6. Over My Head
Be grateful, I reminded myself as the hired car took a left onto Hawthorne Drive. During the hour-and-a-half ride from Boston to Harbor Crest, I’d watched the driver’s GPS tick down the time and miles. I’d felt sick the whole drive.
Be grateful, I told myself again.
And I was grateful. Because of my huge signing bonus, I’d secured a one-year spot in the clinical trial for my brother. He had a private room at the treatment facility, a tutor, and a brand-new Play Station. I’d lied to him about my new position, saying I’d gotten a job in Rhode Island as a nanny and was going to live with a rich family for a year.
I also told him I could visit him all the time and that I’d call every day, twice a day. Maybe I’d said those things for my own benefit, not his…
Because although I was aiming for gratitude, I was scared out of my mind. I still didn’t know what my new job entailed. Not exactly, at least. Gina had told me I’d be living and working at Club 444, an exclusive club for billionaires that was members only.
She said I would be their companion.
She said I would do whatever they asked as long as I consented to it.
Gina had said a lot of things, but I’d blocked most of them out. Things like private club and viewing rooms and pole dances and sex wedges. I’d decided not to think about it. Once I got to the club, Gina could show me what a sex wedge was. Or wedgie. Or whatever. I needed to keep my eye on the prize; Lucas was safe for now, and he was getting the treatment he desperately needed.
This job might save his life.
God had answered my prayers. The sky had literally opened up and rained money down on me. All I had to do was… Well, all I had to do was anything and everything that the billionaire club members asked me to do.
I swallowed hard as the driver turned into a private drive and rolled down his window to check in at the gate. A uniformed security guard with what looked like a machine gun strapped to his chest checked his identification and then begrudgingly opened the gate. I shivered as we pulled through and started down the long gravel drive, the outside world disappearing behind me. Why did they need a security guard with an assault weapon? I added that question to the growing list of things I didn’t want to think about.
The drive opened up to the property, and I gasped. Gina had said the club was located on a luxury compound, but my imagination had not nearly done it justice. A mansion loomed before me, enormous and captivating, its rose-gold exterior glinting in the afternoon sunlight. The acres and acres of grounds surrounding it were green and lush, with statues peeking out from the gardens. A giant fountain bubbled in front of the mansion, making it look even more like a fairy-tale setting.
There were also several additional, separate buildings on the property that looked like mini-mansions, as well as a natural pool with a stone wall abutting it. What looked like small rooms were cut into the wall, interspersed with more statues.
The driver whistled. “Nice house,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s technically a house,” I mumbled, nerves thrumming.
“You’re right, it’s a mega-mansion—but oops, I’m not supposed to talk to you. Sorry, kid.” He put up the privacy screen as he pulled into the driveway, parking the enormous SUV in front of the mansion. He climbed out and removed my bags from the back. Another armed, uniformed guard came out, followed by Gina, and I blew out a sigh of relief. At least there was one familiar face.
The driver opened my door, holding it while I climbed out. He refused to look at me. “We’ll take it from here,” the armed guard said, grabbing my suitcases.
“Hello, Faith,” Gina said. As usual, she wore a formfitting wrap dress that hugged her curves. Her long, raven waves bounced in the breeze. “Are you ready for this?”
I looked around the lush grounds dotted with marble statues. I squinted at the enormous rose-gold mansion. I glanced down at my travel outfit, which was composed of a tank top, a pair of cheap leggings, and ten-dollar Old Navy flip-flops. My clothes were new, but I was still a bargain-basement Barbie. “Not at all,” I admitted.
“You’ll settle in soon,” Gina said encouragingly. “How was the drive?”
“It was fine.” I watched as the SUV pulled away; the driver stared straight ahead, not giving us a backward glance. “Except… Why did the driver say he wasn’t supposed to talk to me? And why are the guards armed with machine guns?”
Gina smiled. She didn’t seem surprised by my questions at all. “The driver wasn’t supposed to talk to you because Mr. Blackwood is very protective of his hires. He’s instructed all male employees to keep their distance from the female staff.”
I nodded.
She continued, “The guards have machine guns because this is a two-hundred-fifty-million-dollar property that’s been recently renovated to the tune of an additional thirty million. There’s an original Rembrandt painting onsite. And cash. And diamonds. And top-shelf liquor.” She nudged me playfully. “And you.”
I blinked at her. “Are you… Are you in a good mood or something?” I’d never seen Gina relaxed before. She’d been uptight throughout the whole hiring process, always tapping on her tablet, her brow furrowed as she checked emails on her phone.
“I am in a good mood.” Gina smiled. “This is a big day for all of us. The staff’s moving in, and you get to see the house, the grounds, and the club. I’m really excited to share this with you, Faith. This property’s incredible. You’re going to love living here. How’s your brother doing, by the way?”
I melted a little. Gina always asked about Lucas, and it meant a lot. “He’s doing well. This latest round of treatment’s been hard, but he’s tough. He’s lucky to be in the program. Thank you for asking.”
“My pleasure.” Gina motioned for me to follow her. “Come on. Let me bring you to your room. Then I can show you around the house. You are one of the first girls here. There will be plenty of time for introductions later. Your roommate, Tate, will be arriving this afternoon.”
“I have a roommate?” I asked.
“Yes. All of the girls have roommates. Two to a room.”
I nodded, wondering what Tate was going to be like.
