Patreon LogoYour support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)

Red Rose and Her Thorns (Cassandraks & Kosmik_Khaos)

Cassandraks

Cassandraks

Star
Joined
Oct 17, 2012
There was a small shop, not in the best part of town but better then being close to the Adult Stores a little further away. It was a cheap part of town, and she was in a strip mall where liquor stores and some other shops resided. She would have much preferred to get something more high end but it was the best she could get for now and still make a little money. On the big glass windows which were painted in red, was only a few words beautifully designed especially compared to the other shops there. It simply stated "Lingerie By Rose" with a phone number to call. You couldn't really see inside, except if you looked into the front door where business hours were posted, which were something like 9am to 5pm. Inside the store would look like a normal ladies lingerie shop, clothing hanging neatly mannequins showing off some of the stock. Really it was pretty nice looking, especially for this type neighborhood. The only difference was compared to normal lingerie shops were, the lingerie was a bit more racy. Like some of the crotches were missing, or wholes in bras where nipples can peek out. Sexy Costumes, and colors that no woman in their right mind would wear.

Well the good and bad of the thing was, that Marla wasn't a normal woman. And no one ever accused her of ever being in her right mind either, and she just loved this kind of stuff. She had so many ideas when working as a stripper, that in the end it ended up paying more to just design things like this then to actually strip. It was the strippers she was making most her money still but she was meeting some new ones day to day also so it was slowly becoming bigger by word of mouth. She even had some prostitutes coming in as of late also, so business wasn't booming but she was making enough to pay her bills for now. Really she had hoped she could open a shop, and get the wife's and the prim and proper girls to come in and try something different. But that didn't work out, as her location was left something to be desired. She tried to get something more suitable, but no one would give her a chance putting her shop in a more nice location. She had thought it was the money that had been the biggest obstacle, and once she had that she could get everything done. But nope, god forbid there might be a church nearby to a location she wanted. Peoples prudishness was still the big obstacle, so she only had limited areas where she could open up shop she chose the best out of all the locations. In the end, she just had to hope she could get this off the ground more to where it might be something that someone who normally wouldn't come in just might to check things out.

Of course Marla went and did something stupid when it came to the money too, because of course no bank would give her money. It didn't matter how much she saved to put down, that she had a business plan to bring in. It came down two big factors, she was a woman and she was unmarried. They didn't even reject her on the idea, they didn't even look at it. So she was sunk really even before she got in the door. So she had to find money somewhere, and one of her stripper friends told her about someone she could talk to. A loan shark who was part of the local Mob, she was so damn desperate at that point she went for it. And they gave her the money she needed to get off the ground, she was so sure she could get this going and successful that she didn't think she would have to worry about if she failed and what might happen. So with a wish and a prayer, she tried and hoped to hell she didn't fail.

So now she stood in front of the counter where her register was, some music playing quietly in the background. It was getting near closing time, and she was bent over the counter her hips swaying to the music as she wrote down the sales of the day into a book. She was dressed in a black skirt that was just an appropriate enough length not to get her into to much trouble, and a red to which hugged her curves nicely and was low cut and some ruffles at the chest. The way she was bent over, it wouldn't be hard to see the top of her stalkings and the black garters holding them up. She also had a pair of patent leather heels on, which made her long legs look even longer.
 
Rocco Moretti pulled his all black 56' Skyliner into the near deserted parking lot of the strip mall. His light brown eyes scanned over the shop fronts as his headlights highlighted them easily spotting his desired location. It was a small shop that his boss, Lorenzo Florentino the local Mafia head, had given money to. He was told it was different that what they usually dealt with and that was what made him say yes to the request for a loan. He didn't give Rocco any other details, telling him that he would find out for himself and telling him where to go. So seeing the painted windows with the elegant script reading "Lingerie By Rose" on them he raised a dark eyebrow. Lorenzo wasn't kidding. This was different than anything they had dealings with before. Parking the car he killed the engine and took a deep breath centering himself. Looking into the rear view mirror he checked himself. He was blessed with a face made of hard lines. Strong jaw, sharp nose that had a bit of a crook to it from being broken multiple times, a light shadow of a beard on unblemished cheeks. His black hair was brushed back and kept neat. Part of the job, didn't want to give someone to much of a hand hold in a fight.

Getting out of the car he stood to his full height. Rocco was always a big kid growing up, but as an adult he was a huge man. He stood a few inches over six feet, broad in chest and shoulders. Under the crisp suit he wore he was a toned man. His work required him to stay in shape but also didn't give him the luxury of being a body builder, but that never bothered him. He was always strong enough to get his job done. Adjusting the jacket of his suit and straightening his tie he reached back into the car to grab his wide brimmed fedora and put in place on his head. Walking with purpose but not in a hurry he made his way to the shop and let himself in.

He glanced around at the place his face giving no expression or hint of what his thoughts were. His gaze moved across the mannequins and the wears on them. He had seen some things in his time but these items here were something else entirely. It was a small fight to keep his expression neutral as he noticed the missing cuts of fabric from crotches and nipples. He knew some girls that would like these things, and some ladies that would faint at just looking at them. After his initial scanning of the place he walked further in and up to the counter where a beautiful woman stood bent over it doing paper work. Clearing his throat he stepped up to the counter and removed his hat. "Hello miss Rose." He greeted the woman with a deep rich voice. "No need to stop what you are doing. I am just here on behalf of Mr. Florentino. He likes to keep an eye on his investments and check in on them from time to time." He explained simply to her, face still placid. He wouldn't lie to himself, this woman was gorgeous but this was business and he was going to keep it as such. For now. "How have you been settling in here? Any issues that should be known? Anyone been bothering you? This place," He twirled his finger around in a gesture to encompass the store "Isn't the most accepted kind of establishment and being run by a lady on her own, well that could attract problems. So is everything well Miss Rose?"
 
Marla heard the door open, and was rushing to finish up what she was writing down so she didn't forget before she would turn and acknowledge the customer. It may be a little rude, but she knew how her mind worked and if she didn't finish now there was no promise she would remember to later. Of course the customer got to her before she could look up, and thankfully though it was just as she finished.

