At eight p.m., Clara and a shaking Penny stood before The Obsidian Club, an exclusive private lounge in Manhattan. The neon lights buzzed like a warning.
Clara grabbed Penny's hand and pushed open the heavy black-and-gold doors. The deafening bass from the main floor was muted in the hallway, replaced by the suffocating smell of expensive cigars.
A waiter led them to the end of the hall, to a VIP room labeled "Viper Room." He pushed the door open. A wave of cheap cologne and hard liquor hit Clara's face.
Three massive, aggressive-looking men sat on the leather sofa. In the center was Sal Petrocelli, a man with a heavy gut and predatory eyes.
Sal's gaze crawled up Clara's legs and stopped at her chest. He smiled, showing stained teeth. "Well, Vance Group finally learned how to do business. They sent the premium meat tonight."
Clara pulled Penny to the furthest edge of the sofa and forced a tight smile. "Mr. Petrocelli, Supervisor Agnes is stuck in traffic. She asked us to walk you through the renewal contract."
"Screw the contract. We drink first." Sal's lackey, a brute named Rex, slammed two bottles of whiskey onto the glass table. He poured three massive tumblers and shoved them toward Clara and Penny.
Sal leaned back and lit a cigar. "Finish these. Then I'll find my pen."
Penny looked ready to cry. Clara pressed a hand on Penny's knee. She picked up a glass. "Mr. Petrocelli, Penny is highly allergic to alcohol. I will drink her share."
She threw her head back and downed the burning liquid. The alcohol scorched her throat. She forced down all three glasses. Her stomach cramped violently.
Sal clapped his hands, eyes gleaming. He squeezed onto the sofa next to Clara and slapped his sweaty hand onto her thigh.
"You can drink. But I want to know how you taste." He leaned in to kiss her neck.
Clara shot up from the sofa, dodging his mouth, and grabbed an empty bottle. "Mr. Petrocelli, I need the restroom. I'll be right back."
She practically ran out of the room. In the bathroom, she gripped the sink and dry-heaved. She splashed cold water on her face.
As she walked back, she heard two men whispering around the corner. She froze, pressing her back against the wall.
"Julian made it clear. Sal needs to sleep with that bitch tonight. Take high-definition photos and send them to him." Mitch's voice.
"Don't worry. The drinks are spiked. She's not going anywhere. Once it's done, Julian promised Sal that new construction bid..." Rex.
Clara's blood turned to ice. Julian had set her up to be assaulted and photographed so he could blackmail her into a divorce with nothing.
She pulled out her phone to call 911. No service. The club used signal jammers.
Penny was still in that room.
Clara spotted a cleaning cart. She grabbed a heavy metal mop handle, hid it behind her back, and walked toward the Viper Room. Her eyes were flat. Cold.
She kicked the door open.
Sal had Penny pinned on the sofa, tearing at her blouse. Penny was screaming, thrashing wildly.
"Get off her!" Clara roared. She lunged forward and swung the metal pole with all her strength, smashing it into Sal's spine.
Sal screamed and rolled off, clutching his back. "You crazy bitch!"
Clara grabbed Penny and pulled the sobbing girl behind her. She held the pole like a bat.
The other men stood, faces twisting with rage. Rex rushed to the door, slammed it shut, locked the deadbolt, and pocketed the key. He smiled.
"Since you want to play rough, you can both service Mr. Petrocelli tonight." He pulled a switchblade and stepped forward, forcing them back toward the floor-to-ceiling balcony windows.
