Old Acquaintences

Posted on Mon Jun 21st, 2021 @ 8:39am by Administrator Kahless Nestor

Mission: The Factions
Location: Washington, DC/Georgetown/Destiny’s
Timeline: Present

Jade Matthews' fists hit the heavy bag in a staccato rhythm, a rapid series of punches that the petite Chinese-English girl finished with a solid roundhouse as she let out an angry yell. How could Destiny go in with that creton Claudio? She hated him almost as much as Jade did! He’d killed her Opie! What did he tempt Destiny with? Did he have something over her, some leverage? Tears mingled with the sweat as Jade tore into the heavy bag before she hugged it, exhausted and shining with sweat.

Jade noticed the other girls in Destiny’s gym were looking at her. Most didn’t bother with the heavy bags. They stuck to the cardio bikes and Stairmasters and weight machines, keeping their gorgeous bodies fit and toned, but they weren’t like Jade, needing to work through her pain and anger and aggression.

Jade pushed back her sweaty black hair, feeling it trickle down between her breasts in her sports bra, and lifted a hand with a smile, assuring them she was okay. Damn. There was a bit of blood on her hand wraps. She unwrapped and noticed the split skin on a knuckle. She would have to take it easy. Don’t want to damage the merchandise.

Not that Jade was merchandise anymore. She’d risen in Destiny’s esteem, and become her personal assistant and daily operations manager. Most of the girls at Destiny weren’t full time. They paid a percentage of their fee to the house in exchange for a room and access to facilities like the gym or the spa. Many were paying their way through university or had a legitimate day job that just didn’t pay as much as being a Destiny girl. Others worked part time as escorts outside the house, and a few were long term workers, paid for by some sugar daddy to be a permanent live-in girlfriend. Jade had been one of the permanent girls at Destiny, her mother dead, abandoned by the father that never knew he had a daughter. Destiny had pulled her off the streets of Hong Kong. The permanents did some of the administration and business aspects of he house in exchange for room and board.

Jade checked the time and cursed. If she hurried, she just had time to catch the bus to class. She fixed her hand and quickly showered and dressed, simple shorts and a tank top over a sports bra, her hair back in a ponytail. Passing through the foyer of the house, she slowed as she watched Alice, one of the permanents, bring in breakfast to Destiny’s office. Jade frowned. Since when did Destiny order a full English fry up for breakfast? One didn’t keep the physique that Destiny Winter’s had by eating fry ups. She usually had oatmeal and some grapefruit or something. Claudio’s visit must have really shaken her.

Jade ran just as the bus was pulling away from the stop and hopped on for the short trip to Georgetown University. Georgetown was expensive, but thanks to some savings and Opie’s little nest egg, and her new salary, Jade was finally in Business School. It had been something she and Opie talked about back in Reno, before…

Jade closed her eyes against the tears and headed to class. She didn’t want to see Opie in her imagination, the way he looked after Claudio Roman’s massive fists had gotten done with him. Opie was big, and strong, and not that bright. Claudio was bigger, stronger, smarter, and meaner. Opie was an example of what happened when you crossed the Romans.

Jade cursed the entire family. She knew Esperanza had done a lot for Destiny to make up for what happened in Reno. She wasn’t her uncle. But it didn’t mean Jade couldn’t hate her for it, too.

Class passed with little excitement. As a call girl, Jade had grown used to separating a part of herself off into happier places while still maintaining attention, so her notes were still complete and accurate even as she multitasked and did some work on her phone, reviewing her schedule. Oh, she had a job interview scheduled.

Jade returned to Destiny after lunch and changed into more business attire. Lucia, one of the housekeepers, handed her the mail and she flipped through it, dividing it into to do trays on her desk in the front office outside Destiny’s office and did some scheduling and paperwork until she was interrupted by the front gate.

“Gentleman here named Ethan Corbin for an interview,” the security guard announced through the intercom.

“Send him up,” Jade said, straightening her outfit. Why did that name sound familiar?

The man who entered was in his early forties, exceedingly handsome, with a white smile that could blind a woman. He was tall, and Jade only came up to his chest when they shook hands. “Ethan!” Jade said with surprise.

“Is that little Jade?” the man said in a proper British accent. “Bloody hell, love! I haven’t seen you since Hong Kong! I think you only came to my knee then!”

“Waist,” Jade reminded. “Remember? Perfect elbowing height to catch you in the bollocks, you used to say.”

Ethan laughed. “I remember you did so quite a bit,” he said, taking a seat as Jade gestured to a chair and then went behind the desk.

“What have you been up to since they closed down the administration?” Jade asked. “Where’d they post you?”

Ethan shrugged. “Here and there. Did my time in Basra and Kandahar. Then got the hell out. I’m too old and pretty to get shot at now,” he said with a grin. “Still don’t bloody well know what to do with my life, though. How’s your mum and dad?”

Jade looked down sadly. “Mum got on the wrong side of the Communist authorities,” she said. “Didn’t make it a year past the takeover. Dad never knew. I was too young. We lost track, I ended up on the streets, then Destiny found me.”

Ethan’s face fell. “I’m sorry to hear that, love,” he said. “Real sorry.”

Jade shrugged. She didn’t mention Reno or Opie. “It is what it is. But Dad’s stationed here in D.C. now, so we’re back in touch. I don’t tell him what I do,” she said seriously, staring at Ethan.

Ethan nodded and made a zipping motion across his lips. “I kept in contact with the boys. Jon Harrison said to look Destiny up. I knew old Davey Winters, God rest his soul.”

“You know Jon?” Jade said with a bright smile. “He is a particular friend around here,” she admitted. “His word goes a long way.”

Jade nodded. “Well, you are in luck. We do have an opening for a new head of security around here.” She looked at the computer, reading for a moment. “And your resume is good. I know from experience you’ve done this sort before at the embassy. All that we need to do is hash out the details.”

She looked over at Ethan in his nice suit. He looked as good in it as he had a uniform. She could certainly see the appeal Jon Harrison had for Bethany Davies and Destiny. “The girls are off limits, Ethan,” she warned. “You want a relationship, you know what you’re getting. A working girl,” she pointed out. “Not saying you can’t get involved, but...keep it outside the house. Security staff is relatively small. Two guys at the gate, four on grounds patrol with dogs. We take privacy and discretion seriously. Our customers have a lot of power and reputation they can wield for good or ill, and we’re all just pawns in their power games,” she pointed out.

Ethan nodded seriously, listening intently.

“Guards are armed. Three guards inside. One at the door, two on house patrol. You will be the fourth, posted most as visible overwatch on the balcony or in the office and will respond to any incident to supervise. Any client hurts a girl, you throw them into the Potomac and let us know. They won’t be coming back. Otherwise leave girls and clients be. All the rooms have panic buttons. They’ll let you know if you’re needed. If anyone is too drunk or high, quietly get them home. We have private cars for that if they don’t have their own. And absolutely no cameras, Mr. Corbin, are allowed in the house during client hours. Phones are kept at coat check. You can read through our other procedures.” She put a booklet in front of him. “You may start tonight, if you wish. I can give you a tour now.”

Ethan nodded. “I’d like that,” he said. “And then maybe I can take you to dinner before we have to work.”

Jade actually caught herself blushing. “It will have to be quick.”

“As lightning,” Ethan said with that amazing smile.

FIN

Jade Matthews
Operations Manager
Destiny

Ethan Corbin
Head of Security
Destiny