Good Intentions

Her heart sank as Erzuli´s weird goth acquaintance turned towards Julie and the sleazy lawyer, they sat unnecessarily close together, seemingly ignoring the world around them.    She had tried to make sure Julie would not get dragged further into this, whatever this was, until she knew more. Gangsters, however nice and buffoonish they might seem, could never lead to anything good.
So many questions remained and none of them seemed to have easy answers. What was the extent of her father´s involvement with this sleazebag lawyer? How can he so openly be seen together with these obvious gangsters? Back in the UK, he would have been hauled in front of a judge before dawn… she was sure of it.
No matter, a few drinks in the backroom and then they could leave. Of course Erik had invited the others, he would not have wanted to feel the third wheel, as she had only recently. The sight of Julie beaming like the sun, holding the lawyer in one hand and the expensive champagne in the other, filled her with a cascade of confusing feelings, attraction, love, melancholy, envy… rage. Quickly she looked away landing her eyes on her much taller date´s chest, instantly blushing as memories of previous nights came flowing back.
Not realizing she had let go of Erzuli´s hand, surprise caught her as her date slipped her hand into hers once again and led her down the stairs. Looking at the woman, it was impossible to dispute her beauty, skin like dark umber and a body that never seemed to stop its flowing motion. Her feelings were almost as confused regarding this new friend of hers, confusing but easier to handle, she focused on the strong grip of the hand pulling her across the room. Beautiful, not attractive, looking at her now. She was impressive, yet none of the urges she could remember from before ravished her mind. Last time they were here, it was all she could do to keep herself from ripping that tight dress from her body... surprise at her own lack of emotion, mingled in her mind with memories that made her entire body tingle and her cheeks blush. A desire to return to the divine, clashing with a basic instinct to turn around and run, grab Julie and just get out of here!
She gasped slightly as the cold air of the freezer brought her back to reality. Thankful for the temperature's effect on her blushed skin, she stepped in front of Erzuli, if this was going to go well she had to assume a certain level of control. Sliding the secret door open, she led the group down into the backroom and sat down on the couch. She quickly scrolled through her phone, trying to find the playlist of 60s songs she put together last night. Before she was able to hit play the voice of Aretha Franklin was already playing over the speaker system. Disappointed she put her phone down, well, at least she had included this song in the list, maybe she knew Erzuli better than either of them thought.
The words “Strip poker” had her head snap back to Erik´s creepily smiling face. She was sure the panic she was feeling must be showing on her face, her instinct to run out the door gripped her tight. With a forced smile on her face she looked across the table towards Julie, who had eyes only for this Alec dick, as he placed his cheap tie like a noose around Julie´s neck, trapping them both in the room.

- Written by Ola Danckwardt, proud operator of Olivia Elizabeth Pierce