Chapter 8 A NIGHT AT MERLIN'S HOTEL AND SUITS

Ava hailed a taxi and the two women climbed inside, heading for Club Barry. The establishment, a well-known Mexican brothel, was owned by Barry Francis, a notorious drug dealer and trafficker. He had crossed paths with Julia during one of his transactions and had struck up a friendship with her. Even after Julia escaped, they remained in contact, with Barry holding one of her darkest secrets that kept their ties intact.

After an hour and a half, Ava and Julia arrived at the club. Julia paid the cab fare before they entered the noisy, chaotic club.

Ava winced as soon as she stepped inside, her eyes immediately assaulted by an unsettling sight. Women were engaging in unspeakable acts at every corner. Some were dancing naked around groups of men while others wore bikinis and danced on poles. The men threw money on the stage, and Ava couldn't help but grit her teeth in frustration. The men, old enough to be fathers, were using these women for their own gratification. It was sickening.

The club was a three-story building: the main floor was a bar and strip club, while the upper levels housed rooms for the brothel.

A busty redhead, swaying her hips seductively, approached them, drawing the attention of the men nearby. They ogled her exposed cleavage and skimpy attire as she walked by.

"Geez!" Ava muttered, utterly disgusted by the scene. Her thoughts turned to Julia, feeling a pang of sympathy for what her best friend had endured.

"Sorry, just take deep breaths. We'll be out of here soon. Sasha is on her way," Julia said, placing a hand on Ava's shoulder in an attempt to reassure her.

"Hi, Sassy," Julia greeted the red-haired lady as she approached them.

"Welcome to Club Barry," Sasha said sweetly. "Francis is expecting you. Please follow me."

Ava was taken aback by Sasha's calm, soothing voice. She had expected something harsher, given the woman's appearance but her tone was gentle.

"Why do you look so surprised?" Julia whispered, noticing her friend's shocked expression.

"I judged a book by its cover," Ava admitted, feeling guilty for her assumptions about Sasha.

"It's not the first time," Julia muttered, not wanting to delve into past judgments. She gave her friend a reassuring smile.

Ava sighed, shaking her head. "It's fine. We all make mistakes. That's not why we're here."

Sasha led them down a quiet hallway, knocking on a wooden door with a nameplate reading "Barry."

The door swung open, revealing a slim, blonde woman dressed similarly to Sasha, ready to greet them.

"Please come in," the woman said, stepping aside to let them in.

Ava hesitated but Julia noticed. Sighing, she took Ava's hand and smiled warmly, offering comfort. Ava, still feeling uneasy, let Julia lead her into the office.

"Oh! Look who it is, my favorite tigress," a deep, velvet voice boomed from across the room.

Ava's jaw dropped. Mr. Francis was nothing like she had imagined. The man, tall and strikingly handsome, carried himself with a commanding presence. She would have thought him to be a model, had Julia not warned her. Even with age, he retained his rugged charm.

'Geez, what's happening today?' Ava thought, inadvertently admiring the older man before snapping herself out of it.

Julia nudged her and Ava flushed, realizing everyone was staring at her. She muttered an apology under her breath.

"Please, have a seat," Francis offered, his gaze shifting back to the cigarette he was lighting.

The two women sat on the sofa in the spacious office, which had a minimalist design. A large desk, a single-seater and a two-seater sofa, a television on the wall, and an air conditioner that Ava had always dreamed of owning made the room feel comfortable and cool. The view from the window, with the setting sun casting a magical glow, took Ava's breath away.

"So, you wanted a deal?" Francis asked, his attention now fully on the cigarette.

"I'm listening," Julia replied.

Ava lightly tapped Julia's thigh, a silent reminder that they had only come for one offer.

Julia glanced at her, then nodded. "We're here for just one deal. What do you have for us?"

Francis leaned back in his chair, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "I've got two options. The first is a client at Merlin's Hotel and Suites tomorrow night. He's a billionaire, and he needs a lady for the entire night. He pays based on performance, if he's pleased, you could walk away with half a million. If not, you'll receive only five grand."

Ava's heart skipped a beat. Half a million? That would change everything for her.

Julia raised an eyebrow. "And the other option?"

"The second one is a group gig at the Harrington's club. You'd be part of a group of my sexiest girls on a pleasure trip," Francis explained.

"Harrington's club? No thanks," Ava said quickly, without hesitation. "I'll take the other one."

"Ava!" Julia whispered sharply but Ava stood firm. She would never set foot in the Harrington club.

"Alright, it's settled," Francis said with a smirk. He pulled out an envelope from his desk drawer and passed it to the blonde woman, who handed it to Julia. Inside was a pass card for the hotel.

Merlin's Hotel and Suites was a five-star establishment, one of the largest in San Francisco. Only billionaires could afford to stay there and it was owned by the wealthiest woman in the city, Abigail Merlin, the late grandmother of Shawn Harrington.

Francis jotted down the client's name and room number, passing the note to the blonde, who handed it to Julia.

"That's all you need to identify him. Don't worry, he's well-known among the staff. You won't have trouble finding him," Francis assured them.

Ava nodded, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on her.

"Thanks, Barry. One more thing, could we borrow some costumes?" Julia asked, eyeing the blonde's outfit.

"Of course. Tamsin will assist you," Francis replied, grinning.

He turned to Julia, his tone suddenly sharp. "It's 50% for my share."

Julia's eyes narrowed. "Barry."

"Alright, 30%," he grumbled.

"Much better," Julia said, standing up with Ava in tow.

"Are we leaving already?" Ava asked but Julia nodded.

"I need to speak with Barry. Can you wait outside for a bit?" Julia asked with a pleading look, to which Ava agreed.

Julia had a way of making those puppy eyes work every time.

As Ava waited outside, Tamsin emerged from the office.

"Hi, Tamsin," Ava greeted.

"Hey there! You're beautiful, you know? I'm sure you'll make more than half a million tonight," Tamsin said, giving her a flirty smile.

Ava blushed. "Thanks but I don't think I'm anywhere near as beautiful as you."

"Only jealous people won't tell you how gorgeous you are. I love your hair, by the way. Is it natural?" Tamsin asked, admiring Ava's silky, raven-black locks.

"Yeah, it's natural," Ava replied. "I can't afford a salon treatment, though."

"Don't worry. I'll fix it up for you. It'll look even better," Tamsin said, her kindness bringing a smile to Ava's face.

"Thank you, I'd really appreciate it," Ava replied, feeling grateful.

Just then, Julia emerged from the office.

"I'm done. Let's pick out an outfit for you before we go," Julia suggested, and the two women followed Tamsin to the dressing room.