by Elle East
“Follow me,” Brax says as he starts walking up the stairs.
I look around again, but I know I don’t have a choice. We are in the abandoned industrial part of town and I’d be surprised if there was anyone within a mile radius—even if there was, the kind of people who would be hanging out around here aren’t the kind who will help me if I scream.
And so I follow him up the stairs.
We enter the pitch-black building and both of us pull out our phones to use as flashlights. I can feel my pulse racing and cold sweat on the back of my neck as we walk deeper into the building. I can’t handle the oppressive silence for long and finally ask, “What are we doing here?”
“You’ll see soon enough, Highness.”
He leads me deeper until we finally arrive at an unmarked metal door. He looks at me for a brief second, seeming to be unsure of something, but then knocks. First twice slowly, then pauses, then knocks again in three quick strikes. Must be some kind of secret signal.
Almost immediately the door swings open and I squint in the blinding light. An absolutely massive guy is standing there. The light is shining around him like he’s blocking the sun.
I jump back and almost trip over my feet. I hear Brax’s raspy laugh.
“Jumpy much?” he asks before turning to the guy. “Hey, Theo.”
They slap hands in greeting before Brax heads up the staircase that’s behind the door.
Theo looks me over, crossing his humongous arms over his broad chest. The scar on his left eyebrow looks particularly noticeable in the bright lights.
“Do you think I’m scary or something?” he asks.
“Well, duh,” I shoot back and that earns me a small grimace that he quickly hides.
“Come on, everyone is waiting for you. Brax is late—as usual.”
I walk past him and I can feel him watching me closely as I head up the stairs. I hear voices and when I get to the top, I see the rest of the Vicious Crew, as well as some girl I’ve never seen before. I’m relieved that there’s another girl here and that I won’t be alone with four dangerous guys.
As I enter, my gaze immediately locks on Daire’s cold emerald eyes, which are sparkling in the light. He’s staring at me like he hates me and I have to look away. I don’t understand what his problem is with me.
The space we are in is clearly someone’s apartment. It’s nicely decorated—if a little tacky. The apartment feels warm and cozy, especially for a space that used to be offices overlooking the factory floor. The girl stands up from the couch where she was sitting with Daire and comes over to me. She’s heavily tattooed and pierced and has hair that’s bleached white in stripes and the rest dyed black.
Something about her gray eyes seems familiar, but I can’t figure out why—until Theo comes up behind me and introduces me to his sister, “Theodora”.
“Are you serious?” I can’t stop myself from asking. “Theo and Theodora?”
They both shrug, and in those identical movements it’s very obvious they are siblings.
“Our mom really liked the name,” she says.
“Easier for her to remember too,” he adds.
“All right,” she says as she comes over to stand too close to me.
She looks me over critically before picking up my thick, dark brown—almost black—hair that reaches slightly past my shoulders. It’s mostly straight but with a subtle wave and shiny from all the expensive products my mom bought me over the years.
She lets my hair go then walks around me and looks my clothes up and down. I suddenly feel very self conscious with all eyes in the room on me.
“I can work with this,” she finally says before taking a step back and walking straight over to a hairdresser’s chair she’s installed in one corner. “Come on.”
“I don’t want my hair cut or anything,” I say and unconsciously run a hand over my head.
I like my hair. I think it’s one of my best features, besides the blue eyes that I got from my grandmother. Everyone else in my family, but the two of us, has blond hair and brown eyes.
“Relax, girl.” Theodora rolls her eyes. “We don’t have time for that. Your precious rich girl hair is safe for now. Now get over here, we have work to do and not much time to do it.”
I reluctantly walk over and sit down. The chair is from an old barbershop and the stuffing is leaking out of one corner of the leather seat. In front of me there’s a mirror and a ton of makeup spread out over a table.
Theodora quickly gets to work on my face. She takes off the subtle makeup I’m currently wearing, with water and a paper towel. It scratches my face but I hold my tongue. Then she starts applying products in colors I would never in a million years think about wearing. There are some heavy reds and blacks and purples going on.
When she steps back about twenty minutes later, I’m finally able to see what I look like and my mouth drops open. Staring back at me is a girl I barely recognize. My eyes are lined in thick bands of black that’s been expertly blended out into varying shades of deep purple. My full lips are painted a scarlet red, and she’s even drawn a beauty spot next to my eye.
“Love it?” she asks with a smile, clearly happy with her work.
“It’s—it’s, uh… different from what I’m used to,” I finish lamely.
There’s no denying that Theodora is talented, but it’s so far out of my norm that I can’t say anything more positive.
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t seem mad.
“What’s this even for?” I turn to face the four guys behind me who’ve all been watching me the entire time.
“We need you not to stand out so much,” Daire answers. “You look like you got lost on your way to Beverly Hills, and that’s not going to work around here. We need you to look like you belong in Marter for the first favor you’re going to do for us.”
“And that favor is?” I ask pointedly.
“You ask too many damn questions,” he growls and I decide the safest thing for me to do right now is stop talking.
