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  When we were told she needed the surgery, we had no clue what to do. We didn't even have formal guardianship papers on Corinne, much less insurance. According to the doctor, time was of the essence in fixing her valve, so I scraped the money together.

  Cashed in the 401K and went to my brother, Corinne's own uncle, and asked for help with the down payment. Of course, all I got from him was a "loan" with the agreement to let me wait until I could get the equity out of my house to pay him back. When that fell through, he gave me an additional ten days, which was impossible.

  When I couldn't produce the twenty-five thousand, he got rough with me, landing a solid left hook to my temple. I don't think he was doing this per se to "act" like the stereotypical loan shark. I think he did it because he was drunk, possibly high and pissed I didn't have his money. Jayce wasn't a nice man on most days, but cross him and he could get vicious.

  With a sigh, I turn around and trot down his porch steps and head back to my car. I want to get a good night's sleep because I have a feeling that working in a sex club starting tomorrow is not going to be conducive to restful nights over the next few weeks.

  CHAPTER 3

  Jerico

  There's a sharp rap before my office door opens. Kynan walks in without waiting for permission, and he's the only one who's allowed to do that.

  "Just get back?" I ask as I briefly glance up at him and then back down to the quarterly tax report on my desk.

  "Few hours ago," he says as he drops down into one of the chairs opposite my desk and sighs with satisfaction.

  "Let me guess," I say dryly without even looking up at him. "You stopped off in one of the rooms before you came in here."

  "Orgy Room," he says, and I can hear the grin in his voice without even looking up. "Some dude in there whacked off while I banged his wife from behind."

  Chuckling, I push the tax report away and lean back in my chair to look at my closest friend and my only confidant. I met Kynan McGrath while I was a young 2nd lieutenant with the Marine Corps. I was fresh out of college, fresher out of officer candidate school, and on my first deployment to Afghanistan. My unit was paired up with a unit from the Royal Marine Commandos, which was led by Kynan. We bonded as we spent months flushing Taliban from small villages, a tedious and dangerous job that was mentally stressful. I was impressed with Kynan, and he with me, and he was the first person I asked to join up with me as a civilian contractor. I knew I wanted out of the military after I'd gotten shot, not because I was afraid but because I was an entrepreneur. I figured if I was going to do dangerous shit in service to my country and its allies, I wanted to be paid well for it. So when my enlistment was up, I didn't look back. That was ten long, lucrative years ago, but we've worked together seamlessly ever since. I'm going to sell The Jameson Group to him when I fully retire. As it stands now, I'm pretty far removed from it. Kynan's been running everything for the past year and a half as I've devoted my attention to The Wicked Horse.

  "So getting your rocks off was more important than reporting the final details of your operation to me?" I ask him with a straight face.

  Kynan knows me well. His grin gets bigger. "I think you've gone soft, dude. You've been living in fancy suits and sitting in a comfortable chair for too long. Meanwhile, I've been freezing my ass off in the Pakistan mountains gathering intelligence for our country, eating freeze-dried food, and whacking off in my sleeping bag. So yeah... it was more important I visit The Orgy Room before coming here."

  I smirk at Kynan because I agree with him. When I came off missions, first thing I always wanted to do was fuck. In my single days, that would be nameless, one-night stands. Then it was only Michelle, who I met three years after I started The Jameson Group, I wanted to fuck. I was twenty-eight and ready to settle down. We'd dated for only six months before I proposed, but I didn't have any doubts. She accepted, and I thought things were perfect. Less than ten months after that--and only two weeks before our wedding--I came off a mission a few days early to surprise her, and it was a surprise indeed when I caught her in our bed with Jayce.

  The betrayal hurt. I could go into a million different ways in which that betrayal has changed me. But when it boils down to it, it was so much more than the fact she cheated on me. She and Jayce took away the one thing I wanted most in the world, and it's the reason why I hate them so much.

  Nowadays, I fuck one-night stands and frankly, I don't find it to be unsatisfying at all. No annoying fiancee to please, no expensive wedding to hold, and the knowledge my heart would remain securely untouched.

