Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
K ara
I’d decided the thing I’d hated the most about Havros was his uncanny ability to get under my skin without trying. Yes, I loathed him for being a self-serving pig and a brutal killer, but that was an entirely different realm and one he was right I likely didn’t want to learn more about.
I also couldn’t stand how every time he called me his kitten or a good girl, I swooned inside. I’d bypassed being some lovesick puppy dog. I was practically in heat over him. I pulled my clutch purse close to my chest as I eased into the backseat of a car I’d never seen before, with a driver I didn’t want to know.
Maybe grabbing an Uber in a foreign country wasn’t a smart move. I’d made enough bad decisions as of late that doing so seemed a minor risk at worst. I certainly couldn’t walk to Club Sin and Shame.
I wanted to get one more handle on the article, and was determined to finish taking all the necessary notes so I could get the hell out of here and away from him.
Before it was too late.
He was a cruel man with his seductive smile and the way he brushed his hand through his hair. He’d truly thought I’d agree to having lunch with him, which he would think would lead to something else. Sex. Passion. Kisses.
Lingering touches.
Why was I doing this to myself?
At least with the Uber, I didn’t need to talk to the driver. He knew exactly where he was taking me and I was already prepared for the price of the fare. While I wouldn’t be staying at the club for long, I only hoped I could get an easy ride back. I also prayed to God I wouldn’t run into Havros or any of his family while I was there.
Playing with fire seemed to be my recent method of gaining information. I had to face the fact I was doing this because I didn’t trust Havros entirely.
Or maybe the ugly truth was more about not trusting myself.
I sat back, trying to relax. The day had been a shitshow, although more for Havros than it had been for me. Threatening public officials? I wasn’t na?ve. I was completely aware either devious alliances were made with politicians, officials, and law enforcement members. If they weren’t inclined, blackmail was used.
A part of me preferred the use of blackmail instead of thinking every government official was a con man or woman. In New York and Chicago, more palms were greased than pigs in slop. Should I call that an honest trait in Havros?
I snorted and pressed my hand over my mouth to try to stay quiet. He’d been so calm and collected when the police had arrived, as if the man was experienced being accused of a heinous murder several times.
It was probably true. He’d known how to handle them with ease and sophistication. But… But I’d seen both the look of relief and gratitude on his face. I just hated the fact I couldn’t be certain he hadn’t ordered the hit or hadn’t had a part in the man’s murder himself. He’d never explained the blood.
Technically, I hadn’t lied to the Greek police. I just hadn’t told them the full extent of our meeting with good reason. I knew if they learned of our affair, my alibi would be tossed out the window. That I’d bothered jumping in continued to haunt me.
I’d tried to tell myself what I’d said to Havros was accurate, that I didn’t want him going to prison for something he didn’t do.
Through both meetings, I’d found myself staring at him. His lips, his chiseled jaw, his watch. Another expensive watch. How many did he own? Pompous jerk.
Somehow, I’d managed to push Havros away, telling him I needed to work. He’d fallen into silence, picking up speed as he drove, even weaving around other drivers before jerking to a halt at the hotel. He hadn’t bothered to walk around his pricy toy, opening the door for me either. He’d just sped away the moment I’d slammed it shut.
His only words? That he’d pick me up at nine a.m. sharp. “Don’t be late.” Well, fuck him. Maybe I’d sleep in. I licked my lips, remembering just how rough the kiss had been earlier in the day. His lips had become distracting in the first meeting. The way he’d formed words had been sexy as hell, the clear enunciation of them sublime. Every time he’d smiled just to piss them off, I’d imagined him crushing those hot lips over mine all over again.
Even when he steered, his mouth was captivating. I hated him. That was final.
Why couldn’t I get him out of my mind? Was it possible I craved his overtly dominating side? Or the fact he enjoyed pushing my buttons as much as I did with him? I was getting tired of asking myself question after question with no decent answers on the horizon. Maybe a couple of drinks inside a dark yet festive atmosphere would do me some good.
