Chapter 17
Seventeen
T his wasn’t happening.
There was no way this was happening.
But it was.
I was at the Never Tell Clubhouse.
The car sped us along a winding driveway, through expansive grounds. My jaw dropped even further as two giant gem stone peacocks came into view, introducing us to the extravagant, gothic-style mansion ahead. I turned as we drove past them, watching their obsidian eyes glinting in the moonlight.
Before the mansion was a fountain–four statues of women kneeling with water coming out of their mouths and, in the middle, four men, lounging about and another standing in the middle of them. The face of the last was all too familiar. Just when I thought his ego couldn’t get any bigger.
The house was an incredible yet eerie structure. Beautiful yet imperious, a place that invited you in yet didn’t promise you would be the same when you came out.
The car slowed to a stop and my heart thudded in my chest. I felt a cool hand slip into mine, and I gripped it without thinking.
Alfie said nothing, only held my gaze, steadying me until I calmed.
I took a breath and stepped out of the car.
I looked up at the building again and now I could hear the party inside.
The music, the laughter. I could taste decadence in the air.
Alfie was at my side again within moments, and I wondered how he felt.
“When was the last time you came here?”
“Twelve years ago.” The night his brother died. I looked up at him, his expression indecipherable.
“What are we doing here, Alfie?”
“Burying the dead.”
My stomach turned over as the gravity of this hit me full force. He had spent ten years running from this and now he was facing it head on. He must be terrified.
“Okay…but why do you need me here?”
“I always need you. You’re my little ghostbuster.”
Alfie…
This man was killing me. I was tempted to reach out and take his hand but I didn’t.
He smiled a small smile in the glinting moonlight. “Don’t worry, we can have some fun tonight too. I know you’ve always wanted to come here.”
“I always wanted to get past your walls. It wasn’t about coming here specifically.”
He thought about that for a moment and then nodded.
“I understand.” He was quiet for another moment, turning something else over in his mind.
“Lo, you might see some things tonight you don’t like, when you’re ready to leave, just say the word.
” I nodded, a flicker of anxiety trembling through me.
I had always been so curious about this place but now that I was here, knowing what darkness it held, I was nervous.
Headlights lit us up as Keira and Maia arrived. Maia’s expression was careful as she stepped out of the car. Keira, however, looked like a puppy on speed. She bounced over to me and gripped my hand.
“Are we where I think we are?” she squealed but didn’t wait for my answer as she headed straight for the entrance.
“Keira,” Alfie called after her, and she stopped, spinning on her heel.
Alfie beckoned her back to us. “We have paperwork to sign first. This way.” He gestured to the side of the house and she took off in front of us.
Spinning, she walked backwards to talk to me.
“Aren’t you so excited? This is going to be the shit!
Moneybags, if this place is as good as I’ve heard, I think maybe I could forg—” Her words cut off as she collided with a tuxedoed man coming around the corner of the house.
My friend landed in a crumpled heap on the gravel, giving me a serious case of deja-vu.
I stopped to help her up. The man just stood there, looking down at her, a smile on his face.
“Hello, Gorgeous.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets as Keira straightened, glowering at him.
“If my dress is ripped I’m going to pull your hair.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” He smirked at her, his dark eyes alight with amusement. I stared at him, wondering who this guy was. Keira opened her mouth to retort but luckily Alfie stepped in.
“Mr Marx, good to see you.” Mr Marx? As in Damien Marx, Alfie’s Chief Teller?
I took in the man that was shaking Alfie’ hand.
His skin was a warm tan, his mouth full, his hair neatly smoothed back except for a single lock that fell forward.
Cocky. That was how I would describe Mr Marx. Very, very cocky.
“Alfie, it’s good to have you back.” His gaze fell to me. “This is her?”
“This is her,” Alfie confirmed.
“I am she,” I joined in.
“And I am me. Come on, Doctor Seuss.” Keira took off again. She wanted to get into that party, and when she wanted something, bulletproof glass couldn’t get in her way.
Alfie and Mr Marx led us down some steps to a side door.
With Mr Marx leading the way, I followed Alfie through a narrow corridor, Keira and Maia at my back.
I saw a light at the end of a passageway, laughter coming from beyond a dark oak door.
Mr Marx swung the door open and I found myself in a large office, three men lounging about in such a way that I couldn’t help but think of the fountain.
