Page 21 of Poison

"I don't understand why you need me. You can't tell me that Top Hill is made up of that many gay men. It would have been smarter for you to bring one of your top girls here instead."

Trevor picked up a small black box and grinned at me. "True. There are far more breeders than there are gay men. However, there are plenty of bi-curious men all over the city. Men who want to discreetly try something new. They won't pay to have sex with you. But they will pay for you to keep your mouth shut. First-timers will want to be with a man who knows what he's doing. Someone who won't make it awkward."

He grabbed my arm and inserted an electronic key into my shackles, pulling them from my wrists. I opened the black box when he handed it to me. There were two pink bracelets inside. "What's this?"

"It's seen as tacky to wear bright orange shackles in Top Hill. The patrons want the illusion that they aren't paying for a servant's time. Instead, you'll wear these bracelets. They have the same type of tracker in them, so don't get any ideas."

I slid them onto my wrists, and they instantly constricted, making it impossible for me to remove them without chopping off my arms.

"They can only be removed with my special key," Trevor remarked unnecessarily.

I leaned against the car door and gazed outside. Top Hill honestly made my jaw drop in wonder. The homes were amazing, giant white mansions with stately pillars, massive windows, and sprawling pristine lawns.

The taxi drove past the residential communities and up a windy road until we reached a marvelous building with a golden dome top, tall white pillars, stained glass windows, and a magnificent garden with vine-covered trees. Colored lights danced over the building in sharp rays of yellow, pink, and purple.

Hobbs and I were dropped off at the base of a grand stairwell leading to the first floor, and the inside of the building was like a dream. Multi-colored fluffy lights illuminated glass sculptures that looked like giant bubbles. Some of them were artfully disguised chairs.

Trevor gripped my wrist, silently hinting that he wanted me to stop and wait for him.

His outfit fit the color scheme: white pants and a white jacket with a pale-yellow lining. The ensemble was completed by an absurd yellow and white top hat. The hat looked ridiculous, but in the previous five years or so, the accessory became a huge fashion trend among the wealthy. It hadn't caught on in the lower parts of the city because of how expensive they were, so only a few people wore them to make themselves look rich. But in reality, that hat was the most expensive thing they owned.

After Hobbs adjusted his hat to the perfect angle, he escorted me through the massive building, stopping tointroduce me to a few people. Eventually, he yanked me towards a small, well-dressed group.

"Ah, Council Woman Porter," Hobbs sang, nodding his head at a middle-aged woman in a sleek silver dress. He then turned to greet the other three individuals. "Councilman Reek, Councilmen Davish... and Councilwoman Price!"

"Mr. Hobbs, how lovely to see you again," enthused Porter as she held her hand out.

He guided her hand up to his face but kissed the air instead of her skin. I internally rolled my eyes at the gesture. That way of greeting was so weird.

"May I introduce you all to my top entertainer, Starburst?" Trevor held out his hand as if he were showing off a prize, and I nodded slightly.

Reek nearly choked on his drink. "The porn star?"

Price eyeballed her colleague. "Naturally, you would know who he is."

With a smirk, I haughtily examined my nails as I interjected, "I prefer 'exotic film star,' but I suppose 'porn star' fits... I am always pleased to meet a fan of my work."

It was amusing to watch the councilman's face go from pale to bright red as he fidgeted. "And it's good work."

Flirtatiously, I let my hand run along his arm. "Have your people get in contact with my people." I winked. "Perhaps you could have your own up close and personal private show." I could almost see the boner growing in his pants and had to bite back a laugh.

Trevor placed his hand on the small of my back and leaned in close. "Starburst, why don't you go mingle? I need to speak business, and that would only bore you." His voicedropped to a whisper. "Now is your chance to build up clientele. Be a good boy and make them want you."

"Well, you all have fun," I said in lieu of a goodbye and headed into the growing crowd.

Chapter 16

The first thing I did was head to the bar area, where people sat at small round tables, sipping drinks and conversing with each other. Against the wall was a long, fully stocked bar filled with four bartenders rushing about.

"Poison Apple?" inquired a voice from behind me. A voice I knew all too well.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I asked Vic as he raised a tray of my favorite martinis toward me.

"Well, hello to you, too."

"I didn't mean it like that. I'm not saying you don't deserve to be here… but come on, man. This is Top Hill."

"I'm working," Vic explained.

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