My plan was simple and lacked any great risks. I’d ask a couple of the bartenders some questions. Maybe I’d sweettalk one of the bouncers into telling me who their latest celebrity guest had been. That would add some verve to the article.
Why worry about verve when I had the grit? Garlic potatoes with a side of blood-red meat. I bit my lower lip to keep from giggling. I’d downed a glass of wine before leaving the hotel, hoping to increase my confidence. I’d yet to determine if it had worked or not.
But I’d worn another one of the sexy dresses I’d purchased. Bright red in color. Maybe I’d be mistaken for a femme fatale.
“Miss? We’ve arrived at your destination,” the driver said. He was peering into the rearview mirror and since he’d pulled the car to the curb near a streetlight, I was able to catch a partial glimpse of his face. Whew. The scar that had almost taken out one eye was terrifying.
After using my credit card to pay for the ride, I climbed out before I shuddered from seeing his appearance. When I was a few feet away, my skin began to crawl. I stopped before crossing the street to look back. Great. The guy was staring at me. Was it because of the slinky dress I was wearing or the extra fluff I’d put in my hair?
I didn’t stick around to find out, scurrying to the other side of the street, keeping my head down as I headed toward the club’s entrance. The music was already blasting out into the street, but the line was much longer than I’d thought it would be. I’d come early on purpose because I’d heard the crowd didn’t get fully energized until after midnight, but I hoped to be fast asleep by then.
I was a boring woman living a lackluster life.
Great. It was likely it would be hours before I got in, if that was even possible. I wasn’t good at waiting and it was chilly outside.
Ten minutes passed easily and the long line had moved maybe a foot.
Standing at the very back, I tried not to make any eye contract, but I was observing people and their behaviors as I loved to do. There were way too many beautiful people in this country. So much so I felt dowdy. When I heard a squeal from a woman close to the door, I reacted like everyone else in line, leaning over to see what the girl was screeching about.
I wasn’t one hundred percent certain because of where I was standing, but I believed the man arriving with a bodyguard contingency of six was none other than the recent Academy Award-winning actor. Yes, I was a huge fan. No, I had no intentions of sidling up to the guy for his autograph.
They let him through after he stopped to wave.
A massive groan wafted like lava through the crowd, information being passed from one to another along the way.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“They’re not going to allow anyone else in the club,” a girl snarled. “It happens every time a celebrity comes to play. I don’t even like his movies.”
She was in the minority.
Great. I’d wasted money and time coming here.
And a perfectly sexy dress.
As the movie star finally turned to slither into the club, I had a brilliant idea. I moved out of line nonchalantly while digging in my purse. I’d learned a long time ago to always have my journalistic credentials with me. Okay, so the one from the New York Times had technically expired. Only those working for the company would know that.
It was a little foible in their system that I’d used to my benefit. I prayed it worked this time. I picked up speed, finally running the last few feet. I faked being out of breath, trying immediately to move past the bouncers.
“Excuse me. You can’t go inside,” one of them said.
“Why not?” I gave him a haughty look.
“Because we’re full up.”
I held up my credentials. “But I’m with Mr. Holt. I’m doing an interview inside your club, which I promised to highlight for the article. Now, I guess…” I allowed my words to die off. I doubted the celebrity would care if I was using his name in vain.
The guy snapped the card from my hand, eyeing it and me several times before handing it back to me. “You really don’t want to interview that clown.”
“Yes, I do and that’s my job. Now, do I need to talk to your boss, or will you allow me in?”
One guy looked at the other as if checking to see if it was alright. Suddenly, the Red Sea parted with a velvet rope being undone. I was in with just a tiny white lie. I held my head high as I walked down the short hallway toward adventure.
Once inside, I was struck by the wild pulsing of neon lights matching the booming beat of the music. There were sparkly lights in places where the neon strobes were going off like crackling bombs. The room was huge, the dance floor lit up like a Christmas tree. The crowd was tremendous, everyone dressed for the evening.
