Chapter 6 #2
“We’re working on placing a few mics, but we’re almost done.”
“Let me know when you’re finished. Make sure no one sees you,” I warned, and he grunted in acknowledgement. He knew the drill. This wasn’t our first reconnaissance mission, and it wouldn’t be the last.
I opened my laptop and booted up the surveillance software.
There were at least ten cameras in place, covering much of the club in a way to keep blind spots at a minimum.
I opened up the camera at the back of the room, taking in the interior section of the club.
Another view looked over the outdoor pool.
The sun reflected off the water, but that wouldn’t be a problem once night fell.
I watched the perimeter carefully as my wolves paced around it.
Enzo remained in human form as he placed several more mics, but he was moving quickly because time was running short.
I made sure everything was set on my end before I moved to the window that overlooked the nightclub pool.
“All done, boss.”
“Good. Get out of there now,” I directed. I watched them carefully, ensuring their presence had gone unnoticed.
Enzo and the rest of my pack bounded over the outside walls in a blur. There wasn’t a person in sight. The sun was still up, so the vampires were likely still asleep or safely hidden behind light-blocking curtains or even deep underground. Our mission was a success thus far.
I surveyed the area down below. I was about five stories above the club.
The only downside was that there wasn’t a single balcony at my disposal.
The Wynn didn’t have them. I wasn’t as much concerned with that, however.
If I needed to get down there, I would make my own way.
The glass was thick, but I was stronger than it by a longshot if things started to devolve.
The door clicked behind me, and I turned to see Enzo and the rest of my men walk inside. He didn’t waste any time, sitting down with his own laptop and quickly getting to work with a flurry of keystrokes.
“The security walls here are pretty good,” he murmured with a thread of aggravation.
“Are you just being nice?” I asked.
“Yes,” he grinned.
“I take it that they won’t be a problem,” I replied.
“No. I’ll have the casino feeds up in less than thirty minutes. By the time I’m done, there won’t be an inch of this place we can’t see,” he smirked.
“Perfect.”
I turned back toward the window, listening to the sounds of typing behind me. It was a waiting game now and the only thing left to do to prepare was to familiarize myself with the layout as much as I could. All remained quiet for some time.
About an hour later, a group entered the club and started to decorate.
I watched for a while as they tested the lighting, dyed the pool a visceral looking blood red, and began laying out tables where they’d likely set out small finger foods, goblets of wine or punch bowls full of blood.
I’d never been to a vampire shindig. I just imagined that’s what they’d probably do, considering the evidence before me.
I eventually turned away to check in on Enzo. He clicked his tongue twice, before he made a small grunt of victory.
“I’m in,” he declared.
“You’re fast,” I replied. He’d gotten in well under his estimate, which was even more impressive.
“At least buy me a drink first, boss,” he answered cheekily, and I rolled my eyes.
“You think you’re such a lady killer,” I teased, and his grin widened.
“I’ve never received any complaints,” he countered.
I chuckled, leaning over so that I could take another look at the casino camera feeds. I searched the faces of those in view looking for any of the members of the invited vampire clans that we knew of, but I didn’t find any, at least not yet. It was still a touch early for that, I realized.
The sun was just beginning to set on the horizon.
Streaks of vivid oranges and yellows pierced through the skies.
As the sun sank even lower, vibrant pinks, reds, and even the slightest twinge of purple began to take over until the entire sky looked like it was set ablaze. It wouldn’t be much longer now.
Below, the lights were beginning to power on.
Dim red spotlights made to match the scarlet color of the pool water cast an eerie glow over the entire club.
Pink lights reflected off the white gazebo and a string of soft violet lights twinkled beneath.
Men and women worked to string thick veils of fabric across the pool, cloaking much of the outdoor area from the prying eyes of curious onlookers that may be watching from the safety of their hotel rooms above.
Onlookers like me.
From the evidence that my pack had collected thus far, there were at least thirty-six women that the Asamire had purchased over the last six months.
