Chapter 1
Rowan
What am I doing here?
I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve asked myself that question. Why am I doing this? What am I doing here? How can I get out of this? It’s like my whole life has turned into one long, endless nightmare. And I can’t find a way to wake up.
Which is why I’m walking up to the back doors of Purgatory.
In the daylight, the building looks like a plain, boring structure just outside the downtown area.
It doesn’t stand out from the other buildings up and down the block—except for the large neon sign above the front door.
Driving by, nobody would ever guess what really goes on inside these walls.
There’s not as much foot traffic around here.
I guess that changes later when the main crowd arrives.
Most people think this is nothing more than a dance club.
Few are aware that this is an upscale sex club…
one I sent my best friend, Eve, to just a few months ago.
Her visit ended with a happily ever after, but I already know mine won’t.
“You came,” Alexei says. He’s my connection, the guy who only wanted to help me out of a bad spot the night he found me weeping outside the diner where I used to work. Mr. Good Guy, Mr. Helpful, Mr. Let me see what I can do to get you out of this jam.
I’m not a stupid person, and I’ve learned a lot in my twenty years.
The thing is, when you’ve just lost your job and have no idea how you’re going to pay the rent you’re already two months late on, you might forget everything you thought you knew. That’s another lesson I’ve learned the hard way.
“I didn’t think I had much of a choice.” It takes all of my courage to stand upright, shoulders back, chin held high. This might be the most humiliating experience of my life, but I don’t have to cower and tremble.
Alexei’s beady, deep-set eyes crawl over my body. He must like what he sees because one corner of his mouth quirks upward in a smile that gives away everything on his filthy mind. “You don’t have a choice. I’m just glad you didn’t make me chase you down or anything like that.”
That makes two of us. I resist the impulse to cover my cleavage with my hands when his eyes land there and stay there. My mouth is suddenly so dry. I nod toward the windowless door. “Well? Are we going in?”
He draws his bottom lip under his teeth for just a second before my question sinks in. “Oh, yeah. He’ll be waiting for you.”
I’ve never been so scared in my life. And that’s saying something.
Alexei opens the door and stands to the side, gesturing for me to go in.
One glance tells me nothing about what’s in there since everything is so dark.
I have half a mind to ask for a flashlight, especially in these ridiculous heels I’m wearing.
It would just be my luck to end up spraining my ankle or worse.
But that was what I was instructed to wear: something short, tight, low-cut.
Platform heels, preferably strappy so my feet would be visible.
Because, of course, before I can pay off my debt, the boss has to give the final word on whether or not I’m worthy. Whether he thinks I’ll earn for him.
I’m clearly not moving fast enough because Alexei practically shoves me into what looks like a high-end lounge with leather couches and chairs, and a bar that stretches across one wall. The lighting is low and tasteful, except for the cages.
Yes. Girls are dancing in cages. I quickly count eight of them as Alexei ushers me through the bar, spotlights shining on them as they bump and grind in various states of undress to entertain guests who are mingling with their drinks.
There’s no time for me to take it all in before he hurries me into a narrow stairwell. “Up.”
One night. This is just for one night. That’s what I tell myself with every step I climb. This is the only time I ever have to come here. And once the night is over, I’ll be free.
It’s surprisingly quiet for a sex club. I expected to at least hear some moaning, maybe a few squeals. It was like this the first time I was here as well. The walls must be soundproofed.
Alexei takes the lead once we reach the landing, guiding me down a narrow hall to a door at the end. After three sharp knocks, the door opens slowly by itself.
The room on the other side is not what I expected, but then, none of this has been. It’s well lit, sleek, and almost welcoming. At least, until I set eyes on the man sitting behind the desk directly opposite the door, his finger pressed against a button mounted in front of him.
Icy-blue eyes. They almost jump out at me from under dark, heavy brows.
He leans back in his chair, fingers tented under his chin, and there’s a glass of what looks like whiskey next to the button he used to open the door.
Nobody has to tell me he’s the boss. Everything about him screams mastery, control.
