We enter the top room overlooking the dance floor and bar, the music muffled behind the walls. A woman with platinum blonde hair gets up from one of the velvet chairs shooting a wink and smile my way. I quickly snap my attention from her, not that I was looking with any interest to begin with, but I never show false interest in anyone.
She exits Alexander’s office, closing the door behind her, leaving a strong scent of lemons in the air.
“Gentlemen. Please have a seat.” Alexander waves a hand, gesturing for us to take him up on his offer but when Bullet and I hold our ground, he grins. “Suit yourself.” With a quick snap of his fingers, one of his men pours him a glass of whiskey on the rocks, then passes it over. “Drink?” He eyes us both, amusement in his expression as we don’t accept his offer. “Damn. Straight to business. I can respect that.” He tugs at the sleeves of his grey suit, clearing his throat.
“Let’s quit the fake pleasantries and just tell us why we’re here,” Bullet gives the quick order.
Alexander swirls his glass around, the ice clinking together. “Grizzly owed your club a lot of money, did he not?”
“He did,” Bullet agrees.
“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 owedmea 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. “Iknowyou 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.
“Surelyyouhave 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 challengesus 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.”
