Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
J osh and I strolled through the casino, taking it all in, while we killed time before heading upstairs. Once this mess was over, we were seriously considering buying the whole building.
“I think we can salvage it.” Josh pointed to the ceiling. “It’s got a good shell.”
“And, how do you get the negative vibes out of the place?” I looked around. “I say we tear the whole damn thing down.”
“Yeah, maybe.” He shrugged and sniffed his collar. “We been here thirty minutes and I feel like I need a shower.”
I turned to him.
“Who’s the snob, now?” I chuckled.
“Hey, this fucking place is ruining my suit.” He straightened his jacket. “You can mess with me, but not my clothes.”
I shook my head.
Josh’s phone rang.
“Yo.” He answered and nodded. “Okay. On our way up now.”
I headed toward the elevator. Josh falling in step beside me. We rode up to the penthouse in silence.
As soon as the doors opened, Albert greeted us.
“Kyler Grant.” His enormous belly bounced as he walked over with his hand extended. When I put out word, I was interested in attending his next party, the man jumped at the chance and, from what I could tell, he went all out. “I’m so glad you can make it.” His meaty hand squeezed mine. He placed his other hand on my elbow and pulled me close. “Anything you want tonight, is on me.” He winked. “But if you find something you want for to keep, it will cost you.” He laughed, while releasing my hand and patting me on the chest.
The room was empty of furniture. A bar in every corner served drinks while uniformed waiters carried around champagne on gold trays.
About twenty-five men stood around talking in small groups, while others were on their phones. I recognized a couple, but most were strangers to me. The ones I did recognize pretended they didn’t know me.
I stepped away from Albert, before Josh decided to grab him by the neck and throw him through a window. He despised men like Albert. Entitled and surviving on an illusion of power. His power gave him the confidence to do what he wanted. Thankfully for us, it also made him feel like he was untouchable. He most certainly was.
“Nice place you have here!” I walked around the room. Taking in the aesthetic and the other guest. “You live here?”
“Naw.” He slapped me on the back. “It’s all just for entertainment purposes.” He grunted. “I am a simple man. Not comfortable with the opulence like this place or The Quad.”
Josh scoffed and covered it with a cough.
I chuckled on the inside. Comparing The Quadrangle to this place was like comparing a Ferrari to a bicycle. Not even the same mode of transportation.
“Mr. Santorini.” I stopped near the window. “You remember my associate, Josh Burroughs?”
“Please, call me Albert.” He nudged me in the ribs. If I didn’t know better, I would think he was patting me down for a gun or a wire. I wasn’t wired, but I was carrying. Most of the men in the room probably were. Arguments would not be solved with weapons for fear you wouldn’t be invited back. His parties were legendary. Secretive, well planned out and organized with the best money could buy.
Too bad, tonight would be his last.
“Aw, the ladies.” Albert shuffled to a small, raised platform in the corner. Women poured into the room, dressed in evening gowns with heavy make-up and false eyelashes. They all seemed to be teetering on the edge of sky-high heels. They plastered smiles to their faces and dispersed to all ends of the room. “Please come in and join our guest. Make them feel welcome.”
Josh grabbed a glass of champagne, sipped and leaned into me.
“They all look of age, that’s something.” His lips pierced. He set the champagne down on the next passing tray. “How long we going to let this go on?”
It didn’t take long for the men to get comfortable with the ladies. Some stand back and watch, but most went after who they wanted, either for the night or longer. They grabbed and pawed at the women like they were merchandise. It made me sick.
“I don’t know.” I searched the room. “All the players are here. I’d like to get Albert to incriminate himself more.”
Josh had a camera and mic in the clip on his tie, so we could hopefully get some incriminating evidence.
“We don’t need to put ourselves in danger to get this done, either.” Josh narrowed his eyes.
I ignored him and wandered around the rest of the room. Made sure no one escaped our view. As we made our way near Albert, she entered. She trailed behind Natalie. Confusion written all over her face. They’d dolled her up, put her in a dress way too revealing. Her hair was pinned up and made her look a foot taller. Her delicate little neck looked like it might fall over any minute now from the weight of that monstrosity.
