CHAPTER SEVEN
CLOVER
I didn’t like the idea of Daire going after the man who’d propositioned me. It felt like trouble. Once he’d mentioned having VIP access, I knew he was bad news.
Daire had seen it as an opportunity. I worried about his ability to keep his temper in check. He wasn’t a calm, chill guy. I’d seen the malevolence in his eyes when the man asked to play with me. Daire wanted to kill him.
Trying not to be obvious, I snuck glances down the hall where they’d both disappeared. If he did anything reckless, we would have to get out of here fast.
I ordered a second drink, sipping it while I waited. A waitress with a serving tray approached the bar with an order she said was for those in the back. When she turned away to talk to another staff member, I pulled a tiny microphone smaller than a ladybug from my bra and stuck it to the bottom of her tray. There was a good chance that it was a futile effort, but I had to try something.
A hand on the back of my shoulder made me jump. I whirled around to find Raina standing behind me. Sweaty and disheveled, she adjusted her wig while plopping onto the stool next to me.
“Hey, girl,” she greeted me with a big smile. “This place is wild. Have you had any fun yet? I’m not sure I can take much more. My legs are barely holding me as it is.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, we were in a private room. Daire thought it would be fun to tie me to a cross and make me beg. As if he doesn’t do that at home. Where’s Havoc?”
Raina snickered. “He went to the washroom. You never told me that Daire was such a freak. Not that I couldn’t have guessed. Havoc went crazy on that forced orgasm contraption. I thought he’d never let me off that thing. I lost count after eight. I’m friggin’ exhausted.”
“Eight?” I gaped at her. “Holy shit, lady. How are you still walking at all?”
Raina motioned the bartender over and ordered a drink. “Nothing short of a miracle. Where did Daire go? I can’t imagine what made him leave your side.”
I waited until the bartender had moved down the bar to another customer before telling her about the man and his creepy proposition. “Daire went after him. I’m a little worried. If he loses his temper, he’ll ruin this for us.”
Raina frowned. “Sounds like the guy deserves an ass kicking. I’m sure it will be fine. Try to be patient.”
Only when I saw Daire talking with Havoc in the hall near the washrooms did I relax. He didn’t appear to have been in a fight. Good.
Raina and I finished our drinks. She promptly grabbed my arm, pulling me along to the restroom so she could freshen up. I could use some freshening myself. We passed the guys on the way, pausing to let them know we’d be back in a few minutes. I was eager to hear what had gone on with the man Daire followed.
In the restroom, I headed into a stall, impressed with how clean it was. Raina entered the one next to me, humming to herself. When the voices of two women entering the restroom followed, she stopped, keeping quiet.
“Too many people are finding out what goes on back there,” one woman said. “So much for it being a secret. Why does everyone have to run their damn mouths so much?”
The second woman spoke up. “I know. It’s dangerous. I’m pretty sure there are people who know that shouldn’t. It’s only a matter of time until the wrong people hear about it and come after us.”
The sound of water running was followed by a purse zipper opening. I held my breath, hoping they didn’t realize we were in here. The row of stalls was long. We’d chosen two away from the sinks. These women were part of the back room activity.
Trying to move quietly, I pulled out another mic, holding it up. Maybe it would pick up the rest of their conversation.
“JD won’t let that happen. He’s on top of things. We have to trust him to protect all of us.” The first woman paused before adding, “Does my hair look okay? I just had it cut today. I’m not sure about these layers.”
The second woman was quick to reassure her. “I love it. The layers perfectly frame your face.”
Their discussion turned to makeup and a new foundation one of them was using. Waiting for them to leave was making me crazy. Finally, their conversation faded as they left the restroom. I waited another minute to be sure they were gone before flushing and leaving the stall.
Raina joined me at the sinks. I hurried through washing my hands. “I wonder who JD is.”
“I’m sure they use initials so nobody knows his real name.” Raina nodded toward the ceiling. “You should plant a camera up there in the corner. If those women are chatty in here a lot, the Sinners might get something they can use.”
“Good call. Watch the door.”
While she manned the door, I climbed up on the counter. Being careful not to fall, I pulled out a camera and secured it to the ceiling in the corner where it looked down upon the sink area. I had a feeling it was the best I’d be able to do tonight.
I got down right as a few women entered. Close call. Raina and I joined the guys who stood in the hall waiting. They didn’t look too enthused about being alone together.
“Hey,” Raina spoke in a hushed tone. “You guys need to plant a camera in the washroom. Above the sinks. People talk in there.”
She gave Havoc a push toward the men’s room. I nodded for Daire to go with him.
“Some women were just talking in the ladies’ room. They said something about a JD being in charge of the dark web operation. They were worried that too many people were finding out about it.”
Daire nodded, following Havoc into the washroom. We both knew how much more dangerous our mission had become. If this JD person knew that word was getting out, he would take additional precautions. He’d be ready for people like us.
“Do you think we should try to get back there?” Raina nodded toward the VIP area at the end of the hall. “I’m not sure that kind of thing can be covert. Might have to grab someone with a key card and swipe it.”
“That’s pretty aggressive. If we do that, there’s no turning back. I’m not sure how many people are back there or if they’re armed. That’s risky.” I really didn’t want to do what she’d suggested. However, I also knew that if every visit gave us so many limited opportunities, we may have no other choice.
“Not happening, Bad Girl.” Havoc returned in time to overhear Raina’s suggestion. “We don’t have backup. Something tells me this isn’t the kind of thing we should handle with violence unless absolutely necessary.”
“The Sinners want cameras planted,” Daire broke in. “While I don’t love taking orders from those dicks, I don’t need them turning my life upside down either. Getting this done without drawing attention to ourselves is safer. After what Clover has already been through, I don’t want her becoming a target.”
Raina nodded in understanding. “Okay, that makes sense. So what do we do now?”
No sooner had she spoken than the man who’d propositioned me stepped through the door to the back, heading right for us. I averted my gaze, wary of making eye contact. That didn’t stop Daire from staring him down.
He waited until the man was out of earshot to say, “Let’s follow him. If he leaves the building, we may get a chance to corner him for information.”
Havoc shrugged. “Works for me.”
Keeping our distance, we followed the man, hanging back when he stopped to talk to someone at the bar. Maybe he was just on the prowl. We kept up fake conversation amongst ourselves while we waited for him to move. Daire and Havoc mostly nodded along while Raina and I kept up the chatter.
Finally, our target headed up the stairs to the main floor. He paused again to chat with the doorman before disappearing into the parking lot. We weren’t far behind.
Havoc pulled out a set of keys. “We can take my car.”
While Daire and I slid into the back of Havoc’s Lexus, all four of us watched the man get into a silver Mercedes and peel away. Soon we were in motion. My stomach tensed.
“This is exciting,” Raina gushed, turning in her seat to look back at me. “Finally something is happening.”
I swallowed hard, nodding. I wished I shared her enthusiasm. Instead, nerves gripped me, making my mouth dry.
“Yeah,” I muttered. “Real exciting.”