Red Shift: The Odds (Censored version) Page 7
Chapter 6
As they walked out of the room to the top of the stairs, Xan nodded to the DJ who promptly faded out the music. The strobes cut out, and a light shone to the balcony.
“Good evening friends,” beamed Xan with a smile that lit up the room on its own. “Welcome to our party.” He paused, as if they needed any more dramatic effect.
“I say our party, because as of this day, Tyrol is now entering the fold. His pedigree is without question, and we look forward to him growing with us and serving a greater good.”
As Xan raised Tyrol’s hand high, the crowd exploded into a thunderous rapture of applause and hoots. “Now, carry on the festivity, and enjoy the pleasures of our hospitality.”
Xan nodded to the DJ who dropped the needle onto a heavy baseline that almost shuddered the building. Like in a trance, the crowd began moving again, swaying to the tribal rhythmic beats.
Tyrol approached the bar, feeling an arm looping through his as he was about to sit. Looking to his right, he saw a stunning young woman dressed in what appeared to be nothing more than a bikini draped in a deep red satin gown that fell all the way to the ground. She didn’t speak, just led him to the end of the bar where there were few people and showed him a seat, before sitting herself.
She crossed her legs and Tyrol couldn’t help but look down and see her long slender thigh, with her dress slit right up to her hip. He was begging for the dress to ride up a little more before he realised he was staring, he looked up and the woman was looking right at him with a sheepish smile. She knew what he was thinking, and moved her leg away so the dress slid back over it.
“Hello Tyrol, my name is Trina, it’s both a pleasure and honour to meet you.”
She said ‘pleasure’ with a tone that almost begged for him to reach down and touch her, or was he just letting his emotions get carried away with him?
“A lot of beautiful people here tonight Tyrol, you seem to be turning in to quite the celebrity these days.”
“I’m sorry,” said Tyrol, with an equal measure of genuine curiosity and challenge, “but do I know you?”
“Not directly, I have been following your career for some time now. I picked you some time ago to be the next big hitter in this city, and it turns out I was right.”
“And for how long have you been following me Miss …”
“Just Trina.”
“OK, how long have you been following me Trina?”
“Let’s just say I was associated with your father’s company when you were a boy, but since his passing, sadly, I have not been able to have the same relationship I once enjoyed.”
“And what ‘relationship’ was that Trina?”
“Well, by your tone I am feeling you may have misconstrued my meaning, but that’s not to say history must repeat.”
Trina gave an ever so slight wink that could have been taken either way. “Your father himself was ever so hard to get hold of, but I had dealings with him through the import and logistics branch of the company.”
“Oh, so you’re a gun-runner?”
“Well, since we’re being frank, yes. But I prefer to think of it as civilian equality.”
“You have a way with your tongue, Trina, care to explore that more?” Tyrol leaned over to kiss her. Trina put her finger to his lips and gently pushed him back.
“Well Tyrol, I can see you are a man of action. I like that. I’m going to freshen up. I’ll see you later in the evening.” As she got up and walked away, Tyrol watched her sway, moving her butt in a seductive manner he knew was meant just for him. His fantasy was broken by Xan’s voice behind him.
“Beautiful woman isn’t she?”
“Yeah, I guess. Who is she?”
“I’m not sure. Who did she say she was?”
Tyrol suddenly felt uneasy. “She said her name was Trina, and she used to deal with father’s business, a gun-runner. From the way she was talking it was a fairly long and profitable arrangement.”
“Well, my friend, it appears that her rather fine looking arse has swindled you, I’ve never met her, and believe me, if she was part of the group, I would remember an arse like that.”
Tyrol’s rage was immediate and clearly visible. “Who the heck is she? I’m going to sort this out right now.” He tried to stand, but Xan’s hand firmly pushed him back into his seat. His eyes were calm, but his grip said ‘sit down and shut up’.
“Listen to me carefully Tyrol. You are now at another level of business and society, one that you have not been a part of before. There is no black and white, right or wrong, only shades of grey, innuendo, coercion and negotiation. Trina, or whoever she is, will be back some time. Not tonight though, so that erection of yours will need to find another pussy. It doesn’t matter right now where she is from, we will know that in time.”
“So what? I’m supposed to sit here and get mind-bent by every hot woman in here?”
“No, only if you choose to. Ninety-nine percent of the women in here will want you for anything you care to give them. Forget about Trina right now, and enjoy yourself. Trust me Tyrol, I have your back. The Ordained have your back.”
Xan flicked his finger at the bar tender who brought over two shots of whiskey. Xan held up a salute, looked into Tyrol’s eyes, and smiled. Tyrol raised his glass and the two drank. For the remainder of the night Tyrol had an entourage of some of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. After a time, he retired with some of them. It would to cap off the first night of what was the beginning of a journey to a place he didn’t yet understand, couldn’t understand, but would soon realise was as inevitable as the rising sun.