I realised with a sharp shock that these three men were Alfie’s other Tellers. I remembered the article I’d read all that time ago, how rude they had come across. I glanced at Keira but she was showing none of my worry. Rather she was casting her eye over them like a kid in a candy shop. Typical.
“Mr West.” Alfie’s hand slipped out of mine to greet… wow . Keira, Maia and I inhaled a collective breath. Gripping Alfie in a warm handshake was a six foot something man, in a sharp grey suit, his dark skin warm in the low light.
“Good to see you, Tell.” I took a step back as Alfie took a step forward, embracing each of his Tellers one at a time. I was so busy watching Alfie that I didn’t notice when a silence fell over the room. I glanced away from him to see each of them watching me closely.
“Been a while since you did this, Alfie.” A handsome blonde was eyeing Keira, Maia, and I. It took me a moment to realise he thought we were Alfie’s playthings for the night. I arched an eyebrow at Alfie, a you’d-better-straighten-this-out-quickly eyebrow.
“It’s not what you think,” Alfie said, pulling me to him.
“This is my Lo.” I didn’t know how I felt being called his Lo but in these circumstances it was probably for the best. I had a feeling they would eat me alive if they thought I was fair game.
I straightened my spine under their shrewd gaze.
If I had ever wanted to know what it would feel like if Alfie was multiplied, well, now I knew.
They each had that x-ray vision that dissected every part of me.
“I’m Lola O’Connell. It’s good to meet you. Finally. ” I gave Alfie a look. He barely hid a smile.
“Fuck me, he’s smiling,” the beautiful, dark haired man lounging on the couch said, taking a puff of his cigar.
Ignoring him, Alfie continued. “These are her friends, Keira Larson and Maia Hyde.”
“Well,” Mr Marx said, “welcome to our humble abode. I’m Damien Marx, Chief Teller.
The stunning blonde over there is Kal Strauss.
” Kal tipped his tumbler to us, and Damien waved a hand at the other dark haired man.
“This handsome prince is Cassius Nova and that stern-looking fucker,” he pointed at the man sitting behind the desk, “is Eli West.” I gave them all a smile, then paused.
“Wait…Cassius Nova?”
The man smiled at me. He might have been the prettiest man I’d ever seen. “Call me Cas.”
“ Cas Nova ? As in Casanova? You’re kidding, right?”
“No and before you ask, yes, I live up to my name.” He winked at me and I smiled at his audacity.
“Fuck off, Cas,” Alfie grumbled next to me but Cas just chuckled.
“Alright,” the ‘stern-looking fucker’ said, “let’s get on with it, shall we?” In front of him were four sets of paperwork, each with one of our names on it. “Mr Tell, you agree to act as sponsor for Miss O’Connell, Miss Larson, and Miss Hyde. If they cause any damages you will cover all costs etc.”
“I remember the drill.” Alfie bent and signed like a pro. I picked up my own documents.
“You’re a lawyer?” I asked, glancing up at Eli.
“Yes.”
“A good one?”
Eli raised an eyebrow at me. “I own one of the most prestigious law firms in Europe.” Damn. I guess Alfie wasn’t the only overachiever in the room.
“That’ll do, I guess.” A chuckle echoed around the men as I sat down to read through the paperwork.
“It’s an NDA as well as a?—”
“I can read, darlin’,” I told Eli without looking up. The legal jargon was fairly straightforward.
I hereby agree to keeping everything I see within the Never Tell Clubhouse confidential.
I understand that I am a guest of Mr Tell.
I am not required to participate in any activities, sexual or otherwise.
I am not permitted use of any drugs whilst on the property.
I am not permitted entry to the Onyx rooms whilst on the property.
I am not permitted to engage in activities, sexual or otherwise, with black-collared members. ..
And on and on and on it went. I read the whole thing and when I was done I looked over at Keira, who hadn’t bothered picking hers up but was busy throwing eyes at Damien Marx.
“What are the Onyx rooms?” I asked, looking to Alfie to fill in the blanks.
“They’re on the underground level. Rooms where members can engage in more intense experiences.”
“So…kinky fuckery?” I asked and he stifled a smile. Turning back to my contract I took the pen from the desk and signed. “You hear that, Keira?” I said over my shoulder. “You aren’t allowed in the Onyx rooms.”
“I heard. Can we go now?”
“You need to read and sign your papers first.” Damien held them out to her. She gave him a withering look before snatching the contract and casting an eye over it. Damien lifted an eyebrow at her and so did I.
“Don’t take it personally,” Alfie said to Damien, “it’s me she’s pissed at.”