Mercy

Chapter Seven

"Well isn't this a surprise."

Ethan quickly turned around from his car to see –

"Mr. Krueger, what a pleasure." Ethan smiled as he walked up and quickly shook the older man's hand. "On business here as well?"

"Business and pleasure," Mr. Krueger winked. "Before I head back to New York I plan to have a wee bit of fun this weekend."

"Do tell," Ethan inquired as his eyebrow quipped up in intrigue.

Mr. Slade Krueger was a sensual hedonist at best. No matter where he was, Slade Krueger made it his mission to parade his hedonistic pleasures whether through parties, gatherings, or events. The rich and famous flocked to him like moths to the flame and even thanked him for being burned. At the age of fifty-eight, he still managed to flip the skirts of any woman he fancied. He never failed in getting the woman he wanted, married or single. His charismatic ways got him into a lot of trouble but also helped him out of it and the women always left his room bow-legged and still drunk from pleasure.

"I'll be going to a munch this Saturday," Mr. Krueger grinned enthusiastically. "Tons of beautiful women will be there for the picking. Interested in coming along?"

"I'll have to decline," Ethan chuckled, politely ignoring the senior's wrong term for brunch. "I have my eyes set on Mr. Mal-Chin's secretary, by this weekend she will be waking up from my bed."

"Well if you can bed her, do give me all the details," Mr. Krueger guffawed. "She hasn't succumbed to my advances whenever I visit."

Ethan tried to suppress his shock as the older man laughed loudly within the parking garage. How could a woman refuse the charms of Mr. Slade Krueger? Women swooned at the very sight of him. It was disheartening to know that MR. Krueger had not tasted her first. Though, knowing that no one in his circle could have possibly bedded her made Zyporrah even more exhilarating and forbidden.

Men like himself and Mr. Krueger didn't mind having second pickings when it came to women. Depending on how delicious she was, sharing was heavily encouraged and came with prosperous business transactions as well. Most businessmen of their stature shared wives and mistresses consistently and participated in parties of the most hedonistic fashion so the fact that Zyporrah Hayes did not share this seasoned bachelor's bed firsthand made her ever more tempting to taste.

It was still shocking to Ethan that the old aristocrat had failed. Mr. Krueger never failed in getting any woman into his bed, the old bachelor had the charisma of William Clark Gable, and there was no woman who could resist him, unless. . .

"Is she for the other team?" Ethan asked out loud to himself.

"Doubtful, I know who bats for who." Mr. Krueger affirmed. "She's either an extremely loyal woman or she's never tasted fine meat before."

"Or she's afraid of it," Ethan grinned. "I managed to crack a grin from her stoic face, so I must be making some progress."

"I can barely get a giggle," Mr. Krueger laughed merrily. "I might have to learn a few things from you."

Ethan shrugged nonchalantly as a smile broaden his lips.

"I will give you all the details on how sweet she tastes after I have her passed out in my bed," Ethan boasted. "I just even might share her after I'm finished with her."

"Well whether it happens or not, take this." Mr. Krueger said as he handed Ethan a black card, his mature mind knowing that the younger will be profusely rejected as he was. "I got a recommendation from a friend to a gathering this Saturday at a place called the Fox's Den and I can bring a plus one."

Ethan took the plain black card. Feeling cool to the touch, he recognized the material as metal. Thick yet expertly crafted, Ethan was mesmerized at the skill and simplicity this card held. It was unlike his membership cards in New York, where the business name was proudly stamped on the material, no this business was all about secrecy and was top tier of their business. To have such a thick card meant a membership to an exclusive club. Mr. Krueger truly was a hedonist businessman of all shapes and forms to have obtained more than one of these cards and to freely give it to him.

"This friend of yours must be into some interesting things," Ethan quipped as he marveled at the card. "What is the name of this place?"

"When you go to your hotel, carefully examine the card. There will be a way to open up the card and you'll find the name." Mr. Krueger replied as he smirked widely and began to walk away. "The munch starts at ten in the morning at The Fox's Den, so I hope to see you there."

With that Mr. Krueger headed towards the corporate building to his afternoon meeting with Joon Mal-Chin leaving Ethan to contemplate his next move.

As he slowly walked back towards his car, Ethan tucked the black card in his suit pocket as he began to process everything in his mind.

Zyporrah Hayes was a woman who easily ignored charm no matter how suave the man or how deep his pockets were. A woman who guarded her fruit like the New York Federal Gold Vault.

As Ethan sped to his hotel, he continued to ponder on how he would be able to have that guarded woman open her legs for him but came up with nothing. Oh how this woman was vexing! If he were a caveman, he would just carry her by the hair and take her right then and there.

No.

He would claim her in such a way that she would be intoxicated just from seeing him in the same room. Yes, he will use his seductive words and slightest touch to make her cave.

At a dangerously fast speed and swerving in and out of traffic, Ethan successfully arrived the Ritz Carlton in less than ten minutes.

Throwing his keys at the valet as he promptly exited his car, he entered the five star hotel and entered the private elevator towards the presidential suite, ignoring the welcoming call of the staff.

Impatiently waiting to arrive at his suite, Ethan fiddled the black metal card in his suit pocket to occupy himself, curiosity slowly eating at his nerves.

As the elevator dinged opened, Ethan walked towards the living room in the presidential suite. Taking the membership card out from his suit pocket and discarding his suit jacket, he settled on the cream colored sofa.

As he examined the membership card, he saw a tiny dent on the small vertical side of the card. As he gingerly nudged the dent upwards, the membership card clicked and the top half of the card maneuvered itself overhead. As Ethan slowly pushed the top part of the black card upwards, he gazed at the QR code that was tactfully drilled in the metal card, lightly touching the grooves of the complex code. Whatever club crafted these cards were all about secrecy, poise, and class. A club that must be an ordeal to get into, and Ethan got a free pass to join.

As he flipped the metal card over, he saw the name of the club that dominated the pleasure seekers of the Sunshine State. Whether he bedded Zyporrah or not, he would definitely join Mr. Krueger at The Fox's Den to observe and maybe nibble on what the club Lock & Key has to offer. 

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