Bloodlust

Gabriella

“Full name please.” I said coldly. I had to be cold at first. In this world if you showed even an inch to much kindness to the wrong person they would see it as naivety and try to take advantage of it. I could manage those kind of people but I rather avoid the trouble to begin with than clean up that mess later on.

People who came to work for my husband needed to be trustworthy, hardworking and wanting to get out of the crappie situation they were in. A lot of candidates heard of my husband's establishment and saw an easy way out. But most of them didn’t realise we couldn’t help them unless they wanted to be helped. They had to put as much work in, if not more, than we had to.

“Donna Mabel, miss” She said lowering her eyes to the hands she was resting on her thighs.

She looked young...Too young. It wasn’t uncommon for underage boys and girls to knock at my door. But 9 out of 10 times, they were owned. My husband couldn't help owned people even though I would kill to do so. God I had tried in the past but the only thing I gained from it was a 5 inch scar on my back. If I wanted to keep helping as much as I could, I had to respect the ways of the underworld. “How old are you ?”

“Just turned 18.” She didn’t look convincing. I was already looking to young to be here, so with her thin face and childish figure she wouldn't fool no one. But my husband didn't care as long as we could get her off the street.

I looked at my watch Elio had given me for our one year anniversary. I was supposed to be in class. Fortunately my professor's where not that pressed about attendance. And even if they were, Elio would make sure I wouldn't get in trouble. I was doing his dirty work after all. “You got any identification?” I asked leaning back in my husband's chair.

With shaky hands she grabbed for her purse. God, she was skin on bone. Half naked, most of them where when they came for interviews. I hadn’t seen any ownership marks... that was a good sign. Finally she extracted what looked like a driver’s license and handed it over. Although the lady on the picture looked happy, gorgeous and untouched yet. Looking back over at the girl it was obvious they were one and the same. Even if the girl on the picture had changed into this skinny, unhappy and hurt version of her self. I let out a breath, I held my br when the date of birth didn't match what she had told me.

18 was so young yet totally common in the underworld. In some parts of town you could find children as young as 14. And even younger if you knew were to look. Horrible, I know. There was absolutely no mercy for those poor souls. There hadn’t been any for me neither. But I had chosen to break that dreaded circle. And somehow it was kinda working.

“Good.” I handed it back.” I have to ask, are you affiliated to anyone ?”

“Eum, not really. My -” She took a shaky breath. “My step dad he is the one who. Well asked me to do this.”

She meant forced her. They never realise they were forced in those kinda situation. Especially in these cases.

“My mom. Met him when my dad just died you see. She had lost a lot of money. I had to help. or at least that’s what my step dad had asked.” She combed a hand through her mated hair. “I had dreams to go to college, become a lawyer like my dad. I don’t want to end dead in ditch because no jon wants me no more or because std got the best of me.”

“I understand.” I hoped she had what it took. “Can you dance ?”

“I can’t dance.” she started to shake. Scare probably that i would dismiss her because of that. I don’t give up that easily. I had plenty of jobs my employees could do.

“No problem, do you have any other skills?”

“I probably will be able to bartend, I’m really good with administration.” A weak smile illuminated her face. That’s when i saw the little bit what remained from the girl in that driver’s license picture. ” Numbers are my friends.”

“Good.” I opened the drawer to my left and pulled out a contract. I carefully laid it in front of her.

She grabbed it carefully as if her life depended on it, it probably did. “You have a probation period of 3 months. 3 cardinal rules: No drugs, No alcohol , No outside Jons.” She tensed at that. “You are allowed to perform favours for our clients but only if you want too. However we don’t want to see you do the streets.” It was hard for people in this line of work to drastically switch to none sexual work. Something I could fully understand. “If you want to we will give you a special bracelet that indicates to the clients that you are open to it. But you can still say no even with the bracelet, understood ?” she nodded. “We rather you skip the bracelet for the probation period but if you really insist we can accommodate to your wishes. Now can you remind me the three cardinal rules?”

“No drugs, no alcohol and no outside jons” she repeated it.

“Good. Alcohol can be revisited after 3 months if you have proven yourself. Drugs however are prohibited in this establishment. You get 5 strikes not one more. if you struggle with a drug problem I advise you to tell ahead so we can tackle the issue together.” There it was. She tensed again. “What’s your candy ?”

“I -” I saw doubt flash through her gaze. Was she debating to lie ? “Muscel relaxer.”

Like most of the girls that came through my business. “Okay we will put you through some meetings and give you a a sobriety buddy. You will start work in 4 weeks which means we have 4 weeks to get you clean. Your probation will start from the moment you start working. Any questions ?”

“I don’t have anywhere to live?”

