Saint Jude Thaddeus: The patron of Hope in troubled times
"Welcome Mr. Leeds!" Karolyn Karson rushed over to shake her visitor's hand and give him a polite kiss on the cheek.
Nicholas Leeds was a valuable investor in Karson's Kove. His monetary input had paid for much of the drugs and training which forced their captured men into the ladyboys they were forced to become. In most cases, he, his men, and his guests were the first ones to experience the new recruits.
"Always a pleasure Karolyn," he replied as he accepted her greeting. "I believe you know my associate Dmitri."
"Of course, nice to see you again Mr. Ivanov." Although it wasn't obvious, Karolyn Karson shuddered as she bowed slightly. Ivanov was a deadly man. He was a former Russian military operative and longtime bodyguard for Nicholas Leeds. No doubt, he had killed many men in his lifetime. Ivanov smiled his deceptive smile and acknowledged Mrs. Karson with a slight head nod.
"And this is Mr. Tank," Leeds continued. "I'm trying to impress Mr. Tank into joining our organization. Of course, I brought him to your amazing establishment. I hope you'll show him your famous hospitality."
Since Tank was not a fully fledged member of Mr. Leeds' team, his real name would not be used here at the Kove. Immediately, Karolyn felt much more at ease with the large man compared to Ivanov, despite his larger size. She extended her hand and nodded, "Welcome Mr. Tank."
Tank earned his nickname from his size, but those that knew him cane to realize that unless he was provoked, he was a polite and amiable man who was easy to be around. His reputation as a fierce fighter was earned in the streets of his hometown of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It always seemed that if someone needed help, he was there for them, but he was vicious to his enemies. "The pleasure is mine Ms. Karson," he said with a comforting smile.
"We have a table right over here that's always reserved for you. I'll have the girls get your regular drinks Mr. Leeds. What can we get you Mister Tank?"
"A glass of iced tea is just fine if that's okay Ms. Karson."
Karson's Kove was established 10 years ago as the brainstorm of Karolyn Karson. The huge converted hotel/restaurant was built by her father, but never was a success under those terms. After experiencing and learning what unique desires were sought by local and visiting guests, Karolyn found a very profitable niche that she exploited fully after her parents had died.
Karolyn became the Madam of an establishment that catered to men and women who preferred their lady companions to have something extra. Appropriate looking young men were scouted and "persuaded" to become ladyboys that catered to the needs and desires of both men and women alike. Through drugs and brainwashing persuasion, these young men were kidnapped, trained, and rented to many rich individuals and couples. The services of the most desirable and most compliant were sold as escorts and used in one of the many available guest rooms in the former hotel. Others were recruited, conditioned, and made to serve as waitresses, dance partners, and dinner companions in the well done restaurant and dance club. They would graduate to escort duty as their personalities adapted.
Kenzie Karson was the middle sister in the Karlson clan. She walked over to a small line of pretty girls that were brought over to the Leed's table. "We have three new members of the Kove Mr. Leeds. They're still in their initial training, but I thought you might enjoy meeting them." All three "girls" wore yellow metal neckbands that indicated they were still in training. Girls wearing pink neckbands were deemed trained and available for service. Gold collars were worn by the most valuable girls and indicated that not only were they available for service, but also available for custom film work with the customer or someone else that the client may choose. The neckbands also served as security devices which would shock their wearer should they wander outside of the assigned area of control. Kenzie Carson was in charge of the escorts and actresses. The first two "girls" had shy smiles on their faces while the third seemed distant and lethargic. But she was easily the prettiest girl in the building.
Ivanov stood quickly and shuffled to the front of the first girl that Kenzie introduced. He was known to frequent the Cove often and take advantage of many of the girls' hospitality. "This is Maria. She wants to learn how to be a hostess." Ivanov took her outreached hand as she curtseyed with a demure smile. "And this is Sharon. She not only wants to become a great hostess, she would like to try some film work and become a starlet." Her smile was bigger and brighter than the first girl and her curtsey was even deeper. Ivanov took her hand and commented, "Perhaps we can make a film together one day Ms. Sharon."
The last girl in line was much more stoic, and her eyes were a bit glassy from the drugs used to control and modify her. This did not hide the fact that she was absolutely gorgeous. Ms. Karlson put her hand on her shoulder. "Robyn is a bit more shy than the rest and will need more training, but I think you'll agree that she will be worth every effort we make to educate her. Leeds and Ivanov both agreed that she was the most beautiful "girl" they had ever seen in the Kove or anywhere.
Ivanov was absolutely mesmerized by Robyn's beauty. "It is my pleasure Ms. Robyn," he said while reaching for a hand that had not been offered. When Robyn moved a step back, Ivanov quickly grabbed her around the waist and pulled her against him. "I will especially look forward to your company Ms. Robyn."
Despite her passive demeanor, Robyn reacted rapidly. Her hands firmly grasped Ivanov's shoulders and before he could react, her knee was firmly planted in his groin. The effect was immediate. Ivanov let out a deep grunting breath and stumbled backwards a couple of steps. He recovered quickly and roughly grabbed Robyn by her shoulders and flung her on the floor to the side. He was growling now as he took several steps towards her on the ground.
Belinda Sawyer was recruited early in Karson Cove's history. She was taken in by Katharine Karson, the youngest of the three manager-sisters. Katharine worked at the Cove because she felt she had nowhere else to go after her parents had died. She avoided any deep indoctrination training and to her sisters' chagrin, was always kind to the residents. Belinda and Katharine were assigned the duties of makeup and dress training for all the new recruits which the older Karlsons accepted as a necessary part of the Cove's process.
Belinda was tense and ready for something to happen when the introductions got around to Robyn. Quite frankly, she had fallen for Robert and now Robyn when he was first brought in for training. She saw his beauty as both a man and as a woman, and she could see that Robyn was different in many ways from the other recruits much like a beautiful unbroken horse. She also knew that despite her drugged up condition, Robyn was capable and willing to react violently should someone choose to cross the line. Ivanov had crossed that line.
Belinda was quickly out of her nearby chair and flung herself across Robyn's sprawled body in an attempt to shield her new crush. "Leave her alone! She's brand new! She hasn't learned yet!" She secretly hoped Robyn would never "learn," but for now, she was only concerned for her safety from the dangerous Ivanov. Ivanov reached for Belinda to throw her across the room away from the revenge he had in mind for Robyn. It was then that a new player chose to step in.
For such a large man, Tank moved very quickly. His days in the presence of his family had taught him to respect the meek and needy, but also the women of his environment. For him, Robyn and Belinda were women in need who required aid. He grabbed Ivanov's arm and shoved him back a few steps away from the girls. "Enough!" he yelled instinctively. Both men braced into fight positions and were about to attack each other. This had all the makings of a brutal and deadly conflict.
Nicholas Leeds was not a physically imposing figure although he had been in his share of fights and battles in his time. He was certainly no match for the two gladiators crouching before him that were tensed to destroy each other. As he stepped in between them, he knew that he didn't need to be physically superior to own the power in the room. "Gentlemen!" he shouted. "Dmitri, she is quite raw I think. Let's allow the Karlson's some time to train her. The next time we visit, you can be the first to indoctrinate the beautiful lady in the courtesies she should show her customers." He looked in admiration at Turk as the big man relaxed his stance and stood up straight. Ivanov agreed silently as he changed his stance and scowled at Tank.
