26. Elena
26
ELENA
N ash had to head to work today to do paperwork or something, and I’m thankful for the space. What happened last night and this morning was unexpected, and now I’m confused.
“Hey, wasn’t expecting another call from you again so soon,” Mackenzie answers happily. “Don’t tell me you need more sisterly advice.”
“I do.” I cringe at saying that.
“Oh my gosh, hell yeah, okay, obviously I gave great advice last time. So hit me with it.”
“I slept with Nash,” I say quickly.
Mackenzie screams. “Oh my god, I knew you would. Was it good? I bet you it was. He looks like he knows what he is doing.”
“He does,” I answer.
She squeals again. “Knew it,” then silence falls between us, “then what’s the problem? Did he hit it and quit it? Damn it, Nash, I thought you might be one of the good ones. But I see it. A man that hot can get anyone. But also, a woman as hot as you can, too, so …”
“It’s not like that. It’s um …”
“No!” She gasps. “You’ve fallen for him.”
“No,” I answer sharply.
“Yes, you have. One ride on his disco stick and you’re gone for. It happens to the best of us.”
“What do you mean? Is it normal to feel like this after sex?” I question her.
“Yeah. Have you never …?” But she doesn’t finish what she’s about to ask, remembering what I do for a living. “Yes, if you like someone and you sleep with them you can develop feelings for that person. Sometimes the other person reciprocates it, sometimes they don’t,” she explains.
“So, men sleep with you and then go, and you never hear from them again?”
“Yeah. That’s the definition of a one-night stand.”
Oh. “What happens if he fucks you all night long and again while making breakfast, then feeds you but disappears to work after?” I ask her.
“Sounds like you had a fun night then.” She giggles.
“I did. And I want to do it again and again but …”
“But you have to do your job and that entails doing other people,” she says quietly.
“Yeah. I won’t stop until I find Pearl,” I tell her.
“Have you voiced this to Nash?”
“Yes.”
“And what did he say?” she asks.
“That he understood and we both kind of agreed that it was for one night only because of what I must do. I have a date tonight with that cartel guy. I’m trying to get invited to this gala because I know Pearl will be there, somewhere,” I explain to Mackenzie.
“Then I guess you know what you need to do. Find Pearl, bring her home safely, and then you can concentrate on you,” Mackenzie adds. “I mean, it’s not like you’d be moving to Mexico, or he would be leaving, so whatever is happening between the two of you was always going to be short-lived.”
Where was this going once I found Pearl?
“You’re right.”
“Hey, I didn’t mean to make you sad. I’m happy that you got to have something normal with Nash and can continue to have something normal with him for a little while,” Mackenzie states.
“I’m here for Pearl. I probably shouldn’t let some grumpy bar owner distract me.”
Mackenzie sighs. “I’m sorry.”
I shake my head even though she can’t see it. “I’m not normal. I’ll never be normal. I hate that I’m slowly getting glimmers of a normal life, and I keep reaching for it. I thought maybe one day I could have what my brother has.”
“Babe, that can happen.”
“They won’t ever let me go, Kenzie. I’m too good at my job.” My chest tightens.
“Don’t lose hope,” Mackenzie tells me.
“The thing is, in this life, hope gets you killed. I better go. I have so much to plan for tonight,” I tell her.
“Ellie, please don’t give up,” she pleads with me.
“Maybe you can hope for me,” I tell her.
Mackenzie is the most hopeful, optimistic person I know. “I will. I believe things will change.” And with that, we say our goodbyes.
“You look …” Nash is standing there giving me a once over. I’m wearing a black mini-dress that hugs my curves and dips low, showing off my cleavage. My blonde hair is in a ponytail again, and my makeup is darker.
“Manuel’s taking me to a sex party,” I explain to him, it’s why I look like a high-end hooker.
“He’s doing what?” he asks through gritted teeth.
“He doesn’t know I know because of his phone, but he’s testing me, seeing how far I’m willing to go. He told one of the men he works with that he had the best night of his life with me and thought that I might be a good addition for more high-end clients.” Nash is completely still, but I can see every corded muscle vibrating with tension. I slowly walk toward him, I haven’t seen him all day, he’s been at the bar working. My stomach somersaults with each step toward him, I reach out and place a hand on his chest. “Trust me, I’ll be okay.”
Those dark brows pull together as he places a large hand over mine. “How can I not worry?” I read it on his face, he’s serious.
“I’ll be fine. This was my life before it imploded,” I try to explain.
“There has to be another way,” he says.
I shake my head. “Tonight, there’s a chance Pearl might be there. I have to take it.”