Theodora leads me into another room and I see that she has clothes laid out on the bed. Holding up each piece to me she considers the situation seriously, before finally deciding on a short leather skirt, a red halter top, a studded leather jacket and platform combat boots.
“I can’t wear this.”
“Why?” she asks pointedly.
“Because I…” I can’t think of any good reason other than it’s so different from anything I’ve ever worn, so far out of my comfort zone we might as well be on Pluto.
“Just put it on. I’ll be back in ten minutes.” And with that she walks out of the room and shuts the door.
I pick up the clothes and run my hands across the fabric. I know I need to do this so there’s no point in putting it off any longer. I quickly yank them on and turn to look at myself in the mirror.
I’m shocked to realize that I don’t exactly hate what I see. I never thought that this would be something I’d wear, but just maybe this is more “me” than my old clothes. I’ve never really had a choice when it came to what I wore because my mom had people buy our clothes for us. She had personal shoppers and stylists and I’ve never second-guessed what they chose because they are the professionals so obviously they know best.
Looking at myself, I realize I’m not the same person I was just a few months ago. I’ve been through so much in such a short time that maybe I’m becoming someone new—or maybe I’m just finding out who I really was all along. I don’t think I’m exactly the girl staring back at me right now, the one dressed like the ultimate gothic biker chick, but I also don’t think I’m that girl I was back at Sheltered Glen Preparatory Academy. I don’t know who I am anymore.
Taking a breath—let’s just get this over with, I tell myself—I walk out. The conversation stops and all eyes turn to me. I can’t help but cross my arms self-consciously under the intense scrutiny.
Finally, it’s Alec who breaks the silence. “She looks good,” he breathes out.
<
br /> His eyebrows are raised in appreciation and his mouth is open slightly. I can’t help the little smile that crosses my lips at his reaction. I look at the others and both Brax and Theo are looking at me hungrily. Daire’s face remains dark, and he quickly looks away when I turn to him.
Even though I hate them all, I can’t help but feel a little thrill at provoking those reactions from them. They may be tough and powerful, but they are still just guys.
“I know, right?” Theodora smirks and throws back her two-toned hair over her shoulder triumphantly. “Wasn’t easy, but it’ll do for what you need her for, right, Daire?”
“It’ll do.”
The way Theodora looks at Daire, wanting his approval, it’s obvious she’s into him, but he doesn’t give her a second glance and you can tell it crushes her.
“Thanks, Theo 1.” Theo goes over to hug his sister.
“No problem, Theo 2,” she answers and embraces him warmly.
“Let’s go,” Daire says briskly. I don’t know the guy well at all, but even I can tell that he’s in a bad mood—not that I imagine he has many good ones.
We all head out of the factory, leaving Theodora behind.
“Two cars,” Daire says and the guys wordlessly split into two groups.
Theo and Alec start heading towards a black car that’s hiding in the shadows next to the factory.
“You’re with us, Highness,” Brax says as he touches the small of my back to push me towards another car that I hadn’t noticed around the side of the building. The touch is gentle but firm, telling me that he’s in control and I have no choice. I hate the little jolt of electricity that rushes through my body from where his hand meets my back. I walk quickly so that his hand drops away.
We get into the car and it’s shockingly nice. I know as little about cars as I do about motorcycles, but even I can tell this is a relatively new and probably expensive SUV. How the hell can anyone going to Marter High afford a car like this? I’m starting to suspect that the Vicious Crew are into some nefarious stuff and aren’t just a bunch of guys who gang up together to bully kids at school. The realization makes me even more nervous as I slip into the backseat with Brax. Daire jumps in the driver’s seat.
We drive down the dark streets, sticking to the outskirts of town. Finally, they decide to let me in on the plan. Brax tells me that I’m going to walk into a bar and seduce this guy. They need me to convince him to go to a second location alone, without his entourage, just with me.
“What’s the second location?” I ask.
“A motel,” Brax says matter-of-factly.
“Are you serious?! I’m not sleeping with some stranger!”
“You don’t have to sleep with him,” Daire interjects from the front. He hasn’t turned around the entire car ride and I’m getting the feeling he’s trying to avoid looking at me.
“You just need to get him there and we’ll do the rest,” Brax adds.
“What are you guys going to do to him?”
“I thought I told you that you ask too many questions,” Daire says darkly.
“He’ll live,” Brax adds. “We can’t tell you more about him because we want you to go in there as just some bimbo who wants a bit of fun. It’ll be a lot easier for you to pretend you know nothing if you actually know nothing.”
“Is this dangerous?” I can’t help but ask.
“You’ve got us watching your back so you’re safe,” Brax says. “If you get into trouble, we’ll get you out.”
“But don’t start trouble on purpose just to get out of it. We’ll know,” adds Daire.
I sigh and lean back against the plush leather seat to watch the run-down scenery rush past.
8
The bar sits on a lonely street corner like a neon and dirty brick eyesore. We pull up behind an empty building a short distance away with a perfect view of the entrance. Daire cuts the engine before turning to look at me for the first time since we left Theodora’s place.
“This is the guy.” He holds up his phone and I see an average, kind of sleazy-looking, man in his late thirties. “That’s your mark. Get him to agree to go to the Starbeam Motel on Twenty-Second Street.”