She looked up when he started speaking, surprised to see a man standing there and a rather large one at that. He wasn't hard to look at either, and before she let his voice sink in she started getting her hopes up that he was here to buy something for his wife or mistress. Whatever, she didn't judge at all if he was paying with money she would take it quite easily. But then his words started to sink in, and the big smile that was on her face slowly went away. And every time he said Miss Rose her eyebrow twitched slightly, as she was regretting calling her business that now. Everyone called her Rose when they came in, and she should really be fine with it but she wasn't. She used a different name on the sign to protect herself from certain things, like her husband. Not like she had expected this to get so big, that he would find her here but she knew she needed to protect herself in some ways either way.

"Marla..." She said as Rocco finally stopped talking "My name is Marla, please call me M a r la." She said her name sounding it out for him a bit, so ok maybe she was a bit of a bitch. But some of these muscle guys were a bit thick, and she wasn't going to wait to find out of he was or not right now it had been a long day and she wanted to go home. She knew she would need to expect to get visit every so often from these guys, just to check in with her for protection or if you know the payment came due and she didn't have it for some reason. She had been paying on time so far, so that only meant they were coming in to drive her insane.

"Thanks, but everything is fine." She said as she busied herself moving around the store now, and going and locking the door since it just turned 5pm. "Not much bothered, some of the drunks try to come into use the restroom sometimes. And there tends to be a guy or two that come in with no intention of buying anything, but want me to model for them. But I dealt with them, so really no issue." The last bit from him got a bit under her skin, and that is when her mouth really starts to take off. "Yeah no shit, you are not the first man to tell me that and I have no doubt it will be the last." She said obviously agitated now, she rips a bra from a hanger and grabs one of the half mannequins from the display bringing it back over to the counter and not setting it down lightly.

"This isn't porn, it isn't toys and it isn't some dirty little place to come in the darkness of night. It is a lingerie shop, so what it is a little spicy then what most are used to. And please tell me, please oh please. Who else should be running a lingerie shop other then a women?" She stood there her eyes wide and angry her hand on her hip, staring Rocco down as she was now holding a bra with nipple holes in her other hand and a naked mannequin on the counter like this was all just normal. One also had to wonder if anyone told him what he was going to be in for when he got here, not just the store but the fiery women that owned it.
 
Rocco kept his face serene as she corrected him on her name. It was an honest mistake on his part. The serene mask cracked when she enunciated her name like he was touched in the head, a dark eyebrow slowly crawling upwards but quickly falling back into place. The woman wasn't openly scared of him, and he respected that. Most people were intimidated by him just because of his size, but not her. He watched her as she started moving around the shop, he enjoyed what he was seeing. It was clear to him that she was getting more agitated by the moment. Reading people was a skill he learned a long time ago and one he kept honed to a razors edge. He had stepped in it with her and she wasn't afraid to let him know it. He liked that, she had moxy.

His mask cracked again when she snapped at him, this time it was a upwards tug of his lip causing a grin to appear on his face. He waited until she finished and met her angry stare. "Sorry Marla. I was not told anything before being sent here." He explained his eyes quickly moving to her hands then back to her face, noting she was holding a bra most woman and several men would blush at seeing as though it was nothing. The small grin grew into a full smile and he reached up to knuckle the side of his nose. "I can see this isn't a sleazy place like that, as for who else would be running a lingerie shop, I know this queer on the strip that runs a shop that does lingerie, and a lot of costumes for stage girls, and he doesn't run it alone. He has employees, and before that he had someone around to help if things went bad. I meant no offense, but this isn't the best part of the city and doing anything alone can be dangerous. Protection is the main focus of my job, so seeing holes in security I speak without thinking is all."

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small piece of paper and laid it on the counter between them pinning it down with a large finger. Leaning forward a bit to be closer to eye level with her he matched her stare, his smile gone, replaced with a look of pure serious business "This is a number to get in contact with someone if you ever have trouble Marla. Doubt you will have many problems handling yourself but again, I'm just doing my job here." Sliding the paper to her side of the counter he lifted his finger from it and stood straight, his hands moving to adjust his suit out of habit. Certain movements caused things under the jacket to shift and he want to make sure they were back in place when needed.

Standing there for a long moment he met Marla's eyes and after a tense moment shook his head and let out a quite little chuckle. "Lorenzo, you bastard you knew what you were sending me blind into." He muttered to himself. Sighing softly he offered his huge hand to the fiery woman. "Rocco." He gave his name in a simple introduction. "It's been good to meet ya Marla. You have fire in you and I like that, if you are careful with it you can use that to get far in this city." His eyes returned to the item in her hand and before going back to her face. "Also, how much for that, and does it have matching panties to go with it?" He inquired. He had another meeting to go to when he left here and he knew the lady he was going to see would find this new look very interesting. Hell if things worked out well, he could get a little something extra by the end of that meeting before he went home. After this cluster fuck of a first meeting he needed it, and to find a way to get back at his long time friend and boss.
 
Men especially big men didn't bother her to much, she had known a handful of them and they were either assholes or the sweetest guys you would ever know. Besides she knew smaller men could cause just as much damage to a woman, she had been through it enough with her ex-husband. Plus the fact was they were going to do what they were going to do, if she did or didn't mouth off to them if they planned on doing something to her they were just going to do it anyways. So at most she would give them a fight, so she can at least feel like she did something.

She know she should calm down and give the guy a break, that he had admitted that he wasn't told anything before he came here. But in the end it just bugged her ever more, and then he talked about the other shop which was a completely different thing compared to hers. And he kept on talking about stuff she should have, which she knew she should have but it all cost money which wasn't something she had a ton of right now. She felt like he talked to her like she didn't have a clue what she was doing, which was far from correct. "Of course you didn't know, I am sure I am just some big joke to you lot." She spit out "Any yeah I know about the other place, the other place has plenty of extra money to do whatever they want with. And you know what, that money doesn't come from just the lingerie either. Their back rooms filled with men, who are willing to do anything to other men for some money. That is where the actual money comes from for employees." She did have something a bit against the other shop, not that she had any issue with it. But at one point she went to talk with the owner, to see if he might be willing to try selling a few of her things. Let's just say, his employees had to nearly pull the two of them apart in the end as a cat fight started up. So she wasn't a big fan of getting compared to that asshole.

Watching as he moved the paper over to her, and it wasn't that she wasn't grateful that the loan offered some protection for her too. But she knew in the end, she would be calling that number after whatever happened, happened. Which really didn't help her in the end anyways, she would rely more on the gun she had under the counter then she would on them. "Fine, whatever." She said back to him, pushing the piece of paper under the register for now.

