In a flash, Liam O’ Grady was on the phone, barking orders at people, arranging matters. Finn was doing the same but in a more controlled manner. I watched, fascinated.
If Liam O’Grady had appeared to be a soft-spoken gentle man with the most charming manners earlier, now I saw a man who was ruthless. From snatches of the conversation, I understood that he was going after Dean Nelson. I squirmed in anxiety.
I had not noticed Finn watching me gravely, so when he spoke in that deep baritone, I almost jumped.
‘Are you anxious, little pet?’ he growled and I turned t him in astonishment,
Little pet. Yes, that was what I was going to be for them. A little pet animal to be replaced when a newer one came along.
The thought that I would be displaced so easily, made my heart sink to the floor.
But I did not let it show on my face.
*
Forcing a bright smile on to my face, I shook my head.
“No Sir…it’s just…”
But I did not get to complete my sentence.
*
The door flew open and two young women strolled in. The one who was leading the way was a lot older than me, in her late twenties and the one behind her was around the same age. They looked everything that I was not, confident, rich and spoilt. The clothes they wore were outfits that I would not have been able to afford, even in my dreams, I thought drily. Slim and blonde, the woman leading the way, had golden hair that had streaks in it and hung limply to her shoulders. The other one had short brown hair but it was much lighter than mine, and it was carefully styled to look messy.
They were laughing loudly as they walked in and I saw a look of irritation flash across Finn’s austere features before he hid his expression behind his customary scowl.
*
But the girl leading the way in seriously ripped jeans, and a short top that all but displayed her flat chest, was heading to Liam.
“Liam O’Grady! Darling, are you avoiding me?!” she simpered and dragged her companion forward. Both of them were high, I suspected and she pushed the other girl almost into Liam’s arms.
” I even brought Macey to keep Finn company so that we could go out, darling!” she purred.
O’Grady had already gripped her by the waist and was smiling down at the girl who was in his arms, her mouth pouting for a kiss as she looked up at him, winningly.
“Sioban,” he said in his soft, charming voice,” Ah, baby girl, when did you get here? I’ve missed you, babe!”
And he proceeded to kiss her thoroughly, so much so that I hung my head, embarrassed. They were obviously very close, I thought, numbly.
“Like you even care.” Said Siobhan pouting.
And she whirled around, “Where’s the friendly ape?” she cried and stopped, her eyes narrowing unpleasantly as she saw me.
“Whao! Who’s that? You starting a charity or something, darling?’ she tittered and her companion burst into giggles. I stood stiffly, trying not to march up to the unpleasantly rude woman and smack her.
*
Finn who had stood up when she approached him, said gruffly,
“Don’t be rude, Paige. She’s our new employee.”
Paige flicked her eyes over me as she sniggered,” Employee? And trained to do what exactly?”
My face burned in humiliation but I was preempted by Liam who said gruffly,
“She’s going to help in the office and at home.”
Siobhan turned to fix me with a cool stare.
“She looks like she’s just left school, and please don’t tell me she’s going to be working here in that hideous outfit! It’s sickening!!!”
And looking at me, a look of deep dislike hidden behind her laughing blue eyes, she went on,
“That girl probably picked it up from some charity sale, huh?’
My face burnt as I looked down. How right she was!
*
Dismissing me, she turned to him.
“Baby, you haven’t been home for a long time. Pops is pretty cross…”
Liam shushed her with another kiss and I stared at my toes.
The man was HOT and what he was doing with his mouth and his hands, made me weak at the knees …His large hand supported her, holding her waist as he dove his tongue into her mouth, making her moan and wrapping a leg around his thick trunk-like thighs. And the other hand was kneading her a*se cheek so fiercely, I knew that my mouth was hanging open in shock. Dropping my eyes again, I told myself furiously,
‘Look what you have let yourself in for, you idiot! He’s probably going to be mauling me like that too!”
Finn’s hard voice broke into my thoughts.
” Ms. Cruz. Weeks is here.”
I looked up and saw a cool, amused look in the golden eyes.
I realized that the man called Weeks was at another door, waiting patiently. St Just had probably called my name a few times before I became aware, I thought, blushing in shame.
Nodding, dipping my head, I said softly,
“Yes Sir.” As I made to walk past him, deliberately avoiding the grunts and moans from the couple who were still kissing like they were in danger of tearing off their clothes any minute now, I was startled when St Just grabbed my upper arm.
‘We are sending your family and you to a house of ours for tonight. Tomorrow,” and his eyes gleamed in the light, an unholy gleam,” Tomorrow, you will be moving in with us.”
I must have looked terrified, for he lifted a finger and flicked it against my plump lips. I reared back in shock. That had hurt!
*
But St Just kept watching me, his eyes gleaming.
“Go with him.” he said but his eyes were fixed on me.
They took me directly to a basement parking and a couple of chauffeurs stood about, g
I scurried out of the room, my heart thumping.
What had I let myself in for?
*
Meekly, I followed Weeks down a flight of stairs that was something like the fire exit.
It led to the basement garage where a fleet of cars were parked, A few chauffeurs stood around, some on their phones, others chatting. They looked my way as Weeks led me over.
‘Brian, take this young lady to the beach house,’ said Weeks shortly. As I murmured my thanks to the man, he turned and marched off. Biting my lip, I turned around as the man who had been addressed as Brian, stepped forward.
*
“Come on, Miss. This way,’ he said and I followed him, feeling a set of curious eyes boring in through my sad-looking clothes. A shout of laughter followed a ribald comment and I blinked hard.
I felt like I had fallen down a dark hole. And I was still falling…
*
The large SUV he led me to, was one I had never gotten into.
My Dad had just had the money to buy a second-hand Kia and it had been on its last legs when he drove off the cliff.
As I scrambled in and sat down, staring out of the window, I felt the older Brian’s eyes on me. After we had zoomed out of the basement and hit the road, he asked,
Now, I sat, huddled and feeling awkward. I met the chauffeur’s curious gaze as he watched me.
Then he spoke, his voice a gruff, faintly sympathetic one,
“Miss, are you going to be working for Mr St Just? Or Mr O’ Grady.?”
*
I swallowed, trying not to laugh out loudly, hysterically. Work?
I was going to be sleeping with them for a huge sum of money!
I nodded and said faintly,
“Both of them. I think.”
I could have kicked myself for saying the last bit.
The man studied me again and I wished he would look at the road. After a long spell of silence, he went on.
“They are good men, a little…strange in their tastes…” he smiled but it was more of a lewd smile and I bowed my head.
He went on in a kinder voice,
“But they pay well.”
I nodded and sat there, staring outside silently for the rest of the journey, willing myself not to cry.
That summed it up. But they were prepared to pay well…
*
My thoughts went round and round my head: I was nothing more than a glorified wh*re; I was agreeing to sell my virginity in exchange for the security it would afford my family and myself…
What had I become?
And after a year of using my body, I would be discarded…
*