CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Roman
As I walked into Jewel that night, I felt an all-consuming dread. I wanted to see the Butterfly again, craved it with every bone in my body, but meeting her here didn’t feel right.
When my driver pulled up to the entrance, Duk was waiting for me. “I’m so excited. I couldn’t stuff crab in my face fast enough to get here. My client was probably wondering ‘what the hell?’” He puffed out his bulging middle and jiggled it like an Asian Santa Claus. His smile was so earnest and endearing, it was hard to believe he was rushing to get to a night of sex.
I fought rolling my eyes, and as we entered the club reminded myself this was my own fault for introducing him to Jewel. I slapped his shoulder and fake laughed. “I’ve created a monster.”
“So, you think you’ll go for a little more of the same tonight?”
I thought making light conversation would settle my nerves, but his words just made me as anxious to get to the night as he was. Briefly, I wondered if Jack Marshall would cause me any trouble, but since they’d booked my reservation earlier I wasn’t too worried.
“Not a little of the same,” he said before I could answer. “A lot of it!” He laughed heartily, then eyed the black jewelry box I hadn’t realized I’d pulled out of my pocket and was fingering. An expression of shock crossed his face. Duk had spent enough time around me to know that I didn’t dole out gifts spur of the moment. “Ahh, you want more than some hanky panky?”
“It’s a thank you of sorts, I guess.” But he was right. I wanted more. Just what, I wasn’t sure. Feeling awkward, I swallowed back the sharp bubble of fear that threatened to thrash my confidence, but choked and ended up hacking all the way to our table as we followed the hostess.
“We should get you some water,” Duk offered, then stuck out his hand and hooked the cocktail waitress midstride.
She was a different server than the one we had last night, a way too young woman with long blonde hair. She giggled but the laugh didn’t reach her eyes. “Mr. Soo, is there anything I can get for you right away?” Her voice was just as melodic and measured as our previous cocktail waitress.
I couldn’t imagine the extensive schooling the women who worked here must’ve gotten before they were deemed ready for service. Suddenly, I felt like a pervert just entering this room.
“Mr. Wellington needs a glass of water or something wet, and I’d like a whiskey.” He leaned into me. “You want to place your order for tonight?”
I felt my eyes widen and shook my head. I wanted to see her, but Duk’s behavior was completely wrong. I wouldn’t “place an order” for her when I’d barely made it in the door. They both took my nonverbal answer as that I couldn’t speak, and I didn’t correct them.
The cocktail waitress returned with Duk’s whiskey and my water, which I sipped on until a tall, beautiful woman in a dark suit approached.
“Good evening, gentlemen. I’m Juno, your hostess for this evening’s entertainment.” She smiled with the precision of a beauty contest winner.
My heart sank, seeing she wasn’t the same woman who’d attended us last night. If we’d had the same hostess, it would make things a little bit less uncomfortable.
“Do you have the book? I want to see the book.” Duk flicked his hand at me. “He wants the same, but I like variety.”
“Of course, Mr. Soo. Let me show you to your seats in the theater. Your catalog for the evening is waiting there for you.” She turned gracefully and paused long enough for us to follow her inside the theater.
Once inside, my eyes took in the room, landing first on Jack Marshall seated a couple of rows ahead of us to the right. Rage spiked through my system. I knew how ridiculous I was being. It was his club, and he had every right to be here every night of the week if he wanted.
As I sat, I watched our hostess from the night before serve him. I immediately felt protective of the young woman and knew Jack wouldn’t be kind. It wasn’t his style. She might’ve been making good money in his company, but it would come at a high cost. Anger sparked through me again when he grabbed her ass as she left the table. Another beautiful woman subjected to his lecherous advances. She must’ve known what she was getting herself into, though, what woman who worked here didn’t?
I couldn’t save them all, I reminded myself. I was only here to rescue one.
Duk flipped through The Book of Delights, looking at all the women up for offer tonight like they were entrees in a menu.
I had to focus on something other than the way Jack was fondling his server’s thigh, so I engaged Duk in conversation. “Is your dream girl in there?” I teased.
“Yep, she’s right here, but look at this one. Doesn’t she look nice?” He pointed to a voluptuous blonde and his eyes widened. “She wasn’t in here last time.”
I shook my head. “You’re nuts, Duk. What does your wife say to all of this?” I knew it was a bold and unprecedented move on my part. We’d never spoken of his wife before.
“No problem.” His smile grew wider. “We’re getting a divorce.”
