DARK: A DARK BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE (The Boyne Club Book 1) Read online

  He tuts and stands up out of his chair. “Look, man just get me, Linda.” I loved this part. They had no notion of who I really was. Letting Linda be the lady of the manor or in this case the castle, allowed me to do what I really enjoyed doing. Breaking things. It’s what I did best.

  My hands collide with his chest, forcing him into the chair. “Linda isn’t coming. It’s me and you; that’s it. So this is your choice?” I remove my hand and he stands up. “Keep or kill.”

  His eyes shoot around the room. “Are you serious?” He sounds unsure. “You do know who my dad is?” His confusion in this situation is growing and so is my frustration.

  “I don’t care who your daddy is, but I’m sure if you went to one of his businesses and hurt a member of his staff he wouldn’t be happy.”

  “She’s a dancer, she’s replaceable.” His words are filled with the same cockiness that he displayed earlier.

  “I’m going to make the executive decision…” I pause and he relaxes further into his chair like we are on the same page, and that one of my dancers is replaceable. “I’ve decided to kill you.” My hand easily circles the back of his neck as I drag him out of the chair and release him onto his knees on the concrete floor.

  “What the fuck!” My knee connects with his mouth cutting off his words. Blood spills and my own blood starts to pump. There is always that moment I want them to fight back, but they never do.

  My foot connects with his stomach, he spins and lands on the broad of his back gasping for air. Grabbing his overpriced jacket I drag him from the floor and make him stand. The crunch is satisfactory as his nose crunches against my fist. “She was our best dancer,” I tell him before slamming my fist into his face again. Blood splashes my white shirt.

  “Now look what you did.” I point at my stained shirt.

  Blood pours from his lips as he starts to beg. “I’m sorry.”

  His stomach curls around my knee as I slam into him with full force before dropping him to the ground. As he fights for air, I get my gun from the small box that sits inside the only cabinet in the room. This gun has been used more times than I cared to admit. Taking it off safety I point it at the boy. “Get up.”

  He glances up at me as fear widens his half-sunken eyes. He rises using one arm, the other hanging loosely by his side. “Keep. Keep.” He shouts the word at me like a lifeline and unfortunately it is. One I try to ignore as I point the gun at his head.

  “Please man, I’ll do anything. Just don’t kill me.” He cries while shuffling on the spot.

  I lower the gun. “What’s your name?”

  He looks around the room disorientated and bewildered. “Mickey.”

  “Mickey, your decision has been noted. I’ll be in touch.” I turn my back on him and put my gun back. No doubt I’ll get to use it soon. There was always a clown to be shot.

  “That’s it?” He shrugs.

  “Why are you still here?” I ask. Normally they would have run from the room.

  “It seems too easy.”

  I grin. “Nothing about this is easy. I’ll be in touch.”

  I leave the basement first and make my way back to my living quarters. Returning to my library I close the door behind me and open the laptop to check in on Cara. She’s asleep. A soft knock on my door has me closing the laptop.

  “We’ve had a busy hour since you left.” Linda steps in and I push away from my desk. Her eyes glance over the blood spots on my shirt before she continues. “Cara collapsed.”

  I stop unbuttoning my shirt.

  “She’s fine. Doctor Rodgers checked her over, and she’s fine.”

  I nod at Linda and finish removing my shirt.

  “Her father was also here again.”

  My temper flares. Stupid man. He couldn’t accept the deal he had made. “I hope you sent him packing,” I say to Linda.

  “I think killing him would be the best.” Linda doesn’t blink and I know her decision isn’t emotional it’s from a very controlled place. But still, I don’t like it.

  “No. He’s not to be touched.” I finish taking off my shirt and throwing it in the trash can. “Has he been escorted home?”

  Picking up my phone, I switch over to the camera. Cara’s sleeping face fills the small screen.

  “Yes. He wants her back. He threatened to go to the Gardaí, maybe you should give her back.”

  I look up at Linda now. “No.” I leave the room. Handing Cara back wasn’t an option.

