Bullseye!

Once the dart landed, everything sped up to a blur. I remember Nick giving out a cheer, the feeling of my heart sink and then suddenly I'm being pulled away by my arm. My body decides to operate on autopilot while my mind reels in shock. The only thing able to snap me out of my daze is sound of a door being locked behind me.

As my vision re-focuses, I realise that Nick has dragged me into the bar's private lounge. It was little more than an oversized booth with a long drinks table and the usual padded seats; the tv on the main wall and the mini bar in the corner suggested it was mostly used for hen nights and private parties wanting to watch a game on their night out. The walls were also padded giving it a measure of soundproofing. The music on the main floor was little more than a dull muffle of harsh beats.

"Drink up," said Nick as he practically shoved a freshly opened bottle in my face. "Consider it a consolation prize to give you a bit of Dutch courage."

I practically snatched the bottle from him and downed a burning glug. If anything it would numb the stomach-churning revulsion I felt at the sight of his smug smile and the thought of what I was being made to do. No, I did this to myself. Drunk or sober, I knew the risks and let Mr {last_name} play on my vulnerability and greed anyway. I had no one to blame but myself for those same reasons were why I didn't just unlock the door and walk out. Best of it was, he seemed to be reading my mind as Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out a fat wad of bills and placed it on the table.

"There's the thousand I promised, just in case you were having second thoughts." That same shit-eating grin that had plagued me all night returned as he let out a cruel laugh "But you still have to hold up your end of the deal to earn it."

"You really are a twisted little perv!"

"That may be, but a deals a deal fat ass." As he continued to bait me, I failed to notice that the tv screen had come on and was showing a live feed of us in the room. I also had no idea that this same feed was now recording. I only noticed when Nick lifted the remote he had in his other hand, pointing it towards the screen as he hit play on what must have been a built-in stereo. Slow beat dance music filled the room, drowning out what little noise could still be heard from outside.

"What kind of sick game are you playing Nick?" My anger was beginning to boil again. This hadn't been part of the deal.

"It's Daddy from now on. Remember it well fat ass or a simple video for me to remember this special occasion will be the lest of your problems."

"Are you blackmailing me you little prick?"

"No, but do you think it wise to piss me off, lest I change my mind?" This gave me pause. I suddenly realised the knife edge I was now walking. Nick was holding all the cards. I could have just grabbed the money and run but then all it would take is one phone call and I'd be on a one-way ticket to jail. If I simply backed out, I would have to deal with him blabbing to everyone that I had even taken his deal in the first place and there was no way I would be able to explain that to Henry. "Look, let's not quibble over the fine print. The fact is fatass, you lost our little bet and Daddy expects you to deliver what you promised. So how about you start shaking your namesake and show me the goods? Who knows; maybe if you do a good enough job you might get a second chance at the other four thousand."