Visiting Mr. Gerald st. James

She woke up early in the morning, it was time to tell Mr. st. James that she had lost the artifact. She wasn't sure how he would take the news but she had to inform him that the artifact has gone missing and she would need more funding for continuing her search.

The quest was more dangerous then she anticipated and she wanted some good compensation for what she had been through. She drove to the estate of the wealthy billionaire and rang on the intercom.

''May I help you?'' A polite and very gentleman like voice came from the intercom.

''Yes, could you tell Sir st. James that Mrs. Croft is here to see him!?'' Lara replied.

''Certainly, he has been expecting you, please proceed'' The gentleman answered.

The huge gate opened and Lara drove along a narrow path surrounded by beautiful trees and fields of grass. An elderly gentleman awaited her at the door, it was her first time visiting the place so she had been marveling at the artistic value of the place, it was nothing less then superb.

St. James has visited her at her manor when he gave her the assignment which made it much more comforting for her as it was her own haven and now she felt like being in the wolf's den.

They walked into a room and the gentleman announced her arrival, bowing down and closing the doors. At the other end she saw a Gerald sitting in a very expensive chair coated with gemstones and gold, he was sitting behind a decorative wooden desk.

''Hello miss Croft, have a seat with me will you now'' Gerald said politely.

Lara did as instructed clearing her throat as she started thinking about where to begin.

''I am hoping your arrival here means good news for both of us'' He said before she could even finish her thought.

''Not entirely sir, I have good news and bad news'' Lara said a bit hesitant.

''Oh, do explain yourself'' He kept his calm and collected self.

''Well, the good news is that I've found the relic you requested''

''Well, where is it?'' He asked curiously.

''Uhm, that's the bad news, it was lost during the expedition and I'm unsure of it's whereabouts, Id need mo...'' Before she could finish, she was interrupted.

'' You are to tell me that I financed your search for this relic and yet you managed to throw that all away by losing it? You of all people, the legendary Lara Croft? I miss judged your expertise as a treasure hunter it seems'' He said in a more serious tone.

'' Sir if I may, give me another chance and I would not disappoint you this time, promise. All I need is a little more financing and you have my word...''

''I'm afraid your word isn't enough any longer lady Croft, I've heard you have expertise in combat and that you are very able with your guns but how would you fare without them?'' He smiled at her.

''I'm afraid I don't follow sir, whatever do you mean?'' She asked confused

''Well I paid good money for you to retrieve the relic and you seem to have miss placed it, I've been patient up until now. Since you cost me a lot already and I hate throwing away money, if you want more funds then how about an endurance test!?''

''What kind of endurance test are we talking about'' Lara replied with uneasiness in her voice.

''I have the audience waiting in the arena, they've paid good money for watching some fights, usually it's 1 on 1 fights until a winner is declared but were they to see one person wiping the floor with the others and becoming victorious then that would make things interesting.''

''...and you want me to fight'' Lara replied.

''Correct but we don't want to make things unfair so it will be without weapons, you will fight without clothes as to prevent you utilizing them as potential weapons.''

Lara had a bad feeling about this, she didn't like the thought of fighting naked even in a 1 on 1 battle but st. James wasn't known as someone who would let you rip him off and walk away, she would suffer the shame of being an untrustworthy explorer and an unreliable one.

''I accept but if any of your men touches me in a bad way, I will break his neck'' she nodded.

''Oh I don't doubt it for a second that you could and I promise you if any of them touches you in an inappropriate way without your consent then I will deal with him myself''

''What do you mean without my consent?''

''I'll tell the boys you are ready'' He smiled as he walked out of the room ignoring her question''

Soon two women came into the room escorting her to the entrance of the arena outside of the mansion, she wore a silk dress and tiny lacey thong which they removed quite easily. Lara felt **** again remembering what had happened before.

She slowly stepped into the ring...