5. Deckard
L eaning back into my computer chair, I watch the security cameras as hundreds of people pile into the huge, abandoned warehouse in a secret location that was only texted to them an hour ago. Due to all the background checks we are able to do on the people who apply, it enables us to stay away from law enforcement or outside influences that would work to shut us down.
I’ve been doing this long enough now and with my background in Special Forces, I’ve yet to be caught slipping. There was only one thing in Cairo’s background check that stood out to me. Something that also, equally surprised me too. She currently works in Cyber Security for JP Morgan.
She’s also probably the main reason why I haven’t been able to hack their fucking account for the past few weeks. Her 300-virus blocker is incredible. I’ll have to find out exactly how she produced that one. She’s a lot smarter than I think I ever gave her credit for. Top of her class in Harvard and now has a private business dealing in Cyber Security.
Not exactly her dream of becoming an actress, I huff out a laugh to myself. Running my fingertips over the image on the polaroid, she hasn’t changed much. She’s still the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on, and her smile is one that has the ability to make others do the same. Cairo is everything that’s beautiful with the world. A kind heart and soul that could rival that of even the most God-fearing Christian.
I’m impressed to say the least.
“How’s it going?” Nix speaks from behind me, and I quickly slide her picture in my pocket. Placing a hand on the back of my chair he rests the other on the desk. I’m a man of few words and right now I barely have any. I’m more interested in finding Cairo. The woman I have every intention of bending to my will. I haven’t seen her in seven years and the last time I did well it was…
“Fine.” I mumble, tapping my chin with my index finger.
Where is she?
“You don’t look fine,” he turns to face me. “You need to get laid.”
“You’re right,” I sigh.
“I am?” Nix jolts his head back, mainly because I never admit that he is. It’s not that I have to be right all the time, but more so that he makes the worst fucking decisions and doesn’t understand that all actions have consequences.
“Yeah, it’s been a while since I saw your mom.” If there’s one thing I know about Nix, he’s very sensitive about his mother.
“ Va te faire foutre , my mom’s a saint.” Punching my arm. “Asshole.” Standing, I grab my mask from the desk, turning on the voice distorter inside the mouth guard. “This coming from the guy who’s watching the cameras for a woman he’s obsessed with. If you ask me, that’s weird.”
“Nobody asked you.” I make my way to the door of the office, turning the handle and yanking it open. “But, if you’re looking for a comeback, you can find it on your mom’s tits.”
“You mention my mother again, I’ll kill you.”
Sliding the mask over my head I burst out laughing and the voice box distorts the sound into a deep gravelly tone, something similar to the character Megatron.
“I’m shitting myself, brother.” I smirk behind the mask. Flicking the button on the side, the cross-stitch eyes and mouth light up a brilliant neon blue. I drag the black hood from my sweatshirt over my head and grab the black gloves from my back pocket. Pulling them over my hands and strapping the Velcro over the wrist.
Time to find my peque?a.
The moment I descend the stairs, the heavy metal music bleeds into the atmosphere and pumps through the overhead speakers, sending vibrations everywhere and my skin flows with adrenaline. The walls are painted black, scattered with neon paint and graffiti. Spray paint cans adorn tables for people to enjoy themselves and mark their territory while they’re here. Every worker here tonight will wear a mask, and the correct attire so they’re not confused with players. Since starting this business with Nix, it has become a fundamental rule that if you want to work here, for us, then travelling is mandatory. Mainly because we never go back to the same spot twice, and never have the same theme.
As I’ve stated before, this company is completely anonymous. The monetary value that we make from these elite parties allows us the freedom to build places, rent abandoned buildings and acquire specific land in certain areas so we are able to offer exclusivity to the people in attendance.
There are specific rooms built for activities that don’t relate to the party and in each of those rooms, lies all the necessary equipment to make your enjoyment here memorable. You can come to our parties to play with each other and live out your desires in a controlled environment, you can request the help of one of the Caretakers here or, you can simply come and watch. Whatever your desire, if we accept you, the night is yours to do with as you see fit.
The initial buyers are always the first to be accepted, men and women from overseas who have specific tastes that are unable to be met in their own country. So they come here with the knowledge that over a single weekend, they can dive into every kind of debauchery they can’t at home. There is absolutely no judgement here, whether you’re married, gay, straight, whatever it may be, your privacy is of the upmost importance.
Stopping at the edge of the balcony, I scan the room. Looking at the people below and how they’re already enjoying themselves, does fill me with pride. Nix and I, worked countless hours to make sure this was an environment safe for everyone who came here. Some people here tonight, made sure they dressed up to match the fetish theme, some dressed casually and some wear clothes a lot more expensive. The difference is, everyone is equal here.
“Your girl’s here,” Z speaks from my earpiece.
“Give her a gold band.”
“So, the rumour is true,” X chuckles. I growl in response, and he just laughs.
