What those girls didn’t realize was that they were the lucky ones, if there was such a thing under these circumstances. They were the few who might have been cast aside by Sloane once he’d grown bored of them, but they’d been spared from the hellish life of the white slave trade.
Nearly two hours later, her manicure and pedicure were done, complete with massages, sugar scrub, and paraffin wax dips. With her nails freshly painted, she was told to sit for another fifteen minutes before leaving. So she continued to relax, and when she finally opened her eyes it was to see Gwen strolling casually through the spa, checking on the girls.
For the most part, Nicole had managed to avoid up-close-and-personal contact with Gwen, but there was no escaping the woman now, since she was heading her way and Nicole still had foam separators between her toes. She waited for Gwen to pass by, but the other woman stopped in front of her instead.
Gwen studied her face for a long, uncomfortable moment. Then a slight smile touched her lips. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, thank you,” Nicole replied, praying that the woman didn’t make the connection between her and the reporter at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Good.” Her expression gave nothing away. “I’ll see you at tonight’s party.”
Gwen moved on, and Nicole exhaled a deep breath.
Before long, it was time to return to the house, and Security Guy was standing on duty again to make sure that all the girls got back into the limousine. Nicole tried to get a seat next to Holly, but ended up sitting across from her. She wasn’t able to talk to the other girl, but she could see her, and she didn’t look well. After a long full-body massage, she should have been in a great mood. Instead, she seemed sad and depressed.
Nicole knew Holly’s situation was only going to get worse, not better, no matter how much Holly claimed to love Sloane. Fortunately for Holly, tonight Nicole was going to give her the chance to change the direction of her life, and her future.
* * *
“How was your meeting with Sloane today?”
“Interesting.” Nathan glanced in the vanity mirror as Nicole joined him in the bathroom and closed the door, then turned on the shower so they could talk while finishing getting ready for the Mardi Gras party starting in less than an hour.
He still had a towel wrapped around his hips as he shaved his face, but she’d changed into a black push-up bra, lacy bikini panties, and fishnet stockings-all part of her costume courtesy of Sloane, who’d sent the items over earlier that afternoon for her to wear to tonight’s party. Too bad the other man wouldn’t get the chance to enjoy the provocative ensemble.
“So, is everything set up according to our plan?” She hung her outfit on the back of the door, then stepped into a black-and-purple lace corset and shimmied it up over her hips so it fit against her breasts.
Good God, she looked sexy as sin in her getup, with her hair loose and flowing around her shoulders and the lightest amount of makeup enhancing her delicate features. His lower body stirred, a too-common reaction when it came to Nicole, and he had to force himself to keep his mind on business, where it belonged.
“Yeah, everything is set,” he said, and cleared the husky desire from his voice. “But after your encounter with Sloane last night, he claims you’re quite defiant.”
She laughed in amusement, even as she struggled to lace up the back of her corset. “That’s certainly not going to change anytime soon.” Releasing a sound of frustration, she walked over to him, presenting him with the loose ribbons she hadn’t been able to reach. “Can you help me out with this contraption?”
“Sure.” Finished shaving his five o’clock shadow, he rinsed his razor and wiped the residual lather from his jaw and neck. Before he forgot, he showed her a small plastic bag containing two white tablets. “Sloane feels you might not be as amenable as you should be tonight. So he gave me some pills to guarantee you’ll be more accommodating than you were last night.”
She yanked the packet from his fingers, her expression both angry and horrified. “What are these? Roofies?”
“Either that, or Special K,” he said, having seen too much of the drug as an undercover vice cop. “Though Sloane assured me it’s nothing more than a mild relaxant to calm your nerves.”
“Jesus.” She shook her head in disgust. “I won’t be needing them. I don’t even want them near me.” She dropped the tablets into the toilet and flushed. Once they were gone, she turned so her back was to him once again. “You need to do me.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, her demand made him chuckle. “I’d love to do you, sweetheart, but we’re a bit short on time right now.”
