Page 29 of Jacqueline's Quest

She glanced over at Murray, who didn’t give away anything. Since they’d left the house, the tension building between everyone in the vehicle had slowly ramped up. It snapped in the air, setting her on edge for a different reason this time. The anticipation coiled in her stomach causing it to flip-flop. She couldn’t eat anything before they left. She didn’t think she’d even be able to after they came back to the house. All of it terrified her and excited her.

When they came to a stop behind another vehicle, Jaqueline attempted to step out, only to be stopped by Luca. He shook his head and she sat back down to wait. Only when the door opened, did she step out. At first, when Luca told them they would be arriving by limo, she scoffed at the idea, if it was some seedy club they could go in their vehicles and no one would be the wiser, however, this place denoted money and fame, which didn’t jive with Luca’s explanation of secrecy.

“Remember,” Luca said. “Once you set foot inside this mansion, you must sign the NDA, otherwise our cover will be blown.”

Yeah, yeah, she remembered. Jaqueline straightened her shoulders and followed Luca into the massive house. Due to how Luca had played up the club, she chose to wear something a bit more formal than she was used to. The blue mid-thigh dress clung to her like a second skin, accentuating all of her curves. She liked it, but at the same time, didn’t. It left her feeling a bit seen and vulnerable. However, she wasn’t alone when it came to skimpy attire. AJ wore almost a similar style of dress. Unlike Jaqueline, AJ’s dress had a plunging V, held together by a golden clasp between her breasts. Her back was completely exposed as well except closure at her neck holding the dress together and the tight skirt clinging to her upper thighs. Around AJ’s throat was a small black collar with a chain attached to it, which Thomas held onto.

The man exuded confidence, power, and money. His suit was tailored, fitting him perfectly. The red tie around his neck matched the color of AJ’s dress along with the fabric square in his breast pocket. Under the jacket was a fitted waistcoat, the same color as the suit. He wore polished dress shoes and an expensive watch she was sure he couldn’t have paid for on his FBI salary. In a way, he matched Luca. Both pretended to be people they weren’t. Both played up the money aspect of themselves. However, unlike Luca, she saw the dedication Thomas had for his job. She knew he’d stop at nothing to take down Raul and the Nieto Cartel and now, the Los Trios Cartel. She didn’t see the same dedication with Luca. He played chess. He used people to keep his hands clean and she was sure when a mission was over, he’d wash his hands of the pawns he casted-off.

“Mr. Trapani,” a man said rushing forward. “So good to see you tonight.”

“Good to see you too, Vicente,” Luca answered as the man bowed low. “I brought some friends to explore the club a little.”

“Perfecto, primo." Vicente went back to the small attendant's desk then returned with several clipboards. "This is the NDA form and a list of the club rules. When you have read through them, please sign and initial where it says to. If you wish to join our exclusive organización, then I have another form for you to fill out.” He glanced down at Jaqueline’s and AJ’s feet then motioned to the map on the wall and a door to their right. “Submissives may leave their belongings, including their shoes in the locker room down this hallway.”

“Is he talking to me?” AJ mumbled as she glanced up at Thomas.

Thomas nodded then smirked. “Yes, baby girl, he means you.” Then he directed his attention back to Vicente. “You’ll have to excuse my girl. She’s new and a bit trepidatious.”

“No problem, Sir,” Vicente said. “When you’ve signed on the line, I can escort your submissives to their locker room and then show them to the main floor.”

“Thank you,” Thomas replied as he signed and initialed the form. “I’d appreciate it.”

Jaqueline started at the paper. The forms were in English and Spanish. At the bottom, if a person requested a form in a different language, one was afforded to them, surprising her a bit more. Then she began to read the rules. They were straight forward, if not a bit strict, but she figured in a situation where people were putting their lives in each other's hands, it seemed appropriate. She initialed where the form instructed then signed at the bottom.

When everyone was finished, Vicente held out his arm to Jaqueline and AJ. Jaqueline glanced at Luca, unsure of what she should do. She didn't want to be rude and embarrass the man, but she also wasn't the submissive in the pair either. Murray tapped her on the shoulder, then slipped between her and Luca, taking Vicente's arm.

“Excusa,” Vicente said, with a little bow to Jaqueline. “I did not realize.”

“Not a problem,” she said, standing a little taller.

“While they’re getting situated,” Luca said, “let me show you around.”

He pushed through a double door and the atmosphere changed dramatically. There was a distinct difference between the areas. If pheromones had a smell, it would be the scent blanketing the main area they stepped into. Along the wall to her right was a sitting area where subs and Doms sat together carrying on various conversations while off to the left, was a hallway and a small area with a bunch of equipment she had no clue what it could be used for.Torture, probably.The idea made her shiver and she wasn’t sure if it turned her on or repulsed her.

She stumbled forward and Luca caught her. “Easy, Jaq. You’re in charge here, remember?”

She did. But saying she was in charge and doing it were two different things. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Thomas said. “How about we have a seat at the bar and wait for Murray and AJ. It shouldn’t take too long.”

“Perfect,” Jaqueline said. “I don’t think my legs are steady enough to traipse through this place on my own yet.”

Once they sat down, a bartender approached and took their orders. The place was subdued. Again, she hadn't been sure what she'd expect from the place, but soft jazz and conversation weren't it. Was she missing something? Did they come on the wrong night?

"It's not time," Luca stated as though he'd read her mind. "Usually the good stuff happens at about ten o'clock."

“Why so late?” Jaqueline cocked a brow.

Luca shrugged. “If there are no events planned, whynotwait?”

“We start about nine,” Thomas added, “at my club. Others are earlier. It mostly depends on the owners.

"Interesting." Jaqueline glanced out over the main floor. From the outside, it appeared different—more like a rich person's home, than anything else. The open layout with marble pillars stabilizing the second-floor walkway gave way to thick wooden cross beams. Some of them had rings through them while others were for decoration. Though the second floor like the first was open, the rooms appeared to be private, if the keypads were any indication. No one seemed to be going into them from what she could tell, instead, there were some content to walk around and talk.

It was then she also noticed the clientele. They didn't look like Thomas or Luca. They had a grittiness to them she was more than familiar with. "Tell me more about this place."

Luca smirked. “You noticed the members. I thought it might take a little bit longer.”

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