This is basically an erotic love story and of course all characters are over 21. It will definitely start out as a love story and continue to build with fiery passion. Please vote often (fives are most welcome) and of course please leave constructive comments. I love hearing from you and love your ideas for the continuation of this story or ides for new stories.
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Chapter 22
At the same time Jessa was reveling in her dress selection, Joe left the engineering section and began his long, lonely walk to the board room. Deep inside he felt like a man walking to the gallows and the phrase "dead man walking" seemed appropriate to the way he currently felt. Joe walked for about 15 minutes, slowly meandering through different corridors, through three security checkpoints and was finally at the board room door. He took a deep breath and knocked to receive permission to enter.
Joe didn't know what to expect, but it's not what he got. There were seven men in a semicircle standing facing him. They all came over and shook his hand while Joe responded with befuddlement showing on his face. He wasn't sure what was really going on here, but for now he played along. All the men seemed fairly young for their position, but a couple seemed more worldly and hardened. It was one of these gentlemen that spoke up
"Joe, may I call you Joe?" Joe nodded yes then he continued.
"Joe, twice now you and your girlfriend have created new, innovative, and more importantly crowd-pleasing shows. We didn't know until recently who your girlfriend was, but in every instance, we knew you were involved. All of us trust the engineering staff, so we know everything about all of you ... everything."
His stomach clenched with what could be construed as a veiled threat. Saying he knew everything about the engineering staff, Joe wondered what they really meant by that. His mind snapped back as the gentleman continued.
"You are under a contract to the engineering division, but your girlfriend is under a contract to the entertainment division. Your girlfriend will continue her act in the Aladdin Room, and the Dance of the Seven Veils will include your addition. Her passion combined with her beauty may be required in several other shows, at our discretion and of course you have no say."
"However, we have also noticed that you have a flair for the dramatic and can create different kinds of shows. So, we want you to come and help with the shows, direct and participate in them when necessary. We are prepared to offer you a second contract with the entertainment division which would double your current salary. Your girlfriend would also get a promotion and corresponding raise. What do you say?"
Joe stood flabbergasted, with his mouth hanging open. This was more money than he ever even dreamed of and this had gone a completely different direction than he had anticipated. He took a couple of deep breaths and responded, "Sirs, I am very honored, but I need a chance to think about this and talk it over with Jessa."
The gentlemen's posture stiffened just subtly, "That's fine Joe, but let me give you a couple of things to think about. First, your girlfriend is already under contract to the entertainment division and we can force her to do anything we want. That includes the original Dance of the Seven Veils, or even some very private and special shows we have in the Medieval Room." He paused here and gave Joe a wink.
"Second, we don't have to bring you in on this or offer you anything; we could force you to do our bidding. We are talking about a carrot here, but don't you ever forget we have a big stick, as well. I will give you some time to think about this Joe, but we will expect your answer within 24 hours." He paused staring directly into Joe's eyes with a look of malice and hard determination. In a voice full of cruelty, he added, "Joe, take the carrot or not, but either way you and your girlfriend are going to do our bidding. She is a lovely creature and it would be a shame to use her in some of our more brutal shows because of your stupid pride!"
The gentleman turned his back on Joe and walked away. Each of the other Board members gave Joe a hard glare then did an about-face and walked away. Joe watched the mob leave, then turned to leave the way he came in. His mind was spinning in a thousand different directions and he didn't even remember leaving the secure board room. He wound up back in the disco where he first saw Jessa dance and got a drink.
He started to think about all the options and which ones were realistic. Then there was the unexpected buy off offer. Never in his wildest dreams had he anticipated doubling his salary and putting on the golden handcuffs or in this case the golden gag to keep him quiet. It made sense when he thought of it in hindsight, because that's why they were all here in the first place ... Money. Everyone who took these jobs was exceptionally well qualified and they were paid an exorbitant salary, so why wouldn't he expect a bribe.
People were used and abused based on the amount of profit they could bring. The Board could rape, pillage, kill, and realistically do whatever they wanted to anyone they wanted. Joe thought about the start of all of this, and it was Jessa. He had fallen in love with this very gorgeous, smart, driven, loving woman. For him she was perfect in every way, emotionally, mentally, physically and she loved him as much as he loved her. All of his life he had had fantasies about a woman like her and now he had her.
If she hadn't come along and he hadn't fallen in love with her, the Board would never have been challenged. However, she had come along and he had fallen in love with her, so now he didn't have a choice. He had to protect her and he had to keep her safe, which meant he had to take on the Board or they would leave Las Vegas permanently. Joe smiled as he thought about this. He may be in for the fight, but he had Jessa and that made everything worth it.
It all seemed very cut and dried once he thought about it, but he knew none of this would be easy. He looked at the clock and realized that he needed to collect Jessa and get to the Chapel so they could be married. Joe finished up his drink, and with an expectant spring in his step he went to go find Jessa.
Chapter 23