by Robyn Nyx
“And what do you mean by that?” Elodie asked, sounding a little indignant.
Madison smiled, hoping that Elodie was teasing and wasn’t serious. “There’s a lot of material out there about you. Big talk show interviews, many kiss-and-tell stories.” Madison instantly regretted the emphasis she put on many. “Glossy magazine shoots and countless movie interviews. But there’s a serious lack of in-depth coverage about your work around human trafficking. Even though you’ve been doing it for a while now, it’s as if no one’s really taking it seriously.”
“You’ve nailed exactly how it is. My movies and my face sell magazines and move merchandise. But no one wants to know the uncomfortable truth about what really goes on in the States in terms of human trafficking. I think that’s why my work in this area hasn’t received much coverage. And that’s why I really wanted to do this interview with you. I know that you’ll do it justice.”
“Then I’ll do my best to help you change that. Shall we begin?”
“Go for it.”
Elodie nodded as she took a sip of her drink and licked her lips appreciatively. Madison focused on staying professional despite the unassailable beauty sitting opposite her.
“I’d like to start with your work with the government’s Trafficking in Persons office. Tell me about what you do.”
“My main focus is helping to build partnerships with NGOs—non-government organizations—and to try to help them with service provision for survivors. An important part of it is encouraging information sharing. If survivors and NGOs shared the information they have on the trafficking gangs, the law enforcement agencies would be able to work more effectively to shut them down. I’m also involved in trying to help educate people to recognize potential trafficking victims in their communities.”
As she spoke, Elodie’s passion for her work became clearer to Madison, and she couldn’t help but wonder how one celebrity could make a difference to an international problem.
“Tell me about recognizing those signs. What are the indicators that people should look out for in their neighborhood?”
“It’s amazing what you miss if you’re not really paying attention. There are simple things such as bars on the windows or barbed wire around the house, for example. Can your new neighbor come and go as they please, or do they have to ask permission from someone else in the house? Are they familiar with the rest of the community, or do they keep themselves separate? Are they able to have a conversation with you and look you in the eye? Do you see a lot of strangers visiting the house at all times of the day and night?” Elodie looked thoughtful for a moment. “It’s strange that we’re developing more and more ways to communicate, and yet we communicate less with those in closest proximity to us.”
Madison nodded. “You’re so right. So many of us seem to have our phones melded to our hands and never look up to see what’s right in front of us. Who knows what interactions we miss out on.”
“Exactly. The instant messages, cell phones, social networking. People contact you from thousands of miles away and expect to connect with you. If you don’t answer the phone, they call back again and again. It doesn’t seem to occur to them that you might be having a conversation with someone else who’s actually in the same room with you. Like right now. There’s nothing more important than this interview to me.”
Madison was quiet for a second. Elodie’s rant had come from nowhere, but it was clearly something she felt passionate about. “Wow, remind me never to call you more than once.”
“I’d always answer if you were calling.”
Elodie’s words hung in the air, but Madison dismissed the flirtation. She couldn’t help but appreciate how hypnotizing her eyes and smile were, though. Goddamn, you are gorgeous. Madison would have to think of an excuse when the interview was over to call her. Focus. I’m a professional, not a starstruck fan.
“I’m really sorry to interrupt, but could I have your autograph? I’m such a huge fan! I love your movies! You’re so fantastic!”
The intrusion startled Madison from her reverie.
“Thank you. You’re very kind.”
One of Elodie’s bodyguards was quick to place themselves between Elodie and the fan-girl.
“How could I not? You’re so real no matter what you play! You’re like the acting, speaking version of a chameleon!”
Madison sighed and wondered if the girl ended every sentence with an almost visible exclamation mark.
Elodie laughed a little. “I’m sure you mean that as a compliment?”
“Of course! I just can’t believe I’m meeting you! My sister is going to be soooo jealous! Would you sign…me?”