I grunted. “Well, by all means then, have both.” I nudged his arm with my elbow.
He chuckled, and he waved our hostess over. “Can I ask you some questions, about who you think might be best?” Duk was so eager to have his perfect evening it was embarrassing.
“It’s up to your personal preferences, Mr. Soo,” she responded, perfectly poised and attentive, without asking what those were.
“Well, when it says here…” He pointed to some of the more challenging sexual vocabulary.
While he was being educated by our poor hostess, I considered finding the door the Butterfly’d exited from last night and waiting for her to arrive. I knew she walked from another building to the theater each night, and I assumed she probably used the same one on her way in. I had to see her, the real her, not the woman who played the part of the Butterfly. I stood up and was about to excuse myself when Juno stopped me.
“What can I help you with this evening, Mr. Wellington?” Her eyes sparkled a little too brightly.
My eyes shifted to the door, and I resigned myself to missing my chance to see her. A heavy sigh escaped me and caught the hostess’s attention.
“Is there no one who peaks your interest, sir?” Again, she flashed the perfect smile, which reminded me of a character from any number of creepy horror movies. Ones where the lead character was sucked in by the innocence and ease of the hostess, who was planning on leading him to his slaughter.
I cleared my throat and took the chance that I would appear to be as lewd and disgusting as Duk. It would be worth it for a moment alone with the mysterious singer. “Last night, I spoke with the singer who goes by the name Butterfly. I wanted to know if I could see her again tonight.” I didn’t know why my palms were sweating and I was having trouble breathing. Business transactions were my specialty, but I was unraveling.
“Of course, Mr. Wellington. I know you met with her last night, let me inquire for you.”
“Also, do you mind delivering this to her?” I tried to appear detached and casual as I handed her the black velvet box.
“He wants to marry her.” Duk laughed hilariously, already a step toward being drunk.
I made eye contact with the young woman and shook my head, pretending to be shocked by what Duk had suggested.
She nodded, understanding my discomfort. “I’ll make sure she gets this.”
“I’ll pay whatever she wants, on her terms.” I flashed a dashing grin, hoping she didn’t think I was some kind of freak with fetishes. Of course, she’d probably think I was a freak if I didn’t.
“I’ll see what I can do. After the manager has made arrangements for the patrons this evening, I’ll give her your offer. Is there anything else you need?” She inclined her head, waiting for our requests.
“I’m good.” I was a wreck. “Actually, I’ll take a bourbon.”
Duk ordered another drink and the lights dimmed, giving the five-minute warning. The show was about to start. My heart slammed against my chest, rattling my ribs.
I felt the heat of someone’s gaze on my neck, the uncomfortable feeling when you know someone’s watching you. I glanced over in Jack’s direction. He stared back at me with his black penetrating eyes, arms crossed over his bloated belly. He didn’t break eye contact, and I knew he was trying to provoke me.
I’d humiliated him, so he was seeking a retaliation. Well, he wasn’t going to get a reaction out of me. As long as he kept his distance, he could keep his dignity. I wondered for a second if he could be behind the internet article like Peter had suggested, but dismissed it and him from my mind. I could wonder all day long, but in the world of anonymous trolls, I’d probably never know for sure.
I avoided his gaze by pretending to look at the catalog. The pages were filled with beautiful women, and I was shocked that I’d never felt out of place here before, that the fact that these women sold themselves to the highest bidder had never bothered me.
There were only a few minutes until curtain when a waitress walked up behind me. “Mr. Wellington, this is for you.”
I turned, hopeful the Butterfly had already given her affirmative answer.
Her head tilted in Jack’s direction. “It’s from Mr. Marshall with his compliments. There’s a private message inside.” She set a martini glass before me with a folded cocktail napkin, along with the bourbon I’d ordered.
I unfolded the napkin to reveal a note that simply said, You should have reserved her earlier.
What had he done? Had he pulled strings and booked ahead with the Butterfly? I couldn’t let him be alone with her. But what could I do?
When I glanced up at him, he bellowed out a laugh that was loud enough to rouse the other patrons’ curiosity. The way he leaned over to the other men nearby and one of them looking immediately right in my direction told me Jack was talking about me. Then the man’s expression changed to one of shock and concern. God only knew what he was telling the man about me.
I wanted to go over there and rip him out of his chair, smash my fist into his face. Instead of giving the crowd a show, I met his eyes and pushed his glass to the other side of the table, balling up the napkin and tossing it on the floor. I felt like I’d just called a duel, like I’d spit on the ground in front of Jack. I wouldn’t let him win.
