The Subjugation of Ella

Chapter 1

Rowan

I flicked through the security feed and noted several high rollers in tonight.

The cameras were strategically placed—enough to deter staff theft and keep a constant eye on the counters and the high-value players.

Unfortunately, in the UK, card counting wasn’t illegal.

Nick still liked to deal with them in his own way before we banned them.

I paused on Sophie. She wore a strapless dark purple dress that highlighted her large breasts.

She hosted some of the high rollers and probably did business on the side with them as well.

We’d all had a try at the goods, and she had stamina.

Unfortunately, Nick couldn’t tolerate the sounds she made.

Part of me didn’t blame him—looks aside, she had a nasal voice.

Liam Cahalan had taken a shine to her. The popular British actor brought good revenue, and if treated well, top-tier recommendations. She hooked her arm through his and guided him toward the baccarat table.

“How’s it looking tonight?” Alec asked.

“Better than last night,” I grunted. “When’s Nick due in?”

“He’s sorting out the issue at Monarchs,” he said, pouring himself a drink.

I nodded.

Thieves didn’t get a second chance in our line of business. Depending on the value stolen, it was damage or death.

“I think Sophie will be busy tonight.”

“Pity. I think we all needed to let some steam off.”

He wasn’t wrong. Without his creative accounting, we’d be up shit creek with the UK Gambling Commission. Those fuckers were difficult to bribe. The lower-level staff were easier to manage.

“How long until we get the snitch’s name?”

He took a sip of whisky before answering.

“It might take a few weeks. We’re making tentative enquiries until we find the right person with access inside the Commission.”

I stood and poured myself a drink.

“What a fucking shit show,” I muttered.

My father built this casino from nothing, but before handing me the reins, he made me work my way up—from the floor to the top. Alec handled the accounts and paperwork. Nick dealt with the seedy side of the enterprise. He handed out pain and handled our personal security.

It was a cutthroat business model. We moved so much cash, gold, and other assets that threats and theft were constant.

The only loyalty I trusted was Alec’s and Nick’s. Inside or outside the business, no one compared. I didn’t even trust my whore of a mother. I never understood why my father stayed married to her. Once I was old enough to question it, I took a DNA test to confirm he was actually my father.

I sipped my whisky, enjoying the burn, then returned to my desk.

“Sheesh. Who died?” Nick said, sauntering into the office.

“Close the door behind you, dickhead,” Alec said, lifting his glass toward it.

“Why leave it open?” Nick muttered, but he turned and closed it anyway.

“We were waiting for you,” I said, eyeing his bloody knuckles.

No wonder he was always getting his tattoos touched up. He loved to use his fists. He never wore a suit—only leather and jeans. The way he carried himself, the dead look in his eyes, never changed over the years. We wore the suits of respectability, but underneath, we were all the same.

Nick helped himself to a drink while I gathered the papers—past-due credit notes for the high rollers at Dominion and the reports from Hustle. One was an elite-class casino, the other a low-end gambling den. Between them sat the businesses we used to move the cash through.

“How many guys are you taking for collections next week?” I asked Nick.

“Three.”

Alec opened his laptop as we began our weekly meeting.

It was going to be a long night.

?

?

?

By the time we were wrapping up, there was a light knock on the door. We glanced at one another, and Alec closed his laptop before moving to answer it. Nick blew out smoke from his cigarette as he turned to see who it was.

Sophie walked in, and Alec locked the door behind her.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Nick drawled.

Her smile tightened, but she didn’t answer him. No one ever did.

“My shift is over on the floor,” she said, walking toward us.

“Good timing,” Alec murmured, loosening his tie.

Her dress was short enough to show off her long legs, and the heels she wore made her look taller.

“Did Liam Cahalan leave?” I asked. If he hadn’t, shift time or not, she should still be on the floor.

“Yes. He has commitments in the morning,” she said, pouting.

She walked around the desk. Her gaze landed on my paperwork, and I closed the file, nodding toward the floor.

The sound of her zipper opening filled the silent room as the energy shifted.

This was how we remained united. We lived, worked, and fucked together. She wasn’t the only one who volunteered to service us, but she certainly came in handy at work.

The silky dress slipped to the floor before she stepped out of it to kneel. She reached for my trousers, but I gripped her hand. I glanced at Alec and Nick, waiting until they nodded before I released it.

Alec opened a drawer, and Nick shrugged out of his black leather jacket.

I passed the file to Alec, waiting until he had all the condoms, lube, and restraints on the desk. He locked the file away just as Sophie’s tongue began to work its way around my balls.

Her moan had Nick shaking his head, and Alec chuckled. We both knew what he was thinking.

The night wasn’t as bad as I’d thought.

She didn’t know how lucky she was.