  "Everything go according to plan?" I ask Kynan, pushing my thoughts away from the bitter taste that floods my mouth when I think of Michelle and Jayce.

  "Absolutely no problems," he responds to me.

  There was a time when I felt compelled to have him give me a play by play of the mission, but these days, I find I don't care. It's a combination of inherently trusting Kynan and getting burned out with The Jameson group. Now that I've been running The Wicked Horse Vegas, I find myself completely fulfilled. I have more money than I know what to do with, and I get to have off-the-hook sex whenever I want. Tell me how I could have a better job?

  I'll forever be grateful for the opportunity my former marine buddy, Cain Bonham, presented to me when he introduced me to his boss, Bridger Payne. Cain knew I was looking to back away from The Jameson group and that I had quite a bit of money to invest in a new business opportunity. Cain also knew Bridger was looking to franchise The Wicked Horse in Wyoming. He put us in touch and after several meetings as well as checking each other out, we formed a partnership to open The Wicked Horse Vegas. While the clubs are very different in setup and services offered, they are still clubs that allow people to indulge in their sexual fantasies. It's just that here in Vegas... we do it with a bit more showmanship and pizazz.

  "We've been asked to bid on a contract by the French government for an operation they would like us to assist the French Foreign Legion with," I tell Kynan. "I sent the information to you through our encrypted server. Take a look at it and rough me up a proposal."

  "Sure thing, boss," he replies confidently as he settles deeper in his chair, propping an ankle on top of the opposite knee. "Anything else before I head home and do about five loads of laundry?"

  I hesitate for only a moment about whether to bring this up, but I decide it's good if someone else knows about it. "Jayce Barnes reared his ugly face again."

  Kynan doesn't say anything, but his eyebrows rise with curiosity and surprise. He waits for me to continue.

  "Actually, his sister showed up at the club yesterday. She asked to collect on the favor I owe Jayce for saving my life."

  "What was the favor?" Kynan asks.

  "She needed money. Got in trouble with a loan shark to the tune of twenty-five thousand, and he roughed her up a little bit. Jayce sent her to collect the favor."

  "The favor is for you to give her twenty-five?" he asks for clarification.

  Shaking my head, I lean back in my seat. I distractedly pick at the leather armrests before admitting to him, "It was a loan she wanted with special repayment options. She's broke and doesn't have the ability to repay it, at least not in a timely manner."

  "And...?" Kynan drawls out.

  "So I made a deal with her. Told her I'd give her the money in exchange for working at The Wicked Horse for thirty days."

  Kynan lets out a bark of laughter and then throws his head back to continue laughing even harder. When he finally looks back at me, he says, "Oh man, let me guess... she's a fucking knockout?"

  I give him a grin and nod. "She's gorgeous. Doesn't look anything like her brother, thank fuck."

  "What are you going to do--just have her do the nasty to you for the next thirty days? Because, dude, you don't need that as a repayment option. You got all the pussy you need here in this club."

  My smile morphs, and I know there's a sparkle of malice in my eyes as I say, "I have something a little more involved for Miss Bar
nes."

  Now I really have Kynan's attention as he leans forward in his chair, head tilted with curiosity. "What are you going to do?"

  Kynan is well aware of my bad history with Jayce. While Kynan didn't have the personal hurt I did, he was just as offended because being on a team together and the nature of missions that we do, trust and loyalty are everything. While Kynan felt for me as any close friend would, he was more pissed about the breach of loyalty. He had no qualms with me beating the shit out of Jayce before expelling him from The Jameson Group. Kynan is also well aware I owe a debt to Jayce for saving my life and the fact I've been dreading the day I'd have to repay it. He can't really be surprised I'm not going to pay my debt in an aboveboard manner.

  "While I do intend to have my fun with her over the next thirty days as part of the favor he owes me, I'm going to provide a little humiliation to Jayce by showing him the dirty things I'm going to do to his sister."