At that moment, the lights went out and the show began. Buzzing on the rush of adrenalin and bourbon, I waited impatiently for her voice to fill the room. Then the beauty of her haunting song eased its way into my soul as she soared high above us, wearing next to nothing.
I felt excited knowing I had another chance to connect with her tonight, but also concerned that she was in a position that she had to bare nearly everything for the act.
I stared up toward the ceiling, watching her twirl and sing. Ignoring the dancers on stage and their grotesque display of sexuality, I focused all of my attention on the magic she was creating. She glanced down, and it couldn’t have been my imagination that our eyes met. A quick smile flickered over her lips then she focused on the stage again. The spotlight followed her as she flew from one end of the stage to the other.
Her voice felt so strangely familiar as she sang the first melody. It was a sad song, sung in English this time, about lost love and moving on. She sang it with such feeling that it made me think she had experienced every word. As she ended and launched into a happier tune, I was sure she wiped tears away.
Suddenly, I just wanted to be in the same room with her again. I wanted to hold her. Kiss her until those tears were the furthest thing from her mind.
I remembered the note and my anger returned, but I didn’t dare look over at Jack. Instead, I focused on her and the night we hopefully had in store for us. I wondered if the hostess had given her my gift and what she thought about it.
Her performance was over too quickly. The lights came up as the emcee announced the Parade of Delights.
As he was making his speech, our hostess glided over discreetly and whispered in my ear. “Mr. Wellington, I’m sorry to inform you…” My breath hitched in my throat. “The Butterfly wants to inform you she is otherwise occupied this evening and cannot comply to your request.”
My hope for the evening crashed into hell, and I was surprised at how disappointed I was. Perhaps she’d lied. Perhaps she was just one of the other Jewels, and she had played hard to get to make more money.
She bowed and offered her regrets. “There are other women who would love to have a conversation or more with you this evening.”
My head spun in Jack’s direction. I had a gut feeling he had something to do with this. For the first time I wondered just how powerful Jack was. Could it have been him who had made false reports to the media? Surely, he wouldn’t have had time to stir up so much trouble in one day. But with his kind of money and influence, theoretically, he could do anything he wanted.
My jaw tightened, and I took a deep breath, chasing away images of hacking off Jack’s little pecker with a kitchen cleaver. I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving the Butterfly with him, but there wasn’t much else I could do.
Had I misjudged her? I never assumed she’d want to spend her night with Jack, not after that scene last night. Had he offered her enough money to entice her? If so, it would have been an expensive buy.
I swallowed my pride, then responded to the hostess, who was all but shaking before me. “Who secured the Butterfly tonight?”
The young woman froze, and I watched her closely. Her eyes slid in Jack’s direction before re-focusing on me. That was answer enough.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Wellington, I—”
“It’s okay. Thank you for delivering this message. I’ll have no further need of services this evening.” I managed to keep my voice calm and focused.
I then leaned into Duk. “I’ve just received some disturbing news, and I’ll have to leave immediately. You go on with your evening, and I’ll have my driver wait for you to take you back to your hotel.” I was all business and kept my bubbling emotions under control until I could get outside.
“Oh no, nothing too serious I hope,” he said with a note of genuine concern.
“Nothing that can’t be sorted out, but I’ve got to deal with it, unfortunately.” I kept my face frozen in neutrality as I downed the last of my bourbon, wishing I’d had another to numb the pain in my chest. This was what came of opening up to any woman.
“Sure. Thanks for everything. I’ll have my distribution team set you up with that shipment tomorrow and it’ll be at the lower rate this time.” He smiled proudly and shook his finger at me as if bestowing a great honor upon me. “I gave you a really good deal on this.”
“You’re the best, Duk. We’ll catch up next time you’re in town.” I grabbed my coat and motioned for our hostess, to follow me to the door.
“Yes, Mr. Wellington,” Juno said, winded somewhat from her sprint across the theater.
“Send a Flaming Bacardi 151 to Mr. Marshall as a thank you for the cocktail, and put everything on my tab. I’ll settle it tomorrow.” I then handed her a few hundred-dollar bills and quickly left the building.
I needed to be far away from Jewel, as I feared what I’d do to Jack if I stayed. More than rage, however, was the overpowering emotion of disappointment.
What and idiot I’d been. The whole thing last night had probably been all part of her act. Pretending to be disabled, fragile like a butterfly caught in the grips of men’s lust… all for a price.
I felt like I was going to vomit.