“Not that that’s any of your business X, but yes,” I breath. “She has particular tastes I’m interested in. So make sure everyone gets the fucking point.”
“Your wish is my command,” X replies sarcastically, and I genuinely hate his fucking tone.
Z whistles and I already know what’s coming. “Brother she is something else entirely. You sure you don’t want us to start her off beforehand because if you could see the ass on that fucking… God damn.”
“Z, you’re walking a thin fucking line.” She was supposed to be mine way back when, and only now am I finally getting the chance to touch her. So hearing these mother fuckers talk about her that way is beginning to grind my gears. Even with my threat, Z continues flapping that jaw of his. One I’ll happily rip from his skull.
“When you’re done with her-”
Turning my head from the balcony, I press my fingers to my right ear. “What the fuck did I say!?” I shout. Already I’ve had enough of them. Ex military, just like me. I brought them in last year for security with a few others and since then, they have changed groupings and are now Caretakers.
It’s X that steps up to the plate now. “Come on, I’ve heard you love to share.”
“If you fucking touch her-”
“You’ll remove our hands, we know.” They respond in unison, barking out a laugh together and I know, even without seeing them, that they’re grinning from ear to ear.
Why the fuck did I hire them?
“She’s on her way in,” X cackles again. “She’s all yours, big daddy.” A ballad of laughter erupts from the earpiece.
I’m going to kill them.
Turning to the front entrance, I grip the steel railing and wait on bated breath for Cairo to walk through the archway and the moment she does, all the air leaves my lungs. Her pictures do not do her justice. I’m floored by what an incredibly beautiful woman she has turned into. Dropping her head back, she takes in her surroundings.
Her eyes darting from left to right, watching all of the performers and that stunning smile breaks out onto her face again; my chest aching to be the one who puts them there in future. The more I watch her, the more I find myself hoping she likes it what we have done with the place. When she finds out who I am, I want her to be proud of my accomplishments.
It’s ridiculous really, I may not have found a man present in her checks, but what’s to say she’s even interested in pursuing things with me when I reveal myself. Granted, I didn’t set this up for her, but I’ll make sure this is better than she ever expected.
“You’re up boss.” Nix’s voice bringing me back into the room.
“Will you stop calling me that?”
“What do you want me to call you?” He asks, and I can already hear the cogs turning in his brain.
“Daddy? Big boy?” He pauses. “Oh, how about Mr Big Di-”
“I’ll pay you double if you shut up, right now.” I interrupt, groaning behind the mask because I truly wish I could hate him, but unfortunately it’s impossible.
“I own half of it dipshit, and you’re late.”
Fuck!
I turn on my heel, making my way to the second set of stairs that take me to the announcement podium. The moment I step over the threshold onto the platform, the music stops, the purple spotlights beam from where I stand, and I grab the microphone.
“Welcome all of you depraved fuckers, to Idée Fixe!” I shout and the crowd cheers. “The place where all your dreams and fantasies come true!” Screaming and howling noises of excitement flow from each person here. “You were all given the rules on your link, but I’ll relay them now, for those of you who skip the T’s and C’s.” Looking around the room, they instantly go quiet. There must be at least two thousand people in this warehouse tonight.
The is quite possibly the most I have ever seen at any given time. The reason, this will be the final one for the next few months while we look into other areas, themes and whether we need to start re-hiring. Trustworthy staff are few and far between these days.
“Rule number one,” I hold up a finger. “When a Caretaker claims you, you’re theirs for as long as they see fit. Unless you use your safe word.” I look around the crowd again, people looking up at the podium in awe, like I’m their god. “If a safe word is used however, you will be escorted from the premises immediately.”
Everyone begins to boo. Acting like they can take what a Caretaker will dish out, but it’s rare any stay till the end. It's rare that someone uses their safe word when they come to us, usually because the people who join up are very well versed and experienced. Where most people are used to hand signals and tapping to make their partner understand what they’re feeling. We choose to have more of a verbal approach.
“Rule number two. Fighting and drug use is prohibited. If you’re found to be doing both, you will , be escorted from the premises. Let’s keep the fun clean and safe.” I watch as Cairo and her friend push through the sea of people below, her friend holding onto her wrist, but her eyes are trained on me. Almost as though she recognises my voice. That is, however, impossible.
“Final Rule, if any of you are found to have outed the information of Idée Fixe to anyone , all assets and private information will be spread through the dark web, and you will end up with nothing.” Silence coasts through the room. “We are The Phantoms, and we are nothing if not consistent in protecting our business and the desires and safety of others within this community.”
Looking at their faces full of worry and fear gives me the biggest power trip and I fucking love it. “Other than that, anything goes. Enjoy!”
Dropping the microphone back in its holster, the music screams from the speakers once more and the people below begin enjoying themselves again.