She stumbled in her heels, barely managing to right herself. Scanning the room, her eyes fell on me. She gasped and sighed. Like she was relieved to see a familiar face. Then she disappeared when Albert stepped in front of her, blocking her from my view.
I growled under my breath.
“So much for observing and not getting involved.” Josh grunted.
I ignored him and moved toward her. Women walked in front of me, trying to get my attention. I wasn’t sure what their instructions were, but given the men gathered, Josh and I may be the youngest, the least intimidating. We were the lesser of evils in the room of millionaires, and one or two politicians.
I spotted her again, but this time with Santorini’s chubby fingers wrapped around her bicep. One of his associated interrupted and pulled him away. Rayna’s eyes darted around. The fear in them made my heart race. She spotted the open door to the balcony and made a run for it.
I took a step toward her.
Josh grabbed my arm.
“Ky, I know I can’t stop you, but remember, this is not about one girl.” He let go and went to follow keep an eye on Albert.
He was wrong. It was all about this one girl.
* * *
I tiptoed out onto the balcony and took a cleansing breath. The fresh air filled my lungs but did nothing to quiet my nerves. I gripped the railing and looked down. We were high up.
“Don’t jump.”
I gasped and turned around.
“It’s not worth it. I’m pretty sure you can’t fly.” He smirked and looked over the balcony. The desert air was clean and pure. I inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm my racing heart.
“What are you doing at this party?” He asked. I frown and move to the other side of the balcony. He better keep his distance. He was handsome, with dark hair, and a well-trimmed beard. He seemed so nice. Scary, but nice. What was he doing at a party like this?
“I don’t know.” I whispered. I couldn’t look at him. My heart hurt, along with my head. The hem of my dress rode up with each step. I kept pushing it down. The single curl kept falling down the middle of my face. I give up and let it fall. The man in front of me, stood there studying me like I am a piece of merchandise.
“How did you get here?” He stepped forward.
I stepped back.
A frown spread across his face. He rubbed his beard.
“Rayna.”
“How do you know my name?” I glared up at him.
“That’s what your friend, Natalie called you.” He crossed his arms across his chest. “I asked you a question.”
What question?
Focus Rayna. You need to figure out how to get out of here. I didn’t know what was going on, but I did know this was way above my speed. I look around for Natalie. She is speaking to an older man and pointing at me.
“Have you been to a party like this before?” The mysterious man's voice lowered questioningly.
Natalie walked with the man over to her father, who had re-entered the room. I witnessed a lot of nodding and more pointing. What was so interesting about me? Why was everyone pointing?
“Rayna.”
I blinked and reluctantly turned my attention back to the man in front of me. “No.”
“No, what?” What happened to the kindness in his eyes? I missed them.
“I’ve,” I swallowed and pulled my shoulders back. “Of course I have.”
His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Now, if you will excuse me.” I adjusted the V-neck on my dress. “I have to get back to the party?” My statement came out more like a question. I stepped toward the door. He stepped aside. Oddly enough, he didn’t try to stop me. No matter. I’d find my way back to Natalie’s room and hide out until she was done.
I stepped up into the main room. Natalie grabbed me immediately and handed me a glass.
“Here, drink this.” She smiled. “It will help you relax.”
“I think I want to go.” My voice sounded weak.
“No, have one drink with me.” She guided the glass to my lips. I took a sip. It didn’t calm my nerves. I drank the rest, sighed and handed it back to her.
“I’m — “
“Rayna.” Mr. Santorini called from the middle of the room, where he and the older gentleman were huddled together. I waved. He motioned for me to come over to him. My feet remain glued to the floor. I looked back for the man on the balcony, but he was gone. Disappointment flooded me. While his expressions were stern, he made me feel safe. Well, safer than in Mr. Santorini’s clutches. Mr. Santorini didn’t wait for me to come to him. He shuffled towards me. His gate wobbled under all his weight.
“Come. I’d like to show you the rest of the penthouse.” He draped his arm across my shoulder, steering me towards an open hallway. His arm was so heavy it caused me to slouch from the deadweight.
