Chapter Five
“I mean, it’s like my luck is finally turning around.”
Elodie was only half listening to Saylor talking with Isla as they restocked the hangers and cabinets in the boutique. Saylor had had a rough year with a bitter breakup from her long-term boyfriend. If that wasn’t bad enough, her parents announcing their divorce had cut her deeper. Even as an adult, Elodie understood Saylor’s devastation and sadness.
“So the whole thing?” Isla asked.
Saylor laughed, grabbing the folding board for the sweater. “Yeah, and I mean we racked up six hundred that night in drinks alone. It’s all been refunded to my credit card. I’m going to send you and Emma your payments as soon as it clears my bank account.”
Elodie grabbed her coffee mug, walking toward the front of the store to unlock the doors, fighting against her smile. Oz stayed true to his word. Oz. She spent way too much time thinking of that man.
“Elle, did you hear this?” Isla asked.
Elodie turned the lock and flipped over the open sign.
“About Saylor’s luck turning around? Yes. And I, for one, am thrilled. You deserve it.” Elodie winked at Saylor, who grinned and rushed toward her.
“I think we have you to thank for it.”
“Me?” Elodie chuckled, swinging her gaze between both girls.
“Yeah, I mean, you did spend some time on the balcony with the owner, right?”
Elodie froze. How the hell did she know that? After she was escorted back to the table, the girls were still on the dance floor. None of them even questioned her whereabouts after she’d said there was a long line for the bathroom. And Elodie never mentioned her encounter. Why would she? Clearly, nothing would come from it. While she sensed the mutual attraction, he hadn’t acted on it. Hell, he’d refused to accept my card.
“Wait.” Isla rushed past the hat display, stopping next to Saylor. “You were on the balcony? Like for real?”
Oh shit.
Saylor pointed her finger directly at Elodie. “Don’t even try to deny it. Dalton called me the next day since you hadn’t returned his messages.”
Fucking Dalton.
“He said you were coming from upstairs right before he got kicked out.”
Elodie cleared her throat. “I made a wrong turn and ended up in the elevator.”
Isla grinned, her eyes lighting up. “ That took you upstairs to the balcony?”
“Yes.”
“So, you met the owner?” Isla gasped and bounced on her toes. “What’s he like?”
Sexy, mysterious, handsome, intense, powerful, intelligent and did I mention, sexy? Elodie bit back her smile. Oz’s sex-appeal was next level.
“Well, I think we can all agree since he comped the drinks, he’s” —Elodie cleared her throat— “very generous.”
Saylor laughed, shaking her head. “He didn’t just comp the drinks, Elle. He comped the whole night. The VIP table, drinks, service, everything. All thirty-two hundred dollars of it.”
What?
Elodie’s mouth fell open, and for a brief second, she was speechless. There was little space to dwell on Oz’s generosity. Elodie was completely focused on the expenses.
“You paid over three thousand dollars” —her eyes darted between both girls— “for a table?”
Isla snorted. “That would be insane. We only paid two thousand.”
Only? Oh. My. God.
Saylor chuckled. “Even you have to admit it was a good table, Elle.”
I’m so old. Elodie drove her hand through her hair. She couldn’t comprehend paying that much money for a table.
“If I’m paying over two thousand dollars for a table, it’s going to be in my house, used every day, and handed down for generations.”
Both girls burst out laughing. When Isla sobered up, she waved her hand.
“I have a brilliant idea. And before you roll your eyes at the ridiculousness, hear me out. What about approaching the owner of the X-Lounge to loan you the money to pay back asshole?”
Julian’s name was no longer spoken in her presence, but the girls had given him a code name. It was fitting.
Elodie knitted her brows. “What?”
She shrugged, grinning. “Why not? He obviously likes you. Ask him to partner up.”
This conversation had taken a turn to absurdity.
“He doesn’t like me.”
Isla raised her brows. “You were on the balcony with him. I’ve known plenty of girls who tried to get upstairs, and it’s impossible. But you did it, Elle.”
