That’s a good question. I shift in my seat, trying to get into a comfortable thinking position. One, I could take him hostage and torture the information out of him. I like that idea the best, especially since he previously took advantage of my newest employee. Or two, I could manipulate him into talking about Madam LaBell.
Two is going to be the best option. I don’t want him to see us coming and be able to notify the traffickers that we’re on to them if he gets away. I plan to take down that whole fucking ring, and everyone involved in it, not just Madam LaBell.
“I am going to call him back into my office for a meeting. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s going to lead me to Madam LaBell.”
I wonder if the girl knows what her little friend is up to. From the way she reacted yesterday, I doubt it.
The thought of her pretty mouth around his dick makes me sick to my stomach. As soon as I take down that trafficking ring, I’m smashing his ugly ass face in the ground.
I don’t know how she was able to go down on someone who looks like a walking STD—like the 1% of germs Lysol won’t kill and still be clean. I had her tested for everything when she was in the hospital.
“Call Emma and have her take the girl for some eveningwear. Tonight we are going to Sapphire to break the news to her about her new job. Also, since Marcus is still in town, have him meet us there. He’s going to be her self-defense trainer.”
“10-4. On it.” Ethan shuts the laptop down and I head to work.
“Sasha, Call Kaleb Cherry and tell him I need to meet with him this afternoon,” I call into the intercom.
A moment later, she comes waltzing into my office and sits on the side of my desk. “You’ve haven’t needed any of my extra services for months, but you call and ask me to train some niece of yours to be feminineanda stripper? Why do you want your niece to be a stripper? That’s pretty sick, even for you.”
“I’ll give you one opportunity to get on your knees and tell me how sorry you are for assuming things that are not. I have a job for her to do, and I need someone I halfway trust to train her on sex appeal. She needs to learn how to walk, talk, and dress the part.” My temper flares at her audacity.
She gets down on her knees, her blue eyes pleading with mine. “Please, Nick. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to assume. You just haven’t touched me in months and that’s not like you.”
“We aren’t a couple. You are my secretary, and occasionally, we fuck. If you can’t keep our encounters strictly business, you’re free to apply for another position within the firm—or quit. I don’t do attachments, and I certainly don’t reciprocate emotional feelings.”
“I’m so sorry, it won’t happen again. I don’t want to quit. I’ll help you.” She bows her head in defeat. I’m glad she didn’t choose to quit, I need her help.
“Good. Now get back to work.”
Two hours later, Kaleb Cherry comes tweaking in the door all methed-out.
“I thought I told you to clean up your act and get off the drugs.” I give him a scrutinizing look. His appearance is atrocious and he doesn’t look like he’s slept in days. Probably hasn’t.
“I was trying then some dude chased after me at a gas station and got me all stressed out.” He immediately starts scanning my room like someone is going to jump out of my bookshelf and arrest him.
“Why did they do that?”Because you’re a sorry excuse for a human being. I slow my breathing and calm myself down.
He squirms in his chair, the drugs keeping him from sitting still. “I don’t know, man, I was riding with some girls I guess he wanted them hoes to themselves. But hey man, I did get a job. I was able to piss clean, and they hired me, so I’m gonna get sober again before I start.”
I flex my fingers in response. They’re aching to hold his head under water until he tells me the truth.
“Where are you working?” I make note of his tattoos in case we need to trace anything back to him in the future.
There are various tribal designs and a handful of cartoon characters on both arms. One tattoo in particular stands out though. He has a rabbit holding cards with a royal flush draw with the caption, “Luck is on Your Side.” He will fit right in at The Lucky Rabbit with that.
“The Lucky Rabbit, I got a job as a poker dealer. I guess all those nights at The Buckit Club paid off. They ain’t gonna have to barely train me.”
I guess they’ve lifted their hiring freeze. I’ll have to let Vade know. This might also throw a wrench in our plans, asKaleb might be able to recognize the girl, even with the recent weight she’s put on.
“How did you get hired there when you have charges for illegal gambling pending against you?” Something isn’t adding up. Unless, whoever is in charge of hiring is involved with the trafficking ring. Still, employment has to pass through human resources and the gaming commission.
“I haven’t been charged yet—innocent until proven guilty, right? Plus I told them you was my lawyer and was gonna get my charges dropped since it was a misunderstanding.” He holds his hands up in a no big deal motion.
My body tenses and I flex my fingers. I fight the urge to crack my fist against his jaw.
“Have you ever heard of a Madam LaBell who does business there?” I eye him closely, watching his body language as he prepares to lie to me.
“Heard the name. Think she handles some of the strippers at Cottontails.”