“I think I’ve seen enough.” I whispered.
“Nonsense.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Natalie said you loved books. Let me at least show you the library.”
The library. I did like books. Mr. Santorini led me down a wide spiral staircase into a huge room with gleaming marble floors and round columns running down the center. At the bottom of the stairway, we turned around. Tucked into the back of the stairs was a small room. It had shelves and shelves of books lining each side.
I loved the smell of old leather-bound books. Each section of shelves was lite by spotlights, that gave the room a mysterious feel. I scanned the shelves and recognized some of the titles. I envied the characters in my favorite books for the adventures they had. I was on quite the adventure myself, but I couldn’t enjoy it. I should not be down here. I should not be alone with this man. I should not be here at all.
“I need to find Natalie.” I walked back toward the stairs. “She must be worried about where I went.”
“Please stay. Drink with me, first.” He grabbed me around the waist and guided me over to the couch.
A dark leather sectional framed the room on three sides. A small bar sitting near the back. A man stood behind the bar, dress in black like the other wait staff.
“Would you like a drink?” Mr. Santorini asked.
I shook my head, having lost the ability to talk.
“I’ll let you get back to the party in just a minute, but I have to confirm one thing before we go.” He licked his lips and laid a hand on my thigh. I flinched.
I tried to push it off, but his grip tightened. I looked at the man at the bar, but his eyes remained focused on the concoction he was creating.
“What do you want to know?” As soon as I answered him, surely, he would let me go.
“Are you a virgin?” His nasty meaty paws slid up my leg, leaving shivers of disgust spiraling through me.
“What?” I blinked. “That’s none of your business.”
“It actually is my business.” His hand pushed further. I gripped it with both my hands and pushed him away. “I could get double, but Dr. Hansen has asked me to confirm.”
“Confirm?” What did he mean? His fingers dug into my thighs and yanked my thighs open, and it clicked. A story popped into my head about how in the ancient times, priests were required by the king to check to make sure his bride to be was “intact.”
Hell no. Was he insane? This was not happening. Mr. Santorini was no priest, and my virtue was nobody's business but my own.
I used all my strength and quickness and slid out from under him. His disgusting fingers weren’t confirming anything if I had something to say about it.
I stood and took off back toward the stairs, but the freaking high heels got caught on the carpet and caused me to stumble. The world swayed in my vision. I blinked hard, but the world kept morphing in and out of focus.
I ripped off one heel, but before I could take off the other one, a man stepped into the doorway at the other end if the room, blocking my exit. I peeked up the stairs and a man in black leather sneakers stood at the top. They weren’t the kind of sneakers you played basketball in. They were the fancy one’s hipsters in suits wore. I’d seen those shoes before. I didn’t have time to contemplate where.
There had to be another way out of here.
I took a step, but something barreled into me from behind. Mr. Santorini’s belly pressed me into one of the marble columns. I was pinned down.
“Just be still. I’m going to check and then you’ll be on your way.” He gripped the back of my neck. His other hand crawled under my dress.
“No,” I pushed back. “Don’t do this.” I pleaded.
He sneered in my ear. “Not to worry, my love. I wish I could do you, but alas, money talks.” He licked the side of my face and kissed my ear. My arms flailed back, but I couldn’t reach him. My self-defense class taught me how to take down an assailant holding us against our will. We practice against men with knives and guns and any other weapon you could think of. They forgot the lesson about the assailant with a beach ball for a belly as a weapon. I couldn’t get near him.
Maybe I was missing something. My mind worked in slow motion. I blinked and shook my head as much as I could. Mr. Santorini took his time. His hand slid slowly. I could feel his heat between my legs. I swallowed the bile in my mouth and reminded myself to breathe.
He was a half inch away from confirming my virginity when he stopped.
“How much is Dr. Hansen paying?” I recognized the voice of the man from the balcony.
“How much, Albert?” He grunted.
How much? For me?
“I’m not for sale.” No one paid attention to me.
“I wish I could, Kyler, but I can’t piss off Hansen.” Mr. Santorini removed his hand from between my legs and stepped sideways. “You can have her after he’s done.”