He nods once, and Alexei takes this as a sign to get me in the room and close the door. He pushes me forward, and I hear the definitive click of the door being shut, leaving me alone with the man who I know is named Lucian, the owner of Purgatory.
That’s all I know about him, though, and the fact I owe him ten grand. Although I do know he has a lot of other shady, underground businesses only hinted at online.
What a shame I didn’t have the time to look further into his businesses before I agreed to let Alexei lend me the money I needed. Money I couldn’t possibly pay back.
Lucian’s eyes roam over me the way Alexei’s did, but there’s a different sort of look in them. Alexei was imagining what he would do to me. Lucian looks at me like I’m a prize cow or something, like he’s assessing me for sale. “Turn. Let me see the back.”
So much for an introduction. There’s nothing in his deep but cold voice that gives me any sense of comfort as I turn halfway so he can get a look at my ass. All I can do is stare at the wall and will my knees to stop shaking.
“You’ll do. Turn.” I do as I’m told, glad I passed muster yet at the same time afraid of what that means. I can’t imagine what I’ll have to do to satisfy my debt, but ten grand is a lot of money, and something tells me he’s going to make me work for it.
He picks up his glass, swirling the liquor around, studying me. “Your name is Rowan, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re twenty years old?” I nod my head as he lifts the tumbler to his lips, watching me the entire time he does it. I’m afraid that if I don’t watch him with the same intensity, he may take me as weak. “You don’t say much, do you?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
This seems to please him. He lowers the tumbler, nodding. “That’s good. I can’t stand people who ask too many questions. Do you know anything about this club?
“I know enough.” Thanks to my ex, who brought me here for a threesome, and to my best friend, Eve, who had a pleasant encounter here with her stepbrother. “I’ve been upstairs before,” I admit, “and so have my friends. But I don’t know much about what’s going on downstairs.”
“We keep it that way for a reason.” He folds his hands over his flat stomach, and I catch sight of a flashy watch peeking out from under his shirt cuff.
I could probably pawn that watch and pay off my debt with money to spare.
“Welcome to Purgatory. This is an exclusive club. We’re very careful with our clientele.
The fact that you’re considered worthy of working here for the night speaks highly of you. ”
Am I supposed to be flattered? I’m not sure, though a part of me is glad I met with his approval.
“We are discreet, of course,” he continues. “Nothing that goes on within these walls goes beyond these walls. You understand that?”
“I do.”
“Good.” He suddenly stands, crossing the room with long, slow strides and stopping in front of a bar cart loaded with bottles, tumblers, and an ice bucket. Since he already has a drink of his own, I guess this one’s for me.
“You’re on the second floor currently, and this is the level we refer to as Heaven.
There are rooms set up throughout the floor where clients can engage in whatever kink they enjoy.
We have strict rules when it comes to consent and a zero-tolerance policy for guests—men or women—who can’t take no for an answer. ”
He turns his head slightly, catching me out of the corner of his eye.
“Tonight, you’ll be working in Hell. That’s what we call the basement level.
The main level, where you walked in, is more of a social area.
That’s where our guests relax and enjoy a few drinks before going either upstairs or down. ”
I’m afraid to ask but do so anyway. “And what happens in Hell?”
He stops, holding an ice cube in a pair of tongs, the ice hovering over the glass for one little moment before he drops it with a clink. “Hell is reserved for our most formidable guests.”
That’s not exactly an answer, though something tells me I shouldn’t press him for more information. He did say he doesn’t like it when people ask questions, right?
“You’re not thinking about backing out now, are you?
” He turns to me, and I can’t help but notice his trim body—tall, broad-shouldered, slim-hipped.
He’s wearing a white dress shirt, partly unbuttoned, tucked into dark gray slacks that stretch over his thick thighs.
For half a fraction of a second, I wonder what he looks like beneath his clothes.
Are his abs chiseled? “You do remember you signed a contract?”
Yes, and Alexei didn’t give me a lot of time to look it over before forcing my signature. It was bad enough he’d barged into my apartment before I could even open the door all the way. I wasn’t about to say no. “I’m not backing out. Just curious.”