Chapter 5
Trista was asleep for almost an hour when my cell phone starts ringing. I groan in frustration. Here I am soaking away in my bathtub full of jasmine scented bubbles. I have soft music playing and a glass of champagne on the ledge next to the jasmine candles. I was relaxed. I almost let the call go to voice mail, but this is my business cell ringing, not my personal cell. Carefully, I answer the damn thing.
"Steele."
"Miss Steele, this is Lester McNeil, owner of "The Finer Pleasures"."
"Yes, Mr. McNeal, how can I help you?"
"Miss Steele, tonight is very important evening here at "The Finer Pleasures" with two very important clients and their guests in house. Even though we have a great deal of security, we have crowds of reporters out front. Almost three deep."
"And, you want me to send more security."
"If you would." His voice is almost annoying with a nasal tone. "I have the Trevelyan Bachelor Party going with many big name guests, and the other party is the Lincoln Timber Company's annual "Boy's Night Out. Robert Lincoln and all his first tier execs are here and they expect total privacy."
I roll my eyes. Of course, Lincoln would want total privacy. He is known for his sexual escapades. He's not as nasty as his ex-wife, who is still in jail awaiting her trial, but he still has a reputation of using woman for his own pleasures. I tell McNeal that I will be there in thirty minutes then hang up. Thank goodness that Dad is just a few minutes away.
By the time I am dressed in my usual black trousers, white button-down shirt and my black blazer, Dad has already set up camp in my family room in front of the TV. We don't have to talk, he knows that this is business. He gives me a short nod as I lean down to kiss him goodbye. "Take care of our girl." I tell him. He nods toward the baby monitor. All will be well while I'm off to babysit adult men who have too much money for their own good.
"The Finer Pleasures" is a madhouse on the outside with the press more than three deep out on the sidewalk and parking lot. I make my way inside through the back and check in with my operative to be briefed on the situation. Two parties with first class citizens expecting their privacy protected is on-going as well as the usual public shows. I have to admit that "The Finer Pleasures" is a classy establishment. The décor is impeccable with high-end furniture and fixtures. It resembles a very chic restaurant except the main menu is a bevy of beautiful well-built female dancers. These are not your usual strippers, they are performers, taking the art of burlesque to another level. They are high-class, well-educated young women making more money in a week than the average joe working construction for a month. As I take a look about the establishment from the security room, I can see that the club is well-behaved. That makes my life easier. My operative, Rupert Daniels nods toward the monitors that are watching the private parties. The Trevelyan party is rather demure for a bachelor party. There are dancers on the mini-stages in the room, with a few men watching, but the majority are sitting around a large table playing poker and smoking cigars. I move the camera to scan the room, and find my newest client-to-be, Christian Grey sitting back with drink in one hand and a cigar in the other and actually laughing. I have to smile. The man is absolutely breathtaking when he smiles. I see the other players throw down their cards and submit to the victor. The camera spans to find the oldest Grey brother turned in his seat to watch the very nimble redhead working the pole. All is well in this room.
My attention goes to the Lincoln Party which is quite active. The men are standing about the stages with their tongues hanging out of their mouths panting like dogs. I can see that this is going to get out of hand as Robert Lincoln sits on one of the sofas with his pants undone and a girl grinding on top of him.
"Who is supposed to be in that room?" I ask Rupert.
"Carl took a bathroom break is not back yet, leaving Benjamin on his own."
"Ok, I'll go down. You keep an eye on this room, and let me know what is going on behind me. I have my earpiece in so don't yell." I give him a wink. "Try to find Carl and if he is out in the general public enjoying the shows, tell him to pick up his pay tomorrow and clear out his locker."
The music is blaring, men are laughing and talking even louder. Their manner is rough and undignified. A drastic difference from the Trevelyan Party and the Main floor customers. I slip into the room unnoticed and observe that a few of the men are attempting to touch the dancers but the ladies are professionals and easily keep out of reach. The twin stages are about five feet off the floor with a six inch wrought iron detail that contains colored lights and mini-strobe lights. I'm about to approach Robert Lincoln to tell him to get his "boys" under control and to zip up his pants, when someone grabs my arm and attempts to pull me around. My other hand comes up and grabs a wrist and twists causing my attacker to yell out in pain as he goes to his knees. This breaks up the party. The music stops, the dancers move to the back of the stage and make their exit behind the dark panel that covers the hall to their dressing rooms.
"Owwwww…let me go, you bitch!"
I smirk down at the little twerp. "You call me a bitch when I'm just a second away from breaking your wrist? You are either very brave or one stupid asshole." I press his wrist back just a little more to make my point. "Gentlemen, you have worn out your welcome at "The Finer Pleasures" and the owner is requesting that you vacate the premises."
"I have paid for this evening." A deep voice declared. I watch as Robert Lincoln stands and buttons up his fly. "And, that is my son."
"It doesn't make a difference. You signed the contract and agreed to the terms of no touching, no customer nudity and no assaulting the security team." I look down at the young man at my feet. He is a younger version of Robert Lincoln with dusty blonde hair and dark brown eyes. "I have seen more than enough violations of the contract and I am closing this party down for the safety of the ladies and other patrons."
