“I-I need your help.”
He raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Becoming a widow is pushing you towards the dark side, huh?”
“That’s not funny,” I snapped.
“I wonder what daddy would say if he saw you talkin’ to me?”
“He’d say nothing because I’m not planning to tell him, unless you are?”
He smirked again, a sexy sly smile that made his features lighten up. “What kind of help is a widow looking for? If it’s financial, I’m not going to lie to you, I could use the help.”
“I’m… I’m looking for someone.”
He leaned against the bar and crossed his arms over his chest, eyeing me warily the entire time. “I’m gonna need a little bit more of a description then that.”
“A man.”
He let out a loud chuckle but cut it real quick when I narrowed my eyes on him. Glad to know I was amusing him. “Alright, Sweetheart, I’m listening. What man are you talkin’ about?”
“He’s been around these parts before but likes to lay low. Tall, handsome, I hear he goes around spending money in various establishments including yours. He drives a shiny black truck, an expensive F150.”
I watched him carefully while I revealed who the man was, and he became more and more uncomfortable the more I spoke. I knew I had gotten to him, if I could just gain his trust now, I was sure he would take me to him.
“I don’t know who you’re talkin’ about, Sarai. Never seen him,” he busied himself with taking out a selection of bottles and setting them down on the bar. Then he lifted the box and turned his back to me, as if though saying this conversation was over, it angered me. I slammed my hand down on the bar top making all those pretty bottles nearly topple over. He slowly turned to me and gingerly set the box down. I had definitely caught his undivided attention now.
“Don’t you lie to me, Landon Cartwright. You know exactly who I’m talking about. I saw him leave this damn place just yesterday afternoon!”
He sighed deeply knowing he couldn’t deny it any further. “Look Sarai, those men aren’t the type you want to fool around with. They’re not from around here. They don’t follow our rules and least of all pay attention to someone like you.”
“I know damn well who he is and who he’ll pay attention to. Now tell me how I can find him.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You can, and you will.”
“Do you realize who you’re father is? If he finds out what do you think he’ll do? I will not be the cause of my friends being ruined because of the likes of you.”
“He will never find out.”
“How the hell can you be so sure?”
“Please, Landon.” I reached out and grabbed his hand, desperation now flowing in my voice. “Please. I need to find him. He owes me something very important.”
“What could he possibly owe you?”
“An answer. He owes me an answer and an apology.”
He shook his head. “You’re crazy. That man doesn’t apologize, can’t you see that?”
“I’d beg to differ on that end. Believe me, he will also want to see me.” I could almost guarantee it.
He hesitated for a moment, but when he looked at me he hung his head in defeat. There was no one in the bar this early in the day, yet his eyes still swept the place before he spoke in hushed tones. “What I’m about to tell you is sacred. Do you understand?”
I stepped closer and leaned forward to listen. Any information that Landon divulged was to be taken seriously. “I understand.”
“There is a club in the outskirts of Crescent Springs. It is not what you think, and it is not meant for women like you. I want you to do your research first, Sarai. Before I take you in, I need you to see what I’m talking about. If this is what you wish and what you’re ready for, then come find me tonight at nine. Dress in black and make sure it’s a sexy number.”
He handed me a note with several websites and titles. Some I had seen, others I had no idea what they meant, but I already knew what it was about. Bondage, dominants, submissives, I was about to be introduced to the world of BDSM.
4
Sarai
I tugged on his arm and he turned to look at me. “Are you sure this is safe?”
He reached up an adjusted my mask, a deep crimson laced in gold, simple yet delicate. Landon had given it to me as a present. Tonight was the opening of this so-called club Edge, and it was a Masquerade themed event. People quietly scooted past us, their faces hidden behind gold embroidery and black silk. I thought it strange and exciting. I’d never experienced anything in the realm of this and although it was dangerous, I wanted to go through with it.
I’d called Landon a few hours after I’d spoken to him. The images on the web only pushed me to explore more of what I had already known deep inside of me. And no matter what, I was going to say yes to anything that brought me closer to Micah.
“I promise you will be safe. But I warn you, what you are about to see is not something meant for people as innocent as you. Don’t judge, Sarai. These people are amazing people.”
“I’d never.” I whispered as he grabbed me by the hand and tugged me towards the doors. The warehouse was set in shadows, not one light illuminated it. The word EDGE glimmered in the moonlight, a steel handmade sign that beckoned the curious mind.
“Stay close to me.”
“How will we find him?”
“Micah doesn’t hide here. I know exactly where he will be.”
As soon as we crossed the foreboding double doors there was another hidden entrance, a window set to the side. A bouncer stood in front while a lady with a bright golden mask beckoned us forward.
“Landon.”
“Misterei, it’s nice to see you again.”
Her eyes drifted to me and she raised a brow. “Brought someone to play with tonight?”
He turned to me and winked. “Not exactly. I brought this one for Micah, instead.”
She smirked. “He hasn’t played with anyone in a while.”
“I have a feeling he’ll want to play with this one.”
She took a moment to look me over and smiling she waved her hand, signaling for the bouncer to let us through. As soon as he opened the door, I knew this place was not like any other. For all intents and purposes, it looked like an abandoned warehouse, but as soon as you stepped in you were transported into something out of a taboo book. I was a bit taken aback as to what was happening, I’d been exposed to this lifestyle through books and the internet, obviously. But I never imagined this. No matter where my eyes went, I was met with a new unadulterated scene.
Men on their knees, begging. Women in cages, getting straddled through bars. The chains that hung from the ceilings swung heavily back and forth announcing the dangerous side to Club Edge. A woman being pleasured beside me, yelled out gripping the wall as another woman in red lingerie crouched in front of her, moaning into her pussy. Her tongue dragging along her crevice as she stared at me licking her red lips, her breasts heaving in pleasure, and her face hidden behind a black laced mask.