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In the middle of La Prizonye, Maxi took center stage with a whip in her hand. She snapped it in the air, slicing the flurry of gossip into a dead silence. Bodies of everyone in the audience stiffened when Maxi demanded, “Quiet. Everyone!” like a teacher calling the attention of a room full of schoolchildren.
When Maxi’s eyes locked onto Dylan’s, her face turned stony as she gestured toward the open chair next to her. “Ah, there you are! The wayward one returns. Come, sit. Now that you are here, we will begin. This morning, CityBeats featured an article about Adytum. Somehow, a list of client names fell into their hands. Several of our high-profile clients, many of whom have now dropped their memberships, are afraid of their connection to the club.”
The intense stare swept across the faces as whispers circulated within the audience. She lowered her voice to a menacing tone as she dropped the bomb. “We have a traitor among us. Finding this person is now management’s top priority! We cannot lose any more clients; they are the reason we all have jobs. Not to mention, Adytum is special and we need to protect her.”
More whispers.
Dylan cast an exploratory glance at the arena and everyone in it. As security, it was her responsibility to investigate such treachery. It had happened before, though not to this magnitude. No one crossed Maxi or the Delacroix family. Those who did, well ... Dylan was clueless as to what happened to them. She studied the eyes of ladies in the audience, even those of faithful coworkers who might have turned sour. Perception. It was how she read clients in the past, giving them what they wanted before asking for it. If she could do that, Dylan could find deception as well.
“I have been far too lenient with everyone. This stops now! Loyalty is the most important quality required of all of you, including every member of management here at Adytum,” said Maxi, again stressing the urgency of this situation.
Heat rose in her chest when Maxi’s head turned in her direction. Enough for an implication to catch Dylan’s attention. Had Maxi insinuated that she had been the mole? Even with all the shitty things she had done in the past, the one thing Dylan had never done was backstab someone she considered a friend.
“There will be no more lapses of judgment or slipups. Everyone will have to prove yourselves to me, starting tonight.”
The tension ratcheted up along Dylan’s spine as her chin lifted to project an air of assurance. However, confidence was in short supply at the moment, and she couldn’t shake the tying of her stomach into knots because Maxi’s stare pinned her in place.
With a fake smile, Maxi said, “Dylan, my dear. You will be the first to test. Last night will not happen again.” With a raised eyebrow, Maxi asked, “Do you know why this is true?”
The clacking of Maxi’s heels on the stage floor resounded throughout the arena, bouncing off the walls as if Maxi came at her from all directions. The menacing stance she took at the edge, facing Dylan, gathered everyone’s attention. While Dylan had no reason to sweat—she was completely innocent—the beaded droplets ran down the small of her back as she shook her head.
Maxi’s words boomed in an ominous pitch. “Use your words, little one!”
The teasing use of “little one” pricked at Dylan’s ego. Rage bubbled within her as her heart thumped in her ears. “No ... Ma’am.”
Maxi’s lips curled as she viewed the archway at the back of the room. “Your girl just showed up. Considering her insubordination toward her employment and this organization, I do believe it is necessary for her to receive disciplinary action for her disobedience. And you, mon petit, will reprimand her.”
Everyone turned toward the entrance, including Dylan. Ari stood frozen in the doorway like a deer in headlights. Despite the warning to stay away, Ari did not listen, and Dylan's stomach became tight as she cursed Ari for showing up. Even more so since she was all too familiar with Maxi’s idea of a reprimand. Her flair for the dramatic usually transformed a punishment into a spectacle to be witnessed by all.
The punishment always fit the crime. Maxi once ordered the finger of a working girl to be sliced off as retribution for stealing money. Then the woman disappeared. Dylan figured she’d quit. What high-class client wanted someone less than perfect?
What punishment could Maxi deliver that would fit the crime of running away? Lose a foot?
Dylan walked into Adytum that night expecting Maxi’s wrath. Expecting a reprimand. After making peace with that eventuality, the surprise arrival of Ari threw Dylan off course. Also, treason amongst the ranks was a startling revelation. She knew she was not the traitor. However, she got the feeling Maxi blamed her on some level for leaving her post, which left the club vulnerable.
Now, with Ari in the mix, there was no telling what Maxi would do. In her eyes, they were both in the wrong. Harsh punishment awaited those who dared to leave the special event early. Maxi wouldn’t stand for anyone humiliating her or sullying Adytum.
Dylan had never gone to such great lengths for any of her previous partners. It wasn’t until Ari’s angelic presence came into her life that she even wanted to be a better person. Together, they were magnificent. Together, they were everything. Given the beauty of Ari’s love, Dylan wouldn’t change what they did.
Now, more than ever, she wanted to run to Ari, scoop her up into her arms, and flee the city. If only Ari had listened to her. They were in the middle of Maxi’s game, pawns on a board where she’s the queen who just called checkmate.
Chapter 19
Nothing could mask the fear of terror in her eyes when everyone in the arena cast their glares at her as she stepped through the archway. The silence of the room gave way to an eerie feeling—like being frozen in an alternate universe. Senses heightened. The only sound Ari heard was the thrumming of blood coursing through her ears. The pulsing sound intensified when Dylan turned and faced her like the others.
Tardiness didn’t warrant this type of mutiny. What kind of situation had she walked into? More to the point, what could cause Dylan’s eyes to be filled with such fear? Ari willed her feet to move but they remained glued to the carpet.
“Our sweet Ariel, or should we say, Dylan’s sweet Ariel. Come join us on stage. We’d like to have a little chat.” Maxi gestured as her voice seemed strangely cool, absent of anger.
The chill of it caused Ari to pause, taking in the sea of stunned faces between them. Once she gathered enough courage to step forward, she locked onto Dylan’s eyes that silently told her to run.
No one quits. They are simply never seen again.
This story was much more than a lack of consent. Women had disappeared. Something far more sinister went on under the surface of Adytum. The only way Ari could uncover the truth was to face Maxi’s wrath.
“Come on, don’t be shy. We’ve all seen you with and without clothes.” Maxi urged her forward, again waving her toward the stage.
Dressed in the night’s uniform of a pink lace teddy, Ari stiffened her back with her chest high and marched forward. As she crossed next to Dylan, a hand grabbed hers. Dylan’s. She tugged herself away as if she no longer wanted Dylan’s support or protection. Her high heels strode forward until she reached the stage, taking her place next to Maxi.