She looked at Rocco and then his hand a moment, considering if she should bother shaking it or not, it wouldn't be hard to see how annoyed she was at the whole thing about sending him in blind here. She honestly felt like she was a joke to these people, and that they were waiting until she couldn't pay and do what they will to her. But she reluctantly took his hand "Wish I could say the same." At least after that he focused on the buying something, and that would calm her down a little bit. Of course she was going to be a bitch when it came to that too "$50 for the set, and yeah though they are crotch less. " She said as she put the bra down on the counter finally, and moved around it to go find a pair of the panties to match. "Do you know what size she is for the panties?" Then thinking that most men wouldn't know what size to get "Is her ass bigger or smaller then mine?" She said looking back over her shoulder at Rocco.
 
Rocco sighed internally as he obviously said something else to anger the fiery woman in front of him. The info of the back room dealings were new to Rocco though, and that was news that needed to be brought up to Lorenzo. Already this woman was more useful to him than most of the other 'clients'. "No ma'am, we don't see you as a joke. My boss doesn't joke when it comes to money. He makes investments that he feels will grow. I protect those investments to the best of my ability." He stated factually 'As for me, yeah he likes to pull little pranks like this, putting me into situations with little to no info to see how I handle them. It's his way of getting under my skin. I am a man that uses details in his job and how prefers to have control over as many aspects of a situation as possible. It keeps people alive. This is just his way of getting me to loosen up some.' Rocco added mentally in an attempt to calm his rising ire with his long time friend and employer.

Rocco nodded in appreciation when she finally took the offered number. It was to a line that could get in contact with him the fastest. He shook her hand after her pause, being firm but not trying to crush her hand like most macho men tried to do. This was a business woman who was doing things on her own. He respected her determination there and he was in her place of business after all, so he would show said respect. He shrugged at the less than pleasant return to his words but figured she had the rights of it.

Hearing the price he knew she was marking it up for him, but he didn't mind to much. He did just come into her place of business, botch most of his first impression with her, and it was technically after hours, so he chalked it all up as a fair mark up. "I'm not paying for the cloth, I am paying for the thrill that comes from it." He said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a folded stack of bills held together with a simple money clip. Rocco counted out the bills and watched her as she walked around the counter paying attention to the way she moved. It was as though he was a large predator observing something to see if it was potential prey or threat.

"While I appreciated the offer to stare at your ass, I have already made a bad enough impression." Truthfully though, in watching her walk he couldn't help but notice that she had a very nice ass indeed. Looking up to the ceiling he did some mental calculations, his fingers twitching slightly as he used them to silently move numbers around his head. "I don't have her exact size but her measurements are about 30 inch bust, say 28 in the waist, and damn near 40 in the hips." He said before dropping his gaze from the ceiling and returning it to Marla. "Yeah that should be right, or close enough." He confirmed before laying the bills on the counter for her.
 
Marla just ignored his trying to come back from what was said, trying to talk up the boss and everything else. They were the Mafia, she knew she was screwed in one way or another with them. She took that chances asking for a loan, whether she was going to succeed or not was waiting to be seen. Though she had bigger dreams and a better location in her head when she went for the loan, so she really didn't know what was going to happen. And learning from experience, she had a plan in place if things did go sideways and she couldn't pay them back. She ran before, and she could run again.

He didn't try to break her hand with his, which was appreciated as you never quite knew what a man might do even to a lady well ok she was quite far from being a lady but you know what I meant. Finally she started to be a little less bitchy, and a little more nicer though still very much herself with him. He didn't seem to balk at the price which she had been expecting, especially since she usually sold the pair for $20. But that was also because she knew the girls could only afford so much also, she still made a profit so in the end it didn't matter.

Though she did hate seeing men take out a big money clip like money wasn't an issue for them, she kept her mouth shut this time though. He was buying something so it was time to be nice. "That's fine, though some people seem to think less cloth less money. But they don't have a clue to the work that goes into sewing something like this." This time she did smile a little at him, as he talking about impressions, and not staring at her ass. "Really it doesn't bother me if you do, my profession before this you really couldn't get upset with men looking at your body. That was actually kind of the job."

She raised an eyebrow when he started spitting out measurements, surprised that he could figure out a woman's measurements with out her even being there. "Well ok then." She said as she picked out a pair of panties, and a bra that would actually fit the women he was buying for. "So your wife or mistress would enjoy something like this you thing?" She said as she went back over to the counter to ring it up. She hadn't seen a wedding ring, but she also knew that didn't mean anything with men. And she had to be a little curious on what kind of woman he was buying something like this for.
 
"In my experience, most people don't think period." He countered seeing her finally easing up on the hostility and actually smiling a little. Now that was something Rocco wouldn't mind seeing more of. This lady was a real knockout, but just that small smile made it even more so. She was a really dangerous one, some poor schmuck was going to get himself burnt by her. "Well I am not sure what your last profession was, but I know the way certain eyes on you can be uncomfortable." He said returning her small smile with one of his own. It was true too, he was a very 'public' figure in his business. He was the man that was seen to give warning to and second thoughts to others. Like a big scary dog keeping someone from crossing a fence.

Rocco's body shook once in a silent laugh at the look she gave him and just grinned at her not giving her an explanation. After years of observing people and other training he considered himself more than decent with judging sizes and distance. "Yeah, I think she will enjoy it, but she isn't my wife, and she sure as hell isn't my Mistress." He said adding an implied capital to the later word. "She's a gal I know that runs a joint that caters to very specific needs. I'm not one to take the kind of 'care' she gives out to her customers." He vaguely said thinking about the first time she tried to dominate him. "Though we have been know to have more casual encounters, so maybe I will get to see your work in action Mr. Rose." He gave her a wink knowing the name irked her. "Thank you for your time and I'll be seeing you around." He collected his items and walked out, letting himself out of the locked door.

Once back in the car Rocco let out a deep sigh that turned into a growl at the end. Lorenzo really picked one this time. Starting the car he pulled away from the strip mall and drove towards the heart of the city. He had things to do. After a twenty minute drive, mostly due to the traffic of people getting out of work he parked in front of a small, but very nice restaurant. Leaving the bag in the car he got out and went inside. The host turned to greet the new customer but upon seeing Rocco closed his half open mouth and nodded. Rocco returned the gesture and walked into the place. Making his way through the tables he went to a booth in the far side of the restaurant. A small, immaculately dressed man with icy blue eyes and hair that was just getting its first touches of grey at the temples sat there.