“I know,” he says, moving away from me as he runs his hand over his shaved head.
“Look, what happened between us, it can never happen again. My focus is on finding Pearl.”
Nash looks at me caught off-guard by my comment. “You’re right. This is why you came here. If you need anything call me. Good luck, you’re going to need it.” He turns on his heel and walks toward his bedroom, slamming his door shut and rattling the hinges.
My phone buzzes and it’s a message from Manuel saying his bodyguard is out the front for me. There has been a change of plans, we have to attend this party instead of dinner, and he hopes I don’t mind. I knew this was what he would do. So, I let him know everything is okay. I take one last look at Nash’s bedroom door before exiting.
It's not a long drive to where the party is being held in an exclusive gated community. The imposing gates open for the car, and we drive up the long driveway to a huge white mansion on top of a hill that overlooks the jungle and ocean. Manuel is standing outside waiting for me when we drive up. He opens the door for me and holds my hand to help me out of the car.
“Carmen, you are breathtaking,” he says, leaning in and kissing my cheek. My stomach turns as he touches me, and I physically want to revolt. That has never happened to me before. Get it together, Elena . Thankfully he doesn’t notice.
“Am I dressed okay for the party?” I ask him, turning around and showing off for him.
“Yes,” he answers hungrily. “You are perfect.”
“Is it someone’s birthday? Should I have brought a present?” I ask him.
This makes him chuckle. “I think being you will be present enough for my friends.” What a dick. “Come, let me show you off.” He escorts me inside the house, and I can hear music playing and people talking. My sensors are on high alert as we walk along the marble floor toward the outside area. When we turn the corner, that is when I see it, girls are everywhere, dressed in the tiniest of clothes, draped over older men lazing on sofas. My eyes scan the room to see if I can see Pearl, but she’s not there or she might be somewhere else.
As we make our presence known, every man’s attention turns to Manuel, and they all nod their heads in respect as we walk around the party.
“Are you their boss? They seem to respect you,” I mention as I nuzzle into his side.
“Yes. I am,” he says, puffing out his chest. He introduces me to a couple of men, and I feel their eyes sliding over me. Manuel’s hands tighten around me as if declaring I am his, which is strange, but I go with it. I grab a glass of champagne and continue walking with Manuel as he talks to more men for the next half an hour. Once he has seen all the people he needs to, he leads me from the outside entertaining area and back inside. He then leads me down a narrow staircase to a basement area.
“Where are we going?” I ask, giving my voice a slight wobble of uncertainty to it.
“Downstairs is where the real fun is happening. I think you will like it.” He grins before pushing me up against the wall. “It’s somewhere you can enjoy dominating me and other men.” His lips meet my neck, and he gives it a nip.
“Other men?”
“Only if you want to, they are quite handsome, I think you will like them. They are eager to please, too, just like me,” he states as he presses his hardening length against me.
“ What happens if I don’t want other men, just you?”
“You can have me, but I won’t be offended if you want more …” He grins.
“Did you bring me to a sex party?” I whisper.
Manuel stills, those dark eyes glaring at me. “It is a party, some people might be having sex, si. I thought you might get a kick out of it. Was I wrong?” He’s testing me. I can either go willingly, and get the nice Manuel, or if I say no, the switch will flick, and he will give me cartel Manuel. Either way, I know the only answer is yes.
“No. I’ve never been to one before. I didn’t know they existed. I’m a little nervous … and curious.”
“You’re curious?” he asks, arching a dark brow at me. I swallow, hopefully pulling off that I’m curious yet nervous, when I know exactly what is happening down there.
“Will I be having sex in front of other people?” I ask him.
“If you want to. Others will be having sex. You can watch if you want, you can join in, too,” he adds.
My eyes widen at his comment. “You wouldn’t be jealous if I did?” I ask, testing the waters as I run my hand down over his hard cock and cup it.
A moan falls from his lips which quickly turns into a smile. “No, I would not be jealous. In fact, it would make me very happy,” he states before leaning in and kissing me. I let him. Playing my part of the kinky yet naive college girl. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I promise,” he says, trying to reassure me.
“Okay. I trust you,” I tell him before kissing him again.
“Good.” He grins as he takes my hand and walks further down the stairs. He pushes open the door to the basement, and I suck in a deep breath. I am going to need every last bit of Emerald still inside me to tackle what is in front of me. It takes a couple of moments for my eyes to adjust to the semi-darkness, and the grunts and moans of people fucking around us assault my ears. The first woman’s face I land on is Pearl’s, who is strung up on a St. Andrew’s cross.
Shit.
And jackpot.