We head out of the cafe, and there’s a big black stretch limo with blue neon lights underneath it waiting for us out front. It’s got a grey smoke design across the doors, which I assume is the logo for Grey’s.
I hesitate slightly, but I’ve agreed to come this far and don’t really have many other options so I figure what the hell.
There are five of us in total; myself and Lexi, plus Coco who’s a stunning dark-skinned woman with deep chocolate eyes, an awesome afro, and legs for days. Then, there’s Anastasia, a beautiful leggy blonde with captivating green eyes full of saucy mischief and high cheekbones that any model would envy. Finally, there’s Domitille, or Dom as she told me in a seductive French accent. A stunning redhead, with a beautiful hourglass figure and a wicked sense of humour.
The inside of the limo is lit up with LED strip lighting, and Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon is blasting out of the speakers as we step in. The girls start singing along, laughing as Coco grabs a bottle of champagne from somewhere and starts pouring glasses. She indicates the bottle to me, and I’m about to nod when I remember my condition and shake my head instead.
She just shrugs and puts the bottle away. I catch Lexi’s shrewd green gaze, panic flaring in my stomach for a moment before she gives me her gorgeous smile and takes a sip of her drink. I sit back in my seat, soaking up the joy and happiness that fills the car. It’s like I can finally take a deep breath after drowning for so long, and I’ve surfaced to find myself on a tropical island, the hot sun shining down on me.
The song finishes and Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston comes on, accompanied by girlish squeals from the others. Anastasia half gets up and starts to do an impressive body roll, her gold dress twinkling in the lights. We soon pull up to a stop, and the door next to Lexi opens, letting in a rush of cold autumn air.
“Thanks, Tony,” I hear her sensual voice say, but I miss his gruff reply.
I’m the last to get out, and they’re all waiting for me with excitement in their gazes. A tingle of nervous anticipation races through me as I look up at the old, light coloured stone building.
There’s nothing on the outside to suggest it’s a restaurant or a business of any sort. It’s an end of terrace townhouse, with steps leading up to a huge, shiny black front door. A black metal railing borders the front with neat box hedging behind it and a spiral metal staircase leading down to, presumably, the basement level. It’s three stories high, with high windows facing the street, all with curtains drawn.
“Is this Grey’s? I thought it was a restaurant.” I comment, confused, and eliciting a chorus of feminine giggles as I continue gazing up at it.
“Yep, this is Grey’s, ” Lexi replies, with amusement in her tone.
“So, it’s not a restaurant then?” I ask, looking at her warily. She bursts out laughing, the sound wrapping around me like silk.
“No,” she tells me, still chuckling as they lead me around to the side of the building where I can see another shiny black door. “It’s a club, sugarplum,” she says before turning to rap her knuckles on the door. “Open up, buttercup!”
A club? I think as the door swings open, and there’s a guy in a suit standing in the doorway. He’s built like a brick shit house! He’s huge, taking up almost the entire space. I’m surprised that he could even get a suit in his size, although by the looks of it, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn it was made in Savile Row; where the best tailors in England have their shops.
“Evening, Lexi,” he greets her, and I can’t help the shiver that tingles across me. His voice is like warm whiskey on cold nights. He steps back, nodding at the others as they pass. I go to step in and find my way blocked by his massive bulk.
“This is Laura. She’s with us, Ryan,” Lexi assures him, stepping forward and placing a manicured hand on his enormous bicep.
I look up into his eyes, noticing that they’re a beautiful hazelnut brown colour. His brows are drawn down, assessing me, and I can’t help the hitch in my breath as he takes me in. Something softens in his eyes before he steps aside. As I pass, I smile my thanks, able to see him in the light better. His chestnut hair is buzzed short on the sides and slightly longer on top, and I can just see tattoos peeking from under his collar.
“Thank you, Ryan,” I say softly, captured in his gaze once more.
He nods, then I see his gaze slip down to my neck, eyes hardening like sharp stones. Before he can say anything, Lexi grabs my arm and tugs me away.
“Looks like you’ve already got yourself a fan, gorgeous,” she whispers conspiratorially in my ear.
“What?!” I choke out.
“He can’t take his eyes off you, girl,” Coco adds in from in front of me, and I glance back to see Ryan looking after me intensely. I shake my head at them and scoff.
We come to another doorway that is opened at our approach, a second big suited guy behind it. Stepping through, I see that we’re in a lobby of sorts. It’s gently lit with a chandelier and wall lights, the floor covered in black and white tiles. The walls are painted a soft grey, and I can see a dark wooden staircase against one wall, leading to what I assume are the upper levels.
It still doesn’t look much like a club to me, but then I guess I’ve had little experience of anything like that. I only went out with Ace to places that he approved, so I’ve never actually been in a club, but I did imagine them to be louder.
There’s a dark wood reception desk with a very smartly dressed blonde receptionist behind it, who smiles warmly at our approach.
“Good evening, ladies,” she grins. She’s incredibly well-spoken, like a newsreader.
