“How? In what universe do you honestly think you have anything handled? These women are walking all over you, and you can't see it. They are running rampant in here.” He holds my gaze, “You told me that you would make this masquerade party one of the best auctions this town has ever seen, and we need it to be just that.”
“Don’t worry, Big Mac, I’ve got this. My business is love, and love is easy.” I smile even though he doesn’t return the gesture and smack him playfully on the shoulder.
“Love? I don’t give a fuck about love, Killian. Love makes men sloppy, but obsession makes them dangerous.” He sneers, “I want the jerks who come here looking for a good time to be so obsessed with your girls that they can’t see us coming for them until it’s too late.”
“It’ll get done, Cormac.” I nod once, finally giving my brother the seriousness he’s expecting.
My entire family thinks I’m nothing more than a self-indulgent screwup. I guess in most respects I am. Of course, my loyalty is to my family, but I don’t really mind the fact that my entire role in keeping our empire standing is by watching over a bunch of sex workers every day. While I get shitfaced.
I’ve never wanted more responsibility, never cared how my brothers or my father strike fear into people’s hearts. All that matters to me is we stay on top.
I’m good at temptation. I’ll stay right here in my little world of sex and drugs and rule how I want.
three
Tessa
The cool night air does nothing to stop the sweat dripping down my spine.
I don’t remember ever being this nervous. No, scratch that. I’m not just nervous; I’m scared out of my mind.
I know what happens behind those doors. Everyone knows what happens at Club Sullied, even if people try to pretend it’s all just hush-hush.
The club and its owners, the O'Sullivans, are among the worst of the worst in the underground world. Typically not the place I’d ever show my face at, but I don’t really have much of a choice.
Their annual Valentine’s Day Masquerade is coming up, and it’s the only place I’m going to be able to get the cash I need to save my father.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I take a deep breath in and out, trying to force the traumatic images from my mind. It doesn’t work.
Memories flash like lightning.
“Stop! Please. I’ll get the money. I promise, I’ll get it.” My father’s hoarse voice cries out as the crowbar comes down again on his legs.
“Leave him alone! Get away from him!” I scream and try to get out of the grips of the man who is holding me. It’s no use. No matter how hard I pull it’s like trying to force my way through concrete. I’m not getting anywhere.
“You’ve had more than enough time Thomas. I should kill you right here in front of your daughter but then I’d be out of twenty five grand. Your life isn’t worth that much.” The man throws the crow bar down and it strikes my father in the head.
“I know. It’s my fault.” My father’s words slur and I hear the wheeze in his breath as he tries to get the weak phrase out. He needs to be in bed, not laying on this cold tile floor bleeding.
“Damn right it’s your fault, and you’re going to make it right. You’ve got two weeks or I’m just going to have to take the monetary loss.” The man snarls and I swear the sound rolls straight through every one of my nerves, causing my knees to knock with new fear.
A door slams to the side which jerks me out of my daydream.
I’m not there anymore. Not in our house watching my father beg for his life. That was a week ago and we are no closer to gathering up the money we need to save his life.
My father isn’t a bad man, he just has a problem getting acquainted with people who do the wrong things. That’s why we are in this position to start with. He borrowed money from the wrong people and if I don’t find a way to get that money back he’ll pay for it with his life.
The people my father owes are what I’d call little fish in the ocean of bad men who run around this city. The owner of Club Sullied is one of the sharks.
And my last chance.
If I can convince him to let me be auctioned off I should make more than enough money to pay my father’s debt. I hope.
With a new found resolve I make my way to the heavy wooden doors and let the red neon glow of the words Club Sullied bathe my skin. The second I make my way inside it feels like I’m drenched in sweat and sins. The air is heavy here. Not with sadness but lust. Maybe a little lonliness.
My eyes scan the crowd and I have to stop myself from backpeddling right out of the door. I knew that this place was meant for the sexually indulgent but I never expected it to be put on display so clearly.
Naked women grind and dance on several stages all around the area. Waitresses in barely there bikini tops walk around laughing as men paw at them. Patrons in various states of undress lounge around the area all the while a deep thruming bass filled music vibrates through the air.
