Free Awakened by Virna Depaul Page A

pressing concerns to think about—like the fact Club Red had run wildly overbudget.
    Even so, it ought to turn a profit soon enough given Vladimir was planning to cater to the überwealthy, human and vampire included.
    For humans (or at least those who wanted to pretend they were human), the club’s main area was huge, with a vaulted ceiling and three levels for dancers to entertain the patrons. Private rooms were located on the uppermost level, where expensive whores—also paying a cut to the house—could see to clients behind closed doors.
    As for his other patrons? The richest vampires of his acquaintance, though they were few in number, could safely indulge their guilty pleasures below the main level, in a hidden palace of vice. Betting on staged blood sports—with a generous cut taken by the house—would rake in hundreds of thousands per event, but the secret auction of teenage girls—Vladimir’s idea—would earn much more. The fighting arena was nearly completed and the machinery installed for the cage to be suspended above a pit. The stage for the auction of girl slaves, a separate and more intimate space, had been finished to his satisfaction. Every seat had an unobstructed view of the innocents who would be chained to the block for inspection and sale.
    He returned his attention to the woman in the pool, toying with the idea of installing something like it for an indoor swimming revue. Naked girls, their heads underwater, legs spread far apart in synchronized splits—lovely and a guaranteed moneymaker. Coins in the fountain.
    “Why are you smirking?” Tamsin asked. “She’s probably not even a natural blonde.”
    Vladimir was not inclined to argue, though he doubted that Tamsin’s snippy remark was accurate.
    “What could she do that I couldn’t do?” Tamsin persisted. “Besides, you don’t know a damn thing about her. She’s just some chick swimming.”
    “She has something special.”
    “I don’t see it.” Tamsin shivered dramatically. “Ooh, I’m cold. Close the window.”
    “In a moment. Go sit on the couch.”
    She seemed about to protest, but obviously the flash of silver in his hooded eyes made her obey with obvious reluctance. For a few moments, she sulked in silence. Vladimir smoked a little longer, thinking that she might need to be turned over his knee and properly disciplined. Perhaps later. She did like it.
    “Looking at her, Tamsin, I am reminded that we need a hostess. For the first level.”
    “Not some stranger, Vladdy. What are you planning to do, swim out there and hand her your business card?”
    “No. There are other ways.”
    “Come on. I could do it,” she whined.
    “You will be in charge of the VIP rooms and the bottle service. Just think of the money you’ll make off rich fools.”
    “I hope so.”
    Tamsin settled herself so that Vladimir could see her reflection in the plate glass. She spread her legs and showed off the lacy thong that barely concealed her shaved pubes.
    Vladimir ignored the display. He was fascinated by the swimmer.
    She seemed to be alone. The reflecting sparkle of the water caught the low-key lighting around the pool and made her look like a ghostly mermaid. He narrowed his gaze, focusing his keen night vision on her drenched breasts, barely covered by the bikini top. She rose and fell slightly with each breath she took, a delicious tiny pool of water in her belly button remaining when the water sluiced off her skin.
    Her hips lifted, too. Not much. Her pretty feet kicked gently to keep herself from sinking. Her face was serene, her eyes closed. The water did its magic, turning her hair into a waving crown of silken strands.
    Vladimir finished his cigarette and crushed the butt into the windowsill. Then he looked at Tamsin’s reflection. She was being unexpectedly patient. But then her hands were busy between her legs. Stroking and rubbing. Penetrating herself with a small sex toy.
    She interested him less and less, but at that moment