Page 7 of Conquered
“Pleasure to meet you, Laura,” she replies warmly, and I can't help but smile back.
“Is Grey upstairs?” Lexi asks, stepping up to us.
“Yes, he is. Shall I call up to let him know you're back?” Sami enquires.
“Tell him I'm on my way up,” Lexi orders as she grabs my hand and leads me towards the wide staircase.
I hear Sami’s voice speak softly into the phone as we make our way up. The stairs have a thick, plush Persian rug runningdown the middle of them, and my boot-clad feet sink in with every step. This place screams exclusivity and money with its tasteful gentlemen's club vibe.What kind of club is this exactly?
We reach the first floor, and a faint whiff of cigar smoke tickles my nose before Lexi is dragging me up the next flight. The walls are still painted the same soft grey colour, but there's no panelling up here, just the dark wood of the stairs. We come to the final landing, which has three dark wood doors coming off of it. This must have been the old servants’ quarters.
Lexi strides up to the door opposite the staircase, knocking on the panelled wooden door.
“Come in, Lexi,” a deep voice commands, and a shiver runs through me at the sound.
Lexi opens the door, walking in as if the voice doesn't affect her at all. I follow behind, slightly more reticent. The room we're in is large, with a fairly high ceiling that slopes at the sides like this was once the attic. It's painted a darker grey than the hallway, but it doesn't feel cold. There's even a small fireplace with a cheerful fire burning behind the grate.
“Ah, you must be Laura,” the deep voice sounds from across the room, and my gaze catches the grey eyes of a man sitting in a leather wing-back chair behind a dark wooden desk. There are two smaller leather chairs in front of it, both unoccupied.
He's exceptionally handsome, with classical features, salt and pepper hair that's slicked back, and is wearing a dark charcoal grey suit, a white shirt, and silver tie. There's a twinkle in the tie, which looks like a diamond tie pin. He stands up and comes around to our side of the desk, and I can see that the suit is tailored to perfection, fitting his lean form perfectly.
He holds out a hand, a warm smile drawing up the corners of his mouth.
“I'm Grey, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he assures me in cultured tones.
I take his hand and discover it's warm and dry, not sweaty, and he gives a firm but not overbearing handshake before releasing his grip.
“Shall we?” he asks, indicating to the chairs, and we all take a seat, myself and Lexi in front of the desk and Grey behind it.
“Can I get you something to drink, Laura? Lexi?” he asks us politely.
“No, thank you,” I smile weakly at him, butterflies dancing in my stomach.
“No thanks, Grey darling,” Lexi answers with a cheeky grin.
“Now,” he smiles warmly at me, and I feel a sense of safety around him that confuses me. “How can I help you, Laura?”
Before I can say anything, Lexi butts in. “Laura is going to be our new waitress, and she'll be staying with me.” Grey doesn't say anything, just raises a perfect dark brow and smiles indulgently at her.
“I see,” he replies.
“If-if that's okay with you?” I stutter out, cursing my new nervousness.
“Do you know what type of establishment this is, Laura?” he asks me, not answering my question. I shake my head in response. “Well, we are an exclusive gentlemen's club that caters to our members'needs.”
I nod, thinking that to be the case from what I've seen so far.
“I take care of all my girls, no one is forced to do anything they are unhappy with, but there are opportunities for those who want them.” He continues, gesturing with his hand. “Can I suggest that Lexi show you around tonight, then you can start a trial run tomorrow, provided you're happy to do so, of course?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you,” I reply, tears stinging my eyes at my good fortune.
“Excellent,” he grins. “Lexi, I'd like to have a word with Laura alone. Please wait outside.” And all of a sudden, the butterflies are back.
“Before I go, Kol was at Maxine's.” She tells him, and the skin around his eyes tightens slightly, the only indication of his displeasure. He gives her a sharp nod.
Lexi squeezes my arm reassuringly before getting up and leaving, closing the door quietly behind her.
“I don't expect you to tell me who left those bruises on your neck, trust needs to be earned, after all. But know that if you ever need whoever it was taken care of, you just say the word.” He is absolutely serious, eyes boring into mine until I nod, and then he smiles kindly at me.
