Page 8 of Conquered

“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.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Iwake up with a start, sweat covering my trembling body as I sit up looking frantically around the darkened room. It takes me a beat, but then I remember where I am; Lexi’s house, spare bedroom, North London.

Taking a few deep breaths, I try to calm my racing heart as I remember everything that happened yesterday. The cafe, meeting Lexi and the girls, Grey’s, looking around the club...I put my head in my hands with a groan as I remember the tour of Grey's.

As Lexi describes it, it's a gentlemen's club with strippers. Super exclusive, members are invite only, and anyone stepping out of line finds themselves out on their arse sharpish. It's where people take business associates, people who they want to impress, but you basically have to be in the top one percent to gain an invitation. A moment of worry flashes through me, the thought that Ace or any one of the founding members of Black Knight Corporation could potentially walk through the doors.

The door swings open, startling me out of my thoughts, and Lexi bounds in wearing short shorts and a vest top that does nothing to support her ample tits. She leaps on the bed with a squeal, bouncing her boobs up and down.

“Good morning, sunshine!” She shrieks with excitement, and I can't help but laugh in return. It's amazing to think that I've never really had a close female friend before. I didn't know what I was missing!

“Good morning,” I smile back and feel lighter and full of hope this morning. Like things may finally be going alright.

“So, we've got breakfast first, then Schmidt's, then I thought we could go shopping!” she lists off excitedly.

“What’s Schmidt's?” I ask, my brow furrowing.

“Why, the tailor for your uniform, silly!” she replies, smacking me lightly on the arm.

“Oh,” my heart sinks. I can't afford to waste money on a tailored uniform, or go shopping. Although, I suppose window shopping would be okay.

“Don't look like that! Grey pays for the expenses, dummy! And the uniform is an expense,” she shakes her head like I'm an imbecile.

“Oh,” I say again, like a broken record.

“So, come on! Get your arse out of bed and into the shower!” She pushes me until I almost tumble out of bed, catching myself just in time. Straightening up, I go to walk towards the bathroom when a crack lands on my bum making me shout out.

“Get a move on, slowpoke!” she shouts while laughing. Rubbing my sore buttcheek, I chuckle to myself as I head out of the bedroom door.

Lexi’s riverside apartment really is gorgeous. It's a modern open plan affair, with two bedrooms and a huge bathroom, plus stunning views overlooking the River Thames and the city.Apparently, Grey owns the entire building and houses all his girls here, like one big sorority house.

As we exit the building, I notice there's a black SUV with that same smoke motif waiting for us. I shiver as the wind whistles around me, the day overcast and grey. Lexi said we wouldn't need coats, but I'm regretting my choice of a loose long-sleeved dress, and cardigan with tights, and flat knee-high boots.

We climb into the back, Lexi saying hello to our driver, Sean. It really surprises me how much Grey takes care of his girls, and I can't help the fissure of worry that sparks inside of me.

“Just spit it out, Laura,” Lexi demands in a joking, exasperated tone when she notices my worries.

I decided to just bite the bullet. “Is Grey your pimp?”

She chokes with laughter, her whole face going red. I even hear gruff chuckles coming from Sean up front.

“Our pimp?!” She pats my leg condescendingly. “No dearest, Grey is not our pimp.” She wipes under her eyes, checking for smudged makeup. She looks particularly stunning in a deep green Ralph Lauren wrap dress.

“So, what's this all about?” I ask, indicating the car, the apartment, and the expenses.

“He likes to take care of us. That's it. No hidden agenda, no surprise cost,” she tells me, and I can see the admiration in her eyes. “Rumour has it that something happened to his mother when he was younger, and he vowed that he'd look after any woman from that day on,” she tells me dreamily.

Sean scoffs from the front. “They also say his cock is made from twenty-four karat gold, so I wouldn't go believing everything you hear.”