  Kynan stares at me speculatively, and I can see the wheels in his brain turning. He's a guy with a bigger heart than me, so I know this is causing him concern. He won't hold his peace with me, though. He never has.

  "She's an innocent pawn in this, brother," Kynan said softly. "You sure your conscience can handle that?"

  "I'm not going to do anything to her that she doesn't want," I assure Kynan. "I'm just going to share the details of how my favor was repaid to Jayce. I'm thinking some photos and video would do nicely."

  Kynan gives a shake of his head, and I can tell by the look on his face he doesn't like this idea. It's a good thing I don't need his permission to do this. It's a better thing that my conscience isn't as steadfast as his, because I always knew if there was a way to hurt Jayce more than the ass-kicking I gave him, I'd take it. After everything he destroyed, I'm not going to let this opportunity pass.

  "Listen, Jerico," Kynan says, eyes intent. "This is not a good idea. You beat the shit out of Jayce, you kicked your cheating fiancee to the curb, and you went on to build a multimillion dollar empire. You have a good life now, dude. You need to let it go."

  "You know this has nothing to do with Michelle and Jayce fucking around behind my back." My voice is hard as steel. "I was satisfied with the beating he got, and I'm thinking Michelle wasn't my true soul mate because I don't miss her a bit. You, more than anyone, know why I want further revenge on Jayce."

  Kynan's face slackens and his eyes go soft with remorse. He knows I'm right. In fact, he's the only one who knows what is really driving me, and I can tell by the way he's looking at me that he's not going to support me, but he's also done trying to prevent me from doing it.

  "What are you going to do with her?" Kynan asks curiously.

  My lips tip upward into a wicked smile. "She works exclusively for me the next thirty days, so I'm going to do with her whatever I want. If I want her to scrub my bathroom floor, she'll do it. If I want her to suck my dick each night when she comes on duty, she'll do it. For thirty days, she's mine to do with what I want."

  "Never seen you focus on one woman for that amount of time," Kynan observes.

  I shrug. "Didn't say I was going to focus on her exclusively during the thirty days. Maybe I'll just insist she watch me with another woman."

  Kynan rolls his eyes, but he knows I'll have not one ounce of hesitancy in doing something like that. The wonderful thing about owning this club is I can indulge in my wildest and kinkiest fantasies.

  "You said she's gorgeous?" Kynan asks with pure curiosity and no censure. "What's she look like?"

  A soft knock on my door sends a jolt of adrenaline through me. Glancing at my watch, I see it's seven PM.

  With a nod of my head toward the door, I tell him "You're fixing to find out."

  "Come in," I call out in a deep voice.

  Kynan turns around in his seat and watches as the door swings open slowly and Trista stands there, looking a bit wild-eyed. She licks her lips nervously, her eyes going back and forth between Kynan and me.

  "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting," she says quickly. "I can come back later."

  She starts to turn away from the door, but with just one word, I assert my command over her.

  "Stop."

  Her body goes rigid and after a few moments, she turns slowly to face me. I wave her into my office as Kynan stands up from his chair.

  "Trista," I say as a means of introduction. "This is my closest friend, Kynan McGrath. He helps run my other business, The Jameson Group."

  Kynan reaches a hand out to her and she shakes it tentatively, mumbling something under her breath. Looking over his shoulder at me, Kynan gives me a small shake of his head that I should so not be messing with this woman.

  I ignore him. "Are you ready to get started?"

  Trista swallows hard, and there is no mistaking the uncertainty in her eyes. Still, she holds her back straight and keeps her chin lifted when she says with an unconvincing smile, "Sure am."

  I'm glad her voice sounds strong because I don't feel like dealing with a meek little lamb.

  "I'm going to head out," Kynan says. "I might come back later but if not, I'll catch you tomorrow."

  I give a lift of my chin in acknowledgment before turning my attention back to Trista, hearing the door close behind Kynan.