She grinned over her shoulder at him. “Get your mind out of the gutter and lace me up.”
“When it comes to you, my mind’s always in the gutter,” he teased as he gave the silk ties a firm pull, so that the corset fit snugly before finishing the crisscross pattern the rest of the way up to the top. “By the way, as far as you’re concerned, there won’t be any contact between you and Sloane tonight. I told him that I’d like for us to enjoy the party, and each other, and that we’d swap our girls at ten for the rest of the night. You for Angela.”
“Except we won’t be here?”
“Exactly.” His big fingers fumbled with the thin silk laces as he attempted to make a secure bow. “The party starts at seven. By seven forty-five, we should have our escape plan executed and be on our way out of this place with Angela and Holly. It’ll probably take a while for Sloane to realize you switched masks and that all of us are gone. But by then there won’t be much he can do about it.”
“Sounds like a solid plan.” When he was done with the corset, she checked his handiwork in the mirror. “Wow, who would have thought you could make such a pretty, dainty bow?”
“Yeah, it’s one of my other many talents, thanks to my older sisters who thought it necessary that I learn the fine art of bow tying,” he said wryly. “Trust me, it’s not the kind of skill I brag about.”
“It’ll be our little secret.” She walked back to the rest of the costume hanging on the back of the door and retrieved the black, ruffled miniskirt. She stepped into the piece of clothing and zipped it up, then added a pair of black lace elbow-length gloves to complete the too-tempting outfit.
She spun around, placed her hands on her hips, and gave him a sultry pose. “What do you think?”
He found it difficult to think at all beyond the small, firm breasts nearly spilling from the front of her corset. “You look like a young courtesan,” he said, which most likely had been Sloane’s intent when he’d chosen her costume. And she hadn’t even donned the exotic, black-and-purple sequined feathered mask yet.
“Hmmm. I guess that’s what tonight’s party is all about, huh?”
“Yeah, pretty much.” He still needed to get dressed, but there were a few more things he wanted to discuss with Nicole before they left the bathroom. “Back to tonight and getting the girls out of here. Holly is the wild card in all this,” he said, expressing his one big concern about tonight’s extraction. “You do realize that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.” She sighed and dragged her fingers through her loose hair. “I think we’ll be okay. Holly started drinking on the drive to the spa this morning. I’m certain she’ll be sufficiently wasted by tonight in order to cope with having to entertain one of Sloane’s friends, which will work to my advantage in getting her out of the house because she won’t be thinking straight.”
Nathan still had his doubts about the girl. “We know we have Angela’s full cooperation, but you’re going to have to make this a game for Holly. Make her think that leaving the house is going to lead to her being with Sloane.”
She nodded her agreement. “Good idea. The only way she’ll go willingly with me is if she believes she’ll be able to have Sloane again.”
“Once we’re out those front gates, it won’t matter what Holly does or how she reacts. She’ll be safe.” And that�
�s all that mattered to him. “Oh, and I need you to get her real last name as quickly as possible so I can have Caleb run a background check on her and track down her parents.”
“Sure, I can do that.” She exhaled a deep breath. “It’s almost time and you need to get dressed.”
He gently caught her arm before she could leave, his gaze scanning her face. “Are you nervous?”
“No. Just determined.” The conviction in her voice gave him all the reassurance he needed. “I want this done and over with.”
“It will be. Very soon,” he promised.
Chapter Eighteen
Wearing her elaborate feathered mask, and with Nathan dressed all in black with a matching black-and-gold mask covering his entire face, the two of them headed downstairs to the playroom at seven o’clock sharp to give them both time to mingle before separating to put their individual plans into action.
First things first. Nicole made sure that Sloane saw her. As he took in the seductive costume he’d specifically chosen for her to wear tonight, his eyes glazed over with lust and a lascivious smile curved his lips. She gave him a demure, accommodating nod of acknowledgment that seemed to please him, then turned her attention back to Nathan.