Seeing the looming man above him the much smaller man threw his hands into the air and smile broadly. "ROCCO!" He said in all but a yell. Waving his arms excitedly he gestured him to sit across from him. Taking the seat Rocco stared blankly across the table and the smiling man. "Oh come on Roc, you know I didn't mean anything by it." He said apparently seeing through the placid mask on Rocco's face. Breathing in deeply and letting it out slowly Rocco shook his head. He couldn't stay upset with the man. "Lorenzo, you're a bastard of the highest order sending me in there with no warning." Lorenzo let out a deep laugh and wiped at his eyes. "So you met the lovely woman that runs the shop I take it?" He asked knowing well the answer to that question. "Yeah, we met, I pissed her off, and I think I started to recover a little of my lost footing before I left, but that kind of thing isn't going to happen again." He said eyeing his boss from across the table. He knew it would, and he knew there was really nothing he could do about it. Over the next half hour Rocco explained what happened, and also informed Lorenzo about the dealings in the other shop. Lorenzo didn't own that shop, but it did dip into another one of his enterprises. "Rocco, I am going to handle that. I want you to thank Marla for the info next time you make your rounds. Now do you want to go there to fix this mess or should I send someone else?" He asked looking his friend and employee over. "I got it Lorenzo. I'm heading that way anyways. What is the message you want sent?" "Let that little cocksucker know that he is stepping on toes that belong to people that don't appreciate that kinda behavior. Keep him breathing, but make sure its a well taught lesson that you don't try to go behind Lorenzo Florentino's back." Rocco didn't respond with words and just nodded as he left the table and walked out of the restaurant back to his car.

A short drive deeper into the city Rocco pulled up to a building with flashing lights, which was pretty much the same as every other, but this one had mannequins in the windows wearing elaborate costumes. The sign above the door read "Designs by Jimmie". Driving around the building Rocco parked in the back, checked himself over for his tools and got out of the car when satisfied. Walking to the back entrance he checked the door and to his surprise, and minor disappointment if he was being honest, it was unlocked. This was too easy and Jimmie was being sloppy. Walking in Rocco made it only a few steps into the back of the store before hearing something. Walking down the short hallway and past some boxes and racks of costumes he came into an open area. What he saw wasn't the most pleasant thing to him, but to each their own. There were six men, all in various acts of sexual nature. The one Rocco was looking for was on his knees and it impressed Rocco how well he was handling the well hung man with his mouth. Seeing he still wasn't noticed he quickly moved across the room and with the sound of flesh smacking into flesh Rocco laid a fist into the jaw of the young man getting a blow job, whipping his head to the side and leaving him almost completely limp. With a slurp Jimmie pulled the only standing part of the young man from his mouth and look up about to say something when he finally noticed Rocco standing over him.

Rocco looked down at the man and though his face didn't show it, he was amused at the transition of moods that went across the kneeling mans face, right before his knee interrupted them. With a crunch and a splatter of blood Rocco drove his knee into Jimmie's nose laying him out on his back. Reaching into his jacket he drew his pistol and pointed it to the other men. "You see nothing. In fact, you are not here, you have never been here and you have never heard of this place." He said in a dangerous voice. The men, all young and pretty nodded and ran, some trying to pull on cloths others just happy to get out with their lives. With the room now clear with the exception of the unconscious man Rocco turned his attention back to Jimmie who was whining about having his nose broken. Rocco shut him up with a viscous stomp to the hand still on the floor. He knew bones were broken in that stomp and from the cries of pain that knowledge was confirmed. "Jimmie." Rocco said his voice like a disappointed parent. "You know what you have been doing would eventually be found out." He said pointing to the money and drugs left out in plain sight. "I've been sent here to teach you a lesson Jimmie. I don't want this." His voice was calm as he ground Jimmie's hand under his foot earning another scream. By this point Jimmie was crying and babbling apologies. "It's not me you need to apologize to Jimmie. You know who you need to apologize to. He let you stick around, didn't care about what you did in your free time. Hell, he even stood up for you a time or two, and then you go behind his back and do this. That's not nice Jimmie." Rocco removed his foot from Jimmie's hand and reached down to pick up the man by his shirt. "In three days I want to hear that you have apologized or I will be back Jimmie. You don't want that do you?" Jimmie shook his head no.

Fifteen minutes later Rocco walked out of the back door and to his car. The front side of the shop was left alone. The back though, it had gone through some rearranging, mostly with Jimmie as the tool to redecorate with. Glancing in the mirror Rocco fixed his mussed up hair and glanced over at the bag sitting in the seat beside him. He was definitely going to need this after tonight. Starting the car Rocco made his way to his next destination of the night.
 
Marla didn't go into what her last profession was right now, though she thought it might have been pretty obvious with some of the costumes in the shop. Really girls like her there was only so much they could do to make money, and working at a grocery store wasn't one of them. Marla had resigned early on as to what her fate would be leaving her husband, with someone with her body and attitude dancing and fucking were pretty much the big money game around. She just got lucky when she was able to turn a hobby into a business, she hoped at least it would keep together long enough to make something of herself. And you know not get killed by the Mafia.

She put the money away, and put his items in a bag wrapping them in tissue paper first before she did and handed it over to him. "Well, you never know. She's a lucky lady to be wearing my designs. And I am sure you will be perfectly happy with them." She waves and lets him out of the locked door, glad to be done with him. She goes back to doing what needed to still be done before she left, finishing the paperwork and cleaning up the store. Once she was done, she locks up and heads to her car which was some beat up piece of crap which was lucky to still be working.

Once she gets home she cleans herself up changing into a overly large men's night shirt, and then she sits to watch some TV and relax. She couldn't help but to think back to Rocco, he was a good looking man, and he was big. She did have a bit of a thing for big men, how powerful they are in general and how some can hone that power quite well that you can feel it in the softest of touches. She figured by now he was probably fucking whoever the woman was, and she had to admit she might have been a little jealous. Not so much that she got to fuck him, but that the two were fucking at all. It had been several months now since she stopped taken clients, and even then it wasn't something that she would automatically enjoy either. But God she could use a good hard fucking right now.
 
