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Valentino jerk, not even his last name, because it pisses me off how much money these so-called high-class pimps make off of women. What you make is cool and all, but I know it’s nowhere near what he’s getting paid. I wish I could arrest all of these opportunistic assholes, johns included, but then like on that television show we’d have to lock up the teachers, the preachers, the pimps, and the parents, and then we’d end up with a bunch of snotty-nose illiterate kids dropping out of school.”
    Sapphire had a sense of humor that could match her bad temperament, but Lace’s sensitivity earlier tonight had taken me aback. Indirectly Lace reinforced what I’d been thinking, to do something that I wanted. But what did I want out of life? Surely prostitution didn’t come with retirement benefits, and at my age, retirement seemed a lifetime away. In a few years there’d be someone prettier, smarter, and freakier to replace all of us.
    Walking over to Onyx’s vanity, I held her hand and said, “It’s okay, O, don’t let Lace get to you. You know me. I’m the wifee now and every girl here tonight will take care of the other. We’re all picking up an extra fifteen to thirty minutes to cover girl six’s johns. Including me.”
    Locking her arms around my neck, Onyx said, “Thanks, Sunny. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    “O, you know what you really need to do. Leave that jealous-ass husband of yours. If he finds out what you’re doing, he’ll kill you. Then I’d have to have Sapphire kill him. Look,” I said, easing the key to my new condo in Onyx’s hand, “hold on to this. Don’t ever give your husband my address, but if you need a safe place to stay, you don’t have to ask. Just come. You don’t have to call first or let me know in advance. I want you to be safe until you buy a place of your own. Preferably outside Nevada. Got it?”
    Listen to me trying to advise my girl. Maybe helping others was my calling. I was a pretty good motivator. My mother always taught my sister and me that in every situation, we had to protect one another. I felt the same way about O and Starlet. Sapphire was my only friend who appeared to be in control all the time.
    Onyx’s eyes filled with tears as she hugged me tight. We didn’t need to exchange another word. I’d duplicate the spare house key hidden under my car mat. For different reasons, Onyx, Starlet, and Sapphire each had a key to my condo.
    Click.
    Security opened the dressing room door. One by one we piled back into the limo, where we were blindfolded again. I remained silent until we arrived at our nightly spot referred to as Immaculate Perception, but no one knew the street or the address. Once we heard a heavy gate close, the bodyguards removed our blindfolds. The cemented walls were so high the only thing I noticed in the distance was the glowing red needlepoint that topped the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino.
    Inside, there had to be at least fifty horny men of varying nationalities. The moment they saw us, lust filled their eyes. As usual the mumbling and pointing started immediately as we modeled along the sparkling platinum carpet that twinkled like stars.
    Pointing out ten different men, I inquired about their preferences, paired them up with the girls of their choice, then listened to Reynolds instruct the remainders, “Make yourselves comfortable in the casino area, gentlemen, or at the bar. If you want to walk around, you are welcome to observe other couples, but you cannot participate unless invited. You are also restricted to activities on the second floor. The third floor is off-limits and reserved for private, top-paying regulars . If I catch you in unauthorized areas”—Reynolds flexed his biceps, then continued—“I’m throwing you out permanently. If you need a picker-upper of any kind, see me.”
    Utilizing the word regular was one of our incentives to have those egotesticle johns pay more for our services.
    “Don’t