I pushed my way through the crowd, scanning constantly to ensure I didn’t catch sight of any Nomikos family member. Fortunately, I made it to the bar without being seen or bothered. I had no idea where the actor had gone, but would need to keep my lie in the back of my mind should the bouncer make his way through the club.
There were cages overhead with a few dancing girls, but other than that, I saw no evidence of anything kinky. Maybe this was just a fabulous club after all. I squeezed my way toward the bar, forcing a place for myself at the edge. There were three bartenders, all of them bouncing in time to the music. I wasn’t short by any means, and taller in heels, but couldn’t see a thing given the size of the crowd.
It took almost five minutes before I caught the cute bartender’s eye.
“What would you like?” he asked in flawless English.
“You knew I wasn’t Greek?”
“Easy to tell.” He leaned over. “Don’t tell me you’re here alone.”
“For now. Can I have a glass of merlot?”
“Coming right up.” He was efficient, pouring a glass and sliding it onto a cocktail napkin less than a minute later. “Your first time here?”
“That’s obvious too?”
He laughed. “Yes, it is. On the house.”
“Can I ask you a few questions? I know you’re busy.”
He scanned the entire bar before answering. “Sure.”
“What’s it like to work for the Nomikos family?”
“They pay top dollar, provide benefits including vacation, and make certain their employees are protected from the bad seeds when they try and get in from time to time. What’s not to like?”
“How about Havros? Is he here often? Does he interact with the guests and employees?”
“The brothers alternate coming here. Usually at least one of them shows up every night. Why are you asking?”
“I’m writing an article on kink clubs in Europe. I usually start with the benign questions.”
He folded his arms on the bar. “Then you’ve come to the wrong place. We don’t serve kink.”
“Is that a cover?” I batted my eyelashes.
“You see those cages attached to the ceiling? That’s about as kinky as it gets unless you consider the backroom meetings more to your liking. I should get back to work.”
“Of course. Thank you for the wine.”
“No problem.” He nodded, but I sensed he didn’t like being asked the kinds of questions I’d put forth. There was nothing wrong with being protective, but I had a feeling keeping quiet was mandatory.
Backroom meetings. I’d read and discovered for myself that clubs were often used for money laundering and a place to conduct illegal activities. If the authorities didn’t know or guess, they were dumb and blind. Millions of dollars usually changed hands inside the various establishments. Often drugs were bought and sold through them as well.
I made a mental note of what he’d told me and that he’d been very guarded. My guess was that the employees were vetted carefully. With the wine in my hand, I turned around, surveying the area, once again observing the people dancing and drinking.
A strange realization that I didn’t belong here swept through me. However, I was determined to plunge away from my comfort zone, spending at least thirty minutes inside the club. I’d taken some benign photographs of the corporate offices, but nothing since then. A few of the club wouldn’t hurt. A little extra publicity.
I started taking a few pictures, trying to remain as incognito as possible. A lot of people didn’t like having their photographs taken under the best of circumstances. I moved around the club, managing to take a good one of the bartender behind the bar before shifting toward the dance floor. There were some interesting people inside the club. One caught my eye, a guy who certainly didn’t seem to belong.
While dressed in a suit, he looked more like an undertaker than a man determined to have a good time. He also didn’t appear to be searching for company overnight. He’d all but ignored the two women who’d attempted to flirt with him. Unsure why, I took his picture. It was entirely possible he was another bouncer or a soldier working for the family. But something told me otherwise.
After taking a few additional photographs, I decided to enjoy the music instead of working at my job. The beat was tribal, the mood electric, and even without a dance partner, it was easy to feel even more alive and enjoy myself. After three or four songs, I decided I’d spent enough time. Maybe I wasn’t as adventurous as I liked to think of myself.
Another strange feeling washed through me and I stiffened, slowly turning around.
The hulking bouncer stood with his massive arms folded, a scowl planted firmly on his oversized face. “Miss. I’m afraid you’re going to need to come with me.”