Chapter 14
My stomach flipped like apple fritters in hot oil. I was wedged between two vampires and wanted nothing more than to return home and start fresh tomorrow—provided I didn't run into any trouble with Ethan.
"You won't have any more problems with Ethan," Jager said.
I raised an eyebrow at the pureblood. "Are you reading my mind, Jager?"
The thought made me even more uncomfortable. If they could invade my thoughts, then how safe was I in my own mind?
"I wouldn't say I'm reading your mind. No vampire possesses such powers. But it might comfort you to know that Ethan won't bother you while you're with us. Now drink up." She gestured toward my drink.
"I'm not thirsty," I replied, clutching my bag tighter.
"Please, snowflakes, we won't take the money back from you. You can put the bag over there."
"No," I grumbled.
"We won't let anything happen to your bag, snowflakes. The VIP section is empty."
It was only then that I noticed how deserted the VIP area was. Everyone else was packed in the main club. "Yeah, why is it empty?" I asked, glancing around the vacant space.
"We want it clear," Jager muttered, her voice smoother from the wine she had consumed. "So put the bag down over there and drink up."
My arm hesitated, but I eventually released the bag. Wade quietly took it, and I found myself tightly sandwiched between the two alluring women, their arms resting on the headrest. I slid forward in my seat, the linen of my skirt allowing me to move easily toward my drink.
"I'm not much of a drinker. Aren't I supposed to be serving you?"
"Tonight, you relax with us; tomorrow you can serve. But you know, we've never had the chance to interview you."
"No need," I replied, rolling my eyes. I picked up the glass of liquor, which looked nearly black. Bringing it to my nose, I inhaled and immediately recoiled. "What's this?"
"Liquor."
"I know that much."
"Brandy," Jager answered.
"Oh. I want to know why you kicked all the other girls out," I said, swirling the glass of brandy in my hand. I inspected the bottom; the liquor was so dark I couldn't tell if anything had been added to it.
"Because we already have new girls."
"Why me?"
"Just be lucky you're here," Wade said, her deep voice resonating like the growl of an approaching storm. It intrigued me how women like them, working in an office, could possess such beauty and an aura so dark and mysterious. I wondered if they did more than just push paper.
They had grown up wealthy and privileged, so perhaps they didn't know hardship. Yet their energy suggested they had experienced it all. Why would they leave the corporate world to become club owners?
"Okay, Wade," I said, slightly annoyed that they hadn't answered my question.
"Drink," Wade growled, and for a moment, I felt as though a beast from the dark world had come for me.
"Why? What did you put in it?"
Wade was closer than I expected. "I'd prefer you mute."
"Wade, be patient with her. She's just a little human," Jager added, also moving in closer. "Are you ready for your interview?"
"There's no need."
"But I need to know about my little server."
"What do you want to know?" I asked, bringing the liquor to my lips and allowing the tip of my tongue to taste it. It was bitter, causing me to jerk my head back.
"It's strong. I can't stand it."
"Just one big gulp," Jager urged. "That's all it takes."
I opened my mouth wide and downed the no-go liquid, hoping my tongue wouldn't touch it. A shiver ran through me as I closed my mouth, feeling the alcohol creep into my system like a giant.
"Such a good girl for taking it like that," Wade murmured into my ear, igniting a storm within me.
Jager leaned forward and filled my glass again. I groaned at the memory of the taste, shivering at the thought. "You can take this one slower, snowflakes," Wade chuckled.
But instead of taking my time, I quickly reached for the glass and downed it. I wanted to avoid letting the taste linger in my mouth, opting instead to feel it burn within me like bleach on a grimy surface.
Jager smirked. "Do you want to have another?"
I gazed into her eyes and slowly nodded. Wade's fingers brushed against my skirt as Jager poured another drink, which disappeared down my throat in an instant.
"We just want to know a few things about you, snow angel." The various ways they addressed me made me ponder, and I could feel my head starting to spin.