“Hi, Sami,” Anastasia says, her voice definitely has a Russian lilt to it.
“And who is this?” Sami questions, turning her blue eyes to me.
“I’m Laura,” I reply, feeling slightly bolder after having met so many new people tonight.
“Pleasure to meet you, Laura,” she replies warmly, and I can’t help but smile back.
“Is Grey upstairs?” Lexi asks, stepping up to us.
“Yes, he is. Shall I call up to let him know you’re back?” Sami enquires.
“Tell him I’m on my way up,” Lexi orders as she grabs my hand and leads me towards the wide staircase.
I hear Sami’s voice speak softly into the phone as we make our way up. The stairs have a thick, plush Persian rug running down the middle of them, and my boot-clad feet sink in with every step. This place screams exclusivity and money with its tasteful gentlemen’s club vibe. What kind of club is this exactly?
We reach the first floor, and a faint whiff of cigar smoke tickles my nose before Lexi is dragging me up the next flight. The walls are still painted the same soft grey colour, but there’s no panelling up here, just the dark wood of the stairs. We come to the final landing, which has three dark wood doors coming off of it. This must have been the old servants’ quarters.
Lexi strides up to the door opposite the staircase, knocking on the panelled wooden door.
“Come in, Lexi,” a deep voice commands, and a shiver runs through me at the sound.
Lexi opens the door, walking in as if the voice doesn’t affect her at all. I follow behind, slightly more reticent. The room we’re in is large, with a fairly high ceiling that slopes at the sides like this was once the attic. It’s painted a darker grey than the hallway, but it doesn’t feel cold. There’s even a small fireplace with a cheerful fire burning behind the grate.
“Ah, you must be Laura,” the deep voice sounds from across the room, and my gaze catches the grey eyes of a man sitting in a leather wing-back chair behind a dark wooden desk. There are two smaller leather chairs in front of the it, both unoccupied.
He’s exceptionally handsome, with classical features, salt and pepper hair that’s slicked back, and is wearing a dark charcoal grey suit, a white shirt, and silver tie. There’s a twinkle in the tie, which looks like a diamond tie pin. He stands up and comes around to our side of the desk, and I can see that the suit is tailored to perfection, fitting his lean form perfectly.
He holds out a hand, a warm smile drawing up the corners of his mouth.
“I’m Grey, and it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he assures me in cultured tones.
I take his hand and discover it’s warm and dry, not sweaty, and he gives a firm but not overbearing handshake before releasing his grip.
“Shall we?” he asks, indicating to the chairs, and we all take a seat, myself and Lexi in front of the desk and Grey behind it.
“Can I get you something to drink, Laura? Lexi?” he asks us politely.
“No, thank you,” I smile weakly at him, butterflies dancing in my stomach.
“No thanks, Grey darling,” Lexi answers with a cheeky grin.
“Now,” he smiles warmly at me, and I feel a sense of safety around him that confuses me. “How can I help you, Laura?”
Before I can say anything, Lexi butts in. “Laura is going to be our new waitress, and she’ll be staying with me.” Grey doesn’t say anything, just raises a perfect dark brow and smiles indulgently at her.
“I see,” he replies.
“If-if that’s okay with you?” I stutter out, cursing my new nervousness.
“Do you know what type of establishment this is, Laura?” he asks me, not answering my question. I shake my head in response. “Well, we are an exclusive gentlemen’s club that caters to our members’ needs.”
I nod, thinking that to be the case from what I’ve seen so far.
“I take care of all my girls, no one is forced to do anything they are unhappy with, but there are opportunities for those who want them.” He continues, gesturing with his hand. “Can I suggest that Lexi show you around tonight, then you can start a trial run tomorrow, provided you’re happy to do so, of course?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you,” I reply, tears stinging my eyes at my good fortune.
“Excellent,” he grins. “Lexi, I’d like to have a word with Laura alone. Please wait outside.” And all of a sudden, the butterflies are back.
“Before I go, Kol was at Maxine’s.” She tells him, and the skin around his eyes tightens slightly, the only indication of his displeasure. He gives her a sharp nod.
Lexi squeezes my arm reassuringly before getting up and leaving, closing the door quietly behind her.
“I don’t expect you to tell me who left those bruises on your neck, trust needs to be earned, after all. But know that if you ever need whoever it was taken care of, you just say the word.” He is absolutely serious, eyes boring into mine until I nod, and then he smiles kindly at me.
“As I said, I take care of my girls,” he reiterates.
“Thank you,” I whisper, meaning it. How can a stranger show such kindness when my own family couldn’t care less?
“Now, go with Lexi, have a look around, then get some sleep. Tomorrow, you can go to the tailors and get your uniform, then start tomorrow evening,” he tells me, and I feel my head already beginning to spin with a mixture of relief, and the speed at which this is all progressing.
Nodding again, I’m like one of those nodding dogs people put in the back of their cars at this stage, I get up and head towards the door.
“Oh, and Laura?” I hear him say behind me, and I turn to look at him. “Welcome to Grey’s.”