“You’re forgetting, Isla. I wasn’t invited. I…”
“You crashed the balcony.” Saylor’s lips twitched, which earned her a glare from Elodie.
“Mistakenly wandered is how I’d describe it.”
“Yeah, but who cares how you got there? You were there and didn’t get kicked out. Hell, he paid for our whole night, Elle. That’s got to mean something.” Isla said.
Did it? No!
Elodie knitted her brows. “Are we seriously having this conversation?”
“Yes, because it’s a fabulous idea. Men like him are always looking for investments.” Isla stepped back and spread her arms, gesturing to the floor room. “This is an investment.”
Elodie resisted the urge to laugh. While she appreciated Isla’s enthusiasm, in what world was her near-bankrupt business an investment to anyone?
“She’s right, Elle.” Saylor dropped her elbows on the counter, and glanced up. “Look, where you stand right now? You might have to sell a business you built and love. You’re really gonna let that go without a fight?”
Oh my God, we are having this conversation.
Elodie sighed. She needed to shut this down. She grabbed her coffee from the counter. “Unfortunately, this fight requires money, which I don’t have.”
Elodie wasn’t throwing in the towel just yet, but the odds were not in her favor. She had to be realistic.
Isla stepped closer. “The worst he can do is turn you down, but at least you’d know you did everything in your power to save your business.”
“Got nothing more to lose, right?” Saylor added.
Elodie scoffed. “Believe it or not, I’m still holding onto my dignity. Though I’m not sure how long before I have to part ways with that too.”
“Elle.”
Elodie held up her hand. “Back to work.”
“Just hear us out, Elle,” Isla pleaded.
Elodie narrowed her gaze, looking between both girls.
“The only thing up for discussion is you all paying a ridiculous amount of money for a table at an overpriced club,” Elodie teased and grinned. “Who wants that lecture?”
Saylor sighed heavily, accepting defeat gracefully. Isla was a bit more dramatic. She groaned, rolled her eyes, and dropped her head back. But it curbed the conversation. The girls returned to their workstations, and Elodie headed down the hall.
Why would Oz comp the entire night? Not many people would give up that kind of money for a stranger. I certainly couldn’t.
Elodie had set up a small desk in the stock area to allow a third dressing room for the boutique. It was cramped, but she made it work. She walked in and smiled at the girl folding the sweaters. Charley wasn’t exactly a girl. Twenty-nine was very much a woman, but her meekness emanated youth rather than her actual age.
“Hey, Charley.”
She spun around, jumping slightly, but smiled. “Hi, Elle.”
“You don’t start for another half hour, right?”
She placed the sweater on the rolling table and dropped her arms to her side. “Yeah. My car is in the shop, so I had to take the bus. I’m not really familiar with how they run, times and routes, and I didn’t want to be late.” She pressed her lips together.
Charley was a model employee.
“Better early than late, right?”
Charley nodded. “But I don’t expect you to pay me for this.”
Elodie didn’t exactly have the means for anyone to pull extra shifts, even thirty minutes. However, there was always someone in more need than herself when it came to money. Elodie was pretty sure Charley could use extra as well. She never turned down additional shifts and was the first to volunteer to cover for one of the other girls.
“If you’re folding sweaters, you’re getting paid. Keep going.” Elodie winked, walked to her desk and sat. Aside from some light bookkeeping, she had a few calls to return. The most interesting being from the property manager. Her lease renewal was coming up, and she was dreading the increase. Considering she rented the apartment above the store, she was paying two rents.
“Um, Elle.”
She glanced over her shoulder. Charley was standing a few feet away with a gift bag.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your party. I wanted to come, but my friend just broke up with her boyfriend.” Charley squinted her eyes and scrunched her nose. “Well, he actually broke up with her. She’s taking it really hard.”
It came as no surprise to Elodie that Charley was a girl’s girl and the best type of friend. The kind that would give up a night at a fancy club to be a shoulder to lean on. Elodie clasped her hands and angled her head. “You both should’ve come. Get her mind off the ex.”
