CHAPTER TWO
ARACELY
Staring out the window of the diner in the small town, I deliberated what I was going to do. I could move on or I could stay here. I had enough money to help me pay for maybe a first month’s rent somewhere, but I was afraid I was too close. Afraid he would find me so easily. The consequences of taking his money and running away were present in my decisions. Every step was dangerous, every move was fatal.
I stared at the coffee mug in front of me. I was on cup number three, alone, and with nowhere to go. The chimes on the door rang as a group walked in. The first was a man, tall, good looking. He wore a black suit, his blonde hair slicked back, and he walked in with a confident stride. As if he knew that the whole world was looking at him. He winked at me as he slid into the booth in front of me and propped an arm along the back of the seat. Another man slid in across from him, just as gorgeous. He’d taken his jacket off and the white crisp shirt he wore beneath it outlined his muscles. His sleeves rolled up exposing his strong forearms and he still wore his waistcoat, fitted around his well-built torso. The next man looked dark and domineering as he slid in barely noticing me, his back to me. His dark locks swept across his brow, and from the side his jawline looked edged to perfection. Soft full lips that smirked as he stared at the man across from him.
But it wasn’t the men that captured my attention, although they were handsome enough to be a distraction. It was the woman who came in with them that had my complete attention. She wore black slacks, a white silk shirt, and a bright red overcoat. Soft blue-black waves flowed down below her waistline and as she slid into the booth, her eyes met mine. A penetrating emerald glance that made me look away. She was stunningly beautiful, I might even say, statuesque. She wore bright red lipstick and had a sharp domineering tone, that was also oddly soothing, as she spoke to the men.
I lowered my head, taking a sip of my hot coffee while I focused trying to figure out what to do. The woman laughed and then her words caught my attention once again. Overhearing their conversation, my ears perked up.
“We need to find another bartender and quickly. I can’t have Trey by himself anymore. My poor pet is going to tire himself out.”
The man beside her nodded as he took a sip of his coffee mug. “I’ve been looking, but you know how this town is. I have to be careful who I talk to.”
“Then we need to find someone from outside. Someone willing to come out and work for us.”
The words slipped from my lips before I could stop myself. And as I said them, all eyes turned on me. “I’m willing to work.”
The woman looked over at me, a glint in her eyes. The man beside her smirked. “Sorry baby girl, you look like you have never even seen the inside of a bar.”
“I haven’t.” They all looked at me then, but the woman just continued to stare at me as I spoke. “I’ve never even worked a day in my life. But if you teach me I’m willing to try. I’m sure I can learn.”
“We need someone who is already seasoned…” The woman placed a hand on his arm and finally addressed me.
“Why are you here?”
“I…” My words escaped me as tears threatened to fall. I was glad for the dark sunglasses that hid the bruises on my face. Hid the fear I had inside. “I’m willing to work hard. You don’t even have to pay me as long as I can get room and board somewhere.”
The man beside her stared back at me in wonder. “What’s your name, baby girl?”
“Aracely,” I whispered.
“You haven’t answered my Mistress’ question.”
I stared from him to her and she suddenly slid out of the booth. “Out,” she stated, and all the men stared back at her. She waved her hand, shooing them and they all obeyed, reluctantly, but they slid out.
The man who had spoken to me leaned in and whispered something in her ear. She smiled up at him and stroked his cheek. “Trust me. Leave us a moment.”
Without another word they all wandered off, the man who was with her looked back at me, curiosity in his eyes. She slid into the seat across from me and smiled.
“Who are you running away from, Aracely?”
I looked down at my hands and then focused on the trucks that seemed to filter into the gas station across the way. She placed a hand over my own and sighed.
“Are you in danger?”
A nod was all I could manage, and she leaned back in her chair. “Husband? Boyfriend? Father?”
I knew that what she seeked for was my trust, which was hard for me to give to anyone. But I needed help desperately, and she was the only kind soul I’d met in years, who had taken the time to sit down and talk with me. Removing my sunglasses, I looked up at her, my eyes trying to read her, but she remained calm, unjudging.
“Husband,” I whispered.
She didn’t speak a word about my bruises, she simply nodded. “Okay then. You start tomorrow night. Micah!”
The handsome man who had whispered to her sauntered over, sliding beside me. His thigh touched mine and I squeezed myself over by the window. I didn’t want anyone touching me.
“She needs a place to stay. I need you to get the spare room ready and give the keys to the apartment.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea Mistress.”
“Just do as I tell you. She needs our help and who am I to deny it.” Her eyes met mine in a warm glance. She reached over, taking my hand. “Where you are about to go is not for the faint of heart, sweet girl. Are you sure you are willing to do this?”
I quickly nodded back, eager for a place to stay, hoping for a place to belong. “I’m willing.”
