Page 20 of Lady Death

“We all process sexual trauma differently. Sometimes, that might include indiscriminate sex with random people—”

“Are you implying I’m promiscuous?” Keres asked, cutting her off.

“No, but hypersexuality can be a way to reclaim your sexual expression after a nonconsensual experience. It can also be a healthy way to begin healing.”

“When it was over I just felt … off. I was raped and yet I was willing to have sex with a man I knew almost nothing about. Who does that? What kind of woman, or victim, am I if I can just brush that off?”

“You cannot compare apples to oranges,” Kori replied, her tone comforting without censor. “You’re here to heal and find healthy coping strategies. There is no judgement, Keres. Like I told you on our first session, I’m on your side. I’m here to help you navigate this new reality that was thrust upon you. Being raped. Being stabbed. Left for dead. You must never forget you are a survivor.”

“But where do I go from here?” she asked, her voice small and pitched low.

“Anxiety, depression, PTSD. They’re not issues that go away quickly or easily. Cognitive behavior therapy is one step in a line of steps. Medication can help. Reprocessing the narrative in your mind. Nothing is a surefire way to move past the trauma because what might work for one person may not work for you. We’ll both learn together what you need, but above all else, communication is imperative.”

With her words ringing in her ear, Keres finished the session. She was still confused on how she felt about having sex with Ronin. Helpful or hurtful, the jury was still out. Until then, it was time to prepare for the final assault against Davorin.

Chapter Ten

“You want to go over the plan one more time?” Darby asked.

“Find the woman, knock her out, and take a few pictures.”

He grunted again before looking at his watch. “All right. Showtime.”

He emerged from their shadowed hiding spot, checked the traffic before crossing the street and walking up to the Gentlemen’s Club. Their target was the woman Davorin was rumored to be enamored with. Darby disappeared inside so Keres made her way around the building, to the back where the kitchen was located. She laid her coat on a closed dumpster lid before entering. The club offered an exclusive dining room, available only to the top tier paying members. The shifts were changing, giving her an excellent opportunity to blend in. The place was so large that one more server went unchecked. She followed the leads, grabbing an apron and a tray to head into the dining room. Eyeing everyone seated, she saw her mark sitting with some men dressed in tuxes.

Keres kept to the sides of the room, blending in with the darkened corner. A server came over to the table she was watching and saw that the women ordered something. The server smiled and headed over to the bar to place the order. This was the opportunity she was looking for. Lifting her chin, acting like she completely belonged among the staff, she gathered a few discarded empty glasses and walked over to the bar.

“You new?”

Keres whipped her head up and saw that the bartender was talking to her.

“How could you tell?” she asked.

“You have that oh-fuck-what-do-I-do look.”

She smiled. “Guilty.”

He leaned in a little. “Fake it till you make it.”

“Thanks, I’ll do that.” She glanced over her shoulder. “That’s Sapphira Todd? She’s very beautiful.”

“Yep, that she is.”

She didn’t know which drink belonged to Sapphira. “Do you need any help?”

“Uh,”—he looked behind himself—“Yeah. Ms. Todd likes four olives in her martini. Can you watch this order so I can grab another jar?”

“Sure,” she replied, unable to believe the answer was dropped in her lap. There was only one martini in the gathered drinks.

Working quickly, Keres opened her ring and as she grabbed the glasses in a ruse of putting them on a tray. The powder went into the liquid and immediately dissolved. The bartender came back and quickly speared four olives and dropped them in the glass. Then he tapped his ear and spoke in it, and a moment later, the server came back to pick up the tray and deliver the drinks. Keres covertly watched as Sapphira took a long drink of her martini, then walked away from the bar to head back into the kitchen.

The blueprints she and Darby poured over showed there was a bathroom located next to the employee lockers. She pushed inside, locked the door, and slipped her phone out of her pocket to send a quick message to Darby. Then she undressed and buried the black slacks and white button-down shirt into the trash. Under them, she wore a strapless corset that was the standard uniform for the other part of the club. She had gotten the outfit, very reminiscent of the iconic Playboy Bunny, at a costume store and it was a size too small. One deep breath and her boobs would pop out.

After throwing her hair into a high ponytail, she unlocked the door and gave a quick peek out to make sure no one wasnearby. She made her way down the opposite side of the kitchen, where the hallway opened to the social club. Low mood lighting set the tone, with round tables lit only with a candle. The stage was lit up and several women were dancing, the only scrap of clothing they wore was a G-string. She made her way around the perimeter of the room until she saw Darby. He gave her a nod and she bent over him, like she was taking his order.

“You ready?” she asked.

“Yep,” he replied.

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