Kim shrugged. “Maybe he’s friends with the owner or manager.”
“And you’ve never seen him before?”
Kim shook her head. “No, but that’s not saying much,” she answered. “I work just as many hours as you do, Devi. And when I’m not working, I’m resting or with one of my hookups.” Kim wasn’t necessarily against commitment, but she preferred options right now in her life.
“It’s what? Five?” Kim nodded. “Can you give me ride to The Tenor? It’s a Saturday, it’s possible he’ll be there since it’s the weekend, maybe?”
“Of course, I’ll drive you, but…I know you don’t have many options, Devi, but are you sure you want to do this? This could get dangerous.”
“You didn’t see Keith, Kim,” I replied. “This mess is already dangerous.”
She gave me a sympathetic nod as she stood. “Then let’s do this, chick.”
The drive to The Tenor was a quiet one. I was still wondering how it’s come to this, and Kim was probably worried about me, trying to think of another option. I was truly blessed to have a friend like her. I’d have no idea what I’d be doing right now without her.
When she pulled into The Tenor’s parking lot, she turned the car off, ready to get out with me, but I stopped her. “I can’t thank you enough for your help, Kim, but…I don’t want you going in there with me.”
Her brows jumped.“Why?”
“I don’t want your name associated with his mess,” I told her honestly. “I don’t want any rumors getting started about you requesting a meeting with Cassius Sire.”
“Devi-”
“Please,” I pleaded. “I already have one person I'm sick with worry over, Kim. I can’t have you getting any more involved in this disaster than you already are.Please.”
Kim didn’t say anything a full minute before finally saying, “You call me as soon as you’re done in there, okay? I’ll…I’ll go get a coffee down the street and wait for your call.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
Turning from her, I grabbed my purse and got out of her car. I tried not to throw up as I heard the sound of her car start, ready to leave me to go do this thing that…that I still wasn’t sure of.
With bravery I never knew I possessed, I walked into The Tenor and straight to the bar. There were only a couple of people sitting at the bar, so the bartender noticed me immediately as I approached.
When he was close enough, he asked, “What can I get you?”
With my brother’s beaten face burned in the back of my mind as a reminder of why I was here, I said, “I’d like a meeting with Cassius Sire, if possible.”
His handsome face gave nothing away as he asked, “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
Hell no.
I nodded. “Absolutely.”
Chapter 7
Cassius~
Ifinally arrived at The Tenor at a little past six. When Xavier had texted me that I had a meeting request, I’d done what I always do when hit with such a request; I made the person wait an hour on me. It was the only way to vet the serious requests from the pain-in-the-ass ones.
Nobody waited an hour on a rude asshole unless they were serious.
Settling at my desk, I rang the bar and told Connor to have Sergio escort the woman back. Sergio was The Tenor’s manager, and one of the very few people I trusted. That was another reason I spent most of my time at The Tenor for business. While The Alto and the restaurants were legitimate places of business, with legitimate employees, and legitimate middle management, The Tenor was just a tad different from the rest. Still under The Vaudeville Corporation, the employees who worked at The Tenor worked for me, personally. They didn’t work for the Vaudeville Corporation, even if the corporation did sign their checks.
I had a few women working as servers, but most of the employees of The Tenor were men. Men who were in the know. And if someone came looking for me, they knew to call Xavier to set up the meeting. I also paid handsomely for their loyalty.
At the knock on the door, I stood up and said, “Enter.” And what happened next, almost knocked me on my ass.
Sergio opened the door, and when he pushed it wide enough to allow my visitor entrance, my entire gut seized with recognition.