I cleared my throat, but it did little to relieve the bitterness. Once it went down, it was almost sweet but burned like sin. That's how it was: sin felt sweet, but it also stung when it came time for punishment.
"Can we have you?"
"Isn't that a bit personal?"
"Well, it's something we want to know, and it takes you to tell us."
"No," I whispered, my uncertainty feigned. Deep down, I knew that neither they nor any vampire could possess me—or any human, for that matter. I yearned to be wild and free. I didn't say young, because I lacked the power of immortality.
"We want you," they insisted.
"I don't care," I replied, smirking as I reached for the bottle of brandy. The purple lighting made the drink look almost fantastical.
"We intend to have you," Wade countered.
"That's not going to happen."
They took my rejection with smirks, and an instinct told me to run. Jager leaned closer, her lips brushing the right side of my face. "When is your monthly cycle?"
My brows knitted at the strange question. "Why would you want to know that?" I almost forgot I was speaking to two vampires, and my realization was met with their smug smiles.
"You can't have my period blood. No discussion."
"Why can't we?"
"Because it's my vulnerable time of the month."
"Do you come to work during that time?"
I nodded slowly. I had to, even if I didn't want to. I swallowed some pills and got to business. I couldn't afford to miss a day of work, whether it was sunny or rainy. Cloney understood my dedication, and he had no problem seeing me at the club seven days a week.
I was determined to save enough money to build a house and live comfortably in retirement. Since I was working in a strip club rather than a corporate or government sector, I didn't have a retirement plan. That meant I had to grind harder.
"We want you for those weeks, from start to finish. We pay well."
Overcoming my fear of the liquor's aftertaste, I began to sip it. "How much?"
"Twenty-five thousand."
"More," I replied.
"When the time comes."
"Why my period? It's just blood. There's plenty of premium blood you could get."
"But I'm not on my period..."
"We just want to feel your fucking pussy in our faces, snowflakes. Just tell us the price and cut to the chase."
I was at a loss for words, staring into their greedy, crimson eyes that seemed to want nothing more than to devour me. I had never sold my body—not like this. The attention from men was one thing, but this felt raw and primal, like prostitution stripped of all pretense.
"I don't want to."
"Wade, clear the table for our girl." Jager's smooth voice commanded.
Wade leaned over and swept everything off the table. Glasses and bottles shattered, causing a loud crash. The bouncer glanced back.
"It's all good," Wade assured him.
Jager pulled my skirt down, leaving me in just my panties. She lifted my legs high in the air, forcing them to clench together. I gripped the edge of the table tightly.
"How much is it, snow bunny?"
I couldn't think of a price to offer. This felt like a significant breach of the boundaries I had set as their "personal" server. Was this what a personal server did? Her lips moved charmingly from one thigh to the other, teasingly close to crossing a line I wasn't sure I was ready to breach.
Wade loomed over me, partially blocking my view of the bouncer, who seemed intrigued by the unfolding scene.
"How much... we'll pay whatever it takes to make you feel good."
They? So both of them were interested in ravishing me. I had only ever engaged in prostitution with one person—Cloney—and I never truly viewed it that way. It felt more like pleasing him to secure my own financial gain.
"Five thousand."
Wade scoffed, leaning in closer, her lips brushing against my neck. I watched her, a hint of fear tightening my chest at the thought that she might sink her fangs into me. All I felt were her soft lips and rough tongue against my skin.
"That's far too low for someone as sweet as you. Sweeter than nectar, and you're charging so little."
"Double it," I replied.
"Higher," Jager growled, parting my thighs. Her tongue, smoother than Wade's, glided across my skin, sending shivers through my body.
"Fifteen," I moaned, my eyes widening at the intensity of her touch.
"Make the figure more challenging," Wade chuckled, her hands tenderly fondling my breasts. I arched my back, pleasure washing over me. Getting paid for this kind of pleasure felt utterly surreal.
"How about thirty?" It felt like a bid for my body.
"Done, snow bunny."