Elodie smiled, looking faintly amused. “Do you have a pen?”
“Of course!” The fan-girl thrust a black Sharpie forward for Elodie to take. Unashamedly, she lifted her top to reveal an overstuffed white bra.
“Your bra?” Madison asked, laughing at what she supposed must be a usual request, given Elodie didn’t seem fazed by it at all. The fan-girl eyed Madison dismissively before returning her attention to Elodie. Madison heard the obvious sigh of delight from the fan-girl as Elodie signed her left breast. She handed the pen back.
“I’ll never wash this again!”
The bodyguard took the fan-girl by the shoulders and turned her away, gently but firmly. Elodie’s attention was back on Madison, and her gaze was probing.
“I’m sorry about that.”
Madison shrugged. “There’s no need to apologize to me. But I don’t know how you cope with your privacy being invaded constantly. It’s like people think you’re public property.”
Elodie looked rueful. “It goes with the territory. I’ve put myself out there and cultivated a certain image.”
“But everyone’s entitled to a private life, even the sexiest woman on the planet.”
A dirty little smiled played on Elodie’s lips. “You noticed?”
“Erm…well. It’s hard not to.” Madison felt coy. She’d never been any good at flirting, and she had no doubt that Elodie would have no sexual interest in her.
Elodie looked away, possibly to save Madison further embarrassment.
“Anyway, let’s get back to the interview.”
Elodie smiled knowingly. “Would you be able to put the details for the national hotline at the end of the article?”
“I’m sure that’ll be no problem. So was there a specific incident in your life that made you decide to use your celebrity to raise awareness of what has been called ‘modern slavery’ by our president?”
“My awareness of the issue was really heightened when I was filming in Cuba for Strapped. I’d naively thought it was only an issue in other countries. I had no knowledge whatsoever that it was happening in the U.S. We’re busy trying to tell China, India, and Mexico how to treat their people, but right here on American soil, people are being exploited for the financial gain of organized gangs. California’s proximity to Mexico’s border, our ports and airports, and our immigrant population all make it too easy for those gangs to…to just sell people.”
Madison noticed something pass across Elodie’s eyes and decided it was sadness. She clearly had a lot of empathy and compassion for human suffering. When she was preparing for the interview, Madison had a niggling fear that Elodie’s volunteer work was simply a ruse to garner her more publicity to make her movies more successful. This was one instance where she was strangely glad to have been proven wrong.
“Does your time in the military inform your work?”
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather we didn’t touch on that.”
Elodie straightened her previously relaxed posture, and Madison could almost see her shut down. She wanted to know more. Elodie had never publicly spoken of her military service, and Madison wondered why. Conscious now wasn’t the time to push, Madison changed tack. “I’ll put some facts and figures in here about the extent of the problem in the States. If there’s anything you can tell me or send me that I might not fi
nd out through my own research, that’d be really helpful. From what I’ve already been looking at, I think the stats will be shocking for some of your followers.”
Elodie smiled disarmingly, and her bright white, perfect teeth made Madison wish she’d stayed in braces a little longer as a child.
“Followers? You make me sound like a preacher.”
Madison held up her hands in apology. “I didn’t mean it that way. Fans, if you prefer, though I did see that you were at number five and have over seventy million followers on Twitter.”
Madison felt herself blush at the admission, and Elodie flashed a killer smile that made her a little twitchy. She found herself unable to hold Elodie’s intense gaze.
“I’m told I’m the only actor in the top thirty-five. It seems egotistical to know that, but Paige, my agent, likes to keep me informed of these things.”
Elodie’s cheeks flushed a little, but Madison didn’t think it could possibly be embarrassment. “Probably because your success means more money for her.” Madison was glad to see Elodie nod. For all she knew, her agent might also be her best friend from high school and she might’ve taken offense. “Singers seem to dominate that particular social network. It might be something to do with music being a more accessible medium than movies.” Madison stopped herself from rambling off topic and looked to Elodie to respond to her original point.