But I soon stopped wondering. As we entered the mansion’s doors, all thoughts and questions ceased. I stood in the grand foyer, blinking, utterly overwhelmed. Light spilled from the enormous crystal chandelier hanging from the ultra-high ceiling. “Oh my goodness.”
Gina smiled warmly. “I told you so. The mansion is incredible—and this is just the foyer. Wait until you see the rest!”
I gaped as I followed her up the sweeping, grand staircase to my room. It was large and comfortably decorated. With its generous queen beds, cheerful curtains, and plush throw rug, it was the nicest bedroom I’d ever had by a mile. Gina showed me the bathroom I’d be sharing with Tate. It had an enormous shower and tub and was stocked with expensive brands of makeup, shampoo, and perfume. Holy wow. “Do I get to use all this stuff?” I asked.
“Yep,” Gina said, eyes sparkling. “Wait until you see the clothes.” She threw open the closet to reveal a dozen evening gowns, designer-label jeans and tees, Christian Louboutin high heels in every color, as well as an assortment of lacy-looking lingerie that I refused to inspect more closely.
“We’ll tell you what you’re expected to wear for each part of your day,” Gina explained. “There will be a schedule that all the girls will adhere to. Breakfast, morning workouts, pool time, lunch, naps, cocktail hours, dinners, and, of course, club time.”
I nodded. “Of course.” Just talking about the schedule had me feeling overwhelmed.
I must’ve looked worried, because Gina reached out and squeezed my arm. “You’re going to do fine, Faith. All the other girls are in the same boat. No one I hired has ever worked in a club before, and even if they had, no one has ever experienced an environment like Club 444 before—because there’s never been an experience like this. It’s the first of its kind.”
I swallowed hard. “When does it open?”
“Tomorrow night. Come on, I have more to show you.”
Gina brought me to the patron’s suites, which were located in the left wing of the second floor. The suites were decadent and luxurious, with dark damask drapes, crimson bedspreads, and huge mahogany beds. I spotted boxes of cigars, crystal ashtrays, and expensive-looking bottles of bourbon. I wondered who the members were and what exactly they planned to get up to in their suites.
I had a feeling I was going to find out sooner rather than later.
Next, we toured the first floor, where I met the enormous housekeeping and kitchen staff. Everyone was female, dressed in uniform, and, unlike the male driver and the security guards, warm and friendly. “You’re allowed to speak with the female staff,” Gina explained as she ushered me from the kitchen, “just don’t get too friendly with anyone. Mr. Blackwood wants the girls to keep to themselves.”
“He’s the owner, right?” I asked.
“Yes,” Gina said. “You’ll see him at the club tomorrow night.”
I nodded, wondering what the mysterious club owner was like in real life. All I knew was that he was a billionaire; he wanted virgins working at his club and didn’t want the male staff anywhere near his prized possessions.
We toured the rest of the first floor. It boasted a library, several formal living rooms, and an unbelievable view of the infinity pool and the ocean beyond. I felt as though I was walking through a movie set; I’d never been around such luxury before. The furniture alone likely cost more money than I would ever see in my life, even though I would be a millionaire myself by the end of the year.
That still didn’t seem real. I’m going to be a millionaire, I told myself again.I looked down at my cheap flip-flops. If you say so…
“Before we go downstairs to the club, I want to show you the grounds.” Gina brought me outside to the enormous infinity pool, and my jaw dropped. The pool’s view opened up right on the private beach, the gray sands sweeping before me, waves crashing and thundering. Rows of lounge chairs were set up, and what looked like a pool house commanded the far end of the setting. “This looks like it belongs at a fancy hotel,” I said.
“It’s nicer than the Four Seasons, and it’s heated, thank goodness. Summer evenings in Rhode Island can get chilly,” Gina said. “The pool house is fully stocked with a restaurant and bar. We’ll be hosting lots of parties out here all summer. It’s going to be so elegant and amazing. Let me show you the grotto next. Follow me!”
Gina led me out of the gated pool area and across the lush, green lawn to what looked like a pond. I’d glimpsed the grotto earlier. There was a structure abutting it, a wall with rooms carved into it, dotted with statues.
“This is the grotto,” Gina said. “It’s actually a man-made pool. Can you believe it? They made it look like a freshwater pond.”
We stepped closer, and I saw that the water was indeed crystal clear; you could see all the way to what looked like a sandy bottom.
“What’s that?” I asked, gesturing to the wall interspersed with statues.
“Those are the grotto rooms—they’re for members to relax with the girls outside in nature. You can enjoy a swim, then choose a room.” Gina grinned. “This is going to be a very popular feature.”
I glanced at the rooms—there were canopied king beds inside. I swallowed hard. The grotto was going to be a popular feature, indeed.
Gina checked her watch. “I have just enough time to show you the club before the next girl arrives.”
I followed her back to the house. We entered a hallway near the back and Gina pressed the button for the elevator. I couldn’t believe the mansion had an elevator, but honestly, since it had literally everything else, I shouldn’t be surprised.
Still, I managed to be shocked when we reached the lower level and headed inside the club. There was a stage at the center of the dimly lit room, replete with poles for pole dances. A long, glossy, dark bar bordered one side of the lounge; private rooms bordered the other. I glimpsed a bed inside one of the rooms, as well as a chaise lounge and what looked like a… swing. Oh boy.
I was so over my head; it was just a matter of time before I lost my footing and got dragged out to sea. Be grateful, said the voice in my head again. Remember, you’re doing this for Lucas.
Still, I shivered when Gina grinned at me wickedly and said, “Welcome to Club 444.”