Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
Kurt
Hello Kitty.
Kurt tried not to gawk, but once they’d passed the two young women—one in pigtails and a frilly skirt that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a thirteen-year-old, the other with a pink backpack with the ubiquitous white kitten sewn on it—he glanced back to confirm what he’d seen. Which he had; there was no mistaking it.
“Man, this place…” he murmured.
“Is disconcerting?” Dana murmured.
“Yeah, honestly, a little.”
She nodded. “Well, however they’re making it work”—she glanced back over her shoulder to the same two women Kurt had noted as the pair crossed a threshold where the rich wide wooden planks she and Kurt stood on became stark-white marble—“they’re clearly making it work.”
They spent the time remaining until three-thirty having lunch, exploring more of the Ranch, and trying to figure out how a place like this could exist so under the radar the way it did. There was much to see, but the thing was, despite what they knew about the Rawhide clientele—excluding the couple they’d seen in the lobby—during the course of their exploration, the people they ran across gave little outward indication of the true nature behind the Ranch. Depending on where they walked, it was either a college campus, a luxury resort, or a working ranch. That was until they came to a junction in the path they were taking, stopping to scan the very tall, dense wall of hedges on either side of a footpath that split off from the one they were on.
“Do you think it’s some sort of maze? Like those corn ones you see advertised in the fall?” Dana asked.
“Maybe?” Kurt replied with a shrug, “But according to this sign”—he pointed—“it’s partly restricted.”
“Restricted? Why?”
“Well, it says here Littles aren’t allowed entrance without a Big escorting them,” Kurt answered, paraphrasing the words on the sign posted by the path.
Dana studied the hedges for a moment. “Well, since we both know I’m very much not a Little”—she glanced back to him—“want to take a peek?”
“Lead on,” Kurt said, gesturing with a sweep of his hand. They walked down the path and the further in they got, they began to hear sounds. Noises that sounded nothing like those you’d expect to be coming from people attempting to find their way out of a labyrinth. As they passed through a narrow break in the shrubbery, Kurt almost bumped into Dana when she came to an abrupt stop.
“Surprise, surprise,” Kurt murmured. “I think we found the kink in the maze, as it were.”
They both stood in silence for a moment.
“I thought the Dungeon was in the basement of the resort,” Dana said sotto voce as they watched a woman writhing on a spanking bench. When the man at her side swung his arm, the crop he held connected with her ass, and she gave a sharp though unmistakably carnal cry. The redness of her ass let made it clear the last stroke hadn’t been her first, nor likely her tenth. The scarlet lines crossing her buttocks were in stark contrast to the black leather padding she lay spread eagled on.
“It is,” Kurt said quietly. “This must be a bonus play area. Like the playground we saw earlier with the larger-than-life equipment. That was clearly for Littles. This”—he gestured to where the man brought down the crop again—“is obviously the playground for Bigs.”
Dana shot him a look, and he returned it with raised eyebrows. It was, as Dana had said earlier, disconcerting. And, as they both agreed—not at all what anyone would expect from the dude ranch Gary had referenced. That didn’t mean it wasn’t impressive, because it was. A lot of work had gone into everything they’d seen so far, and it was hard not to admire what had been built here.
It was three-fifteen in the afternoon by the time they made it back to the main building and asked at the front desk for Erika.
“Oh, let me get her,” a different young woman behind the counter said politely. “Is she expecting you?”
“Yes,” Kurt replied. “Roman spoke with her earlier today.”
“Okay, no problem, I’ll find her.”
The woman picked up a phone, and a short, hushed conversation later she was smiling back at them.
“Erika’s finishing up something and then she’ll be right here. If you want to wait…” She indicated a pair of the deep leather chairs that dotted the lobby.
“Thank you,” Kurt murmured, and he and Dana both sat down to wait.
Not long afterward, a small-statured, slender woman stepped out of a nearby office and approached them.
“Ms. Aziz, Mr. Ellery?” She extended her hand.
“Yes,” Kurt answered, standing. He didn’t remember Roman mentioning their names in his phone conversation, but this woman somehow knew who they were.
“I’m Erika, Master Derek’s personal assistant. I’m told you wished to see him about a matter concerning the mine?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kurt replied.
“Is there an issue I should be aware of?” For such a small, pixie-esque woman, her tone was polite but no-nonsense. Whatever she did for Mr. Hawkins, she took full charge.
“No, ma’am. We’d just like a few minutes of his time to discuss something.”
Erika smiled briefly. “I see. Well, come with me, then. He’s in his office.”
They crossed the lobby and headed into the office she’d emerged from. Once inside, she knocked on another door before directing them into an adjacent room.