  Once I have a clean white shirt on, I lay my phone down and do something I hadn’t done before. She’s still asleep when I enter her room. Turning off the lights I stand across from her bed and watch the rise and fall of her chest. My eyes adjust quickly to the dark and she stirs, something in me stirs too. I’ve never been so brave to enter her room, being this close to her was sending waves of excitement through me. She sits up and her breathing is heavy. She’s afraid. It’s like she’s staring at me now as she pushes back her quilt. I don’t move as she steps out of the bed. I devour her as she takes an unsure step towards me, her legs wobble and she stops only a few spaces away. She’s so close and I want to take her, the beast in me wants her now, with or without her permission. I still the noise inside me.

  “Dance for me,” I tell her.

  She takes in a sharp breath as she continues to stare at me, but I don’t think she can see me.

  “I don’t have any music.” She wrings her hands together like she does when she’s nervous. It takes her a moment, but she starts to move.

  Good girl.

  She has no idea how good she is. She’s a goddess that I own. I watch for only a few more moments before I slip from her room as she continues to dance for me.

  Cara, my dancer. As I close her door gently I turn, Linda’s eyes meet mine and I can see the question in them, but I don’t owe her an explanation.

  “We have a problem.” Words that were spoken here nearly daily leave Linda’s lips.

  CHAPTER THREE

  HER

  The minute my door opens the next morning I stand. I hate the desperation that fills my limbs. I hate silence. I hate empty spaces. I’m starting to hate those brown muddy eyes that stare at me now. The red skirt and red shirt fit Linda perfectly. She closes the door behind her and I shiver when her lip raises slightly.

  “You got a job.” Her eyes narrow as she waits for me to speak and when I don’t, she steps deeper into my room with her hands behind her back.

  “So in an hour, you’ll have help to get ready.”

  My heart has slowly started to race. “Get ready for what?” My words come out through gritted teeth. Linda’s smile is slow, but it’s enough to make me dread the answer.

  “Master was very impressed with how you danced. So, one of his dancers is sick, and you will take her place.”

  Blood rushes to my head and I take a step back and sit on the bed. “A dancer? What kind of dancer?” I knew it wasn’t ballet or Irish Dancing. “Linda, I’m not a dancer. Please don’t do this.”

  She exhales loudly. “The type of dancing you’ve done for him here.” She turns on her heel ending the conversation. I don’t notice she’s gone until the door clicks.

  Standing up, I look around the room like I might find the answers to this madness scattered across the oak floor. Me, a dancer? Tears burn my eyes before heat burns my face. I wasn’t a dancer. Dread pools in my stomach as I picture a pole and drunk men throwing money at me.

  The handle rattles in my hand as panic has me trying to chase Linda. The door doesn’t budge. “Linda.” I slam my fists into the door as I call her name.

  My red fists protest as I hit the door again for what feels like the hundredth time. I’m more surprised when it opens. A large woman carrying a bag bustles in. She doesn’t speak as she gives me a split second glance before placing the bag on the bed.

  I’m staring at her wide back when she turns. “You want to sit down so I can start your makeup.” There is an air of annoyance to her words.


  “Where am I going?” I ask her and she places a hand on her large hip. “I’m just here to do you up sweetheart, I’ve a lot of other girls to get through, so sit down.”

  I walk numbly over to the dressing table and sit as she starts to do my makeup. Once it’s done, she asks me if I want to see but I decline with a shake of my head. My heart escalates every time I think about what’s happening. I knew staying here in the safety of these four walls wouldn’t last. The only thing I could hope was that maybe it was like a group dance, anything other than a pole.

  “Your clothes are on the bed.” She packs up her makeup before placing a black clothes bag on the bed.

  I don’t wait for her to leave before I unzip it. Taking out the hanger I stare at the black piece of material that looks like a swimsuit. A white collar is separate along with fishnet tights. Unable to believe this is all I’m meant to wear, I search through the bag but that’s it.

