Beyond The Smoke

Chpt. 10 Deceptive People

Everyone looked like they'd like to cower and hide, all but Sean. He just gripped the couch and audibly gritted his teeth.

"Knew you wouldn't do much." She smirked at his discomfort, her eyes ever so slowly moving to me. I stayed put, relaxed into the couch, my expression hard and cold. I would put up as much disinterest towards her as I could, but truthfully I was intrigued. What was it that made her so terrifying? What was it that had someone like Sean sitting still, obeying her?
"Ah...just who I was looking for." Her heels clicked with each step she took towards me, but I stayed still. Once she stood before me, her gaze did a once over, sizing me up.

"What do you want?" My voice was snappy, causing her eyebrows to raise slightly. I didn't like her looking at me like a piece of meat.

"Take a guess, big shot." Said Eveline, her words venomous by the end.

"And what is it you want from me?" I rose my own eyebrows, waiting for an answer. She chuckled.

"So...I heard you're in some hot water right about now...what was your price tag?..." She thought for a moment. "Somewhere in the thirty thousands. 'Bout fourty, yeah?" I stiffened at the comment.

"What about it." My voice was low.

"You're trying to pay that off, with Zed. That will take quite a while, won't it cutie?" I remained silent, knowing she was correct. "Here's the thing, babe. I'm big cash. Ain't that right, Sean?" She snickered evilly, looking to Sean, who looked like he was about to murder her. She only grinned at that.

"Too well, bi.tch. Too well." Allan sassed suddenly, causing her eyes to shift to him.

"Be thankful Zed likes you, now hold your tongue." She spat, turning away. "Now, I'm willing to...help you out." This deal already gave me a bad feeling. Not just a small nagging at the back of my mind, but a sting in my gut. Something about her just wasn't right...the look in her eyes...it's familiar. I just...I can't place a name to it.

"What is it?" I said, wanting to hear the offer enforce declining.

"Well, let's just say I'll be a client of yours from now till the cash is payed off." Instantly, I shook my head.

"No-"

"Oh, I don't think so. I know that little brother of yours takes up most of your paycheck. So, Zed told you about the bonus?" I nodded. "That's what I can give you. Except, much better. Much more cash than you'd get with the others, if any at all."

"Why are you even telling me any of this?" Why did she even have any of her attention on me at all? How did she know any of this about me? Most importantly, she took the time to figure out all this. That was extremely suspicious.

"Because. You look like a big boy who can take what I have to give; not many can. But, more so, you interest me. I get what I want, I want you." She smiled wickedly. Everything about her made me sick, her mere presence struck a nerve. Everyone in the room had their eyes on me, but I couldn't care less. Her eyes were what I was focused on, searching for something to throw me off what I was going to say next. If there was anything, she hid it damn well. Dani was behind her, mouthing the words 'don't do it' over and over again, but I ignored it.

"How much?" I asked, seeing Dani give me a look of disappointment before walking out of the room. "How much will I make on average? That is...if...if I accept." Eveline's grin grew.

"Well, with any other client, maybe a hundred or two. Knowing Z, he's gonna keep you a year or two longer and drag it out. Interest and sh.it. With me...it's a bet. I have you for a year. One year. If you're able to get through the entire year, which won't be easy, 150,000. Not including the bonuses or your original price tag. You'll have that payed within a year or so." That was pretty irresistible. Oh lord, what would I do with an extra 150,000? Well, I'd start off getting Mike and I a real home, maybe real beds. F.ucking hell, this can't be too bad. Mike and I could have a real life. I wouldn't have to worry about either of us staving. We could have nicer clothing, a working heater too. But...

"The catch?"

"Come with me. We'll discuss that." So I stood, following her a few rooms down. She sat on the silky sheets of the bed while I kept a fair amount of distance between us.

"The catch?" I reiterated. She crossed her legs, one over the other, and sighed before continuing.

"The catch, as I said. Not many people can handle my...style. Whips may be involved. Chains. That sort of stuff." She said, her hands roaming the silky sheets. Ok...she likes it rough?

"Deal."

"What?"

"Challenge accepted. Deal." Like the devious bi.tch she was, the smirk on her face held it's ground. She slowly sashayed her way to the closet, retrieving a small stack of papers from it, along with a pen. When she was over by me, she handed me the stack.

"What is this?" Confusion littered my voice and she sighed.

"Well, the annoying as f.uck part. These sheets basically state that what may or may not happen to you, will not be held against me. Also, keeps our deal in contact. You win, I pay. I win, you pay."

"Pay? Who sai-"

"Just read." I held my mouth closed, willing myself to read through the contract. It took me a few minutes and the fact that there were pretty large words didn't help. Dammit, this is exactly what I don't want Mikey to go through. He better finish school or I'll smack him f.ucking nuts. By the time I had finished, I was pretty sure I'd understood the most important points. I mean, so I just 'take' what he's got, and that's all. Shouldn't be too hard, honestly, and the money at the end isn't too bad either. Picking the pen up from her fingers, I moved to the wall to put the papers against and signed in all necessary points. The ballpoint dragged with the last signature, slowly allowing ink to flow into the fibers of the paper. Nerves racked through me, but I wasn't too sure why. Honestly, the stinging in my gut was a feeling I just absolutely could not shake. Something too violent wouldn't be legal, would it? No, this entire building wasn't legal. But I'm sure that Z or who ever wouldn't let it go too far, so I removed the papers from the wall and handed them. Too her.

And when I looked up, I regretted it.

The second she had the contract in her grasp, it was as if whatever cage held the animosity in her eyes broke. The look that slid over her eyes was so, so cold, bone chilling, evil. I knew something was off with her. But, then it hit me. That look in her eyes, it had a name, and it clicked. It was almost exactly what I'd see in the eyes of my 'father'. I'd been deceived, played like a fool. I walked straight into this, and I'd been warned, but I was too stupid to listen. Right then and there, I knew, this would be one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made in my life.

"Now that that's done," her voice matched the look in her eyes as she stored the papers away.

"Let's get started."

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A/N: I know it was crappy and shiz, but I'm having quite a bit of writer'a block.

Hope you liked it.

Comment, vote, whatever you like.

-H4lt