“All our employees spend their probation and rehab in the rooms above the club were we can monitor you. After the 3 months some stay others decide to do a flat-share together downtown. You don' have to pay rent for your probation. After that period if you decide to stay in your room we will take the rent from your wage. Talking about wage you will be paid fairly and you can keep the tips. If you want to start your education we can give you a loan without interest. We will also support you in any projects. " I had done this speech over and over again for the past two years. It nearly felt robotic at this point. When my husband had started bringing me in the business, i had felt thrilled. He was trying to do some good in a city of evil. Evil he was part of regardless. But for those woman my husband wasn’t a devil but rather a saint. For me that was all that mattered. Being part of this scheme had made me feel useful for once in my life. But I realised that no matter how hard i tried it was rarely enough enough to pull them out of the underworld overnight but it was just enough to give them hope.

Hope that would give them strength to fight their way out. It had worked for quite a few of my employees. Barbara Santos for example, she came here an addict fallen into prostitution to be able to pay her next fix, now she was pursuing a degree in biotechnology. Or Ellie Halle, she went from a stripper to a successful model. Although she still enjoys spinning the pall at our club some times. I truly hope Donna would realise her own dreams. I wished it for every person signing that contract. Some did it many didn't. But at least I tried to help them.

"I'll let you read the contract. if you sign, Maggie will start your introduction." I extended my hand for her to grab it. She looked at my hand and back at me. Surprised I guessed. She had only known people who looked to her as a lesser human. A narrative I had banned the day I took over the club.

I left a pen for her, rather sure she would sign. I could sense she wanted this. I left my office and meet Maggie's gaze who knew the moment I walked out, it was her turn to take over.

Maggie Romero, wife to the late right hand of my husband. After the demise of her groom, she needed something to keep busy. The fairly beautiful woman did a great job and despite her being 15 years older than me, she never questioned my authority. Her daughter had also helped out over the summer a few times. mainly helping with the digital marketing. Swan was a two faced establishment. A night club called Black Swan that doubled as White Swan, an exclusive gentlemen and ladies club. Mostly legal. Only used from time to time to wash some money bright white.

Okay, I admit that my husband's men often used the conference rooms for their meetings. They were probably discussing very illegal stuff but I wasn't directly connected to my establishment.

I walked down the hallway to join Black's Swan's bar area. Antoine was prepping for tonight's service. He looked up at me and smiled. "The usual ?"

I simply nodded before sliding on one of the stools. My brain couldn't help but picture Donna if that ass of a stepfather hadn't forced her into prostitution. The urge to go back in and ask her the name of that man, was strong. But not yet... retribution time would come for that man. However it needed to come from her and not from me. I hadn't been much older than her when I was put on a plane to the states forced to marry a men twice my age against my will, just because they could. They wanted to punish me. They wanted me to suffer even away from their clutches. Fortunately I got lucky. My dearest husband never laid a finger on me. In every sense of the way. The reason ? The man who just dropped a cosmopolitan in front of me followed with a kind smile.

"Thanks." I looked up at him.

"Tough one ? " He had no idea.

"Just turned 18. I guess she has been out there for minimum 2 years poor thing." I shook my head. "Anyways, have you seen Elio ? He was supposed to update me about the possible new location we could exploit?"

He dusted some invisible dust from the counter. "No, we haven't talked to each other since this morning." he paused. "We had a fight."

"Oh sorry to hear that, what did my dearest husband do this time ?" Elio was sweet however when you are raised to be bad from a young age, it's hard to switch that part off some times. The man did his best not to hurt us but sometimes he just couldn't help it.

"Arthuro escaped rehab... again." he sighed before adding. "I told him to cut the boy off. Not for always but just the time that he realise that he can't continue doing this shit."

That stupid privileged boy. Well I couldn’t really call him a boy because Elio's son was basically the same age as I was. Weird. I know. Elio had him with his first wife Marcella. Arthuro struggled with his mother's death, Elio's marriage to me and his father's true interests. He cooped with drugs and now at 22 years old he had been through no more than 10 rehab facilities.

"Elio will always enable him. it's his only son. I shouldn't have voiced my opinion now I've probably messed things up." He added shaking his head. “Sometimes i wish he had a child with you… at least that spawn would behave.”

"firstly… ew children. Secondly No you haven't. Elio cares about you. Just give the man some time." I took a sip of the drink before putting it back down. "And Arthuro will hopefully find his way back to the right path."Although i strongly doubted that.

However he had no choice. One day he would be the one to become underboss. If he couldn't prove himself by the time his father hit the bucket, he would follow his old man not long after.

A throat cleared behind us. Antoine's face palled. I turned around to meet one of my husband's capos carry a face I've seen to often. "What is it Luca?" I nearly hissed.

"Elio he. Well went to find Arthuro to send him back to Oklahoma." he paused. "Arthuro shot at us. Elio didn't make it."

Antoine crashed to the ground and the world, the life I had so meticulously build crumbled apart around me.

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