  I’m shaking my head when Linda steps into the room. “You were supposed to be ready by now.” Her heels click loudly on the floor, I focus on the noise as my heart plays a beat I’ve never heard before. I was going to pass out, I wished for it.

  “Get dressed now.” Linda’s words pull me back.

  “I can’t do this,” I tell her, shaking my head.

  Her eyes hold nothing. “You can and you will.” Picking up the outfit, she pushes it against my chest. “So get dressed now.”

  ***

  I count twelve girls as I stand in the middle of the room. My hands aren’t large enough to cover myself up. I feel so exposed, yet no one looks at me. They are all busy getting ready. Each outfit is as skimpy as the last.

  “Listen up.” Linda doesn’t raise her voice yet it carries across the activity that now dies down, and everyone pays attention.

  “I want one hundred percent tonight. I noticed some of you got a little sloppy last night.” She stares at a young girl who stares right back at her with a challenge in her eyes. They have a stare down until the young girl looks away.

  “Secondly, and this shouldn’t even need to be said, but no drinking on the job.” This is focused towards a redhead who’s wearing a red bikini with white feathers attached around the underwear.

  “Even if they are bought for us?” She asks, her red shiny lips tugging up into a smirk. She pushes her bust out as she speaks.

  “Even if they are bought for you. Got it, Wendy?”

  Wendy nods to Linda that she gets it. A shake has entered my knees as the focus now falls on me. “This is the new girl. I’m sure you’ll all give her a friendly welcome.” Linda doesn’t glance at me as she leaves the room. Everyone else is staring and the way Linda said friendly, it sounded anything but friendly. Wendy is the first to step towards me.

  “Just watch your back. These bitches will tear into you the moment you stop watching.” She pouts, kicks out her hip before walking off.

  A blonde with nothing covering her small chest slams her shoulder into mine as she walks past. “Watch where you’re stepping.” Her large blue eyes stare back at me with unwarranted hate.

  “Never mind her. She hates on everyone. I’m Candy.”

  My mind is spinning with all this. “I’m Cara,” I answer while hugging my waist.

  Candy grins at me. “You don’t look like you belong here.” She’s smiling sweetly now.

  I don’t belong here in this place with girls like Candy. Taking in Candy’s bright pink swimsuit that’s not very different from my black one, she looks really good in hers. Her brown hair is clipped back randomly, strands fall around her face in soft curls. Large hoop earrings and white gloves finish off her outfit.

  I shrug as she waits for me to speak.

  “Cara,” Linda’s voice is like a lifeline to a drowning man. That’s what it feels like. I move quicker than I ever have. I’m hoping that Linda sees her mistake and takes me back to my room. She pulls a pair of black stilettos from behind her back. “Put them on.” They bang loudly as she drops them to the floor and I slip my feet inside them. She’s walking away and I follow her.

  Linda commands the space as she pushes open double black doors. The music is immediate and the atmosphere changes. The darkness of the space is only lit with soft lighting that’s mostly coming from a center stage where Wendy stands now. Only a handful of men are in the large space and that eases my anxiety slightly. Small round tables with red lamps on them cast shadows across the men’s face. My eyes hop from one to the other wondering if any of these are my master or was he even called Gerald?

  We stop at a leather round couch. “Sit here and watch Wendy.” Linda points at the couch as she glances around the club. I sit down, my legs barely holding me up. Linda leaves and I keep glancing around the room, looking at each man to see if any of them are watching me. But they are consumed by Wendy.

  Once I start to watch her, it’s impossible to look away. She’s so good. There is no pole, just her and this stage, and yet it works. Her body moves perfectly to the beat like the music is writing itself to her movements. She moves slowly towards the floor until her back is to us. Separating her legs, she glances over her shoulder and gives the men behind me a smile. My heart beats wildly when I think that I might have to do that. Wendy’s dance slowly comes to an end and the stage goes dark. My eyes refocus on the rest of the club. The other girls are either at the bar, or on small podiums that have the dreaded pole. Two large red curtains near the back are held open slightly by gold tie backs. A man in a suit stands close to them, his hands folded in front of him. His large wide shoulders fill the space between the curtains. He watches the men mostly, his eyes skim over me. My heart continues to beat the longer I sit here. Linda has done a disappearing act.