The main lounge area was filled with costumed men and girls in sexy, revealing outfits that ranged from lady pirates to maidens and jesters. Their face masks were decorated elaborately, making it difficult to recognize anyone at first glance. While the guests seemed to find that element of obscurity exciting, Nicole was just grateful that the disguises worked to her and Nathan’s favor.
The music in the room was loud and pulsing, and even though the party had barely begun, couples were already grinding against each other and delighting in their brazen behavior. Just like the real Mardi Gras, the mood was bawdy and salacious, with liquor flowing freely and the atmosphere charged with the excitement of immoral temptations. Bright, colorful bead necklaces were tossed to the girls daring enough to flash their breasts, and masked men didn’t hesitate to grab and grope the exposed flesh. Squeals of laughter pierced the air, along with cheers and catcalls.
Twenty minutes later, Nathan gave her the look, and they gradually separated to execute their plan.
Nicole made her way through the wild, gyrating crowd to the women’s lounge, and immediately saw Angela standing at the far end of the long vanity mirror set up for the girls to use. There were at least half a dozen other girls vying for the use of the mirror to check their hair and makeup, but Nicole was only concerned about Angela, who was wearing a provocative blue-and-silver maiden’s outfit. Her matching sequined mask was in place, but there was no mistaking how nervous she was about leaving the party without getting caught.
But when she was halfway to reaching Angela, another girl dressed as a court jester in a low-cut blouse and pantaloons stepped in front of Nicole, bringing her to an abrupt stop.
“Oh, my God,” the girl exclaimed, her green eyes brimming with envy behind her plain black-and-white feathered mask. “How did you score such an amazing costume?”
Momentarily startled by the interruption when her mind had been so focused on Angela, it took Nicole a few extra seconds to realize that she’d just been presented with a golden opportunity.
“Amazing?” Nicole injected a believable amount of doubt into her voice. “Personally, I think your outfit is way cuter.”
“Are you kidding me?” The other girl shook her head. “I somehow ended up with the most unflattering outfit I’ve ever worn in my life!” She indicated her loose-fitting top and baggy pants. “I’d love to have that sexy corset and fun skirt instead. The colors are so bright and festive next to my boring black and white.”
In this case, boring was good, Nicole decided. Very good. “Would you like to trade?”
The girl’s eyes widened with excitement. “Are you serious?”
“Sure.” Nicole shrugged nonchalantly. “It might be fun to switch things up and surprise my boyfriend with a different costume.”
The girl giggled. “Then let’s trade.”
They headed into the adjoining bathroom and within five minutes they’d swapped their outfits. The other girl, a brunette with long, flowing straight hair, looked stunning in the tight-fitting black-and-purple corset, skirt, and mesh stockings. In comparison, Nicole looked ordinary and charming as a jester. There was absolutely nothing head-turning about the black-and-white disguise, which gave her the ability to blend in, rather than stand out.
Realizing that they were running about five minutes behind schedule, she quickly donned her feathered mask and exited the bathroom. It took Angela a few extra seconds to register the costume change, but as soon as she had the girl’s attention, Nicole slid into the vacant spot next to Angela at the vanity mirror. Reaching into her bra, she withdrew the two hair clips she’d stashed there before leaving her room with Nathan.
She handed one to Angela, then began pulling her own hair back and away from her face to secure the mass at the nape of her neck. “Take off your mask and pin your hair up,” she said, wanting to do whatever they could to change Angela’s appearance, too.
While Angela did as she asked, Nicole cast a glance at the girls standing to her left, who were talking and laughing while they primped. Three of them had taken off their masks to fix their lip gloss and makeup, and Nicole decided that one of the girl’s ugly mustard-yellow and puke-green sequined mask would make a nice disguise for Angela-which she would casually poach when they were ready to leave the lounge.
