CHAPTER 9
Sinclair
Unbridled hunger.
That’s exactly what I felt even after walking into Indulgence and making my way toward the private elevator.
A need so intense I found doing my usual activities difficult. Now even more since catching a glimpse of her.
So close yet so far.
My cock ached and there was a tenseness in my chest.
Out of character for me, I’d almost bagged the meeting and interrupted Josette’s evening. Laughing, I lightly banged my head against the elevator wall. What kind of spell had the woman managed to plant on me? Maybe she was a purveyor of voodoo or even a witch.
Maybe I’d need to enlist Emmeline to find out since she could smell black magic from a mile away.
“The prodigal son returns,” Alexander stated, even clapping when I walked into the private club inside Indulgence. We’d agreed to meet for a late dinner and drinks to hold a business conversation while also using the time to appear in the club itself.
I’d already given him the news about the shipment. While he was understandably pissed, I’d been shocked he hadn’t stripped away my title, demoting me nothing more than a made man where I’d stay for years. If it were anyone else in my position, he would. The fact he’d learned to temper his rage meant his recent marriage and the woman he’d fallen hard for had gentled him.
I was still angry enough for both of us. I’d spent the better part of two days talking to a few informants and trying to contact the Johnsons.
They’d refused to take my calls.
Even worse, there was no chatter about the shipment on the streets, which meant the shipment had likely been taken from the city as I’d guessed.
Exhaling, Alexander tossed papers toward my other two brothers, finally tossing a group toward where he knew I’d sit. We were creatures of habit.
I didn’t bother looking at them just yet. I was still in the throes of wondering whether I’d been right about seeing Josette across the street having a drink with someone.
For a hot beat I’d been jealous, which was ridiculous.
I didn’t own her and she certainly didn’t owe me any loyalty.
Yet even now just thinking about her, my cock was twitching.
We’d owned the block of buildings since I was a kid, our mother the inspiration for developing a legitimate operation under our corporate veil that we could all be proud of. The bottom floor held a bakery and coffee shop, a chocolatier store rivaling Lindt, an upscale women’s clothing store, a lingerie store, and even an art gallery.
The second floor held a Michelin-starred restaurant, the third offices and warehouse space, while the fourth was all about the nightclub, the hottest venue in the city.
The fifth contained the very private club where those hungering for entrance paid a hefty yearly fee. While the notorious club was noted for its overtly sexual nature, including allowing various kink acts, the most vital aspect of membership was all about the connections made.
Everyone who was anyone both in and outside the city sought membership, the waiting list long.
From time to time, it was in our best interest to hold generic conversations on the floor. We’d learned over the years you could glean vital information that would otherwise be difficult to ascertain.
Which was the reason our Don and my brother had suggested getting together here.
Just in walking through the crowd of mostly men while heading to our private dining room provided me with information every time. Tonight was no exception.
There was nervous energy in the various rooms, quiet stares and a few whispers. I’d purposely grabbed a drink from the main bar just to be seen before heading to the private room.
I closed the door behind me, flopping down in a chair. “I had business to take care of today. Unlike some of you. Come to think of it, I really don’t know what you do with your time.”
The barbs had been tossed out like normal, but there was an edge to my voice. I’d spent some time trying to figure out what the hell Marcus Jeffries was trying to accomplish.
As directed by Alexander.
