Disclaimer: This world is based around criminal activity that includes murder, drugs, theft, and selling of people. I do not condone any of these activities and actually feel very strongly AGAINST all of them. Also, every character in this story is fictitious, any and all similarities are purely coincidental. Each and every character is also above the age of 18. Make sure to play safe and practice safe sex. Always get consent!
The next few days were a blur of busy and boring. Tessa did her job and cleaned every surface she was in front of to a perfect shine. Truthfully, the heavy work relaxed her; having something to do to get her mind off Darrien being away from her, the stress of trying to gather secrets for him with no real reason why and always feeling like she was one second from being punished. There were just too many reasons she could be punished for in her mind; spying first and foremost, not being properly sold to them for another and a whole slew of mistakes she'd made as she learned. Jack told her it was okay to make mistakes starting out any new job. Like this is a job and not servitude without wage, Tessa was feeling a bit bitter.
Tessa ignored her feelings and pulled out her secreted cellphone to send the draft message she'd crafted for Darrien when she'd first arrived. Information on the security measures, number of people in the building, staff and layout were all written in the shorthand he'd taught her. The only problem she'd faced was getting cell service down in the servant quarters where she'd spent most of her time.
Now, she was in the main hall at 8 am the day before the celebration. Being so early it was mostly cleaning staff in the hall and very few players. The lack of people did nothing to stop the players from taking advantage of their solitude.
"Who's this lovely one?" A man said behind her with a hand on her ass.
Tessa jolted, shoved her cell into her bra and turned to face him. While moving about she knocked over her small carry kit of cleaning supplies.
"Skittish?"
She shook her head in a lie. Fear from almost being caught with the cellphone slid down her spine. Not to mention the visceral intimidation of the large man before for.
The man was built like a craggy cliff face; tall, hard, and rough lined with far too much strength. Her mouth dried out in fear and she tried to work moisture back into her mouth by licking her lips but all that did was draw his attention.
"Do I make you nervous?"
"No, sir." She couldn't look away from his eyes as he loomed over her.
"I think I do. Don't worry, I like to make people nervous. More fun for me that way."
Tessa couldn't think of an answer to that. Thankfully she was saved from speaking when Jack appeared at her back. His arm around her shoulder, he swiftly placed her behind him and directed her to pick up her supplies.
"I apologize for her, sir. She's a new employee and does not know the rules of the house fully yet."
It irritated her to hear Jack speak so servilely.
"Not to worry, Jack. You know how I like to greet the new employees." The stranger said with a hint of hidden meaning.
"Yes, sir."
"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Miss . . ." he waited for her to give her name.
Tessa, still crouched on the floor with her small kit of supplies all bundled looked up at Jack for help. He gave her a small nod.
"Tessa, sir."
"Tessa . . . no last name?"
That hit where it hurt, Tessa had never had a last name. She'd been a commodity not a citizen. The thought to make one up had passed through her mind before but it felt wrong to make one up when she'd been only Tessa the Tester.
"No, sir."
Her answer had both men looking at her in a way she really wanted to escape.
"Well," the man said with both brows raised in intrigue, "I'd be happy to-"
He cut off when one of the men being serviced at the gambling table gave a shout of outrage and pushed the woman servicing him off roughly. Tessa could see a hint of red on the man's softening member and thought it was lipstick until she noticed the woman wasn't wearing any.
The daunting man in front of her who'd planned to haphazardly name her gave a gusty sigh and left them without a word or glance. Jack took advantage and grabbed up her supplies and put a hand on her back to quickly guide her out.
"Who was that?" She whispered to Jack when they were well away.
"The owner."
The sound of their steps echo through the back stairs is the only thing between them as Tessa thinks over that fearsome thought. Jack's hand is still steady on her back and she looks at him searchingly.
"What did he mean when he said he likes to greet all the new employees?"
Jack jolts at that, his fingers tensing before his palm presses into her harder.
"He likes to try out the new girls and boys to see if they have what it takes to 'work' for him."
Tessa makes a noise of understanding as he ushers her into a bedroom much like hers but slightly different in a way she can't guess at just yet.
"Here, sit down for a bit."
"Where-" she starts to ask.
"My room."
Tessa thinks that over for a second. "Is that a good idea?"
Jack sighs and sits down on a mussed bed that's in the same spot where hers would be. She tilts her head at him in confusion before manners catch up.
"Thank you for helping me."
"I couldn't leave you like that."
"Either way, thank you."
He just nods and lifts his head to give her an inscrutable look. She feels an air of bravery brush through her and she works her way to sit down beside him on the bed. The cheap mattress dips beneath them and she ends up with most of her left wedged against his right. Jack coughs out a noise that she thinks may have been a hidden laugh. Then his right arm wraps over her shoulder and squeezes her shoulder in a brotherly way. Or at least Tessa wants it to be brotherly.
This man is strangely distracting with his humor and kindness. His little touches of affection are an addiction that Darrien filled, an addiction of skinship that Darrien hasn't been able to fulfill.
"Do you keep an eye out for all the new people?" She asks in the comfortable silence.
If he does this for everyone than I'm not special and he's just touchy-feely, which means this whole thing is just me making mountains out of molehills.
"Not really," he grimaces at that and removes his arm, "this place is a lot more survival of the fittest. I can't keep an eye out for everyone new or else I won't make it myself."
"Then-" why do you help me?
