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Author's Chapter Notes:
First off, thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! I was unsure about writing this type of story, and you've really given me the confidence to pursue it! I'm glad I'm able to get this chapter out quickly, but my "weekend" is coming to an end, and the fics I'm working on now just aren't every day updaters. I wish I could, though! I will update them when I can. Please read Poison if you haven't. Don't let the first chapter scare you! And check out my first fic Blue, now completed. I learned a lot writing it. Now, on to Chapter Two of Blood Money. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter Two:

It was late Friday evening when William's limousine arrived at Buffy's home. She soon found herself seated in the back gazing out the window as the vehicle sped past the city limits. She attempted to question the driver but found that he wasn't terribly forthcoming. So, she leaned back in her seat—nervously clutching her bag containing her swimsuit, cell phone, and a few other girly items she probably wouldn't need—while she strained her eyes, trying to admire the scenery through the mask of the pitch black night.

This was crazy. She never did anything like this. Buffy always played it safe. She lived with her parents. She handled the books for her father's many unfortunate business ventures as well as at her mother's gallery. She had only ever left home to attend a highly ranked business school at her father's request. She dated only safe men, never getting too emotionally involved. She had lost her virginity in a rare fit of youthful rebellion. That was her first and only sexual experience, an event she would always regret. No, it was much easier playing it safe.

And yet here she was, on her way out of town, to the remote estate of a man she really didn't know at all. They had shared one intoxicating dance. That was all. So why was he all she could think about? Her father had instructed her to get her head out of the clouds more than once over the last couple of days. But how could she, when she could still recall William Blackwell's cool lips on her hand and cheek? How could she cast aside the memory of his body pressed so intimately against hers even through layers of fabric?

The driver pulled off onto a winding, isolated road in a dense, wooded area. As they veered farther from the main road, Buffy couldn't help but think that the ride had taken on the feel of some Hollywood thriller cliche'. Young woman gets into vehicle intending to be driven to strange man's estate. Instead, she is taken to the middle of the woods to be hunted like an animal. She wouldn't be surprised if she had lost cell phone reception at this point.

Just when she was beginning to question her decision to accept William's invitation, the road opened up to an enormous estate. There was a rather imposing four story mansion and several smaller houses off to the side. The driver pulled to a stop beside a set of steps leading up to the main house. He exited the vehicle and opened Buffy's door, taking her arm and leading her from the car. He gave her a nod as he left her with a very thin brunette woman waiting at the bottom of the steps.

"Hello there, Miss. I'm Winifred, but you may call me Fred if you wish. Please follow me. Mr. Blackwell is expecting you." She led Buffy up the steps and into the house. Buffy couldn't help but notice the color scheme of deep wine and black in the foyer and sitting room Fred led her through. She wondered if it was the same throughout the house.

When they were about fifteen feet from a set of glass doors at the back of the house, Buffy could hear muffled yelling from the outside. Fred stopped abruptly and turned towards her, "Mr. Blackwell and his guests are out back by the pool through those doors," she said gesturing towards the glass doors, "would—would you like me to escort you the rest of the way, Miss?"

"Oh, umm, no, I guess not." Fred gave her a shaky nod and wandered off through a door at the side of the room. Buffy took a few steps towards the glass doors and could make out bits and pieces of what seemed to be a heated argument.

"..........not a problem............"

"......that girl.......unless.......planning to........"

"........fucking touch her.........."

Then, as Buffy took a couple more steps forward, the voices stopped abruptly, almost as if they had heard her approach—but that was impossible as she hadn't even reached the doors yet. She paused there for a moment, and when there were no further sounds, she continued forward.

As she walked out the doors and stepped onto the patio, she felt goosebumps break out all over her skin. She looked towards the pool to see William standing by the edge staring at her with an intense expression on his face. He was wearing a pair of deep blue swim trunks that openly displayed his beautifully sculpted body. Beside him was a bulkier brown-haired man in black trunks, also regarding her, but with a sly smirk on his face.

Suddenly, William's face broke out in a wide grin, "Buffy! Come here! I want to introduce you to some people."

She shyly approached William and the other man. As she reached them, she noticed a dark-haired woman and a blonde lounging in a hot tub to the side of the pool. William wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body. She was surprised to find his body as cool as his lips and hands had been at the ball. Then again, the temperature was a bit lower than average that night.

"Kitten," he waived a hand at the man, "this is Liam O'Connor." He pointed towards the hot tub. "The ladies are Drusilla Holt and Darla Madison." The women nodded at Buffy from their place in the tub before resuming whispering to one another. "Liam and the ladies are my...business associates."

Liam laughed, slapping William on the back, "Come on, Willy boy, we're much more than that!" He turned towards Buffy, "Spike doesn't like to admit that the four of us are practically inseparable."

Buffy looked confused as she felt William's grip on her tighten, "Spike?"

Liam raised his eyebrows, "He hasn't told you? All of his best mates call him Spike. You should probably get used to it if you plan on joining our little...club."

"Oh, I don't know if I'm going to be—I mean—William...Spike just invited me tonight is all..."

Spike smiled down at her, "Ah, but I'm hoping I can persuade you to let me enjoy your company more in the future, with or without this crew."

Buffy blushed. "I—you said they were your business associates. What exactly is it that you do?"

"I actually have shares in several regional businesses including a rather popular nightclub run by these three. You may have heard of it—Midnight Blue."

Buffy had heard of it. It was an extremely popular nightclub about an hour's drive from Sunnydale. It was probably much closer to William's estate than her own home. Midnight Blue was known for catering to the more extreme side of the goth subculture. Between the hardcore goths, wannabes, and hangers-on—business was always booming.

"Wow, with you owning a piece of so many businesses, I'm surprised my father hasn't hit you up." Buffy's eyes widened and heat crept up the back of her neck as she realized what she had said.

Spike smiled, "S'all right, pet. You can't control your father. I don't imagine he and I are in the same place very often. Most of the events I attend have much...tighter guest lists than the ball the other night."

Liam rolled his eyes, "Are we gonna get on with it or what?" Glancing at Buffy's bag, "I hope you have a two-piece in there."

"Oh...umm...where can I change?"

"Pool house, luv," Spike said, gesturing towards a small building to the side of the patio.

"'Kay, thanks...I'll...just..." She awkwardly broke out of his grasp and started to stumble towards the pool house. Giggling uneasily, "Whoa, feeling a little light-headed tonight."

She reached the building and entered, leaning her forehead against the closed door. What was she doing here?

This was going to be one strange night.


Chapter End Notes:
Just to make extra sure there is absolutely no confusion, Buffy's goose bumps are just run of the mill goose bumps, nothing extra sensory about them. I decided to split the pool scene to make things easier for myself, so poor Liam will have to wait until next chapter to be Angel. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and are still interested. Please let me know if you want more!



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