She opened it and took out the meager 53,000 yin she’d saved up. It would last them at least a week. Maybe two, if they were careful. Nowhere near enough to get off-planet.
“Let’s go Downstairs,” Vesper sighed, wrapping a string around the notes and shoving them into her pocket. She picked up their bags and headed to the door, Bellamy hot on her heels.
“Are you serious?” Bellamy hissed, grabbing Vesper’s arm. “There are other places to switch them out.” They’d discussed switching out the notes so the Embunuh couldn’t track their spending, but Vesper hadn’t exactly told her where she planned to do that.
“Yeah, but this way, they don’t leave the building with us. Check the box while I’m in there, see if they paid us for the job, just in case. You can keep a look out while I talk to her if they didn’t.”
Bellamy squeezed Vesper’s arm, making her wince. “If you’re in there for more than ten minutes, I’m killing her.”
“Come on, Bel,” Vesper pleaded. She’d known Bellamy would put up a fight but hoped it wouldn’t be bad since Bel still felt guilty for everything. “You know I won’t do anything. Besides, we don’t exactly have time for that… killing or fucking. Let me go.”
Bellamy released Vesper with a huff and shoved past her, storming down the hallway to the staircase. Vesper hurried after her, barely catching the door as Bel tried to slam it in her face. The move only made Vesper chuckle. At least her Bellamy was still in there somewhere.
“Be. Good.” Bellamy ordered when they reached the Downstairs. She jabbed a finger intoVesper’s chest with each word. Vesper gave Bellamy a terse nod and turned away from her, shaking her head. A small smile came unbidden to her lips as Bellamy stomped away.
The large golden doors opened to a plush lobby, decorated in varying shades of red and black. Several of the girls were milling about in all states of undress. Some lounged on the deep-red velvety couches, chatting amongst themselves, while others flirted with potential clients, leaning against walls or doors.
Vesper scanned each face, searching for Mazz. She deposited her bags in the cubby by the front, unwilling to break the very strict “no bags” rule when she was about to ask for this favor. She knew they’d be safe there anyway.
“Hey, V. Lookin’ for some fun?” One of the girls on the couch spotted her and pulled away, sauntering toward her. She eyed the tiny set of dark-green, strappy lingerie with a sheer matching robe draped loosely over the girl's pale shoulders.
“Sash,” Vesper greeted. “Mazz around?”
Sash pulled her thin lips into a pretty pout and placed a manicured hand on Vesper’s chest. “I am.”
“I want Mazz.”
“Fine,” Sash sighed, stepping away. “She’s in the back. Got a new girl with her.” Sash smirked a little, looking Vesper up and down. “Said you’d like the new one.”
Vesper snorted. “Did she, now?”
“Mmhmm. Said she’s just your type.”
“Thanks, Sash.” Vesper chuckled, walking away from the girls up front. “And I don’t have a type,” she called back over her shoulder, which was answered only by Sash’s light laughter.
Vesper wasn’t here to help train a new girl, anyway, fun as that would be. Bellamy would properly murder her. Both of them… all of them. And it would be such a shame to lose her life so soon after they’d reconciled.
Vesper strode through the hallways quickly, not looking in any of the open doors, and not talking to any of the girls shepassed. She was here for a reason, and she only needed Mazz. Anyone else was a waste of time.
She stopped in front of an ornate oak door near the back of the building and knocked politely, waiting for them to open.
“The fuck…” she half whispered to herself when a shockingly-familiar stranger opened the door. Vesper found herself face to face with who she assumed to be the new girl. Tight, dark-blue curls were pulled into a styled ponytail with a few loose strands framing her face. Bright, grey eyes pierced right through Vesper.
It was like Bellamy was glaring right at her. But this girl definitely wasn’t Bellamy. She was a bit taller, not angry, and her olive skin was much too smooth—free of scars, save for the few pockmarks on her cheeks. No tattoos, either, and way bigger tits. Vesper shook her head, tearing her gaze away from the woman. Fucking Mazz.Her type.
“Yes?” The light, flirty voice was also a far cry from the anger she’d come to expect from Bel.
Vesper cleared her throat, the back of her neck burning as she’d realized how long the woman let Vesper check her out before saying anything. “I’m here for Mazz.”
“What a pleasure,” Mazz purred. The girl stepped away to reveal Mazz sitting at her desk. Mazz gestured for Vesper to come in and close the door. “This is Wisp, our new girl.”
“Sash told me you had a new girl back here,” Vesper muttered. Mazz smiled. “Told me you said she was my type.” Vesper eyed Wisp, watching for a reaction. The surprise the girl had been wearing at Vesper’s entrance and informality was quickly overtaken by a coquettish grin as she sauntered closer, looking to Mazz and awaiting instructions.
Mazz laughed, light and fluttery. “Got your girl with you, or do you wanna try mine?”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t come from that. I need a favor, Mazz. A big one.”
Mazz raised an eyebrow and motioned to the plush, leatherchair in front of her desk. Vesper brushed past Wisp, careful not to touch her, and took the seat.