She nodded and called out for the other two men. They all gathered around me, talking animatedly. I simply listened and got to know them. The one beside me, his name was Micah, he ran the floor to their place, a club called Edge. Apparently, the club needed to remain hidden. We were in the middle of a Christian town and if word got out of the club, they’d be shut down immediately. So far, everyone who entered was there by invitation only. It was a safe haven for those who indulged in pleasures of the flesh. Micah was very explicit as to what was done there, he didn’t hide what they did, and I hung on every word as the descriptive images flooded through my head.
Edge was a BDSM club, where pets, Masters, Doms, slaves, subs, and Mistress’, went to play. Alondrea was the Head Mistress, she owned the club. Micah was her Manager and then there was Liam and Daniel, the club’s floor masters. They were the ones who made sure rules were being followed and safety measures were upheld.
There were rules into entering Edge, memberships ran up to tens of thousands of dollars. You were to respect the scene, never to interrupt it, and nudity was permitted. Unlike other clubs, sex was acceptable as long as the partner was willing. Each woman had a code word, and so did each man. If that code word was uttered among the members, everyone who heard it would know someone was in danger.
Hearing what went on in Edge was one thing, but I didn’t believe it all until I actually got to witness it. The club was not easily found, so a week later, when Alondrea and Micah pulled up to the empty building, I thought we were in the wrong place. We walked towards the back of the brick structure and along the side, the word EDGE was embedded into the brick in large metal letters. Surprisingly, it was discrete enough that you’d miss it if you weren’t looking for it.
At the window Micah gave our names and the doors to a basement opened. Making our way down to the floor below, I was stopped at yet another window. Micah pulled me forward so that I could get my hand stamped and was given a badge. Micah then opened another door and ushered me through. I stepped out onto a grated stairway and froze.
The sight before me was unlike anything my sheltered eyes had ever seen. He grabbed my hand and pulled me down the stairs, Alondrea stopping behind me to greet some people. I was taking in the perverse scenes on stage, the moaning that echoed around me was erotic and tempting. We made our way towards the back and he explained that there were also ten private rooms in the back for those who wanted complete privacy or anonymity. He walked me through the rooms as if this was an everyday ordeal.
The shower room was first, encompassed by white tile and showerheads. There was a medical examiner’s room, a classroom complete with paddle and a teacher’s desk, as well as a student’s desk and blackboard. And then of course there were the BDSM rooms where he described to me in detail what is done on each piece of furniture. In a way, I think he enjoyed telling me and watching me squirm. He was a Dom after all, and he liked to see how far he could go with me.
“I could teach you if you’re interested.”
“Oh no, I don’t think I’d be very good at any of this. And to be honest, it looks a bit scary.”
“Your apprehension is normal, all you need is trust.” He came up to me and tilted my head up to meet his dark eyes. “Trust is everything.”
He held my gaze for a moment and then I stepped back, feeling anxious. The only other man who had touched me was Shawn, and I wasn’t used to that type of attention.
“I’m okay. Truly.”
He shrugged. “Well if you ever feel enticed, you know where to find me.”
Eventually we made our way to the bar where I met Trey. He was a bit kinder than Micah, less domineering and pushy. His tattoos ran across his entire chest and arms, he wore no shirt, black jeans with chains attached, and a black fedora that covered his shoulder length blonde hair. His eyes were kind and his voice soft.
“Take care of her Trey and teach her properly. Mistress will be around later to assess what she’s learned.”
At the sound of Alondrea’s title, Trey’s eyes lit up, and I realized he was what was considered to be a submissive. As soon as Micah walked away, he leaned into me.
“How are you doing, sweetheart? You okay?” He had a smooth English accent, low and seductive.
“Ummm…”
“Yeah, I know, love. It’s a lot to take in. Just take it one day at a time.”
My eyes kept staring out onto the floor, taking in the sights and sounds. There was a woman on the stage moaning from the flogging she was receiving. Another woman off the stage was being wrapped in intricate braids of rope that aligned her body delicately. The man binding her, stepping back to admire his work. Moans and shouts echoed all around me and for a moment, I grew dizzy.
Trey sat me down for a moment and handed me a shot of brandy. “Drink up.”
I stared at him as I downed the hot liquor, coughing as it burnt my throat.
“Good girl.” He stared at me for a moment and smiled. “You ever bartend before?”
“N-no.”
“Well then, I guess you’ll learn from the best.” He winked at me and we got right down to learning basics. By the time the night was over I was able to make several simple drinks and had memorized the names of the different whiskeys. We were to use jiggers, everyone was to be carded, every night I was to learn different signature drink, and there were absolutely no Happy Hours.
He handed me a book from behind the bar and patted it. “This is your bible, study it, learn it and you’ll be a pro in no time.”
This was what I’d set out to do, be my own person, find my own path. I needed to do this for myself, and Edge was a good a place as any to start.