Charley blew out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, that’s what she said the next day when I told her. I just hadn’t thought of it at the time.”
It was the first time since Charley started working she’d mentioned anything about a friend. If Elodie had to guess, Charley didn’t have many. She rarely spoke about her time off. Never once had she mentioned a date.
“Next time we all go out, bring your friend along. Okay?”
“Oh, wow that’s, uh…” Charley seemed flustered by the invitation and awkwardly held out the bag. “This is just a little something.”
Elodie smiled, taking the gift. “You didn’t have to buy me anything.”
Charley’s face immediately turned a bright shade of red. “I didn’t. It’s banana bread. I made it.”
“Thank you so much. Banana bread is one of my all-time favorites.”
Relief washed over her features, and her blush faded slightly. “You always get it from the bakery, so I figured you’d enjoy it. It’s my mom’s recipe. She used to make it all the time. It even won a contest at the farmer’s market one year. Mine’s not as good, but it’s pretty close.” Charley waved her hand and started walking toward the rolling rack. “Anyway, um, happy birthday.”
Elodie glanced down at the bag. It had been forever since anyone had made her anything. It was such an old school gesture. Nowadays it was so easy and convenient to just go to a store and buy something. On average she spent about fifteen minutes picking out a gift. But this? It took time and thought to remember it was her favorite.
“Hey!” Saylor rounded the doorway, stopping a few feet away. Her smile was too big not to throw up red flags and suspicion. “So” —Saylor inched closer with a small Post-it in her hand— “I have a friend who’s got a connection at the X-Lounge.”
Where is she going with this? Elodie glanced down at her hand at the same time Saylor offered the slip of paper. Oh, hell no. Elodie grasped the edge of her desk and rolled her chair back a foot.
“Saylor—” Elodie narrowed her gaze, giving her a stern warning.
“It’s not the owner’s direct number. According to Penny, that’d be impossible to get, but it’s the next best thing.” Saylor placed the phone number on her desk. “Elle, he comped our whole night at the club. That’s a man who’s interested. Call him.”
“If he’s so interested, shouldn’t he call me?” Elodie folded her arms.
She had tried giving him her card, which he’d blatantly refused to take.
“Yes, if he’s the traditional type, but nowadays women call men all the time. I do it.” Saylor shrugged. “And you have the perfect excuse. Wouldn’t it be rude to not formally thank him for giving us a free night at his club?”
Ah, shit!
Elodie watched Saylor disappear around the doorway, and she scooted her chair closer to her desk, eyeing the paper. It was as if it was taunting her. A dare. Elodie spun around in her chair, glancing over the stockroom. Charley was still in the corner a few feet away, folding sweaters. She’d obviously heard the whole exchange between her and Saylor. Maybe Elodie needed a different perspective. Charley could be her voice of reason.
“What do you think, Charley?”
“Um…” Her throat bobbed. “I don’t have a lot of experience with men, so…”
Elodie smiled and turned to her desk. She heard soft footsteps and glanced over her shoulder to find Charley a few feet away.
“But um…” She twisted her fingers, and her shoulders lifted to her ears as she offered a sweet smile. “You’re a catch, Elle.”
A catch. It was such a dated term for a girl in her twenties. Charley was an old soul. For all her awkwardness, she had a kindness that surpassed most of the people she’d encountered.
“You’re beautiful, probably the prettiest woman I know. And you have your own business, which makes you smart and independent. You’re obviously resilient. After everything you’ve gone through, you’re still standing, right?”
Elle snorted, shaking her head. “Barely.”
Charley inched closer. “You’re still standing when a lot of people would’ve given up. That makes you strong.”
Elodie knew what Charley was referring to. The death of her mom almost broke her.
“And you’re really funny. Everyone loves being around you. You have this like” —Charley glanced up at the ceiling and waved her hands— “aura that is very comforting and safe. You’re the kind of person people are drawn to and want to be around.”
