Jase Payne, Incognito’s General Manager, slammed his laptop shut, then shot Francois a harsh stare. Alexandra froze in the doorway. Clearly, this was not a good time. When Jase glimpsed her, he broke into a broad grin that revealed a significant gap between his two frontteeth.
Pushing out of his chair, he rounded his desk, hands extended. His tight black shirt and snug black pants clung to his compact physique. “Welcome, Ms. Electra.” To thwart what she thought might be a bear hug, she stuck out her hand. With his gaze fixed on her, he kissed herknuckle.
Alexandra startled when someone jumped up from the sofa to her right. She couldn’t help but gawk. Clothing hung on the young woman’s tall, slender frame and her thin hair dangled limply over one cheek. With her head down, she shuffled toward the door, the sudden movement revealing her bruised cheek. Her porcelain skin only magnified the large purplesplotch.
Adrenaline spiked through Alexandra. Physical abuse terrifiedher.
“Sage, are we good?” Jaseasked.
After shooting him a furtive glance, Sage stared at the floor. “Ofcourse.”
Alexandra’s stomach knotted. Her gaunt appearance compelled Alexandra to engage her. “What do you dohere?”
Silence.
Sage’s eyebrows jutted up. “I’m…I’m sorry. You were talking tome?”
Her sad, gray eyes pierced Alexandra’s soul. “Yes, I’m curious about yourjob.”
When Jase anchored his hand on Sage’s shoulder, she flinched and lowered her head. “Sage works in the kitchen,” Jase said. “I couldn’t run the club without herhelp.”
“My goodness, that is great.” Alexandra’s strained smile accompanied her twang, but her skin crawled from the sugary tone of Jase’svoice.
As the jumpy employee tied on her masquerade mask, Jase removed his hand. “I worry about our little Sage. She walkedsmackinto the swinging kitchendoor.”
Back in LA, Alexandra had earned a television Emmy for her six-part series about three women who’d escaped their abusers. Was Sage really accident-prone or had someone hit her?The signs are there.Her attention darted between Sage and Jase, but neither said anythingmore.
“Sage, I’ll walk you to the kitchen,” Francois said. The two left, shutting the door behindthem.
Jase’s steady stare sent a shiver through her. “Please, make yourself comfortable.” After tapping the seat across from his desk, he eased into his executive leatherchair.
She folded into the plushseat.
“Would you like a glass of wine?” He tucked his shoulder-length dirty blond hair behind hisears.
“No, thank you. I can’t stay. I’m meeting a connection.”And I prefer to screw themsober.
“Excellent. I’m delighted when new members jump right in. I think you’ll be pleased with our diverse clientele. If you don’t like what you see or have a concern, let me know. I stay connected to my clientele, especially the eliteones.”
Should I ask about rejuvenation?Her gut said no. Instead, she plucked the money order from her tiny clutch and slid it across his desk. “My transferfee.”
As Jase eyed the check, she glanced at the portrait hanging on the wall behind him. The dark-skinned woman’s haunting expression tore at Alexandra’s heartstrings. A sheer red scarf draped her nude back like a shawl as she glanced over her shoulder. Though the club boasted a generous art collection, this portrait seemed different.She’s soyoung.
“Would you prefer a monthly payment plan or do quarterly installments better meet your needs?” he asked. “The interest rate is about the same for either—thirty-fivepercent.”
What?“I’m notfollowing.”
“Unfortunately, this is half of what’s owed. Our prices are higher than Provocateur. To keep your elitestatus at Incognito, the transfer fee is $10,000.”
Her stomach dropped. Though she wanted to scream, “That’s all I’ve got!” she folded her hands in her lap. “Monthly,” she uttered. What choice did she have? Life would be so much simpler—and affordable—if her tastes weren’t so eclectic or if she didn’t have intimacy issues and could handle being in arelationship.
Jase pushed out of his chair. “I’ll get the paperwork in order. In the meantime, I hope our club provides you everypleasure.”
Before leaving the office, Alexandra glanced over her shoulder at the pretty young girl in theportrait.
* * *
Crockett setthe blackdevil mask on the passenger seat of his gray Ford F-150 limited edition and started the engine. Pulling out of his underground garage, he punched speed dial. He’d never had masked stranger sex, so a brief conversation with his closest friend and one-time business partner would set himright.
