Page 111 of Thrill Me (Dark Odyssey 3)

I’m a bag of nerves just being in this part of town but grateful for Tony’s presence. I’ve never come here before but I’ve heard enough.

We walk into The Jade and what greets us practically at the door is a man and woman having sex.

It’s not like at The Dark Odyssey where it’s gratified. First off this place has a smutty, creepy feel to it and the woman who I’m guessing is probably a stripper here looks like she’s on drugs. She’s completely naked and her nose is red raw.

Instinctively Tony places an arm around me and pulls me closer.

“Stay right next to me, Mimi,” he says, a whisper in my ear.

When I follow his gaze I see a bunch of guys around a table snorting white powder.

Shit… come on Mimi, White powder?

It’s fucking cocaine or crack, or some other shit.

We walk past topless and naked women on poles dancing, women giving lap dances with dollar bills tucked into their panties, and more people having sex.

We’re heading towards the backrooms. That’s what the note instructed.

We’re supposed to go to the back and tell the man at the door we’ve come to see Porter.

I don’t know what Porter is here in this place, it doesn’t seem like he owns it but I’m guessing if he can arrange for us to meet in the back he must be important.

Of course it doesn’t sit well with me that I’m arranging to meet with an ex-con. Salvatore would lose his shit if he knew what I was up to.

Salvatore… I still can’t believe … we…

I’m not thinking about it. I’m not. This distraction of speaking to this Porter person about Mom has kept me going for the last thirty six hours. I’ve managed to be distracted by it for thirty six hours.

It’s not that I haven’t thought of Salvatore. I just haven’t thought about the fact that we aren’t together anymore.

Those words don’t feel right in my mind and makes tears sting my eyes.

Quickly, I shake the sadness from my heart as Tony and I get to the door that looks like it leads out back. There’s a big burly guy with a leather bandana and a long gray beard at the door. Tattoos cover his face, neck and any visible skin.

“Hey pal,” Tony says, taking the lead. “We’re here to see Porter. Gotta meeting with him at eight. He said don’t be late.”

The guy doesn’t answer. He just pulls out his phone and presses it to his ear.

“Two people here to see you boss, a guy and a girl,” the man says into the phone. In two seconds he hangs up and looks to me. “He says just the girl can go.”

A chill runs down my spine.

“Why, we both want to see him?” Tony counters.

“You heard me,” he snaps.

I glance at Tony who looks worried as hell. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine I’m sure. I’ll be quick.”

“I’ll be up here, waiting.” Tony nods.

I take a step to go down through the door but burly guy stops me. “Purse stays up here.”

Shit.My gun’s inside the purse. I hand the purse to Tony and resume my calm.

“Spread em,” the man adds.

I lift my arms and he proceed to tap down my sides looking like he’s enjoying touching me more than I like. I’m wearing a tank top and jeans. He presses on the bulge of my pocket where my phone pushes out.

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