It was interesting to see herself through someone else’s eyes. “Well, you are fantastic for my ego.”
Charley chuckled and shrugged. “If you’re asking my advice?”
Elodie grabbed the paper. “I am.”
“I think you should call him,” Charley said and backed up with a small smile playing on her lips.
What do I have to lose?
****
After forty-nine years in this world, it was a wonder even to him that he hadn’t found a silencing mechanism to tune others out. It would’ve come in handy at the moment. Being king had its perks, alongside a long list of cons. This being one of them.
Oz drew a strong pull from his cigar, eyeing his brother. Rogue had been ranting about the Killcreek Drifters MC deal since he’d walked through the door. What he was conveniently overlooking was the part he played in this debacle. There wasn’t a man on earth who thought higher of himself than his brother.
This had gone on long enough. It was next to impossible to get Rogue in line and even harder to get him on board doing business with a rival. Or sworn enemy, in this case. His narcissism didn’t help the situation.
What should’ve been an easy fix was further complicated by Rogue keeping Oz out of the loop when it came to the poker house. It was Rogue’s venture, and not all needed to be cleared through Oz. However, his brother had moved forward with not only the purchase of the property but construction. Oz scowled, shifting his gaze to Trey. He expected this from Rogue, but Trey had always been the responsible one of the two. He should’ve brought it to Oz directly.
As if reading Oz’s mind, Trey shook his head then glared at Rogue. “He assured me he’d be bringing all the information to you before construction began.”
Oz shifted his gaze to Rogue, who merely shrugged. “I hadn’t fucking gotten around to it yet.”
“Construction started a month ago,” Trey snapped. “Goddammit, Rogue.”
Unlike his brother, Trey had a full understanding of the complications involved. Not to mention the cost.
“Fucking relax.” Rogue took a sip of his drink. “This is not a big fucking deal.”
Oz arched his brow. “Would you be open to Killcreek purchasing the property next to the Bowery and opening a brothel?”
Rogue furrowed his brows. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you setting up the poker house such close in proximity to where Killcreek does their business. A business that could lead a lot of people to start poking around their area. This is about Killcreek watching their backs. I’m looking out for ours. Ten miles is too close. We have evaded authorities for a very long time. Killcreek has not. If I remember correctly, they have about ten members currently serving prison terms. They do not fly under the radar. You need distance.”
“There are two other locations I’ve scouted that are suitable for the houses,” Trey said, earning a scowl from Rogue.
“Fuck, no. Got thousands invested in that place. We’re not taking a fucking loss for those motherfuckers.”
Trey spread out his arms, clearly frustrated with Rogue. It didn’t happen often, but Rogue had a way of aggravating everyone at some point.
“What other choice do we have?”
Oz stood, made his way to the bar, and then fixed himself another drink. He poured the whiskey, capped the bottle, and took a sip before turning to Trey and Rogue. They were at a stalemate. Oz would have final say. Kind of. After all, this was Rogue’s business. He should be the deciding vote. Though he’d only be given two options.
“You have two choices. You can abandon the current location and search for another…”
“That’s not a fucking option, Oz!”
“Or…” Oz narrowed his gaze. It was a direct warning to let him finish.
Rogue gripped his hips, and scowled.
“You can keep the current location. And pay Killcreek for use in their territory.”
Rogue’s jaw squared, and his face reddened. Before he could say anything, Oz stepped forward, matching his demeanor.
“This is what happens when you go outside of your own territory. This is how it was set up for equal ownership by Sal. You cross those lines, you pay.”
“That’s bullshit!”
“I gave you two options.” Oz glared at his brother. “If you choose to keep that location for operations, Killcreek gets a stipend.”
“So we’re gonna let these motherfuckers dictate where the fuck we do business?”
“No.” Oz leveled a hard stare at his brother. “ I dictate.”