As Rocco drove through the city there was an almost immediate change when he crossed a certain intersection. It became near instantly clear he was no longer in the touristy part of the city. First indication was most of the neon was gone and the little left were pointing to seedy bars and seedier stores. Prostitutes, destitute men and woman wearing layers of rags, groups of people walking in tight clusters with their heads down just trying to get from point a to point b. Pulling up to a 5 story apartment building there was nothing special about it differentiate it from the other brick buildings around it. That was until you go to the front door. Getting out and walking to the door Rocco knocked twice and waited, reading the small brass placard on the door. "Madam Delverde's house of wayward souls". He smirked at the sigh just as he did every time he saw it.

After nearly five minutes of waiting Rocco knocked again. This time the door was answered after only a few moments. A petite woman wearing a skin tight dress looked Rocco up and down like he was something that had been dead for days and offended her eyes just by being there. "What do you want?" She asked sharply giving him a cold stare. Rocco looked down at this woman with her pinched face and his eyebrows drew down in a glare of his own. "I'm here for Gina." He said coldly. Rocco had already spent his patience with people today, and he knew her type. She was also new to this place. He knew just about of Madam Delverde's girls. The woman looked like he had spit in her face with his words. Her mouth opened and closed a few times in indignation before she found her voice which was a barely restrained yell. "That is MADAM DELVERDE you are speaking of man." Spit acidly at him, and the way she said man he knew for certain then and there she was a woman that hated men and was in this line of work for that reason and that reason alone.

"I don't have the patience for your fuckery bitch. Move or I will move you." He said taking a step towards the door. The woman reacted in a way that almost caught Rocco off guard. She swung on him. Her attempted slap was telegraphed though and he stopped it before she made contact by simply raising his forearm and letting her arm crash into his not budging it at all. Faster than the irate woman could respond, mostly due to her shook of being denied hitting the Goliath in the door way she was caught by the neck. Rocco's hand went well near half way around her neck completely. She squeaked in surprise and before she could react for a second time she moved into the hall and pressed to the wall. "Look lady. You are new here. I know Gina, I know her girls, and they know me, and my boss. You seem to be out of the loop. Next time you do something like that or speak to me in that way or try to hit me you will be found in ten different counties across five different states." He stated, his words holding a dark promise of violence without him having to resort to yelling. Letting the woman go she sank to the floor her hands going up to her throat.

Huffing at the clearly terrified woman he turned away and walked down the hall with his package in hand. After checking a couple rooms he found one that was not being used, but still had a woman inside. The pretty blonde smiled at Rocco and gave him a small wave before finishing pulling up a long black stocking, which was all she was currently wearing, but by the pile of clothes on the bed he knew she was going to be seeing a client soon. "Hi Rocco, you looking of the Lady of the house?" She asked nonchalantly as she continued to get dressed in front of him. "Hi Tiff, and yeah, I'm here for Gina. I got something for her." He replied holding up the package and smiling at the girl. "Oh lucky her. Why don't I get presents?" She asked with a fake pout. "I've gotten you a present before." He shot back. "Yeah, a .38, what kinda present is that for a lady?" "One that will keep a lady alive." Tiff laughed and nodded her defeat in the argument. "Fine, you win. Madam is on the third floor in her office." "Thanks Tiff. Stay safe." Stepping out of the room Rocco closed the door and made his way to the stairs. Reaching the third floor he walked to the room that he new to be Regina Delverde's office. Knocking before just walking in he closed the door behind him thumbing the lock. Across the room from him, which as a huge room that had been remodeled to take over the space of the two adjoining rooms was a woman who radiated confident power and control. A perfectly plucked dark eyebrow raised and a grin tugged up the corner of full red lips. "Rocco, I think we have discussed this before." A smoky voice came from the raven haired woman behind the large desk. She was wearing a skin tight black leather corset and leather gloves that rose above her elbows. That was all Rocco could see of her outfit while she was still seated. "Yeah and I told you before Gina, I am not one of your little toys to be lead around by a leash." He retorted walking up to the desk and sitting the package down. Regina eyed it for a moment before looking up to Rocco. "Just open it." He said flatly then walked across the room to a large plush couch.

Before sitting he took off his jacket revealing the vest under as well as the shoulder holsters. Laying the jacket over the arm of the couch he removed his pistols and sat them on the table beside the couch. Sitting down he sprawled out on the couch and loosened his tie while watching Regina open the package and examine the articles inside. Several moments when by, as well as a plethora of emotions on her face. "Where did you find these?" She finally asked looking at the man with open curiosity. "Put them on." He answered. She frowned at him and went to speak but Rocco help up his hand. "You want information, this is the payment. You wear them, and I will tell you where I got them." He laid out his deal and eyed her before she finally let out a huff and stood up. "Fine. They look very well made, lets see how they fit and feel." She said quickly peeling herself out of her skin tight outfit. Rocco watched her do this, noting that she didn't put on her usual teasing show when stripping down. She really wanted to know where these came from. Once in the new lingerie Regina looked herself over, running her hands over her body and the fabric, as well as the missing areas of fabric. "Very nice indeed." She said turning to Rocco. "Now spill." She demanded as she sauntered over to him stopping just out of reach of him, legs slightly spread, hand on her hip. A stance of power and defiance. "Got them from a small shop that the Boss invested in. Lady that owns it, Marla, makes them herself." "Well this Marla woman knows what she is doing." Regina looked down at herself again and shivered in delight. She always enjoyed getting new outfits, and this one was perfect for teasing AND pleasing. "I'll get more information from you later. Right now though, how about we test out these a little further." It wasn't a question as she reached behind her head and let her hair down before crawling onto Rocco's lap.

Almost two hours later Rocco walked from the House of Lost Souls and to his car. His jacket was back on but not buttoned, his shit was still half unbuttoned and his tie was missing. Getting into the car he looked at himself in the mirror and tried to fix his hair but no amount of coaxing was going to get it back into proper place. Sighing contentedly Rocco drove himself to his house, another day behind him with him still on top of the ground and not in it.
 
