“So, you think you have what it takes to work with Brentwood importers? Tell me why Miss Chapman,” the tall, shadowy figured asked.

“Ms. Chapman,” Emily, the short, redhead, corrected as she wrapped her pink lips around her cigar and took a light drag. “I’m not like the meek little bitches that you bring into your community. I’m smart, ruthless, and I’ll be able to go places your men won’t.”

“Now that is true…” the figure replied and then thought, “At least the last part is.”

“Besides, I have a lot of experience with finding “talent.” You’ve seen my credentials.” Emily stared haughtily as she thought of all the “talent” she’d “discovered” over the last few years for other organizations and private buyers. “And because of my experience and my advantages I want double the cut that your other outside associates get. I don’t care about your weird cult and its ideals—I just care about the money.”

“You’ll be well taken care of, Ms. Chapman,” the figure smiled and poured two glasses of bourbon and offered one to her. “Shall we drink on it then? You’ll start tomorrow.”

Emily took the glass and drank the whole thing in one gulp and then looked at the figure as if she’d just proved how tough she was. The confidence on her face faded as she started to feel woozy. She looked at the glass with wide eyes a moment before she dropped it onto the ground. The shattering glass sounded far away as her eyes darted up to the smiling figure. “You...you bastard…”

***

One month later Emily stood in front of the same figure—Kent Hartmon—no longer Ms. Chapman, but Mrs. Hartmon. Stripped of her power suit, her cigars, her bourbon, and her freedom she stood on display for him in the frilly wedding night lingerie her mother-in-law had selected for her.

“Stop looking so glum,” Kent puffed on a cigar. “I did promise that you’d be taken care of, didn’t I? I can’t think of a better way for a girl to be taken care of than in Brentwood as a protected, loving, submissive, baby-making wife!” He chuckled as she cringed when he mentioned the last part. “Besides, it’ll be good for you to experience firsthand what all those girls you sold down river experienced. Don’t you think?”