His brother was accustomed to getting his own way. That wouldn’t be happening. As expected, Rogue stormed out of the room like a child on the verge of a temper tantrum. It came as no surprise to any of them in the room. Trey sighed and folded his arms.
“It’s your job to rein him in,” Oz said.
Trey smirked. “I’ve been babysitting Rogue for over twenty years. When do I get to retire?”
Oz steeled his features, not giving into his smile.
Trey sighed, shaking his head. “I’ll get him on board.”
Of course he would. Oz and Rogue may have been blood brothers, but Trey had a stronger bond with the younger of the two. They were closer in age, practically growing up together. They complimented one another, Trey embodied the voice of reason and Rogue personified aggressive dominion, when needed. As for Oz’s part, he served as a protector to both. It was a brotherhood of loyalty, survival, and love. It was unbreakable.
“Do you want me to reach out to Ace and negotiate the money?”
Oz downed his whiskey, feeling the burn in his throat. “I’ll handle it.”
Trey nodded and walked to the couch, grabbing his jacket. “Oh, and Dahlia said to say hi.”
Dahlia . There were very few people he had a fondness for, but she was one of them. Kind, sweet, and loving. She was an anomaly in the Underground. A necessity none of them thought they needed. She proved to be the light in their very dark world.
“She’s doing well?”
Trey snorted and walked over to Oz. “Yes, she’s planning something with Sal. According to her, ‘top secret.’”
Oz arched his brow, and Trey held up his hands. “Can’t tell you but I do want to make it clear. I have nothing to do with it.”
Nothing to do with what? When Trey’s lips twitched, it suddenly clicked. Planning something? Top secret that Oz doesn’t know about?
He clenched his jaw, raised his hand, and pointed at Trey. “No. You shut that down.”
With Oz’s birthday coming up, it was easy to piece together Dahlia’s plan. There will be no fucking party! He’d never had one nor wanted one, and there would be none.
Trey laughed. “I told her, but she’s being stubborn. She’s got Sal on board. Quinn too. Those three are a force together.” He paused. “She just wants to do something special for you. You’re family to her.”
He may not have shown it often, but Oz considered Dahlia family as well. He, along with Trey and Rogue, would lay down their own lives for her, Sal, and Quinn. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to protect his family. But no fucking party!
Oz narrowed his gaze. “Shut. It. Down.”
“Consider it done.” Trey flattened his lips and nodded.
With talk about the women, Oz’s mind went to one in particular. A woman who’d plagued his thoughts since the moment he’d set eyes on her. It was rare for he and Trey to have one on ones without Rogue present. He’d take advantage of the opportunity.
Trey was about to walk out the door.
“A word, Trey.”
He glanced over his shoulder then turned, heading back to him. At the same time, Nash walked into his office with a folder in his hand. When Nash stopped a few feet from the door, Oz waved him inside.
“Tell me again about the situation with Sal and that woman from the restaurant.”
“Elodie Martin?”
“Yes.”
Trey furrowed his brows. “We looked into her. No connection, and Sal swears he doesn’t know her. He chalked it up to her not appreciating his charms.”
“But that wasn’t your take?” Oz asked.
“There was something in the way she looked at him. I’ve seen that look quite a few times. And when Quinn introduced Sal, she never mentioned his last name. But when Elodie walked out, she called him Mr. Caruso . Obviously, she knows who he is.”
Nash stepped closer and shared a look with Oz. He was silently asking for permission. And subtly, Oz granted it.
“Did she seem afraid of Sal?” Nash asked.
Trey snorted. “The opposite. It wasn’t what she said, it was how she said it. There was an underlying anger in her tone.”
Oz remained silent. The description Trey was giving wasn’t the woman he’d met a few days ago.
Trey darted his gaze between him and Nash. “Has there been a new development?”
Oz could’ve shared his encounter. He didn’t.
“No. I’ll be in touch after I speak with Ace,” Oz said, dismissing Trey. He lowered his chin, turned, and left the office. Nash stepped closer and parted his lips but Oz held up his hand. He wanted to make sure Trey wasn’t within hearing distance. There weren’t many secrets between the three of them, but Oz had always protected Rogue and Trey, and vetted information. With the link to Sal, it was imperative.