“What if I can’t convince him to go?” This plan is crazy. I’ve never tried to seduce anyone in my life. I don’t know how to be sexy on demand and I’m a bit out of my element here.
“You’re a hot girl,” Daire says as he stares at me, his narrowed eyes blazing. “It’s going to be insanely easy to convince any guy to go to a motel with you. Now, go,” he commands and I hop out of the car.
I’m weirdly motivated by his pep talk.
Daire thinks I’m hot.
Who cares if a monster thinks you’re hot, Addison?
Right.
I walk quickly across the empty street to the bar. I make it to the front door and rush in before I can second-guess myself.
Inside it’s dark and smokey—which is weird because it’s illegal to smoke in any establishment, but I guess they don’t care much about the law in this part of town. A couple neon beer signs are the only attempt they’ve made at decorating. I think this place looks depressing as hell but apparently not everyone agrees with me because the place is busy.
I start scanning the crowd, trying to find my “mark”. It’s hard because about ninety percent of the people in here are guys and they all look like the guy in the picture Daire showed me.
I move through the crowd and try to ignore all the lecherous stares I’m getting. Even with the makeover, I still stand out. I don’t know what to do and I need a moment to collect myself so I head to the bar.
While I wait for the bartender, I continue to scan the crowd. I try to avoid eye contact with anyone, but it doesn’t work as a guy starts to walk over to me immediately.
“Fuck,” I mumble as I turn away, trying to ignore him.
“Hey, gorgeous. Is this seat taken?” he asks.
“I have to go to the washroom!” I blurt out before rushing off.
The large boots take some getting used to and I almost fall flat on my face as I escape. I make it to the washroom and hide in a stall. I don’t think I can do this.
I take a couple minutes to calm down and collect myself. I need to get this over with and get the hell out of here. The quicker I get this done, the quicker they ask me for the second favor, then the third, and the quicker this will all be over. Then I’ll never have to interact with the Vicious Crew ever again.
I take a deep breath, look at myself in the mirror—who is that?—and then head back out.
I keep my calm better this time as I survey the crowd. With a relieved sigh, I finally spot the guy. He’s by the bar surrounded by a couple of friends.
I attempt to look confident as I strut over towards them. I make eye contact with the guy and hold it, before turning away to lean against the bar next to his friend. It doesn’t take more than a few seconds before he pushes his friend aside and slides in next to me.
A part of me is thrilled. I can’t believe how easy that was!
“What’s a pretty young thing like you doing in a place like this?” he asks me and I have to suppress my disgust.
“I’m just… looking for some company. I was bored at home all alone.” The words come to me naturally and I wonder, who is this person? I don’t know her at all.
“I can help you with that,” he says with a laugh, and I fake a laugh too. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Sure, a beer, please.”
“A girl after my own heart.” He gets the attention of the bartender. “The lady will have a—what kind of beer do you want?”
I look around desperately but I can’t find a drink list anywhere. “Um, a… one of those.” I motion to a man on the other side of the bar drinking from a dark bottle.
“Make that two,” my mark says and slips the bartender a twenty.
He turns his attention back to me and starts flirting shamelessly—and I start flirting right back. The guy is gross and sleazy,
but my adrenaline is in overdrive so I don’t find it hard to pretend to be interested in him—but when he puts his hand on my back, it takes all my willpower to not shove it off.
When, after a drink, I mention going somewhere else, he readily agrees. I’m giddy, I can’t believe I’m pulling this off! He tells his friends that he’ll talk to them later and that he has to “take care of this sexy young thing. Make sure she’s dicked just right”. I fake laugh to cover up my revulsion and we head out.
We walk over to his car and this is when I start to wonder what to do next.
“Where did you want to go?” I ask.
“I’m good with anywhere you want. It can’t be my place though because my wife is home right now.”
“I have a roommate so we can’t go to my place. How about a motel?” I say too quickly.
“All right. Anything for your sweet little ass.”
“The one on Twenty-Second Street, I think it’s called ‘Starbeam’ or something.”
He looks at me suspiciously for the first time and I start to get nervous that I screwed up. He knows.
“You do this a lot or something?” he asks. “You trying to make me pay for it or something?”
“Oh my god, I’m not a prostitute!” I think my absolutely real indignation convinces him and he backs off.
“All right, all right. Just gotta check, you know? Pretty girl like you, might be a working girl. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Well, I’m not,” I say hotly.
“Ok, ok, I didn’t mean it. I get it. Starbeam it is.”
We both get in the car. I’m happy the plan is on track again as we pull out of the parking lot. I look around surreptitiously and breathe out a sigh of relief when I see Daire’s car trailing us at an unsuspicious distance.
The guy, whose name is Norman, continues to make gross comments as we drive the couple blocks to the motel. I’ve never been to the Starbeam Motel, I’ve never been to this side of town at all, so I have no idea where we are.
We pull up to a single story building. After parking, we walk into the lobby and Norman purchases a room. He tries to buy it for “an hour, maybe two”, but the owner makes him pay for the whole night and he grumbles as he hands over the cash.