Most of them had been acquired from Vinny’s trafficking ring, but a few others had been procured from other pipelines throughout the city.
I wanted to save as many of them as I could, but I had no information on where exactly they were being kept and if all of them were even still alive.
I wanted to rescue all of them, but the likelihood of that was extremely slim. Vampires were strong and there was going to be a lot of them there tonight. As an alpha, I was stronger than most of them. The rest of my pack would be evenly matched, which put us all in a dangerous spot.
I didn’t want to, but I was going to have to go at this as carefully as possible. There was going to be collateral damage either way.
My priority tonight was to rescue Irina and I had to remain focused on her. There still wasn’t any sign of Natalia, but if she showed up tonight, I would make sure that she didn’t get herself killed by messing with powers that were far stronger than her.
It was doubtful that she would infiltrate the place herself, but she’d surprised me before and likely would again.
When I could see that the invited guests were beginning to arrive, I called my pack together for one last briefing before all of us got into our assigned positions.
“Irina Kotova is the main mission tonight,” Enzo began for me. “If she is spotted, all men on deck.”
He held up Irina’s picture. All of my wolves took a close look at her before I held up another image of the woman who was destined to become my mate.
“Be on the lookout for her sister, Natalia Kotova, as well. Be careful with this one now. She’s a highly trained assassin and incredibly good at what she does,” I added.
My men peered back at me, every one of them prepared for war. They were strong and they followed me not just out of loyalty, but respect.
“Once the Kotova sisters have been located, then we’ll move in and get them out. Our main objective after that will be to rescue as many of the human women as possible,” Enzo explained.
“If the situation turns dire, I want all of you out. I will not sacrifice my pack for this. If I make the call, you are to move. Immediately,” I commanded.
My pack nodded all at once.
“Good. Now let’s get this party started,” I said with a grin and a series of excited howls set off them all. “There will be enough time for that later,” I chuckled. “Now get to work.”
My pack quieted down, but their anticipation was palpable. This was our first time going against the vampires here in the city and they were really looking forward to it. If this went well, we’d undoubtedly gain power here by sheer reputation alone.
Enzo was the first man to leave the room and the rest followed him. I would remain here and oversee the mission from above while he led them down below. If the situation called for it, I would join them at the first opportunity.
The room emptied out as my men sauntered off to take their assigned positions around the perimeter of the club.
When I sat down by my laptop once again, I could see that the indoor section of the nightclub was beginning to fill.
The Russian vampire I’d played poker with was sipping a full glass of whiskey at the bar.
A pretty blonde vampire was at his side.
She was running her fingers up and down his arms in a show of admiration.
I cocked my head to the side, watching more closely.
She was practically worshipping him, but he wasn’t paying her any mind.
If anything, he seemed more interested in everyone else in the bar other than her.
The doors opened and a couple walked inside dressed in all black.
The female vampire was adorned in a black sequined gown that hugged her body as if it was snakeskin and the man’s suit was just as flashy.
With pale skin and dark makeup, they looked as though they belonged on a stage.
Her black lipstick caught the light, shimmering with glitter.
When I looked closely, I saw that the male was wearing the same color, just on his bottom lip.
Their radiance was stunning at the same time that it was a little disconcerting.
After a moment, I recognized them as the heads of the Lasombre clan. Their names were Isabella and Nathaniel.
They didn’t show their faces often and much of their presence in the city remained a mystery, which was the way they liked it.
Shortly after the Lasombres entered, Josephina made her grand entrance.
Her mahogany brunette hair was spiraled into soft curls that framed her face while the rest of it was swept up in a soft up-do at the back of her head.
Her dress was bright red with a deep V-neck that offset her breasts beautifully.
The A-line skirt flowed down to the floor in waves.
Her waist was studded with red beading, but it was the floor-length sheer red cape flowing out behind her that was the showstopper of her entire outfit.
Josephina never did anything halfway.