Business was different. It was transactional. This was not. Sal was family. It was personal to all of them. Oz walked across the room, making himself another drink. As he walked back, he glanced through the open door down the hallway. Security was lined up as usual, but the hall was empty. He gestured toward the door, and Nash immediately closed it.
“Tell me.”
“Elodie Martin, age forty.” He glanced up at Oz, arching his brow. “As of a few days ago. She owns a clothing store downtown. Lived in Lawry most of her life except when she went off to college out of state. Never married, no children. Clean record.”
It was minimal and basic. Oz wanted more. Especially details.
“Family here?”
“Not much. Just her mom, who died a few years ago, and an uncle. He’s local.”
“No father?”
“None listed on her birth certificate. Don’t have much on her childhood, but it seems like it was just her and her mother.”
“And her finances?”
“Drowning in debt with a lawsuit pending against her. She took a private loan from a friend, who’s now taking her to court to have it paid back. Court documents are pretty cut-and-dry. They didn’t have a written agreement in place, but she’s not denying the loan. Lawyer fees are hitting her bank account hard.”
Interesting.
“No life insurance from the mother?”
“No. From what I gather, she was sick for a couple of years. Mounting medical bills. Loans taken against her house left no profit from the sale after she died.”
“Did that fall on next of kin?”
“Yes. Traced her finances and housing. Up until about four years ago, Elodie was in a fairly good position financially. Lived in a higher end apartment on the west side. It looks like she moved in with her mother until she died two years ago. There’s a gap year where her business sales plummeted.” Nash glanced at him. “Drastically. Right after her mother died. That put her in severe debt.”
Oz folded his arms. “What else?”
Nash flipped through the folder. “Did find one interesting connection.”
Oz straightened. “To Sal?”
“No. Not sure how their paths could’ve crossed. The connection is to one of the two men she was seen arguing with at the club. Julian Shipman. He loaned her the money. According to this, they’d known each other for years. Friends. And I use that term loosely.” Nash’s gaze darkened.
They both heard the tail end of her argument with Julian before the other guy came to her rescue. By all accounts, Julian had an ulterior motive for loaning Elodie the cash.
“As for the other?” Nash shrugged. “Dalton Kyler, twenty-four, just graduated the university. His comment about them being lovers speaks for itself.” Nash chuckled. “Of course, she didn’t seem too thrilled about his exposing that piece of information.”
No, she didn’t. Oz didn’t care for it much either.
He stared across the room at the expensive art on his wall, giving no reaction. He had no ties to this woman. She was a stranger. Her relationships had no bearing on him. Still, the idea of her being with the asshole from the club gnawed at his chest. He ground his teeth, rolling his shoulders. They needed to get back on track, and that didn’t include thinking of her with another man in bed.
“Nothing to link her and Sal?”
“Nothing I could find.”
“What about the uncle?”
“Same as her, clean record. Lived in Lawry most his life. No affiliation.”
It was code for no ties to the Underground.
“Keep looking into a connection.”
Nash gave a curt nod and started through his office. If there was a link to Sal, he’d find it. Oz should have left it at that. However, Elodie had managed to do something most people couldn’t. She’d intrigued him and triggered an unrelenting desire. He wouldn’t act on it, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t indulge in seeing her again.
“Make a call. Invite her here on Thursday.”
Nash halted mid-step and slowly turned. “Sir?”
“Make the arrangements.”
Nash raised his brows. “And if she says no?”
Oz had gotten a perfect read on Elodie and her interest. Little did she know it was mutual.
“She won’t.”
Nash smirked. “Yes, sir.”
Oz finished the last of his whiskey and reached for his phone. There was another meeting he needed to set up, and he wasn’t looking forward to it. If ever there was a woman who was an equal match to his power, she was it.
Fuck!