There must be a change in my expression, because Obbit doesn’t even wait for my refusal. The Toad surges forward – demonstrating that sickening speed his kind are capable of.
I dart backward, but I’m too slow. Obbit grabs me by the arm, not even letting me get my heels back on, and yanks me out the door. His slimy hand should give me the lubricant to wrench myself from his grasp, but it’s as if he has suckers on his hand. Maybe he does. I’ve never inspected a Toad’s palm close-up. If I can just get my balance, I know I could get away from him, but he’s not giving me a chance.
My mind races as he drags me into the hallway.
Not the businessmen from the stage earlier? Then who?
Fuck.
The only other group in Spur’s joint tonight was them.
The Aurelians.
It has to be the Aurelians who demanded to see me – specifically me.
But… Why?
My mind already leaps to the worst possible scenario – that, as I’d feared, these ‘Rogue’ Aurelians are really Law Enforcement in disguise…
But they could just be three huge, alien warriors who’ve taken a fancy to me. If that’s the case – my situation might not be too much better. What if they erupt into the infamous Aurelian mating frenzy while they’re alone with me?
I don’t know which scenario would be worse.
The thought of being trapped in a room with three huge, seven-feet-tall, muscle-bound aliens – aliens who can’t physically hold back their raging desire to seed my body – is both terrifying…
…and yet also feeds into my deepest, darkest fantasies.
On the other hand, the thought of being grabbed up by Law Enforcement…
Well, that’s just simply, coldly horrifying.
But, regardless, there’s nothing I can do.
Obbit is fucking strong.
He pulls me out of the change room even as I slap at his body, shouting: “Stop! Get your fucking hands off me!”
I plant my feet and I use a twisting maneuver I’d learned – one intended to get out of a much stronger opponent’s grip. It’s a clever move that targets the weak point of somebody’s hold – and it works.
To Obbit’s shock, I suddenly wrench myself away from his hand.
For a moment, I’m impressed – but I make it one, single step when suddenly Obbit’s hand swings and hits me hard across the face.
I’m knocked against the wall – stunned.
That would be bad enough, but then Obbit lurches forward and pins me against the wall.
Suddenly, the Aurelians are the least of my worries. I’m being crushed against the wall by a massive, slimy creature that’s wanted me ever since the first time he saw me. His beady eyes morph into narrow slits as he pins me against the wall. Sweaty slime drips down his cheek. Obbit’s huge tongue slithers out from between his bulbous lips, lapping up his own salty sweat as he forces me back against the wall.
“You listen, you fucking bitch,” the Toad warns. “I know you think you’re better than everyone else around here – but you’re going to go into that room whether you like it or not – and you’re going to dance. After that, if they want your body, you’re going to give it them; for a price.”
Obbit’s eyes narrowed.
“Otherwise, I won’t fire you… I’ll take you up to the fucking roof and throw you off myself. You understand? Nod if you do!”
Terror fills me. I nod silently. Obbit is capable of doing exactly what he threatens.
I think to my storage locker just two blocks away, back by my apartment. I’ve got everything I need for a quick getaway stowed there: A fake passport – one that I could have used to get work, but I’d kept hidden instead, in case I needed to get off this fucking planet when the shit hit the fan. Eight-hundred credits – enough to book interstellar travel. There’s also a loaded combustion pistol – just like they used back on Old-Earth.
I put every cent I had into that getaway kit – but now, the two blocks away might as well be a thousand miles.
I’m trembling. I don’t think of myself as weak, but when you’re pressed against the wall by five-hundred pounds of Toad-flesh, you realize just how small you are.
“I’ll do it,” I stammer, disgusted with myself for how quickly I folded.
“Good.” Obbit pulls me forward, but his grip is no longer so tight it hurts.
Oh, Gods… Maybe it had only been a matter of time in any case. Up until now, I’ve been able to avoid the private room – ever since I got here a year ago.
I’ve had men ask me, of course – but I was always able to get out of it, leading them towards other strippers like Brienne who were more than happy to take the credits I could have earned.
But now, the door stands in front of me. Obbit yanks it open, and my stomach drops.
I see exactly what I’d been afraid of: Aurelians.
The three, huge aliens are sitting down in massive wooden chairs – furniture that must have been brought in specially to suit their massive frames. If I’d thought Obbit was big, he’s nothing compared to any of these three Aurelians warriors.
“Let her go,” growls the leader of the three, his eyes flashing angrily as he sees Obbit manhandling me. The Aurelian stands to his full height. He barely fits in the room – his head practically brushes the ceiling.
Obbit’s hand instantly releases my arm. I can instantly sense the change in the Toad’s demeanor. He’s used to being the biggest, strongest creature in the club. Now he’s faced with the three Aurelian warriors, his bullying bravado wilts away.
“Of course, Sir Daccia,” Obbit nods, a stammer in his voice.
Daccia. I’ve got a piece of information, at least. The leader is called Daccia.
Obbit learns over to me and hisses: “Do good – or Spur will have your ass, literally.”
He catches my eye to make sure I heard and understood him – and then
