Page 93 of His To Claim
“Where are we going?” I ask the one in the green.
“To the cages,” she replies nonchalantly.
“To what?” I ask shocked.
“You must be new. I haven’t seen you here before.” The one in pink, the friendlier of the two, says. “I’m Lex, this is my twin sister Remi,” she adds, motioning to the girl in green.
“Serena,” I answer. “What do you mean cages?” I ask, but suddenly I hear a loud clinking sound as two metal gates close in around us. They weren’t kidding, we’re caged in.
The stage rises as the curtains come down, revealing a large room filled with at least 100 people all dancing and drinking, and staring up at us.What the fuck did I get myself into?
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Gallows,” shouts a voice blaring through the speakers above.
I look to the bottom stage and recognize Cruz standing beside Lacey and another woman dressed in all black with her face hidden behind a black lace veil embroidered with red flowers.
My heart races as the man at the center of the stage speaks. I look around and see six cages like the one I’m in all around the top floor of the club. Each cage has at least three girls in it.
“I’d like to present to you tonight’s entertainment. These are the ladies of The Gallows.” Suddenly, a spotlight flashes on all the cages nearly blinding.
“Here at The Gallows, we believe in giving in to all our deepest, darkest desires. Temptation isn’t a sin but a way of life. This is a place where we can be our true unfiltered selves hiding away from the judgment and intolerance of the outside world. So please enjoy tonight’s entertainment and remember if anyone would like to place any orders, the bidding starts at ten thousand dollars.”
The microphone and lights at the center stage turn off, leaving only a bright spotlight on each of the six cages. I turn to Lex and Remi who begin dancing and swaying sensually to the music.
“What is he talking about bidding? What are they bidding on?” I ask, nearly hyperventilating.
“On us, duh. Now start dancing or we’re not gonna get picked. We need the money tonight, rent’s due and we can’t afford to miss it.” Lexi grinds against her sister moving to the beat of music. Us. This isn’t just any club, this is a brothel, a whorehouse. And it looks like tonight, I’m the one up for sale.
I take a few moments to snap out of the fear induced paralysis I’ve succumbed to. Panic courses through my veins as I stand here in a cage being auctioned off to who knows who, for who knows what. I need to find Cruz. I can tell him this was a mistake, that I don’t really work here. Or that I’m underage, I’m sure they don’t want the legal drama that will bring. Although, looking over at Lex and Remi and the other girls around here, they look to be my age, or younger even with all the layers of makeup. I look around the room for Ace, but I can’t seem to find him among the crowd.
“Seriously, Serena, you’re ruining it for us. Dance,” Remi snaps, as she turns to me.
I slowly sway my hips back and forth to the rhythm of the music. I usually love to dance but tonight, here in front of all these people, it just feels dirty. I close my eyes hoping to lose myself in the music and forget I’m here when suddenly they pull our cage back behind the curtain.
“It’s your lucky day, ladies. Record timing, you only lasted three minutes out there. Lex and Remi, you two are together as always,six thousand split in half, after the house commissions of course. And new girl, Selena, is it?” the man who was MC on stage asks me.
“Serena,” I answer.
“Yeah, well, you made quite an impression… ten thousand just for you, that’s already excluding commission.”
“Must be beginners’ luck,” Lexi sneers, an obvious distaste on the tip of her tongue.
“Ten thousand, for what?” I shout, but he ignores me.
“Luke, it looks like Cruz didn’t give this one orientation,” Remi says, looking over to the guy standing to our right.
“Ugh, I hate when he does that, then I have to waste my time explaining everything. Well, you two better get going, this one doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Room 5,” Luke says, handing them a key card.
“Good luck, new girl,” Remi calls out to me as she and her sister walk away leaving me alone with Luke.
“Well, new girl, looks like you’re coming with me.”
I follow Luke into a brightly lit hallway where I can finally see him clearly. He’s young. My age, if not a few years older, with shaggy dark hair and piercing green eyes hidden behind dark smudged liner. His bottom lip and right eyebrow are both pierced, and a small diamond stud fits perfectly in one ear. A modern-day pirate dressed in a black V-neck shirt and black leather pants.
“Look, there’s been a misunderstanding, I’m not really supposed to be here, I actually...”
“Oh, don’t worry, love, he only paid for a little fun, some sweet pecking, minor petting but nothing else,” he says with a wink. “He can’t touch you in any other way. He didn’t pay for that, well unless he wants to upgrade, then you’re looking at least four-grand extra.”
“No, I…”