Chapter 16 #2
“What if I told you I can triple what he owed you.”
Bullet remains expressionless. “I’d say how thoughtful. But we know better in thinking anything is free. What’s the catch?”
There’s always a catch.
I spare a quick glance at Alexander’s men who watch us from the door, faces deadpan.
Alexander grins, walking to the giant glass window overlooking the dance floor, his drink still in hand with his jet-black hair slicked back without a strand out of place.
Down below people dance, drink, probably hammered off alcohol or some type of drug.
This isn’t the cleanest spot. Not that other places like Club Beat are completely innocent, but this place is high class with a twist. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some shady shit going down behind closed doors.
Chain always talked about checking this place out, making sure nothing like trafficking was going down.
I’m sure this isn’t how he wanted to address the potential situation but here we were.
Though, that matter was for another day.
As if reading my thoughts, Alexander says, “I’m not a terrible man.
I have my moments, but I’m not a killer of the innocent without reason.
” Bullshit. He spares us a quick glance.
“Grizzly was… how should I put this? A not so good guy. He also owed me a lot of money. Stole my guns. My drugs. Raped my women. He was out of control.” The rise of his brow leads our suspicions to be true which is why he killed Grizzly, not by his own hands, but by his men. Can’t say I’m mad about it.
“I believe Grizzly wasn’t working alone. He wasn’t that smart or clever. Someone was working alongside him. Calling the shots.”
“And you want us, my club, to find this other man.” Bullet’s shoulders tense, mine still relaxed.
With a hand in his pocket and his glass raised to his mouth, Alexander says before taking a drink, “Precisely.”
“You think we have that kind of power?” Bullet quips.
A tell-tale smirk enters his face. “I know you have that kind of power. Your President likes to play innocent. Pretends to play fair and nice, but I know what your club is capable of.”
Guess we’re earning a reputation after all.
“Surely you have the manpower. I’m still confused as to why you think we’d be a better fit.” Bullet wonders the same as me, but I’ll let him do the talking considering I’m not much for it.
Alexander takes another drink, casting an interesting look in my direction. “It’s because of your guy right there.”
My body doesn’t make a move. No sudden flinch or twitch, just eyes locked with his.
“You don’t say much.”
I hold firm, face blank. “Not much to say.”
He nods, studying me a bit longer. “I like that. It means you’re centered. Grounded. Focused. Like I said, you find Grizzly’s man and I’ll give you one hell of a pretty prize. And if you want, unlimited access to my girls. They’ll take good care of you. Believe me.”
“The money, we’ll take. Your women, we’ll pass.”
Alexander tilts his head in a studious way. “Is it men you like? I have those as well. We don’t discriminate here.”
Bullet doesn’t address his comment, though we both know he’s as straight as a pin. “I’ll take this to my President. And we’ll be in contact.” Bullet turns to go, and I plan on following but Alexander gives us another acknowledgment, stopping us.
“Before you leave, I want you to see why I do what I do here. Why I’ve built this club from the ground up. While yes, it’s a money maker, it’s not all it brings.”
Bullet and I exchange a look before joining Alexander, hanging back slightly but still able to see what’s down below.
I’m an honest enough man to admit he gives off a threatening presence.
He’s tall, assertive, and knowledgeable.
He challenges us by towering over, but I still surpass him by at least three inches.
“Look at them down there. All those happy faces. They’re having the time of their lives, and I wouldn’t want to take that away from them.”
I’m unsure what his underlying meaning is. Perhaps it’s a cryptic way of saying he does more than just keep customers happy with drinks and dancing.
He finishes his whiskey, setting it down on his cherry oak desk beside him. “That woman down there—the one in the green dress.”
I scan the crowded floor below, wondering why it is he wants us interested. To be honest, I can give a shit less what kind of business he built for himself but when my eyes lock on the woman in the green dress—the only green dress, my heart stutters.
“Perfection and beauty. Am I right?”
I give no sign. My face wears the same stony expression it has the entire time.
But deep down, my mind is racing because what the fuck is she doing here?
Danika stands by the bar, her short emerald dress complimenting her long brown copper locks.
When she turns, leaning against the bar, elbows tucked protectively into her side, the female next to her laughs. I recognize her friend from the diner.
If Bullet notices, he doesn’t let on. For good reason.
If Alexander finds out she’s affiliated with us in any way it can make her a possible target or leverage for anyone becoming our enemy with a drop of a hat.
Men like Alexander are unpredictable and you never know where their head is.
We don’t know this guy from Adam, so we can’t begin to trust him now.
“Are we done?” My outburst of a question catches him off guard as he slowly turns my way.
“So, he does speak.” He grins, heading for the door, and I allow him to pass. “If you’ll excuse me… I do look forward to hearing from your President.” With that, he nods, leaving us behind with two of his men waiting to escort us out.
Bullet and I exchange a look.
I need to get Danika out of here.