my feet. “You can’t expect us to come up with that sort of cash. It’s just not possible.”
“Well I guess you’re going to have to figure it out, now aren’t you?” The man stalked toward me, forcing me back a step. “I could just collect you. Use you as down payment until he can get the rest of the money for me but I’m not into paid pussy.”
“Excuse—” I tripped over my feet, landing hard on my ass. A slice of pain shot up my tailbone. “You can’t just buy me, asshole,” I bit out through clenched teeth, breathing through the agony sliding over my skin.
The man chuckled and knelt in front of me. In a quick move, he grabbed my ankles and pulled me beneath him.
I gasped, slapping my hands against his chest. A chest that was hard and clearly spent hours in the gym. My fingers tingled.
He cocked his head to the side, a slow grin spreading on his face. “You see, little girl, or Lexi is it?”
My stomach twisted that he knew my name.
The man gripped my inner thighs, spreading me open. “I didn’t just earn my money and reputation by not giving a shit who I do business with. Your brother has been working for me for quite some time now. I trusted that he would get the job done. And now that he hasn’t, I’m going to have to deal with a lot of unhappy people. It makes me look bad as a businessman. If my rep gets ruined because of some fucking kid, I will make him disappear. You got me, Lexi?”
“Please,” I pleaded. “Just take the envelope and go. I’ll…I’ll find a way to pay you.”
“Oh, I know you will.” He leaned over me, brushing his mouth along the shell of my ear.
I shivered, pushing against him. “Please…please don’t hurt me.”
“Trust me, Lexi.” His hot breath scorched the side of my neck. “When we fuck, it’ll be because you beg for it.”
“I don’t think so.” I struggled beneath him. As beautiful as he was, he beat the shit out of my brother and threatened him. There would be no way I would ever sleep with this bastard.
“I like that fire in your eyes.” The man chuckled. “And I can’t wait to get fucking burned.”
Lexi
“W-WHAT DO YOU WANT?” I stammered, unable to take my gaze away from the man staring down at me.
In a quick move, he wrapped a large hand around my throat and squeezed. Leaning down, his nose was mere inches from mine. He was so close, I could smell the mint on his breath. I could see the gold specks in the chocolate brown of his eyes. A smattering of gray showcased through the dark scruff on his strong jaw.
“P-Please let me go,” I pleaded, digging my fingers into his thick biceps.
The man turned my head toward Charlie. “He loves you and would do anything to see you happy. And you would do anything to make sure he’s safe. Isn’t that right, Lexi?”
My heart pounded in my ears. “Yes.”
“Tell me exactly what you would do for him.” The man brushed his mouth along the length of my jaw. “Would you steal for him? Commit murder? Sell your soul?”
I stared at my brother leaning against the wall. His breathing was ragged but he was alive. Thank God he was alive. Even though he looked like hell.
“Would you sell your body to keep him alive?”
Blood pounded in my ears at what he was asking. “I…”
The man chuckled, the sound cold and vile. Like the Devil himself was between my legs. No, this was worse. Much worse.
“Why?” I shoved my head out of his grip and glared up at him. “Are you wanting to buy me?”
He smirked. “Careful, little girl. I wouldn’t need to buy you when you’d be offering me this pussy for free.” Suddenly, he reached between us and cupped me.
I gasped. Struggling against him, I tried to move, I tried to push him away, but his hand remained firm on my lower body.
“I’m going to tell you this once and only once.” He fisted my hair with his free hand, forcing me to look up at him. “You will get me my money. I don’t give a shit how you do it. I want that cash but now…” He licked his lips, his gaze trailing down the length of me. “I think I’m going to add interest.”
“Stop.” I shoved against him, kicking my legs out. Hair ripped free from my head, but the burn only made me struggle harder.
The man flipped me onto my stomach and straddled my ass. “Get me my money, Lexi.” He kissed my cheek and pushed off of me.
“When? I can’t come up with that kind of cash in a day. I’m not you who probably owns the whole damn city.”
“I don’t own the city.” He popped the collar of his jacket.
Rising to my feet, I hugged my arms around myself. “I’ve seen movies. You came in here
like you own the damn place. I’m not stupid.”