The rest of Marla's night was fairly uneventful, she worked on a few pieces before bed and then went to sleep. The thoughts about about sex invading her dreams as much as it did her waking thoughts, and it perhaps made her a bit more on edge and agitated come the morning. Part of her considered maybe stopping at a bar tonight, but she wasn't even sure about that. It wouldn't be hard to pick some guy up at one, but if you go along those lines you are never quite sure what you were going to get. She knew she needed to figure out something soon, but she just put it to the back of her mind for now.

She makes herself something for breakfast, and then gets herself cleaned up and dressed to head into the shop. She dressed herself up in a black halter style dress which was low cut and short. She covered it with an aqua colored jacket to not look so fully out of place, and a pair of strappy heels. She put her hair up, and her signature make up look, and then she was on her way.

Stopping at a convenience store close to her shop to grab a few things, she was surprised to hear about the other Lingerie shop and that some of the freaks had gotten a deserved beating. It was all rumor, but part of her had to wonder if it had anything to do with Rocco and what she might have said last night. She didn't have any issues with their kind, she couldn't say she wasn't happy to hear about the asshole getting his ass kicked.

Grabbing her stuff she heads over to the shop, it was getting close to opening time which was fine as she did most everything needed last night. Letting herself in she did the few things that she needed to, and then unlocked the door for the day. Hoping she would see more customers then unwanted guests this time around.
 
Rocco woke up and preformed his daily ritual. Shower, shave, brush teeth, cook and eat a simple breakfast of a fried egg and bacon sandwich using a bagel instead of sliced bread. Donning a suit, his holsters, and pistols Rocco was ready for the day. His first stop would be Lorenzo. He had to let his boss know how his job went. Arriving at the man's house, which could better be called a small mansion. Walking to the front door he rang the bell and was greeted by a pretty woman who beamed up at him. "Rocco, it's good to see you, it's been too long." Rocco smiled at the bright greeting from the sunny woman. "Sorry about that Ms. Florentino, you know how work can get." He said with a sheepish grin. "Well don't just stand there, come on in hun." Stepping out of the doorway the lady of the house lead Rocco into the dining area where her husband was sitting at the table, the remains of a finished breakfast in front of him and a stack of newspapers.

Looking over the paper in his hands Lorenzo folded it and waved Rocco over. "Rocco my boy, come, sit. You eaten yet?" Rocco took a seat and nodded. "Yeah I ate, thank you. I am here to let you know that the job was handled and Jimmie knows what he did was wrong and won't be doing it again." Lorenzo nodded at the report and reached out to pat Rocco on his broad shoulder. "Well I thank you for handling that so quickly Roc, and I really do hate to ask this of you right after you just finished a job." His voice and expression grew serious and he meet the larger mans eyes. "I need you to go out of town and paint a house for me." Rocco's face didn't even twitch and he just nodded. "How far out of town?" Was his only question. "Arizona." Rocco let out a small sigh. This was going to be a long drive. "Okay boss, I'll get that house painted." "Good man. Here is the address." Rocco took the folded paper before rising from his seat. "I'll get right to it, I only had one other thing to handle today." Leaving the house Rocco made his way across town.

Pulling into the familiar parking lot Rocco parked in front of Marla's store. Going in he looked around for the woman as he walked to the counter, he had some business to do with her before he went to work.
 
Marla was in the back sorting through a few things so she could get some more stock out on the floor. She had come up with some new ideas, and of course found some new materials too, she finally had enough of the stuff made, to bother putting it out in the store. Most of the time anyways, she keeps to putting out new things monthly if she has some. She figures it gives some anticipation for some of the girls who were regulars, so they will come back. She also did some custom stuff too, which a few girls would be looking for but that did cost a bit more due to the time and quickness most wanted them to be done it. She knew eventually she was going to have to do something else, like bring in a sewing machine in here and maybe get someone to help. But right now she was doing all she could do with the money she was making.

She heard the bell ring from the door once it was opened, to alert her to a customer coming in. She put the stuff aside for now, and made her way from the back room into the front part. She frowned and sighed as she seen it was Rocco. "You know, if you keep coming in like this. I am going to require you buy something each time." She said with her hands on her hips, looking a bit like a disappointed school teacher at him.
 
Rocco flashed the frowning woman a quick smile when sighed at seeing him. "I did buy something last time I was here, and that is part of why I am back here today Miss Rose." He said with a grin his eyes flicking down to her hands and consequently her hips. He liked what he saw there and took a quick moment to enjoy the view before looking back to her eyes. "I was very impressed with your product, as was the woman I gave it to. She was so impressed with it that she asked me to deliver this." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small envelope and laid it on the counter. "It's her contact information and some photographs. She would like you to look them over and contact her. She wants to do business with you, and I think you will have a lot to gain from working with her and her girls." Reaching back into his jacket he pulled out his money clip and counted out $50 and sat it beside the envelope. "She also requested that I get her a second set, and I told her that you chose the first so I'll leave it to you to pick out. If you don't want to meet up with her I will be back in a couple days to pick them up and take them myself." Stepping back from the counter he tilted his hat to her in farewell. "I hope you take this opportunity Marla, you got a lot to gain and there are no strings attached in this deal." He said as he turned away and walked out of her store. Now that his good dead was done it was time to get on the road for his dirty deeds.

Rocco made a final stop before leaving town. He filled up his car and bought a map. Taking the time at the gas station to plan out his route to Tombstone where he was to meet and kill a man for his betrayals to the family. He figured it would take roughly eight to nine hours without stops to get there, so he had a solid eleven hour trip one way. Folding up the map he pulled his tie off and got comfortable for a long trip east.
 
"You keep calling me Ms. Rose, and I will be making up something just big enough for you to wear." Marla said as he called her that name once again, her eyebrow slightly twitching. Seeing his grin and the way he looked at her, she knew he was just giving her a hard time at this point. She considered saying something about the way he was looking at her, but decided against it as he went on about the woman he had seen the other night. And a bit surprised he was bringing work to her, and she was wondering what the photographs were.

"I'll consider it if I have time." She said not saying she would or wouldn't, but know deep down she probably would. She didn't want to automatically let Rocco know he did a good job in her eyes just yet. And even though he said no strings attached, she knew there always was. He was bringing her business now, if he was to ignore it if there was another change of him bringing business to her again he might just ignore it next time. And besides she knew men, and men did always tend to want something especially from a woman like her.

Once he left she opened the envelope to see who this woman was and how to contact her, and then she looked over the photos seeing what they were. If she liked what she seen, she would pick up the phone and dial the number to see what this other woman had in mind.
 
