Sawyer raises an eyebrow."City usually fights harder than that unless someone with clout pushes.Nice work."
"This wasn't working with the city.It was all with the private owners of the buildings.They want their buildings to be safe, and since I was willing to foot the bill for the cameras, they were more than happy to work with me so long as they had access to the ones on their buildings.Fair trade."Carter shrugs.
Troy leans forward."I have city ties.We'll push to eliminate street parking where there's line-of-sight into the club.That way, it should cut access to surveillance shots."
Hunter folds his hands."What about when our lot is full during events?"
Ridge meets Hunter's gaze."On event nights, we do a club driving service.Cars wait out of view, and we taxi folks in and out.Less street presence, safer patrons."
I nod."I can manage it.I'll set it up."
Hunter smiles, relief in his eyes."Okay.That helps."
Sawyer folds his arms."So that's walls, cameras, parking ban, driving service.That covers infrastructure.What about PR?We need a narrative.Mase isn't the only demon out there."
I lean back."We spin it.Position Club Red as a safety-first venue.Not only are we tightening security, but we're protecting members.We're showing we don't tolerate threats."
Troy hums."That plays well, especially after Dustin."
I stiffen and watch Carter, who just nods.Dustin is Gemma's ex-fiancé, who went crazy when he learned she was going to the Club.Carter stepped in to protect her, and I have a feeling Mase was involved in that too.
Hunter nods."That story's out there.We handle it transparently.Admit the incident and show our actions.It hurts initially but builds trust."
Ridge adds, "If this gets worse, we'll need talking points.A unified message.Maybe even media training for our key people."
Troy agrees."We should designate a spokesperson.Someone who can handle the press if it comes to that.Carter would be best, but I know he wants nothing to do with the public, so next up would be Hunter or Ridge."
Hunter sighs."Fine.But if I'm doing it, I want control over what's said.We can't afford mixed messages."
Carter leans in."We'll back you.But we also need a legal shield.Troy, that's your lane."
Troy nods."Already reaching out to my city contacts.We'll frame this as a private enterprise protecting its community.That message will resonate.Especially if we can show real safety records."
Sawyer claps his hands together."Alright.We've got infrastructure, strategy, PR, and legal on track.Let's keep everything tight.No loose lips."
The air relaxes a little.
As we all start to leave, Carter gestures for me to follow him into his office.Once the door is shut behind us, he turns to face me.
"Have you talked to Skye?"
I nod slowly."Yeah.We met here.Just talked.No scene.It was hard.We stood on opposite sides of the room like strangers, and I wanted to touch her so badly, but I didn't."
"What did she say?"Carter asks.
"She cried.Said she couldn't even bring herself to kiss me.I told her I'd find a way to fix this, but I don't even know how."
Carter gives a long sigh and rubs his chin."Well, I might have an idea."
Then he takes the remaining time outlining his plans for me.
After my talk with Carter, I feel a bit better.We still have a long way to go, but I need a tiny thread of hope to hold on to.
Needing to talk to someone, I pull out my phone and dial Storm.We served together and remained close.
He recently got married to River, but it was a long road for him and his wife.She was married to his best friend.If anything happened to his friend, he had asked Storm to take care of River.Then he was killed in action.River was pregnant with their first child and had no family, so Storm moved her to his home in Montana, where he fell for her.He had to fight his feelings for a while, thought falling for his best friend's girl was wrong.So, he's the first one I think of calling.
He answers on the third ring."Gage."