“I’d never thought of it that way. Maybe I should give up acting and become a singer if it’ll raise the profile of my humanitarian work.”
She laughed that easy laugh again, and Madison smiled. Elodie was so entirely different from her usual interviewee. She seemed so relaxed and at ease with herself. Her genuineness almost had Madison relaxed too. Almost.
“Well, my followers who’ll be surprised are the people I’m trying to reach. Regular readers of this publication are already conscious of the issue. It’s inevitable that some people will pick it up simply because I’m in it, but that’s what me using my celebrity to raise awareness is all about. I have to reach the people who need educating about issues this close to home, instead of letting them live in a fantasy that America is the greatest country on earth and believing we don’t have a care in the world.”
“Do you think it’s a problem of ignorance or unwillingness to consider that something as heinous as slavery could be happening in our country?”
“That’s a tough question to answer without causing offence to someone, somewhere.”
As Elodie continued to speak, Madison found herself being drawn in. Not only was she a brilliant actress and incredibly beautiful, Elodie had a hint of soft vulnerability Madison had never picked up on in previous interviews or appearances. She was intrigued and wanted to know more. She had no illusions that someone like Elodie might find her even remotely attractive, and Madison wasn’t looking for a relationship anyway. But she’d be very much interested in a new friend.
*
Almost two hours later, Madison was sure she’d got enough for the detailed article she wanted. She also managed to get something she wasn’t expecting—an open invitation to Elodie’s library, which apparently housed several million dollars’ worth of first edition and rare books. It was an invite she couldn’t wait to take up.
“That’s a perfect place to end, Elodie. Thank you so much for your time and your honesty.” Madison had pressed on particularly sensitive topics for honest answers, and Elodie had been open, and even happy, to respond.
“Strangely enough, I didn’t plan on being quite that honest and forthright.”
Madison thought she saw a flash of vulnerability behind Elodie’s sparkling eyes, but it was gone almost as quickly.
“Would you stay for lunch with me?”
Elodie didn’t seem quite so sure of herself, but Madison dismissed it. “Thanks, but I can’t. I have to follow up a potential whistle blowing on an organ trafficking organization. I had a meeting scheduled yesterday, but the informant didn’t show up. I’m a little worried about her.”
“Let me know if you need any help. It might be that my connections in the GTIP office could come in useful for you.”
Madison placed her Zoom in her shoulder bag and stood. “Thanks, but if the information this woman is promising turns out to be true, I might have to be careful who I trust.”
Elodie touched Madison’s hand. Static electricity made them both jump.
“Be careful, Madison. Those gangs don’t mess around, and they usually have no regard for people who get in the way of their business.”
She sounded like she was speaking from experience. That would have to be a topic for their next conversation. Elodie looked gentle and concerned, and Madison felt a buzz of excitement run through her. It was so unusual to meet someone she had so much in common with, and they’d barely scratched the surface. Elodie was the kind of person she could envision having conversations that started at lunch and didn’t end until way past midnight. She hadn’t felt this interested in a friend for a long time.
“I appreciate that, thank you. I’ll definitely call you for the library tour.”
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
Chapter Eight
Therese reclined, eyes closed, body completely relaxed, and inhaled deeply. She let the smoke sit in her mouth and seep down to her lungs, warming to the point of burning. She exhaled slowly, allowing it to course through her nostrils. The woman who sat astride her, naked but for a flimsy khaki tank top and the leather strap that secured her wrists behind her back, sucked in the exhaled fumes. Linked by the dark gray silicone dildo strapped around Therese’s hips, the pace of their sex was nonchalant and casual. The flickering flame of the nearby open fire cast a sensual light on their bodies, which, when Therese opened her eyes, she could fully appreciate. She slipped her free hand around the tied woman’s body and pulled at the leather cord. The woman’s chest tautened, and her eyes opened wide as her breath escaped her body in the way it only does during heightened pleasure.