A small handwritten note read "Hello Ms. Rose, my name is Regina Delverde, I was brought a lovely set of your work and I want more. I will let the enclosed photos speak for what I think of it. Call me at 702 555 1328 if you are interested in dealing with me." At the bottom it was signed and the signature had a deep red lipstick mark overlaying it. With the letter was ten Polaroids, each of Regina in various poses wearing the lingerie that Rocco had bought the night before. All the photos where naturally erotic in nature, but tastefully so. This was not a pornographic display of a woman, but an artistic modeling of Marla's work on the female form.

Rocco drove along a mostly empty stretch of road, his suit jacket long abandoned and the windows down. In spite of the reason for his trip, he still loved the freedom of being on the road. His mind wandered as the miles stretched out behind him, most commonly landing on the fiery shopkeeper back home. "She is one hell of a woman." He muttered to himself, and wondered if she was going to call Gina or not. It would be a good opportunity for her to get steady clients, Gina and the girls would get quality goods that he knew first hand were impressive, which would only enforce their clientele, and with both parties earning more money, Gina could continue her protection, and Marla could pay off her loan. They women won, the clients won, the family got their money, and Rocco, well he got to see beautiful women in exotic clothing. Everyone won in this. From there his mind transitioned to fantasies of having Marla model some of her wares for him. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth. She would probably try to gouge his eyes out if he suggested that to her. Laughing to himself he let his mind slip back into wandering musings as he made his way ever closer to dealing death once again.
 
Marla looked over everything, and she was aware who Regina Delverde was in the scheme of things. Never having met her, but knew even some of her clients would have preferred to go there if the price had been better. Some of the other girls at the club also talked about perhaps working there someday, as things were cleaner and they had someone who actually cared to keep them safe when selling their bodies. Marla never really considered it as she had no plans to be a whore for any longer then she had to be, it was a bit of a a respectable establishment as far as whore houses went. And she knew Rocco was correct in that it would bring more business into her, she was going to have to figure out a way to thank him if this went well.

Marla grabs the phone by the register, and dials the number on the note, he never quite understood the lipstick mark on something like this. But Marla was a much more rough around the edges compared to someone like Regina to so it wasn't surprising that Marla didn't play on the frilly seduction tactics some women did. Dialing the number she waited until someone answers "Hello can' I please speak to Miss Delverde? This is Marla Rose, we have an acquaintance in common.
 
Regina sat at her desk, legs crossed and a thin cigar held between her full lips. It was one of her guilty pleasures, but she didn't care for the big stogies that most men liked to puff on and cigarettes just didn't have the same flavor or feel for her. Her phone rang, something that usually happened much later in the day for her normal business. Answering the phone she gave a simple, "Hello", with her husky voice. She smiled around the cigar hearing the name of the caller. "Oooh, I was hoping to hear from you Marla." She said with clear satisfaction in her tone. "I am glad to hear that Rocco was able to get you my number. There are some things I would be very interested to speak with you about, may I request a meeting?"

Lorenzo sat in his office, his cheek resting against his fist as he stared angrily into the middle distance. Not only had that pig fuck Tony stolen from him, he killed two of his best guys, killed the representative of a potential business deal, but also put that potential deal in jeopardy. Now he had to make things right with this Angelino guy, some kinda big name in the Mexican cartel's American branch. He was trying to build connections with himself and their organization, bring the two crime families together in a strong alliance. Now there was the chance of a war breaking out between them. He should have had Rocco bring him Tony's head in a fucking sack. Letting out an angry sigh Lorenzo sat up straight. He had a lot of work to do, a meeting to plan, and a deal to unfuck. Sitting around wasn't going to get any of that done.
 
Marla looked through the pictures as the woman talked, hearing that she was interested with speaking with her. She really didn't get the pictures though, yeah they were nice and all but wouldn't they have been better suited to stay with Rocco? Unless maybe Regina was talking about modeling some things, which she wasn't really sure how that would work either as even if Marla could pay for the photo's to be done, getting them advertised somewhere would be a lot of money and a big hassle to. Marla wasn't one to not listen though, and this women seemed to know what she is doing with her own business. Still Marla was a little hesitant when it came to her business and other people.

"Yes, he stopped in here today to drop everything off. I am glad you like my items so far." She said being pleasant, and customer service like. "I am open to meeting with you, do you have some place specific? I am stuck at the store at least until about 5pm most days, unless you wanted to meet at the store itself." She left things open for the other woman, preferably Marla would prefer the shop but that was because she was most comfortable there. But knowing the type of people she was dealing with, she figured the woman would want a meeting where she had the higher ground.
 
"He is such a good boy isn't he." She said rather than asked, amusement clear in her voice. She knew if he was there to hear that it would ruffle his feathers. "Oh I love them, and my girls are jealous of them. Since you are willing to meet and we are going to be talking business I will come to you." Regina was interested in meeting Marla for several reasons. "I also want to see what else you have to offer so this will be the most sensible choice. I look forward to see you Marla." She smiled and hung up the phone. Getting out of her chair and putting out the cigar she walked to the wall where they was an intercom system. Pressing the button to call all rooms she spoke into it. "Ladies, get dressed for going into town, we have a meeting to go to, you have twenty minutes." Letting go of the button she left the room and went to the elevator taking it to the fifth floor where her personal room was. The bottom two floors of the apartment building were for business, the third was for her office and private parties of a particular nature, the top two floors were rooms for her current employees. Entering her room she immediately felt calm. It was the polar opposite of her opulent office, very plain and homey. A comfortable space for her to break character and just relax. It was difficult being 'on' all the time. Getting dressed in a sensible but still complementing dress and heels she pulled her hair back into a simple ponytail and checked her make up. Twenty minutes later she was downstairs with twelve other women. "Okay girls, let's be on our best behavior. I don't want to have any incidents like last time we all went out together she said with a mischievous grin. The thirteen women got into 3 cars and made their way to "Lingerie by Rose."