Oh, thank God. Wait, done.
“Unless he decides to keep her.”
Keep me? Fuck that.
“Triple.”
Were they negotiating over me? Oh, heck no.
Mr. Santorini loosened his grip on the back of my neck. Big mistake. I took my opening, cocked my leg, and unloaded all my power into his kneecap.
“Ugh.” He stumbled back and grabbed his thigh. “You fucking bitch.”
Pain shot up my leg. Heat flushed through my body. I ignored it. I pushed off the column and turned, my heart rate pounded in my ears. I pulled my arm back and hurled my body forward with a primal scream. I punched him right between the eyes. The crack of his bones made my stomach turn.
He tumbled backwards, and I fell on top of him. I pushed myself away, but my vision blurred, and I fell back.
Hands gripped me around the waist, lifting me like I weighed nothing. I was too disoriented to care. The gentle way he handled me sparked a recent memory and made me feel safe. He hurled me up and settled me over his shoulder. I covered my mouth to keep from throwing up on his suit and fancy tennis shoes.
He turned, heading for the door.
I lifted my head. It felt like it weighed a ton.
“Hurry.” I yelled as Mr. Santorini struggled to stand back up. Blood gushed from his nose. I squirmed.
“Be still.” Kyler slapped my butt, hard.
“Ouch.” I whined and slapped his butt.
He skidded to a stop.
“I’m sorry.” Oh jeez. Don’t stop.
“Shhh Princess,” he whispered.
“Mr. Santorini.” A voice I didn’t recognize called. “I got em.”
I peeked around at Kyler’s side. The man I saw earlier pointed a gun at us. It was no less scary upside down. The gun waved, and I ducked behind Kyler’s back. My ass was still exposed, but I guessed better to get shot in the bottom than in the face.
I rubbed the spot he had smacked with his wooden hand and rethought my logic.
A gun cocked.
Kyler moved forward. I peeked around again. Another man, with dark hair and dark eyes, dressed in a gray suit with the same fancy tennis shoes, had a gun, too.
“Drop your weapon.” The other mystery man shouted to the guy holding a gun on us. It distracted him enough for Kyler to snatch the gun out of his hands. I was impressed. He had ninja skills for sure.
“Kyler.” I looked up at the sound of a voice. Mr. Santorini had made it to his feet. The bartender from the library stood in the archway, cleaning a glass with a towel. He made no attempt to help me. To be fair, he didn’t help Mr. Santorini, either.
Odd.
“You walk out that door and we go from friends to enemies.” Mr. Santorini’s voice was muffled. His threat came out slurred. “You want that?”
Kyler turned on his heels to face him.
“Whoa.” I gripped my head.
“Albert.” It sounded funny coming out of his mouth. “Bring it on.”
We backed out of the room. Once clear from the door. Kyler turned around and followed his colleague into a service elevator.
The ride down was quiet.
“Put me down, please.” I patted his hip. He didn’t respond. He held me over his shoulder with one arm, absently rubbing my thigh. I might have enjoyed it if the blood wasn’t rushing to my head. “Hey!” I yelled and groaned. The sound echoed inside the metal lined elevator.
“I think she’s talking to you.” The other guy spoke.
“Please let me down.” A foul-smelling hiccup escaped. My stomach sent warning signals to my brain. “I’m going to be sick.”
“Josh, grab her.” Kyler stooped down and deposited me on my bare feet. Josh steadied me. The world continued to vibrate around me. I looked down.
“Where are my shoes?” I lifted my head and looked up into Kyler’s face. The kindness in his eyes had returned. Then they morphed into a rabbit. Like a snapchat filter. I blinked and shook my head.
“You okay?”
I grabbed his jacket at the spot where it buttoned and turned away. The metal undulated beneath my feet.
“I think they gave her something,” Josh said.
“Rayna.” Kyler grabbed my arm.
“I’m going to be sick.” I fell over, but Kyler grabbed me around the waist.
I lifted my feet and admired his fancy shoes again, before I threw up champagne all over them.