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Senator Sharpe stood staring out across the city with his arms behind his back, like an emperor looking out across his domain. Or a god.
I approached him cautiously, suddenly so very aware of how large he was as his impressive build was framed alongside the spear of the Empire State Building.
“Do you ever take the time to just look at it?” he asked, still not looking at me.
“Umm… No,”
“You should. It is a beautiful city by moonlight,” he sighed. “I love this view. It almost makes the mercenary rates the management charge for this little place worth it.”
“Well, I never have time to just stop and look.”
“Shame.”
“I have commitments, loans- student loans!” I quickly clarify, for some reason overcome by a need to explain, to make him understand. “And my mother’s medical treatments-”
“I know. Second stage lung and throat cancer. Two different strains of cancer forming simultaneously is a very unfortunate coincidence.” He pivoted to face me, and I felt my breath catch at the raw intensity in his eyes. “And costly.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even ask how he knew about my mom. Given the secretive nature of the Olympus Club, my contract included not just numerous nondisclosure agreements, but a legal agreement, stating my consent to an unspecified number of background checks a year. Of course, the details of such checks were supposed to be confidential, but it wasn’t hard for me to imagine some of the more influential members being given brief peeks.
“What would you say if I told you your mother could be receiving a consultation from the best oncologist in the country? All expenses and treatment fully covered and free of charge.”
“I'd tell you to stay on your meds. Goodnight.” I wheel away, tears burning in the corner of my eyes as the world spun. How dare he. No one uses my mother like that, no one!
“I can make it happen.” He says after me. “This time tomorrow, she can be on a private jet. A consultation with Dr Leo Getts scheduled for first thing the day after tomorrow.”
I didn’t look back, not until I was in front of the elevator, my finger poised over the call button.
I wanted to, but I just couldn’t bring myself to push.
He was shitting me. He had to be. It was just too good to be true. That sort of treatment, hell, just an hour’s consultation would cost an arm and a leg, never mind the expense of crossing the country, and lodging, private nursing staff…
But what if he was on the level?
A single tear slid down my check as I turned back to face the senator, only to find him towering over me. I hadn’t even heard him coming after me.
I bite back my surprised gasp. “Wh-what would I have to do?”
“Be my attendant.” His arms cage me as he flattens both hands on the elevator, bracing himself as he bends forward, closing the gap so we were nose to nose, his eyes dark and hot.
“You’re joking?”
He had to be. While attendants continued to receive the basic salary, the additional costs of their exclusivity and services were covered by their ‘Masters’. The price, and terms, were negotiated between the two parties, and could sometimes even go so far as positions in real world jobs. But what he was offering went beyond generous.
“Never.”
He more growled than said the word, and our closeness was so intoxicating I could practically feel it vibrating through me. “You’re the only maiden I can trust. They haven’t had their claws in you yet, and they never will, if I claim you tonight. I need you, Kora.”
His proximity and the raw intensity in his tone made it impossible for me to look him in the eye. “But you can’t… I mean, maidens need a minimum of two years’ service before they can be considered for an attendant. I’ve only been here a month…”
I was shaking. Need and desperation had my blood running hot and thick through my veins.
He chuckled. “Yes, I know. Recommended by the Honourable Justice Lovejoy, the father of a university friend who you dormed with for a few months until you moved in with a local boyfriend. You remained friends with her but broke up with him after you found him in bed with his boyfriend.”
The remark grounded me slightly, giving me a much-needed surge of anger that helped get a momentary grip of myself and wheel away from him to face the comforting cool steel front of the elevator. “You’ve done your homework. Do they have my bra size in their background checks, too?”
“Anything’s obtainable, Kora, even you.” He whispered in my ear, before curving over me to sweep his tongue around the shell, his hands enfolding my waist. “And you never wear a bra.”
Wound up tight in a knot of tension, I practically jumped out of my skin when, as if to prove his point, he cupped my right breast through my robe.
