I get my first real good look at him in the light. He’s tall and muscular with dark eyes, short hair and scruff. He has a skull tattoo with red eyes on his neck. He looks intimidating but the way he touches me is anything but.
He places his hands on my knees. “I need to go to church right now. Sit here. Don’t talk to anyone. The prospect will be here in a second with water. Understood?”
I go to nod, but it only makes me dizzy. Instead, I whisper, “Yes.”
“Good girl. It’ll all be okay.”
Then he stands, leaving me. When he turns his head to the side, I catch an outline of a tattoo on his skull.
“Church. Now,” I hear him call out, and then he’s gone.
I close my eyes, trying to get the dizziness under control.
It takes several minutes of breathing, but when the world stops spinning, I open my eyes.
I notice right away that the music is much lower. The room is dimly lit, almost as if they were aiming for an intimate ambiance. There are pool tables in the corner with several men playing. Women are scattered throughout the room wearing little to no clothing. One stands on a table topless, gyrating her hips while several men sit around watching.
“You must be new.” A female approaches, taking a seat next to me on the couch.
“I guess,” I mumble.
“It’s okay. You’ll figure it out. Being a sweetbutt isn’t all that hard. All you have to do is flaunt your stuff and fuck whoever wants to take a bite.”
I swallow hard. “I’m not sleeping with anyone.”
The woman sneers at me. “Of course not. You look like a bum. You need to change your wardrobe.”
“That’s not why I’m here.”
She chuckles. “You think he wants anything but the piece between your legs? Honey, there is only one of two ways a woman can stay here. You either become a sweetbutt or an old lady. Most of these men aren’t interested in getting locked down, which leaves you with one option.”
“Get out of here, Daniela. Pres doesn’t want anyone messing with her.” The man who my savior called prospect walks up, handing me a glass of water.
“I’m only making sure the fresh meat knows the score. No need to get all testy. How about I relieve some of that stress for you?” Daniela moves toward the prospect, her hands going to his chest.
“Go away, Daniela. You know I’m working. Can’t be seen fucking around with you. Now get.”
She gives me another glare before sauntering off toward another male.
“Sorry about her. She’s always had a thing for Reaper. She likes to pretend to stake her claim.” The man sits down next to me.
“Who is Reaper?” I ask.
“Pres. The guy who brought you in.”
“Oh. He didn’t tell me his name.”
He laughs. “I’m not surprised. He’s not a man who likes to divulge too much.”
I give him a small smile. “What’s your name?”
“Jacob, for now.”
“For now?”
“Yeah. Once I get patched in, I’ll be assigned a road name. Then that’s what I’ll be known as. Until then, it’s prospect, or for you, Jacob.”
“Nice to meet you, Jacob. My name is Natalie.”