Chapter 4
Chapter Four
The Sapphire Vault was in an old warehouse in a part of town that had seen better days.
Her first time visiting the nightclub back in the early days of their relationship, Kelsey had told Daddy that she was a little scared. After all, the nearby abandoned buildings and the dark alleyways with broken streetlamps didn’t make for a very comforting atmosphere.
He’d assured her of two things. First, he would always keep her safe, no matter what. And second, no one in their right mind would dare try anything at that particular club.
She believed him about that first part, but she didn’t understand the other.
Now, almost a year later, she had a pretty good idea of what was going on: the people who owned the club were more dangerous than anyone who would start shit there, ensuring everyone was on their best behavior.
It worked. There was never any trouble at the club that she knew of. And the lines were often stretched around the building with trendy, well-dressed people eager to get in. None of them ever seemed to have any problems.
Marco had a special parking space in the VIP Lot that he was allowed entrance to only after rolling down his window so the guard manning the gate could get a good look at him.
“Good evening, Mr. Ruggieri. Have a nice evening.”
“Thank you.”
Once his window was up and the sleek high-end sports car was rolling deeper into the protected lot, Kelsey said, “You don’t know that guy’s name, do you?”
He laughed. “It was that obvious?”
“To me. Usually you call people by name.”
He nodded as he guided the car into a slot facing the building, the bright headlight beams shining on the red faded brick. “I think it’s a nice touch. You know? Let ‘em know I think they’re somebody. But yeah, I don’t know his name. He just started. Only an associate.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he’s not a made—” Marco abruptly stopped, the way he did when he’d revealed too much about his work.
Looking at her while he unbuckled his seatbelt, he said, “Here, think about it this way. He’s not a full-time employee of my organization.
It’s more like he’s contracted to do some temp work from time to time.
If it goes well, then he’ll move up the ladder. ”
“So, he might get a full-time job?”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
After thinking about it, Kelsey smiled. “Well, I hope he does. I bet he’s nice.”
Daddy just sort of chuckled, and it wasn’t lost on Kelsey that he didn’t confirm whether the guy was nice or not.
Maybe he wasn’t hired to be nice. Could be the exact opposite, in fact.
She didn’t like thinking about that. Yet at the same time, she knew she needed to.
Am I complicit in something bad going on? Are people getting hurt because I’m not brave enough to speak up?
At her core, though, she just knew Daddy wasn’t a bad person. There was no way he’d harm innocent people.
The thumping bass of the music could be heard even in the parking lot, along with the chatter of the line of people on the other side of the fence waiting to get in. A car horn blared, and Kelsey gasped when Marco put his hands on her shoulders and forced her down.
“Daddy! What’s going?—”
“I’m sorry.” He helped her up. “I was worried someone was…” He shook his head. “We’re fine here. It’s safe. I’m just jittery.” Giving her an apologetic smile, he said, “Sometimes Daddies can go a little overboard protecting their Little girls. You know?”
Kelsey wanted to tell him that she might be na?ve, but she wasn’t that na?ve. Hashing everything out might just cause him more stress, and he was clearly already stretched to his limit, it seemed. So, she smiled at him and said, “Thank you for protecting me.”
Shaking his head, Marco told her, “You don’t have to thank me, honey. That’s a Daddy’s job. Now, come on. Let’s go have a little fun.”
He meant well, but the nightclub wasn’t exactly Kelsey’s definition of fun.
The short dress she wore wasn’t her usual style. And the heels were hard to walk in!
But she didn’t want to be the only one there dressed too casually, so she was trying her hardest. Whatever was going on tonight, it was important for Daddy’s work.
Marco held her hand as they approached a metal door on the side of the building, accessible through the parking lot. Letting go of her, he was about to knock but the door opened on squeaky hinges before his knuckles could even make contact.
“Mr. Ruggieri,” the guard said. “Good to see you.”
They hugged.
“What’s this mister shit? You’re making me feel old. Call me Marco.”
The big man laughed. “All right. Marco. How are you?”
“I’m fine. And you remember my girlfriend, right? Kelsey?”
Kelsey could barely follow the conversation over the music, but she smiled and nodded. “Hey.”
“Of course, of course. It’s great to see you again.” He shifted his attention back to Marco. “Look, Niko is waiting for you upstairs. I don’t know what’s going on, but he’s impatient tonight. No disrespect, of course.” He held up his hands, as if worried he’d stepped out of line.
Kelsey didn’t know much about any of this, but she’d heard Marco enough to know he didn’t like Niko. So, he probably didn’t care if this guy disrespected him or not. He certainly wouldn’t go tell on this guy.
“It’s fine, Sal. Just fine. But it’s just Niko? The old man isn’t here?”
Sal shook his head. “You know how it is. Mr. Bianchi hates it here.”
“Yeah,” Marco replied with a nod. “Says it’s too loud and it gives him a headache.”
Kelsey had only met Mr. Bianchi once, but she sure agreed with him on that point!
“Is everything okay, Mr. Ruggieri?” Sal looked slightly embarrassed. “I mean Marco.”
“Yeah. When Niko called, he made it sound like Enzo would be here. No big deal.”
Sal shrugged. “That’s all I know, Marco. Sorry.”
“It’s all good. Hey, say hi to Sammy for me, would you?”
“Of course.”
Kelsey didn’t know who Sammy was, and Marco seemed in a hurry now, so she just followed him without asking.
“Is everything all right?”
“Of course, babygirl.” He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“Do you want me to stay down here? I can get a drink or something.”
Marco stopped walking and turned to look at her.
All around them, the club was in full swing with people dancing, lights timed to the music, and fog slowly drifting through the crowd like a slow-moving monster.
“Listen to me good, little girl. I don’t want to give you another spanking tonight.
I want you staying with me at all times while we’re here. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Sir,” she said, not caring if anyone heard the way they were speaking to each other.
The fact that he was her Daddy wasn’t anyone else’s business. But it wasn’t like anyone could hear over the music and shouting conversations.
“I just thought that you might want privacy.”
“Baby, look around.”
Kelsey obeyed.
“There are so many people here, right?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“You might get lost. Or some asshole—pardon my language—might slip something in your drink. There are a lot of guys who would love to take advantage of a beautiful woman like you, Kelsey. And then I’d have to hunt them down and put them in the ground. It’s just easier if you stay with me.”
Kelsey wasn’t sure if what Marco had just said was hyperbolic or not, but he looked deadly serious, so she just said, “Yes, Daddy.”
They passed the neon-lined bar, several scantily clad women dancing on platforms, and other patrons, to reach an elevator in the back corner. Another guard was posted there.
“Go on up, Marco,” he said as he reached out and slammed his palm against the button on the wall without even looking.
The silver doors opened immediately. The elevator probably dinged too, but that was lost in the loud music and chatter.
Once she was inside with Marco and the doors met in the middle, Kelsey hugged Daddy tightly.
“I don’t like it here,” she whimpered.
He held her close. “I know, honey. I shouldn’t have brought you. I’m sorry. Look at me.”
Once their eyes were locked, he said, “I promise you that I will get you out of here. Do you believe me?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t an automatic response. Somehow, she just knew Marco would keep his word.
Nodding, Marco said, “Soon.” That nod turned into a shake of his head. “Soon isn’t quick enough. Immediately.”
Kelsey felt her heart speed up. The excitement she felt shined in her eyes as she squealed and said, “Promise?”
“Of course.”
This time the elevator’s ding could be heard and a moment later the doors slid open.
Niko Bianchi was standing there, reading to greet them.
And Kelsey’s excitement suddenly faded.
Something about that man just gave her the ick.
Majorly.