  I take a good look at Trista. She's wearing nothing but a faded pair of jeans and a red shirt that is flowy across the top but cinched tighter around her waist. Her hair is a wild mass of waves of various lengths pouring down her back, with streaks of different color in her hair. Various shades of brown to golden blonde, which gives it that dark honeyed color. Her makeup tonight is very light. In fact, I'm not sure she's wearing much of anything other than mascara. I'm smart enough to know that means she does not want to draw attention to herself. I had told her she would be provided with a uniform when she arrived. When she asked me last night what uniform she'd be wearing, I merely told her it depended on what job I had her doing.

  If she's bartending, she'll wear a black miniskirt and black camisole. If working the condiment tray, she'll have on nothing but a thong to cover her pussy and the straps from the tray to cover her breasts. And if I have her on her knees before me, she'll be naked. I haven't decided quite yet what to do with her, but I know I'll have to ease her into it. I won't take her unwillingly. My preference would be to have her begging for it.

  "Have a seat, Trista," I tell her as I point to one of the chairs. "I've had an employment contract drafted up, along with documentation of the money I'm going to give you in exchange."

  "Okay," she says softly. When she takes her seat, I reach into a lateral file drawer to pull out the paper.

  Handing it across to her, I say, "It's very simple. But then again, our deal is quite simple."

  Trista takes the single page from me and starts to read it. I wasn't lying... it is very simple. I know this because I drafted it. It won't stand up in court, but all I need it to do is stand up within Trista's mind.

  She takes her time, eyes moving over the words. It essentially says I have agreed to give her twenty-five thousand, and ten thousand of that has already been paid. In exchange, she agrees to work for me in The Wicked Horse for thirty days. It could be any of the jobs that are available, which she has already seen and been made aware. That was the reason I gave her the tour last night, because I wanted to make sure she knew everything she was getting into. And because Trista specifically mentioned sex with members as a no-go, I made sure to put that in there as well. I personally don't care if she has sex with other members when she is off duty, but she's going to be in for a surprise when she learns I'm not a member of this club and this agreement does not apply to me. It's not like I'm going to force her into anything because I don't need to. I can be very persuasive and Trista will end up wanting what I offer. It was obvious last night during the tour. I'd seen the subtle way she shifted on her feet and the change in her breathing patterns. She was turned on by what she saw, and I intend to introduce her to my world very soon. This contract is nothing mor
e than a way to ensure she doesn't use the "no sex with members rule" as an excuse if she's nervous.

  When she's done reading the contract, she places it on my desk and moves forward in her chair. Without a word, I hand a pen to her. She signs it, not asking a single question or showing a moment's hesitation. I'm wondering if that's because she believes I'm merely giving her a legitimate job in exchange for the loan or if she's so relieved to have the loan shark off her back, she truly doesn't care what she needs to do over the next thirty days.

  I have to say, I'm hoping it's the latter. Having Trista Barnes at my beck and call without having any hesitancy from her would make this a very pleasant experience indeed.

  CHAPTER 4

  Trista

  Jerico puts his signature on the document and tucks it back into his desk drawer without asking me if I want a copy. I don't... but it would have been a nice offer.

  I slowly wipe my palms across my denim-covered thighs, hoping it's a casual enough move that Jerico doesn't know they're sweating. Even though I'm relieved to know Jayce will consider the loan paid at the end of thirty days, I am quite nervous about working in a sex club. It's not for the reasons one would think, though. I have an adventurous sexual spirit, and I believe the few men I've had sexual relationships with have felt I was more than sufficient in the sack. There is no shame in working in a place that indulges in fantasy, kink, and fetish. Free world and all that stuff.

  My concern is more personal.

  I'm worried I'll want to experience this fully and I should be concerned because I liked what I saw last night. The grotesque displays of debauchery are going to affect me, but I'm not sure how. My fear is it will turn me on.

  Draw me in.

  Make me curious.

  "You ready to get started?" Jerico asks as he stands up from his chair.

  I take a moment... a brief one. One where I can check him out under the guise of merely holding conversation with him.

  Standing slowly from my chair, I give him a confident smile that I'm not feeling and say "Sure."