As I moved toward the mahogany bar, I nodded to the bartender.
“Yes, sir?” she asked.
“Do me a favor, Kristy. Take a box of our Cuban cigars to our friends at the table in the corner. Make certain they know they’re compliments of Don Prince.”
Kristy smiled. “Happy to do so. Can I get you a drink?”
“I’m on duty. No issues tonight?”
“None. It’s been very quiet.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” I would jump back and forth between the two clubs for the night. I took the stairs, laughing from hearing the tribal beat of the music booming though the speakers. As soon as I moved onto the dance floor, the lights were almost blinding. It had been a long time since I’d even been inside the club.
I wasn’t well known in either club, except by the employees who’d been trained for our hand and facial signals. When issues arose when hundreds if not thousands of people crowded the facility, often there were a few seconds of time to react and gain control before total chaos broke out.
My anonymity with guests allowed me to stroll through the dancers and tables without anyone reacting. After winding my way through the entire main floor, I walked up the spiral staircase to the loft space, an area that could easily be sectioned off for private parties.
I headed to the bar, nodding to the male bartender. Props were needed to keep my identity secret. Seconds later, a drink was slid in my direction.
Drink in hand, I settled at the iron railing, peering over at the crowd below. The lights were wild, spinning and shimmering in time to the music, the crowd already in an uninhibited mood.With the primal music being selected by a highly talented DJ, the guests were in various states of undress.
I found the entire situation amusing.
Sure, I’d enjoyed dancing and drinking in my youth. Jaxon and I had acted more like fraternity brothers than employee/employer for years. Then I’d grown bored with humping and grinding.
That was reserved for beneath the sheets.
Minutes passed and boredom settled in. I had to endure at least another couple of hours before cruising to our other businesses for a late-night check. And all I could do was nurse my whiskey. I took another sip, a loud noise capturing my attention.
Just a wild group of girls enticing a much larger group of men. Soon, the bouncers would have their hands full. That’s why they were paid very well.
With another check of my watch, I grimaced and realized I was itching for something physical. Maybe I’d head to the gym first thing in the morning to feed my bouts of testosterone. Another noise and I glanced to the left.
A flash of sequins drew my attention; the woman attached to the short silver dress was a stunning representation of the female persuasion. I couldn’t help myself, enjoying her dancing abilities as she swung her long dark hair back and forth. Smooth like silk, the thick strands were near her waist, catching the light and leaving the raven locks shimmering with the hint of silver like her dress.
She could dance and there wasn’t a red-blooded male in the place close by who wasn’t noticing. From what I could tell, shewas with a couple of friends, all laughing and smiling, drinks in their hands as they gyrated to the beat.
For some reason, I found myself on the top of the stairs, noticing a couple of guys were crowded their space more than I preferred. When the men moved closer, now mimicking the way the girls were dancing, I could tell at least one of them was annoyed.
Before I was halfway down the stairs, the gorgeous woman I’d admired turned her head in my direction. She wasn’t fully looking at me, yet I could read her clear annoyance.
And something else.
My fucking God. Emmeline.
Another complication.
She never came to the club, other than to check on the employees and ensure everything was running properly. She was making good on enjoying her own life her way.
I took a few seconds searching the club for anyone in the Prince employ, men who had just been assigned as her bodyguards. I’d be damned if the woman hadn’t managed to escape their surveillance. What in the hell was it going to take to find some decent bodyguards? She was just one woman.
Furious, I resisted challenging her, knowing how she’d react. But seconds later, I realized I had no choice.
A huge red flag went up in the back of my mind. I’d learned to follow my natural instincts over the years. I’d also spend a little time on glancing at the limited information on the Las Bartas Cartel. Pictures were limited, details gathered by the few interviews Diego Guerrero had allowed, but I could tell by theway the men were dressed that they were soldiers acting as sentries.
Gathering information for their leader.
On our club and our security and if I had to guess, on the mafia princess.
