Chapter 19
JOEL
“Thank you for coming, Helena.” She’s wearing an all-black leather bodysuit that reminds me of Catwoman, and she’s holding a helmet under her arm.
“I figured this attire would blend in better with your crowd and draw less attention. Besides, I don’t get much time to ride my Ducati.” I watch Twister white knuckling the edge of the table as I take her hand and shake it.
“You ride?” I point to the empty chair next to my VP ‘cause seating her anywhere else might lead to murder by the look in his eyes.
“Thank you, but I’ll stand. This won’t take long. Yes, I’ve been riding for years.” She does move closer to Twister, and he seems to relax.
But just a little.
“I’ve gathered that you would like my help to infiltrate my late husband’s connections for the virgin auction.
I’m here to tell you I can’t help. But I can get you the means to an invitation to the next one held in Philadelphia.
” I watch Twister grab her calf and hold her as if he’s afraid she’s going to make a run for it.
“That would definitely help, but we want to plant someone inside the auction.” Her spine stiffens, and the color drains from her face.
“I beg your pardon?” I see her reach for her jacket, and Twister moves fast.
“Easy Hel. Hear us out.” He’s got her in a bear hug on his lap now, and his posture has completely changed, like that was where he wanted her all along.
“You want to sell a girl?” The accusation in her voice is warranted.
“Technically. We want to plant one of our own to take them down from the inside.” Helena relaxes a little with a semi-impressed look on her face.
“I see. And how will you safeguard this club girl?” I laugh.
“Sorry, no, you have the wrong impression. It’s not one of the hang-around girls. This is a member of our sister club from Baltimore.” I cross my arms as she takes in the information Haven gave me about Loki’s plan.
“Well, that changes things. You’ve got my full cooperation. On one condition.” Twister tenses again as I wait for her to drop whatever bomb I know she’s hiding behind that tiny smile of hers.
“I’m all ears.” I wave her on, tired of the back and forth already.
“You help me kill my stepson.” The room goes quiet and then explodes with questions.
I let out a whistle to shut everyone up.
“Why?” I ask when the room returns to a calmer state.
“It’s the only way you get that invite to the auction. And one of your guys will need to pose as him. I can tell you right now, only one of you has the right build and look to do it.” I shake my head and glance at Twister.
“Oh no. It’s not Enzo. It’s him.” She points at Tank.
“You aren’t a stranger to going undercover, are you, officer?” Ok, what doesn’t this woman know?
“You’d be shocked how much the homeless and drug addicted population of Philly knows if you ask the right questions. When you save them from the streets, people can be quite grateful. So do we have a deal?” She’s picking at her nails as we all stare at her.
“Doesn’t sound like we have a choice.” I look at Tank, whose face has turned to stone.
“Fantastic! We have lots of work to do. You’ll be taking his place at tonight’s auction starting in three hours.
Don’t worry, it goes all night. Should give you plenty of time to come up with a fantastic plan.
We’ve got work to do, boys. Chop, chop.” She pinches Twister’s arm, and he yelps, letting her stand.
She shocks the shit out of all of us by straddling him and kissing him for all to see. She leaves him dazed and confused with red lipstick all over his mouth. She runs her thumb under his lip and smiles.
“This one’s claimed, gentlemen. MINE.” She stands and grasps Tank’s hand.
“Come with me, handsome. It’s time for your makeover. Enzo, I’ll text you the address.” I catch Tank’s eye as he’s dragged out the door.
“Good luck.”
Twister’s phone beeped twenty minutes later with an address that made us all flinch.
“Um, Flick? Is the club open tonight?” He shakes his head.
“Nah, closed for a private event.” I look at Twister.
“When was it booked?” He scratches his head in thought.
“Months ago, why?” Twister turns on his phone, showing the address to Pantheon, his dance club, on the screen.
“No fucking way!” Flick’s anger radiates through the rest of the men as well.
“Alright, calm down. We’ve got home team advantage. Does Helena know we own the club?” I ask as I watch Twister’s fingers fly across his screen, texting like a madman.
“If she didn’t, she does now.” His phone beeps, and he curses.
“It’s the reason her stepson picked it. Me. FUCK!” I hold up my hand and sigh.
“Flick, how do we get in unseen?”
He shakes his head.
“We don’t. I can since being on my cameras won’t be strange. Maybe one or two of the guys, since they frequent, but new faces? No way with my security. Unless we can hack the feed and loop it.” Shit!
The only one with that type of hacking knowledge is Tank.
I rack my brain trying to figure out a way to be on premises without drawing and suspicion. I’m pulling at my hair when Twister snorts.
“Ask Haven if we can borrow her best friend.” Corvin?
“What do you have in mind?” He grins.
“A drag queen fuck up.”