“No.” He peered down at me. “You aren’t stupid, are you? But your brother sure is. He took money from me, guaranteed me that he would get a job done and hasn’t yet. Get me my money, Lexi.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small card and placed it on the end table. “This might help.” He tapped it once and headed toward the door. “You owe your sister, Charlie. You owe her a whole fucking lot. Because if she weren’t here, you’d be dead.” He gave me one final glance before he left the apartment, taking all of the air in my lungs along with him.
As soon as the door closed behind him, I rushed to Charlie. “What did you do? What the hell did you do?”
“I’m sorry,” he grumbled. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Who was that?”
Charlie sat up, wincing with the movement. “Luther Knight.”
A laugh fell from my lips. “Yeah. Okay.” The guy was powerful and clearly an asshole but there was no way he could be Luther Knight.
“Why are you laughing?” Charlie frowned.
“Because Luther is old and that guy…” Although he had gray in his beard, he didn’t look that old and he was…God, he was beautiful. I shook my head, ridding myself of those thoughts. He was a dick and wanted my brother dead. I couldn’t think he was hot.
“You’re thinking of his father. Luther Senior. Luther Junior is definitely not old.” Charlie pushed to his feet. He swayed a bit before I caught him under his arm and stopped him from falling.
“What job didn’t you do?” I asked, helping him walk to the couch.
“It doesn’t matter, Lex.” He dropped onto the cushions, letting out a groan. “The less you know, the better.”
“Something isn’t right.”
Would you sell your body to save your brother’s life?
“I’ll get this figured out.” Charlie laid back on the couch, breathing slow and even.
“Right.” I scoffed. “And how are you going to do that, Charlie?” I spun on my heel with every intention of going to the kitchen when my gaze landed on the black business card Luther had placed on the table. Picking it up, my thumb grazed over the shiny embossed red lettering.
The Club.
***
It had been a week since Luther kicked Charlie’s ass and showed up at our apartment. It had also been a week that the little black business card sat on my nightstand. It was taunting me, daring me to call the number on the back of it.
Luther said it might help our situation. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Could they help me make enough money to pay him?
A soft knock on the door to my bedroom pulled me from my thoughts.
“Yeah?” I called out, staring at the stupid card.
“I’m heading out,” Charlie said, peeking his head into the room. “You still stewing over that card?”
“I am.” I huffed, crossing my arms under my chest. “He said it could help. What does that mean? And why haven’t we heard from him? If he wants his money that badly, he’d be checking in all the damn time but he’s not.” And it was clearly driving me crazy.
“Why does Luther do anything?” Charlie shrugged. “It’s not like I can ask him. That bastard scares the shit out of me. And his fists hurt.”
I sighed, looking up at my brother. His bruises had faded some, but he still walked with a limp. I had tried getting him to go to the hospital, but he refused.
“Call the number, Lex. I don’t think he was suggesting you to. I think he actually wants you to call it.”
“Maybe.” I picked up the business card and my phone. Taking a breath, I dialed the number.
“Greetings. You were randomly selected to attend The Club. If you’ve received our business card in error, please destroy it now.”
I frowned at the automated voice on the other end of the phone.
“Your first session will begin this coming Friday night at 8pm Eastern Standard Time. Please show up half an hour early. The location will be sent via text.” And with that, the call ended.
My phone buzzed.
I checked the small screen and saw a text from an unknown number with an address. Odd. Very odd.
“What did they say?”
I jumped, forgetting that Charlie was still standing there. “I have to go on Friday night.” My gaze flicked to his. “What all do you know about Luther?” Something was off about this whole thing, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.
“He’s powerful. Took over his father’s business after he died.” Charlie shrugged. “That’s about it.”
He was lying. He had to be. There was no way that was all of it.
“Don’t worry so much, Lexi.” Charlie came toward me and pulled me in for a hug. “We got this.”
“Says the guy who had his ass kicked a week ago by the very man we owe money to,” I mumbled, my voice muffled by his shirt.
Charlie grunted and released me. “I owe him money. Not you.”
“You don’t seem worried.” I stared up at him. “Why not?”
“I’m heading out,” Charlie said without answering my question. “I’ll be back later.”
I followed him out into the hall, watching him walk away from me. How the hell he could be so calm about this shit was beyond me. Something was eating at me. Something that didn’t make sense. This whole situation seemed off. And why the hell hadn’t Luther been by?
My body heated as memories of him touching me slid into my mind. I shivered. I did not need to think naughty thoughts about the man who wanted my brother dead. God, what the hell was wrong with me?
Giving myself a shake, I headed to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of wine. I leaned against the counter, staring down at the card still in my hand. Friday night couldn’t come quick enough.
Lexi
I STOOD IN FRONT of the steel door, stared up at it, and frowned. I double-checked the address on my phone. The location was right but there was no indication that I was actually in the right spot. There was no sign. Nothing.
It was finally Friday night and I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Maybe this was a bad idea. I could figure out how to pay Luther back a different way.
“You owe your sister, Charlie. You owe her a whole fucking lot. Because if she wasn’t here, you’d be dead.”
Blowing out a slow breath, I hiked the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder and knocked on the door.
A lock clicked free, the door opening slightly but when it didn’t open more, the little voice inside of my head screamed for me to run away. But I didn’t listen for fear that Luther would know and come after my brother.
Pulling open the door, I paused, glancing back down the alley that I had come from. No one was around. I was down a side street that normally didn’t get a lot of traffic. Especially on a Friday night when everyone would be making their way downtown to hit the bars.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the building. I closed the door behind me and waited. The hallway was dark, but no one was around. Not even the person who unlocked the door. This was strange. Very very strange.
Suddenly, a light flicked on at the end of the long hall, revealing another door. My feet moved of their own accord, knowing I had to do this for my brother. To keep him safe. To stop Luther from kicking his ass again or worse. But this still didn’t make sense. It made me wonder if he was playing games with us. Or with me at the very least.
Mustering up whatever courage I had left, I trudged down the hall until I reached the blood red door. Giving it a gentle knock, I waited. Again.
Another lock clicked free and the door opened slightly. “Lexi Adams?” came a soft feminine voice.
I nodded. “Y-Yes.”
The door opened even more, revealing a tall woman. She had raven black hair that was pulled back into a tight ponytail that fell down her back. Her eyes were lined with black liner, her lashes long and thick. The bright green orbs burned into me, roaming down to my feet and back up to my head. She nodded once. “You
’ll do.” She stood to the side, indicating for me to enter the room.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, walking over the threshold.
The woman shut the door behind me and grabbed my bag from my hands. “You won’t be needing this.” She walked around a large black desk and knocked on a door behind it. It opened, and she handed my bag to whoever stood on the other side, all the while staring at me.
I suddenly felt exposed, like as soon as she took my bag from me, I became naked.
“How old are you?” She grabbed a clipboard off the desk and flipped through the papers.
“Twenty-five,” I murmured, ringing my hands in front of me.
“Stop that.” She nodded toward me. “No one here is going to hurt you. Not unless that’s what you agree to. Come with me.” She walked out from behind the desk and to another door to my right. Using a small card, she swiped it through the keylock. She opened the door and paused. “This is your last chance, Lexi. If you don’t want to continue, you can leave now.”
“Right.” I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck. “So you all can come find me and kill me?”
Something flashed behind the woman’s eyes.
I cleared my throat and took a step toward her. “I was told this could help me make some money. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t desperate.”
She nodded, opened the door all the way, and stepped through.
I followed her, the door banging shut behind me.
“You will go through extensive training and there are rules that you must follow. If you don’t, you won’t get the money that you’re so desperately seeking to find.”
“I…” I snapped my mouth shut when she shot me a look over her shoulder.
“You can deny it, but you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t need the money. There’s nothing wrong with that. Everything that goes on here is completely consensual. Anything goes as long as all adult parties sign our waiver and release form.” She grinned. “We don’t need any lawsuits.”
A shiver raced down my spine.
“You’re a little on the bigger side so we’ll have a certain selection of men for you. Not that you’ll see them of course but they’ll see you. Each of these men have a type. Even women actually. But I imagine you’re straight?”
