Page 57 of Hawk's Sapphire

This is not a penthouse suite.This is a club.One very similar to the Mansion, only on a much smaller scale.

The elevator opens to a dim red-lit hallway.People in various stages of undress line the walls.Some are making out while others are snorting cocaine off the back of their hands.Music thumps from somewhere down the hall, where strobe lights and lasers can be seen flickering about.

Matteo grips my hand tightly in his and whispers in my ear, “You will stay by my side at all times.Same rules as last time.Do not speak unless I give permission, and you will only drink or eat what I or Sergio gives you personally.Do you understand?”

Gazing up at him, as the sweet, obedient submissive this crowd must perceive me as, I answer, “Of course.Understood, sir.Whatever you wish.”Matteo smiles and caresses my cheek with the back of his hand.

“You are such a good girl, Dolcezza.”He says it so anyone around us can hear, then shocks the hell out of me with his next words.“Remove your coat and hand it to Sergio.”

I swallow hard as I begin to unbutton my coat, one black button at a time.

We’ve prepared for this.Nothing will happen to you.Matteo and Sergio will make certain you are safe.

I mentally give myself a pep talk while never taking my eyes off Matteo’s, needing his reassurance to bolster my confidence.Once the coat is off my shoulders, Sergio releases it the rest of the way then stomps off to put it away.

“You look beautiful, Pet.”

Show time.

Pet is our code word for when we are being watched with interest.It’s my one warning to be on my best behavior and also alert.I give Matteo a curt nod and smile back at him.

As we make our way further, the hall opens up into a large two-level night club.The top level looks to be an observation lounge that surrounds the dance floor and bar area.It’s lined with high-back booths, and fancy couches with glass tables and topless women serving bottle service to the patrons up there.

The lower level is a wide-open dance floor with a DJ and a raised stage with poles and cages strewn about in strategic areas.Men and women in the cages are wearing nothing but G-strings and knee-high boots.The bar runs along the back wall with hallways leading to the restrooms on either side.There are a few couches and lounge areas down here too where couples are making out and fucking in the open.If it wasn’t for the opulence and the wealthy people I’ve seen in the crowd, it could easily be mistaken for a Kings’ party back in the day.

Several of the men and women are familiar.Some of them I remember from the gala the other night.I recognize the creepy shipping store owner, Lester Boulvine and Senator McAlister upstairs seated at a table together.Mr.Boulvine has a young woman seated at his feet on the floor, the top of her dress is bunched at her waist, her breasts on full display.Her head is bowed, her body swaying slightly though she makes no sound or expression while the grimy bastard plucks her nipples every so often with his fingers.He’s not paying her any other attention as he’s deep in discussion with another man I recognize to be an old history teacher at Vandenberg Prep.

The glass table in front of them has a glass mirror and white powder strewn about.A container with what looks to be short straws in the center.

“Communal coke?”I whisper under my breath.“Or did he slip something else in her drink?”I ask quietly noticing a bottle of pills sitting in front of Mr.Boulvine’s glass.

“You will not be partaking in anything on that table.”Matteo commands.

He doesn’t have to tell me twice.I don’t trust any of these fuckers not to drug me or worse.I’m almost certain that’s what’s wrong with the woman knelt beside him on the floor.She’s probably coked out of her mind and doesn’t know what’s being done to her.

“Understood, sir.”

“Good girl.”Matteo kisses my temple, then leads me by the hand to a table across the room from the Senator and his guests.

Another couple to our right are full on fucking against the wall in a corner.Her body is completely naked, while he’s still fully clothed except for his pants hanging down under his naked ass.Neither seems to notice, or care that they have an audience.The two men seated at a table closest to them are quietly observing the couple.One appears to be jerking off at the sight.

Sergio meets us at the table, taking a seat on the other side of me, placing me out of reach to anyone who would join us.Three other men in suits with earpieces approach the table.Matteo nods, speaking in Italian to them.The one in the middle responds, then with a curt nod they all disperse about the room.

“You brought security?But how did you get them inside?”I ask, shocked.“It’s invitation only.”

Matteo chuckles.“Yes, and I stated when I RSVP’d that I would be bringing my men with me, or I would not attend.”

“And they justbent the rulesfor you?”

He leans in closely.“No, Dolcezza.They bent the rules for you.Apparently, someone here is very interested in meeting my companion.I refused to bring you with me if I could not guarantee your safety.”

“Who?”

Matteo shrugs.“I was not told who the interested party was, only that they wish to meet you and would pay handsomely for a few hours of your time to get to know you.”

“You pimped me out?”I keep my voice low, and my face as expressionless as possible, but I have no doubt Matteo can feel the anger rolling off me in waves.

“No, Pet.”It’s a warning.“You will not be shared with anyone this evening.Perhaps another time.”He says the words so smoothly, anyone around us would have trouble not believing we’ve shared each other with others before.

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