A tall, handsome man with striking blue eyes and neatly trimmed brown hair shot through with silver strands rose as they entered.
“Master Derek, I’d like you to meet Ms. Aziz and Mr. Ellery,” Erika said.
The man came around his desk, hand outstretched. “Pleasure to meet you, folks.”
Kurt and Dana shook his hand then sat in nearby chairs he indicated.
“If you don’t need me…” Erika asked as the man returned to his desk.
“We’ll be fine, Erika. Thank you.”
She murmured farewells, then closed the door behind her.
“So,” Mr. Hawkins began, “Roman tells me you have a business opportunity you want to discuss.”
“Well, not an opportunity, per se,” Kurt replied.
“We need your help,” Dana cut in .
“Need my help?” Mr. Hawkins repeated, furrowing his brow.
“We work for a company called McKerr-Dennison. We’re here representing a prospective client who has asked us to investigate the potential of enlarging their segment in the precious gems market. Specifically, sapphires.” Kurt went on to patiently explain everything they’d told Roman earlier. As he did, Dana pulled out a pair of business cards and laid them on the desk. Mr. Hawkins glanced at them quickly before returning his attention to the conversation.
“So, for us to provide the information our client has requested,” Kurt finished, “we need, as Ms. Aziz said, your help.”
“To do what, exactly?” Mr. Hawkins asked quietly.
“We need access into the mine to perform a walk-over survey,” Dana answered with determination. “ All the way into the mine.”
“I see.” Mr. Hawkins steepled his fingers, gazing over the tips at the two of them. “I have to say, it’s a… it’s a very interesting proposal.” His tone was polite but guarded. “However, I’ll be honest with you folks, I’ve been into the mine beyond the gate. It’s been a few years, but… it isn’t safe back there. There’s been no need for us to sink money into the upkeep of those old tunnels, so there’s already a few places where some of the cribbing has failed, and I’m betting that’s only gotten worse in the years since I’ve been inside.”
“I assure you, Mr. Hawkins,” Dana stated firmly, “we’re aware of the risks going into these kinds of situations. We’ve done this before, and we’ll take every precaution to ensure our safety, I promise you.”
“Ms. Aziz, I’ve no doubt you would, but you have to understand, getting underwriting for a venture like this”—he made a sweeping gesture—“isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do. There aren’t many insurance companies out there that understand my business model, nor are willing to offer me coverage. Now, I mean neither of you any disrespect, because it’s pretty clear you’re both professionals, but I’m sure you’ll understand if I decline your request until I have a chance to speak with my lawyers.”
“I do understand your position, but we have a limited amount of time we’re going to be here, so time is of the essence.” Dana leaned forward, resting a hand on his desk. “We’d really appreciate your cooperation in letting us do a quick and simple investigation of the mine. Nothing more, I swear.”
The man narrowed his eyes and Kurt recognized the look. He’d used it himself on the same person Mr. Hawkins was now.
“Young lady, I truly understand where you’re coming from, but let me make two things clear. You aren’t the first folks to come here eager to poke around in our dirt. Be grateful you’ve managed to get this far. And the only reason for that is you remembered your manners and had the courtesy to ask.”
“I—”
“I’m not finished.” Derek waited until Dana’s mouth closed. “The second thing you can take to the bank is this: my answer’s still no. Not until I’ve had a chance to talk with my lawyers.”
Kurt stepped in. “Understood, sir. Do you know when that could be arranged?”
“Well, unfortunately Jared and Chloe—my legal counsel for Rawhide Ranch—aren’t here right now. They’re in Denver, handling Ranch business. I’ll reach out to them tonight, though, and as soon as I have word, I’ll let you know.”
“Mr. Hawkins, if there’s anything we could do to expedite the process…”
“I said no.” His voice was still polite, but it had definitely dropped a few degrees.
Dana put on her best smile. “Well, can’t blame a girl for trying.”
“Trust me, ma’am; I get that a lot around here. And as people learn”— he grinned wryly—“I’m not someone who can be pushed to change my mind quickly.”
Dana nodded, but the tension in her jaw was visible.
“We really do appreciate your consideration in this matter, Mr. Hawkins,” Kurt said, rising from his chair. “We look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Hawkins,” Dana said convincingly, but Kurt knew better. She was irritated.
The man rose and shook both their hands again. A minute later, after a round of polite goodbyes, he and Dana were standing back in the lobby, staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows at the beautiful landscape beyond.
“So,” Kurt said equitably, “I’d say that went well, wouldn’t you?”
Dana turned to him slowly.
Oh. Okay, so… no, Dana wasn’t just irritated. The look she shot him made that clear.
No, she was pissed .