“I’ll check on her before I leave.” Landon set his medical bag down, then sat on a stool at my kitchen island. Cole leaned against the counter. Bastian sat on the couch, while Alessio stood. The guy wasn’t good at relaxing or switching off.
“I’ve got the security team digging into Snyder,” Bastian said. “He owns the Red Neon nightclub. That’s his main business. Hedoes a few record deals and has a DJ business with a fleet of DJs that he hires out for events.”
“All aboveboard?” I asked.
“Mostly. He deals with some shady people. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s laundering money for some clients. He’s never been charged with anything, but he certainly does business with people known to bend the rules. He also owns a lot of real estate, including a big mansion in Summerlin.”
I frowned. I’d been hoping for more.
“He also has a pattern of abusing women,” Bastian added, voice sharp.
I tensed, and the others did, too.
Alessio’s gaze sharpened, burning black.
“Like he did to Georgie’s sister Viv,” I said.
Bastian nodded, distaste on his face. “The fucker uses the same play every time. He likes to play the big man. Lures them into his club, puts them in the spotlight, promises them a record deal. Then he throws cash around, spoils them, seduces them, puts them on a pedestal.”
“Love bombing,” Landon said.
“What?” I frowned.
“It’s over-the-top lavishing of attention, gifts, and flattery on someone. To manipulate and influence them.”
Bastian leaned forward. “That’s exactly it. Once he has them hooked and isolated from their friends and family, he shows his real colors.”
“Georgie said he started sharing Viv with his men, clients.” My lip curled. “He also videoed it.”The sick fuck.
Bastian nodded. “Looks like he also gets them hooked on drugs. He’s all about control.”
“Classic abusive asshole,” Landon said.
“He has money, and power and control over their careers,” I added. “Viv ODed. She was found dead in an alley. Georgie says Snyder killed her.”
“It’s likely,” Bastian said. “But you’ll never prove it. He’ll have evidence that she was a drug addict. No doubt he’ll earnestly show that he tried to help her.”
I let out a growl. “His right-hand guy beat the shit out of Georgie. Twice.”
Bastian made a sound. “Frank Bruno. Ex-boxer and a nasty piece of work.”
“I’ve seen him around the underground fights,” Cole said. “He likes to use his fists.”
A hot ball lodged in my chest. “Georgie tried to save her sister. Last night, she tried to kill Snyder and Bruno. One of the other guards jumped her and Bruno beat her again.”
“She’s lucky she’s alive,” Landon said.
My gut cramped. If I hadn’t woken up…
If I hadn’t checked on her…
She could’ve died, and I wouldn’t have known. I tasted bile. I reminded myself that she was safe in my bed.
“You killed one of Synder’s men,” Bastian said. “Mark Zanotti. Nice shot, by the way. Single T-zone shot between the eyes. He had a long record of assault and rape charges against several ex-girlfriends. We scrubbed all the CCTV. There’s no record of you or Georgie being there. My source at LVMPD said Snyder claimed it was just a random shooting.”
I grunted. He wouldn’t want the police looking too closely. “I had Theo bring her stuff over. She was staying at this seedy motel off the Strip.” Theo had told me he wouldn’t let his dog sleep there, and he’d seen two drug deals going down in the parking lot while he’d been there.
Bastian leaned back against my couch, but I could tell he wasn’t relaxed. Not one little bit. “Your Georgie’s sister isn’t the only one.”