"And, who in the hell are you?"
"Mr. Lincoln, I am the head of security here and fully within my rights and perimeter of my occupational duties to cancel your contract and escort you and your party from this establishment." I let go of the younger Lincoln who scoots away from me. He is complaining that I broke his wrist to anyone who will listen. "Now, you have a choice. We can do this in a proper and dignified way or I can throw your ass out the back with the rest of the trash."
"C'mon, Rob, let's go. There's other strip bars…other whores to fuck." A red-headed man declared getting his friend to back down. The red head turned back to me. "We got out of hand and it's time for us to leave."
"Damn right!" I hear in my earbud. My team is more than ready to pounce. I give a little smile. "Good evening, Gentlemen and have an enjoyable night at another establishment. Of course, your business is no longer welcomed here at "The Finer Pleasures". I walk away hearing a few curses from Lincoln and his son, but I don't give a damn. People such as the Lincolns are nothing but trash made up to look like treasure. They have money, but no class.
"Watch them leave and inform the owners of the situation." I speak into my cuff. "Checking on the Trevelyan Party." Quietly, I enter the room without being noticed and stand in the shadows observing. The party is lively with loud music and laughter but not out of hand. The dancers are admired, given tips, and treated with respect. I have to admit that this crew does have class. My eyes search around to find Christian Grey sitting off from the stage, nearly in the shadows watching the show. He must have folded at the poker table. He sat alone with a glass of bourbon in his hand. He sat there just watching, never approaching the dancer when she danced his way. His brother, Elliot kept throwing hundred dollar bills at her. I guesstimate that Dorrie, the featured dancer with her long dark curls had about five thousand dollars on the stage courtesy of the eldest Grey brother. I turn to leave and speak into my cuff. "Bachelor party is secure." I am about to walk out the door when I hear my name. I turn to find Christian Grey behind me.
"Approaching." The voice in my ear tells me about two seconds too late.
"Miss Steele, fancy meeting you here. Moonlighting?" He jokes. His smile is wide and charming. I can tell that he is a bit foxed.
"Just doing my job, Mr. Grey. The Finer Pleasures is a prestige client and I was called in tonight to deal with a bothersome now former client of this establishment."
"Surely, it isn't us?" He asked in fake horror. Drunk Grey is funny and charming. I almost like him.
"No, another party. Nothing to be concerned about." I reassure him. He follows me out the door into the spacious foyer that all the party rooms have with collapsible folding panels pulled for privacy during a party. Just another bit of privacy for the customers.
"Miss Steele, you are a beautiful woman." His voice is deep. "I can't help but be attracted to you."
"You will get over it, I think. Just call for another Sub….oh, yeah, you will have to find your own from now on."
"Low blow, Miss Steele." His eyes snapped in anger and just like that the charming drunk has become a drunken asshole.
"I apologize, Mr. Grey." I give a slight nod. "That was uncalled for and unprofessional of me. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a report to write up and I would like to go home before the sun rises." As I turn to leave, I feel his warm hand on my wrist and he is pulling me toward him. Our bodies clash and he is holding me tight. Without a word spoken, he is kissing me, his mouth slanted over mine, his tongue gaining entrance into my mouth. For some reason, I don't fight him. I find myself responding with heated urgency that I haven't felt for months. When his hands slide down my back to cup my ass, I pull away.
"Stop. Don't." I whisper.
"Dude….what the hell….oh damn, she's a pretty one. Love the costume! "Women in Black" instead of "Men in Black"?" The fun-loving voice of one Elliot Grey declares. "Did I miss you dancing or are you on soon?"
I step back from Christian Grey. "I am not a dancer." I show my credentials and my side-arm. "This is a real gun, and I am real security, Mr. Grey." As I say that, the panel opens to reveal a few of my team. I motion them to stand down and the panel closes. "I suggest that you both return to your party before you are photographed by the press. They are out in force this evening due to your cousin's bachelor party and the other party that has broken up for the evening. Please, make my team's jobs easier by following protocol when leaving this evening." I nod at the still smiling Elliot Grey and the now frowning Christian Grey. "Good night, gentlemen."
"Miss Steele." Christian says lowly with a slight nod.
As I leave them in the party room foyer, I hear Elliot Grey's proclamation. "That is one hot security officer! She can frisk me anytime she wants! Damn…"
"Why don't you shut up, Elliot?"
"What, she's fucking hot! Damn Chris, why aren't you chasing her down? I saw that lip lock you had on each other."
"Elliot, drop it." Then I hear the door open and they were back in with the party. I turn to find some of my team smirking at me.
"Like Mr. Grey said, "Drop it!" I push through them and return to the surveillance room and quickly make out my report on the Lincoln Party. By the time, I am done, last call came from the bar and the Trevelyan Bachelor Party was breaking up and the fine gentlemen dispersed in a quiet dignified way with their own security and drivers. This night was over and I was going home to bed. Hopefully, Dad would watch Trista for a few more hours so I could get some much needed sleep.