19. Declan
Chapter nineteen
Declan
S erenity's heaving chest, flushed complexion, and obvious arousal are fresh on my mind as I sit at my desk in The Envelope later that evening.
She was a good girl and explored for about an hour before coming back out to man the tables.
I'm salivating at the possibilities of what she saw, and what she felt, and what she enjoyed.
But I have more pressing matters than my horny ass.
Being involved with current social circles and gossip means I always know someone who knows someone.
Being connected isn't just good for business, it's good for solving problems...like Serenity's parents and their friends.
I've already increased security around The Envelope, but the image of her frightened face and that asshole's hand on her is still robbing me of sleep. I need to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that she's safe.
I won't deal with her parents now, because I can tell there are complicated feelings there, but the fucker that touched her needs to go.
Legally, or illegally, I don't give a shit.
"Bueno," the gruff voice on the other end of the phone answers.
"Jefe. It's Blake. I need a favor."
He practically fucking purrs on the other end of the line. He knows I wouldn't be coming to him if it was anything legal.
But I also know he won't talk specifics on the phone. "Care to join me at The Envelope to discuss?"
"How big a favor are we asking?"
"Big enough."
"Sounds good, I'll be there in thirty."
I've used Rico a time or two before when we needed extra security for an event and to use his hacker to research some of our loudest opposition at public hearings. We've gotten bad reviews online from the morality police that I've paid them to take down. And their background checks have been vital in quitting the loudest voices. Turns out, it's a lot easier to point fingers when no one knows your Google search history.
Thirty minutes later, I get a text from Jack, our main bouncer, about a man in black named Rico demanding entrance.
Fuck. I probably should have alerted him sooner but got distracted searching for any records of Serenity and her parents.
Jack lets him in to the foyer and I greet the mob boss with a firm handshake.
"I appreciate you coming. I know you probably have more important things to do."
He hums non-committedly.
I usher him to my office before he sits on the chair, and I close the door behind us.
I sit at my desk, but I know he's the man in charge here. Head of the Colombian mafia in DC, I'm asking him the favor.
"I have a problem."
He twirls his finger in a 'go on' motion.
"I won't waste either of our time. We have a new employee who is important to me. Her mother and stepfather are pieces of shit - involved in drugs and alcohol. One of their friends attacked her the other day in front of my club and I can't have that happen again."
He nods in understanding. If rumors can be trusted, he recently found himself a woman so he must be sympathetic to the need to keep our women safe.
"I would be forever in your debt if you could find out any information about them and make sure they don't bother The Envelope or us again."
He nods silently again.
"What can you give me to get started?"
"The stepdad’s name is Gary Lawson. Woman's name is Mary Lawson. I don't know about their friends."
He nods again. "I'll put the word out. If they try to buy from us, I'll take care of them."
"I don't want them killed... just... a message sent to leave us alone. You know?"
He nods again, a man of few words.
He stands, shakes my hand and I wonder if that's enough. Enlisting the underbelly of the city to protect Serenity may not be the best way to go about it, but I'll use any tool I have to make sure she's safe from now on. And that her pathetic excuse for parents can never touch her again.