  “Hi.” I give the man a quick smile and look away hoping he will leave. Instead, he slides in beside me. His beige trousers and v-neck purple jumper would look better at a golf center than a club like this. I exhale before glancing at him. His kind blue eyes and graying hair settle me a bit and I guess- in his day- he must have been very handsome.

  “I’m William.”

  I stare at his hand a moment before taking it. “Cara.”

  I glance around again for Linda and when my search is unsuccessful, I return my attention to William, who hasn’t taken his eyes off me.

  “I’m not like that,” I say keeping my voice low.

  “Like what?” His question is immediate as he moves closer to me.

  “Like them.”

  “Who?” he asks, but the smile on his face tells me he knows exactly what I’m saying. I stand only to find his fingers wrap around my wrist.

  “I only wanted to buy you a drink.” He nods back at the couch for me to sit, but I stay standing.

  “I’m not allowed to drink on the job.” I pull my hand away but he doesn’t release it. “Let me go,” I say hoping the panic that’s rising in me isn’t visible.

  “Relax.” He lets my hand go only to trail his fingers down my leg.

  I step away from his touch and walk away from him. This wasn’t happening. Was I being pimped out to men? Was this more than a dance club?

  I spot Candy talking to the guy in the suit. She says a few words and he nods before leaving with her. My eyes roam the room again for Linda but she isn’t here. The red curtains are in front of me and I walk through. I pause at a large wooden door and hesitate. This wasn’t a good idea so why was I pushing down the handle and pushing the door open. A long hallway greets me. Closing the door behind me has all the noise of the club ceasing. The diamond carpet under me is lit up with red lights attached to the walls. I pass several closed doors. A black iron attachment to each acts as a small window to look inside them. None of them are open and when I reach the end of the hall, I start walking back. No one was here. A groan behind a door has me pausing. I take a step closer and listen. Grunts, someone was grunting. A male. The large oak door that I had walked through seems a long way away as I stare at it. A thud from behind the door has me moving back, the grunts cease. W
as someone hurt?

  The small iron window has a red material behind it as I pull it open. The space isn’t the size of my hand but it allows me to see into the room where the noises have been coming from. A hairy back is my first view; under him is a girl who looks ghostly white. It’s her hand that dangles off the bed. I focus on it, the way it shakes with each thrust he makes inside her. The skin is too pale. Her limp hand shakes faster until he shouts his release to the ceiling. I know my brain isn’t fully processing what I’m seeing. He’s panting yet her hand is lifeless. My air is cut off as a hand covers my mouth. The hairy back disappears behind the door as Linda keeps her hand over my mouth and pushes me down the hall. When she releases me she doesn’t speak. Her black eyes are like orbs. The beat pounds into me as I step out between the red curtains. I feel dazed like I’ve been sitting in a dark silent room far too long.

  Linda’s fingers wrap around my forearm as she leads me from the club. Candy looks at me with furrowed brows. I’m pulled into the changing room that’s now empty.

  “There are rules here. One, that area of the club is off limits unless I tell you otherwise.” I nod.

  “A closed door means do not enter.” She adds.

  “The girl. She was dead,” I say the words, but I can’t really believe it, but that’s what I saw.

  “The next time you go in there, you can stay there.”

  Fear skitters up my back and circles around my spine. My dry mouth begs for water. “She was dead.”

  “That area of the club is for very rich clients who have a certain taste.”

  Candy enters the room, ready to remove her earrings.

  “Get out.” Linda speaks while still staring at me and Candy leaves instantly.

  “You are sick.” Someone needed to report this.

  Linda takes a step towards me. “The girl wasn’t dead. She was pretending to be dead. That’s what he paid for. Now get back out on the floor and don’t for one second ever even think about going back there again.”