“Therese.”
“Shh,” Therese hissed. “Not a word, Casheen.” She flipped the joint away, wrapped her fingers around Casheen’s slender neck, and squeezed softly. Another breath escaped, and Therese closed her teeth on Casheen’s bottom lip, forbidding her to emit any more words. Her hips bucked against Therese as she forced her back, and her body arched until her long, blond hair skimmed the wooden deck. In this position, with blood rushing to Casheen’s head and her complete lack of control over her mobility, Therese knew her orgasm would be imminent. She quickened her rhythm a little and could feel Casheen gripping onto the silicone shaft within her. Therese lifted her back up by her tank top, and their mouths clamped together as Casheen screamed her release.
Just at that most perfect moment, Nat wandered out onto the deck. Therese saw her nostrils flare. It would have been imperceptible to anyone else, but it was the same reaction she’d seen many times before. Therese found it amusing that she did that whether she was angry or horny.
“Peterson called to finalize some arrangements. He wants to get moving.”
Nat was all business, but she didn’t fool Therese. Casheen shifted slightly on Therese’s cock, making her discomfort with the situation obvious. Therese placed her hands on her hips and pressed her down firmly. She expressed her requirement for Casheen to stay still with a look, while she addressed Nat.
“Tell me more.”
“Surely she shouldn’t be hearing this.”
Nat’s disgust for Casheen was less than subtle. Therese smiled and shook her head. Her fingers traced a casual line from Casheen’s neck, between her breasts, and down to her exposed pussy. She pressed down on her clit, and her smile broadened when Casheen moaned and ground down on her cock.
“Casheen knows if she repeats a word of what she hears when she’s around me, I’ll keep her alive while I peel every inch of skin from her body with a serrated carving knife. So, go ahead. What did he have to say?”
“He says he’s close to securing you San
Nicolas. A band of Luiseno Indians claimed cultural affiliation to the tribe that was there until 1835, so they’ve halted the archeological digging. The Navy has decided to give it back to them rather than deal with another Native American embarrassment. The Indians are looking to make a quick buck as long as the new owner signs a contract not to excavate any further, so he’s negotiated a price of five million. He needs to know if you’re willing to pay that since it’s slightly more than your original budget. If you are, he can have the sale finalized this week.”
“Thanks for the political history lesson.” Therese continued to push her dildo into Casheen as Nat spoke and tried desperately to avert her eyes, knowing full well that Therese demanded eye contact when she spoke to anyone. She didn’t trust people who couldn’t hold her gaze. She didn’t trust people, period. “Tell him to go ahead. Transfer the money to his account now.” Therese could feel Casheen rapidly approaching another orgasm. She twisted her nipple hard and clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle her small scream. It made her drive her hips down fiercely, and she growled as Therese’s dildo pushed as deep as she could take it. Therese wanted Casheen to be aware of nothing else but her cock. “Since you’re here.” Therese beckoned Nat to come closer. She noticed her hesitation and raised her eyebrow. “Come here. Now.”
Nat’s nostrils flared again as she approached them. When she was within reach, Therese pulled at her leather jacket and brought her down to kiss her. It was hard and aggressive, and Therese could feel her resentment. Nat’s teeth bit down on her lip. If they were alone, it would have been foreplay. Given the company, Therese knew it was carefully measured antipathy.
“Careful, girl.” Therese’s hand slipped from Nat’s jacket onto her crotch, and she squeezed hard. “Open your jeans.”
Nat’s dark brown eyes flamed furiously. It was a look Therese always enjoyed provoking. Saying nothing, she undid her belt and unbuttoned her jeans. She never wore underwear, which often meant she had to change her jeans a few times a day when they were together. Therese pushed her hand into her jeans and slipped two fingers inside her. Despite her evident fury, she still let out a throaty breath of arousal as Therese began to fuck her.