Page 2 of Diamonds

She crinkles her eyes.“My grandfather insisted on that policy when he started the club.It was during Prohibition, you know, and people would disappear from time to time.We decided that members could bequeath their membership to their next of kin in the event that they died of something other than old age.”She lays a hand on my shoulder.“My condolences on the loss of your father, by the way.”

My brain goes haywire at her touch.I’m not sure why—she’s only touching my shoulder—but it’s sending an electric shock through me that I haven’t felt since…

Since Laurie.

And from deep within my bowels, Mad Maddox opens his eyes, sniffs around.

“We weren’t particularly close,” I say.

Her eyes sparkle.“Yet he saw fit to leave his membership to you.”

I nod.“I was his only child.The only one who could inherit it.”

“I suppose that’s true.”She cocks her head.“Still, though, he could have simply opted to not pass his membership forward.”

“Well, he did.”I run my hands through my hair.“And believe me, I could use a drink after the last few weeks I’ve had.”

“Of course.”She gestures to the server.“Three, why haven’t you taken this man’s order yet?”

I wrinkle my forehead.“Her name is Three?”

“You see her shoulders, don’t you?She is the Three of Spades.We call the servers by their numbers here.”She points one of her long fingers at Three.“We have a philosophy that servers should be seen and not heard.Truthfully, we hardly want them to be seen at all, unless”—she leans closer—“one of our patronswantsto see them.”

“How do you mean?”

“Interpret the meaning however you will, Mr.Hathaway.”She gestures to the curtained-off areas surrounding the club’s perimeter.“As a member, you are allowed to reserve a private space by the hour.The spaces have very comfortable chairs…and beds.If you’re interested in some company in those spaces, I am happy to arrange that for you.”She gestures broadly across the club, where servers—mostly women, but a few young men—are milling about, carrying drink orders.“Pick a card, any card.”

I look up at Three, who is still standing there silently.“Gin and tonic, please.”

She walks away, and I turn back to Rouge.“What do you mean?You’re selling their…services?”

She smirks.“Only if you want them.These people are brought over from the most poverty-stricken corners of the globe.Aces covers their housing, food, and medical expenses for the first five years of their lives here in America.In the meantime, they need to save up money.They keep one hundred percent of their wages and tips, and their tips can be earned in”—she purses her lips, her eyes almost glowing—“severalways.”She looks down at my crotch.“I can see that Three has…piqued your interest.”

Threeisgorgeous, and I’d be happy to take her to bed, but it’s Rouge herself who has fascinated me more.She’s the reason my dick is reacting.

“How much does it cost to take one of the servers to a private area?”

She grins.“There is no cost.But the customary tipping rate is one hundred per hour.More if you’re satisfied.”

I lean toward her.“And what’syourrate, Rouge?”

She laughs at that.“Mr.Hathaway, you’ll have to work your way up through the deck before you can land yourself a Queen.”

* * *

I’m notproud of it, but Ididend up taking Three into one of the private areas that night.She was beautiful, and I was horny as all hell.I paid her well for her services, and I hope she used that money to build herself a good life.She left the club about a year after I started coming, and I never heard anything from her again.

I never knew her real name.Based on her looks alone, she was probably from Russia or Ukraine.True to Rouge’s words, she never spoke a word to me, not even when I was pumping my cock into her shaved pussy.Not a single moan.It was like fucking a photorealistic sex doll.

Of course, I wasn’t thinking about her as I emptied myself into her.I was thinking a little bit about Laurie, but I was mostly thinking of Rouge.

What was so interesting about her?She’s a beautiful woman, and the electric charge that pulsated through me when she laid her hand on my shoulder was comparable to what I felt with Laurie.Mad Maddox peeked his head out.He was the one who asked Rouge whatherrate was.

And then…

I never let myself think of what happened after that.

I can’t.It’s too much.