Page 6 of Conquered

CHAPTER FOUR

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, andSex on Fireby 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 andBeautiful Girlsby 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 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.