So far, everything was going smoothly, except for finding the one person who had the ability to put a major crimp in tonight’s rescue attempt. Even knowing that Holly was a potential problem, she couldn’t leave her behind.
“Have you by chance seen Holly tonight?” she asked Angela.
She nodded. “I saw her getting a drink at the bar on my way here.”
And most likely, Holly was still near or around that area. “Okay.” Nicole gently grabbed Angela’s wrist with one hand, and pilfered the ugly mask with her other as she guided them out of the lounge and away from any listening ears.
Finding an unoccupied alcove, she stopped again and gave Angela her new mask. “Put this on,” she said, and nearly cringed at the grotesque colors now covering Angela’s face. As a disguise, it definitely worked. “I have to find Holly and I need you to listen to me. While I’m doing that, you head to the grotto, then make your way to the outside pool area. There’s a darkened pathway to the left of the cabanas that leads around the side of the house, and I want you to wait for me there.”
She shifted anxiously. “Are you sure this is going to work?”
God, Nicole hoped so. “As long as you do exactly what I tell you to, we should be out of here very soon. Now go, and I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
They parted ways. Nicole walked the perimeter of the room, desperately trying to find Holly in a sea of costumes and masks designed to conceal identities. She scrutinized shapes of faces, color of hair, and what would be close to Holly’s height. Just as she was starting to panic that she’d never be able to find Holly in time, she gave the bar area one last look and saw someone dressed in a red, gauzy sorceress outfit who looked like the young girl.
Wearing a feathered mask and holding a tall drink that the bartender had just made for her, the girl was walking away, more than a little unsteady on her feet. She was definitely inebriated, and Nicole said a little prayer that she’d finally found who she’d been searching for.
“Holly?” she called out.
The red sorceress spun around, nearly tripping on the long hem of her gown. She wobbled on her high heels and just barely managed to regain her balance, but not before she sloshed half of her drink down the side of her dress. While she surveyed the damage to her costume, Nicole lifted her mask to show her face just as the girl glanced back at her.
“Damn it,” the girl muttered, then narrowed her gaze at Nicole. “What do you want?” she asked, her words slurred.
Eve
n though the other girl was still wearing her mask, Nicole was familiar enough with Holly’s angry glare to confirm it was her. Knowing she had to act fast to meet up with Nathan on time, Nicole stepped up to Holly, took the drink from her hand, and set it on a nearby table.
“Hey!” Holly said indignantly. “That’s my drink!”
“You don’t need it,” Nicole said, hooking her arm securely through Holly’s to lead her away from the main festivities. But as soon as she started forward, Holly pulled back and stiffened, forcing Nicole to a stop.
“What are you doin’?” Holly asked, clearly not budging unless it was for a good reason.
Nicole planned to give her one. “We have to hurry,” she said, the urgency in her voice real. “Preston is waiting for you.”
Holly’s wide, glassy eyes, framed by flamboyant red feathers, blinked at her. “He… he is?”
The soft hope in the girl’s voice pierced Nicole’s heart, and a part of her hated that she had to lie to make sure that Holly cooperated. But using Sloane as an incentive was the only way to save her, and that’s all Nicole cared about.
“He told me he wants to meet with you secretly. Kind of like a Mardi Gras rendezvous.” This time when she guided Holly toward the grotto, the young girl stumbled along beside her.
“Where is he?” Holly asked as she pressed a hand to her head.
“I’m going to show you,” she said in a soothing voice to make sure she kept Holly calm. “Just keep following me.”
There were a few couples in the grotto, already in the process of peeling off their costumes for a dip in the hot tubs. The men were so focused on the eager-to-please girls they were with that they didn’t give Nicole and Holly a passing glance.
“He loves me… doesn’t he?” Holly’s words were slowing, as if she was having a hard time stringing her thoughts together. “I knew he did. I told you if I was good… and did as he said… he’d take me… take me back.”
Into The Night Page 24