Arriving at the strip mall they parked their cars in front of the store and all got out. Walking in a group to the store they probably looked very out of place with how well they were all dressed for this part of town as well as the variety of woman. The thirteen ranged in skin tone from a pale as creme to a rich cocoa, the shortest being right at 5' and the tallest closing in on 6', and all with various body shapes. It was a menagerie of female beauty. Regina was the first one in and held the door open for everyone to follow through. "Ladies, you all look around while I speak with Ms. Rose." She said with a chorus of varied responses from "Yes Madam" to a cheery "Okie dokie". Walking to the counter as the others dispersed through the small store she rested her hands one atop the other on the counter.
 
"He is I guess..." Marla said only imagining seeing someone call Rocco a good boy, the woman seemed to know him so she wasn't going to say anything here or there. "Oh, ok that sound great..." Marla looked at the phone once Regina hung up, surprised the woman was going to come here she also didn't specify when but figured she better be ready for now or later. It wasn't like she had a ton to do, the store was quite clean at this point. But her office was a bit of a mess, and there was the stuff all over the store room but did that really matter? She would deal with it just in case.

Marla heads in back throwing everything she sorted out back into a box to do again later, and she put it away and anything else to make the back room look a bit neater. Which really shouldn't matter, but she was now a bit more nervous about the situation. Then she went to her office, she had stuff all over the place, she started putting things into little piles and figured out where she should put them right now. Throwing some things in drawers, and what not making sure the other chair she had in there was clean. And pretty much anything else she could convince herself was an issue, once she was finished there she went into the bathroom checking herself to make sure she looked good. And then went back out to the shop, where she started getting nit picky about everything in there now.

She was just putting things into an orderly fashion under the counter when she heard the door open, she had seen Regina and then about twelve other girls walk inside of her store. Her eyes went a bit wide, while she has had maybe two or three all at once come in twelve was a new record and she wasn't sure how well they would move inside the smaller store. The first woman she had been correct on was Regina, unlike the others there was something different about her perhaps a take charge kind of attitude. When Regina came up to Marla, she smiled "I am guessing you are Regina? Care to join me in my office?" Which would seem to be the best result, as the chattering from all the women would be hard to hear over in the store area.

Marla walks towards the back, and motions Regina into her office.
 
Regina smiled at the woman and looked her over appraisingly. Rocco was not jesting when he told her that Marla was a beautiful woman. A smile spread across her lips and she nodded. "That is correct, I am a Regina, it is a pleasure to meet you Marla." She greeted politely. "Of course, I do have much to talk with you about." Turning away from Marla she cleared her throat and instantly the dozen woman silenced and turned their attention to Regina. "Behave girls, I have to go to the back to speak with Marla." She said in a motherly, and slightly teasing way. The ladies all agreed and went back to their browsing and excited chatter. Turning back around she followed Marla to the back entering Marla's office.

"Matteo, Luca, I'm going to need you two the shipping dock and checks in on our goods. After what that rat bastard did I need to know that nothing was fucked with there." Lorenzo ordered the two men who stood before his desk. "Yes sir. Is there anything in particular we are looking for boss?" "Yeah, make sure all the coke is still there. It would be a lot harder for him to move the guns than the drugs, and those are important to this deal. Hell they are the deal with the Cartel." He said with a huff. "Just go make sure Tony didn't steal anything. All locations." The two men nodded and left the office leaving Lorenzo alone again. He rubbed his face with both hands and let out a tired breath. It was disgusting to him how just one man could potentially fuck up several years of work, especially when that one man was one of his men for so many years. He didn't have to worry about it for to much longer though, Rocco was going to handle that problem and he would recover from this set back. He had survived from much worse and wasn't going to let this stop him.
 
Marla led the woman into her office, it wasn't very big really but it suited her for what she needed at the time. There was a desk, a couple filing cabinets, two chairs and a few other odds and ends here and there. It was a bit dingy and there wasn't much Marla could do about that right now as she had cleaned it up to the best of her ability when she first moved in. There were also pieces of paper here and there hung up, or on the desk which had semi designs drawn on it. Some for some of the things she has already made and some which she was still working on a bit and hadn't gotten back to yet.

She motions Regina to the other chair, as Marla sits down at her desk. The envelope with the pictures and info was sitting on her desk also, as she tried to be ready for just about anything Regina might throw at her. She turns to Regina with a smile, and a look of curiosity at the woman who seemed to be so mysterious at the moment. "So what can I do for you?"
 
Regina took the seat across from Marla and returned the smile noticing the envelope on the desk. "Oh you can do many things for me." She said with a wicked little smile. "But I will keep it to business for now. I would like for you to do some custom work for myself and my ladies. I am sure you are at least generally aware of what I do, but I will clarify it. I run a fetish house, my girls and myself are not common whores, we cater to very specific desires and are paid for those, not for sex. If they want to have relations with a client that is their prerogative, they are grown women and can make that choice if they so wish." Regina had to explain this to many people and it was clear in her tone that she had spoken these words many many times. "I will of course pay whatever you need to do this, but I would like unique pieces for each of us, a signature look if you will. We can make appointments for any fittings or anything you need."

Leaning back in the chair she smoothed out her skirt. "I will also let anyone that asks about the articles where we got them, thus giving you more business. Also, next time there is a meeting of like minded individuals, which happens quite often in this city, we will happily and freely model your wares, though I would hope that if we did such a thing that our continued partnership would have perks on our end too. Nothing like free products, but maybe first picks on new items."
 
Marla just looked at the woman with big eyes when she started speaking, and pretty much until the end. She knew she got most of it, at least heard most of it and she wasn't entirely sure she had enough room in her brain to fully comprehend it all at the moment. Frankly Marla knew it was a lot to be able to do, to even consider it at this moment. But she was also at a road where saying no, or that she would think about it wasn't really an option. Every decision she made right now she had to do with the idea in mind, that it might push her business even if she had to work a lot more extra.

It took her a few moments to catch up with everything Regina said, and she hadn't known that it was a fetish house. Though that certainly explained some of the men she knew that went there now. "I think I can do something like that for you, though it might take a bit of time depending on well everything. As I would be doing this between running the shop, and anything else. And depending on materials, and you have what thirteen of you?" It would be a lot for her to do, coming up with it getting everything, putting it together. "Do you have something in mind to start off with?"

"You are very kind for all of this, I would very much like to work with you on all of this. And yes, anything I can do for you especially if you are sending business here you just need to ask. I..." She shakes her head as a smile comes on her face "You'll need to forgive me, this is just a lot to take in. And I don't know what I was expecting from this, but I don't know if I had been expecting this."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom