***
James was tapping his fingers impatiently on the table as he looked down into the writhing crowd. He preferred a higher-end club with more comfort, but their guests from Algeria were looking forward to some of that western decadence they always enjoyed when visiting America. His tapping stopped abruptly when his gaze landed on Maura. In the middle of the crowd. Shining like some goddamn exotic spotlight in front of the Big Three and their lecherous guests. Her arms were over her head and she was swaying blissfully. Her movements were rapturous, graceful, sensual, and completely free from any of the self-consciousness that ruled her every day at the Corporation.
"Excuse me," he said, rising abruptly. Striding down the stairs from the private VIP area, James scanned the floor, looking for Maura with the intent of getting her out of there as fast as possible.
***
It was a terrible form of Deja vu as a hand angrily tapped her shoulder, Maura whirling with a gasp to once again see the furious visage of her boss and lover. "How DO you find me?" she hissed, "Did you implant a sensor under my skin or something, because really-"
Irritably noting she was with her little flock of girls again; James bent his dark head to hers. "We're here with the Algerian group. You have to leave. Now."
The blood drained from her face instantly, leaving her sheet-white and swaying a bit. "Oh, nonono... nono... oh God, are Ms. Kingston and Mr. Fassell with you?" He instinctively steadied her, looking down into her pale face.
"Yes. That's why you need to take your girls and go. Now."
"Of course, agreed. Thank you, James!" she whispered with a sudden burst of gratitude to the man in front of her, nothing but genuine concern for her on his handsome face. "Girls, we have to get out of here, no questions, please just- just come with me, okay?" Confused but agreeable, her flock followed her off the floor.
***
Fassell was leaning on the balcony of the VIP section, when Pine passed by him, moving fast. Following his progress through the crowd, a cruel grin spread over Fassell’s face as he spotted Maura. “Well, will you look at that,” he gloated, spinning and heading for the stairs as well.
***
Maura was deeply grateful for James’s help; he was just a step ahead of them, and he already had cars arranged for the group and paid the drivers. Estella stopped just as she was about to enter the cab. "Damnit! Maura, I left my purse at the table, I'll just run in and get it-"
"No!" exclaimed both Maura and James, who held up his hand to Estella as he started walking back to the club. "You all stay put here. I'll get it."
Maura paced the curb, anxiously waiting for her boss to return. "This is the second time your boss showed up and cut the night short," teased Caroline, one of the older women. "Anything you want to tell us, honey?" They all laughed at Maura, who rolled her eyes.
"Very funny, ladies. I am sorry about tonight, I'm turning out to be a terrible tour guide for fun, aren't I? I'll make it up-" She stopped as she watched the tall form of the third in command at the Corporation heading decisively in her direction.Oh, fuck, Fassell...she thought in horror, picturing the sadistic bastard getting near these girls. Shoving an extra twenty at the driver, she said "Go.Now."Watching them pull out, Maura turned to see Fassell directly behind her, so close that his chest was nearly touching hers.
"MacLaren," he grinned, "look at you, all grown up."
Taking a step back, she eyed him calmly. No showing fear to this bastard, or he'd eat her alive. "Mr. Fassell," she nodded politely. "I was just on my way out," she gestured to the waiting line of cars, "so, I'll just bid you a good night, and-"
"Oh no, baby," he said in a horribly jovial tone. Taking her upper arm firmly, Fassell turned her around, marching her back into the club. "We've just found you. Can't let you leave without a drink!"
"I have to leave, Mr. Fassell!" she insisted, "I have friends waiting for me at another club!" He ignored her, continuing to drag Maura through the door.
James stepped in front of them, hands in pockets and staring at them impassively. "What are you doing here, MacLaren?"
"I- I was just leaving, actually. Mr. Fassell is insisting I come up for a drink, but I really must-"
"Yes, she must," the smirking bastard interrupted, hand tightening on her arm to the point of pain. "Mustn't she, James?"
Polar eyes looking at her wide ones, James shrugged. "Why not? MacLaren, come along." She tried to step forward but was yanked back by Fassell’s iron grip on her. James looked down at his partner's grip on her arm, then up at his taunting expression. "No need to drag her, Fassell. People are staring." And they were, club-goers and bouncers passing by, eyeing the strange confrontation between the three.
Fassell chuckled, releasing Maura and showing her the way to the VIP area with a dramatic sweep of his arm. Once at the large table, he nudged a gorgeous redhead in a short dress. "Minkie, go sit by our guests. Gentleman, this is one of our employees, Maura. You sit by me, babe."
Numbly watching the angry Minkie sullenly move to sit next to the wandering hands of the visiting Algerians, Maura refused to look to James for help. Sitting down as directed, she carefully crossed her legs, smoothing her skirt down to cover most of her thighs. One of the businessmen was leering at her cleavage, openly licking his lips.They think I'm another one of the escorts,she thought, trying to pull her hemline down again.
James gracefully moved across the table to his former spot, next to a platinum blonde with magnificent breasts. He put his arm around Platinum. "Order us some more drinks, would you?"
Fassell looked down at a stiff and silent Maura. "What would you like, darling?"
He’s in heaven, isn’t he?she thought sourly,Trying to fuck with James by going after me."I'm parched from dancing, just a bottle of water, please," she replied calmly, refusing to let him see how much he terrified her. Platinum gave her a narrow glare and walked over to the bar with the rest of the drink orders.
"You never told us how many beautiful women you had under your employ, Kingston." The deep voice from one of the Algerian businessmen broke her concentration. He was huge, taller than the other men and wearing a clearly expensive suit. He nodded his head to Maura.
