Page 91 of Princes of Carnage

I frown, because it sounds more different from Le Bal Masque than I was expecting. “Isn’t it just a sex club?”

Nico’s jaw tightens slightly. “No. I mentioned before that Vincent Locke is a loner who operates solo. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have power, and it doesn’t mean his hands are clean. He’s got several illegal businesses running out of his club, including providing a front for human trafficking. Eros is his domain, and within those walls, he’s the king. What he says goes, and pissing him off would be a very bad idea—for both you, Enigma, and Carnage.”

I swallow, liking the sound of this less and less by the second. It’s no longer a mystery to me why Atlas’s face twisted into a look of disgust earlier at the mention of Vincent Locke. He sounds like a fucking scumbag.

“Well, it’s not like we have another choice,” I say, crossing my arms. “Someone has to go talk to Vincent, and after seeing what our faceless coward of an enemy did to my people, I’m not going to sit at home twiddling my thumbs.”

Nico scrubs a hand over the back of his neck, looking tense and agitated. Then he nods. “Alright. But you’re not going alone. It’s too dangerous for to you walk in there by yourself, and you’ll need someone to have your back if things go wrong.”

“You think I can’t navigate a pleasure club?” I scowl, not sure whether I should be touched by his apparent concern for me or insulted.

He shoots me a look, one corner of his mouth pulling upward in a smirk. “Put your claws away, mia cara. I know you can handle yourself. But it’s not about that. I wouldn’t send anyone in there alone.”

“Fine. Then you can come with me.”

He grimaces, looking truly regretful as he shakes his head. “No, I can’t. Not if you want to actually talk to Vincent. He fucking hates me, and I doubt I’d be allowed to step two feet into his club.”

“Why?”

Nico chuckles dryly. “Remember how I told you he can hold a grudge longer than anyone I’ve ever met? Well, I know that from personal experience. He’s got beef with me for some old shit that happened years ago. Not worth dragging up. The point is, I can’t go with you, so one of the others will have to.”

I can’t tell if he’s not elaborating on what he did to piss off Vincent because it’s none of my business and he wants to hide it from me, or if it really isn’t anything worth talking about. Either way, I decide not to press him on it right now, even though I can’t help but be curious.

It also means that the easiest choice for who would go with me isn’t an option.

That leaves Atlas and Killian.

“Atlas,” I say instantly. The decision basically makes itself. Things are still weird between us, but there’s way too much loaded shit between me and Killian and places people go to have kinky sex. There’s no way in hell I’d pick him for this. Not after everything I learned last night. Not when I’m still this angry at him.

I don’t look in his direction, but I can tell that Killian has stiffened. I can practically feel the dissatisfaction radiating from him as he reacts to being excluded from this little mission.

Well, if he’s pissed off, that’s just too damn bad.

Actions have consequences.

29

ATLAS

I check my appearance one last time in the mirror in my room, smoothing down the front of my shirt. I’m dressed up for tonight’s venture in a suit, something I rarely have any reason to wear. I don’t like it, much preferring my usual dark jeans, steel-toed boots, and Henleys. But Nico wasn’t lying about how particular the dress code and code of conduct at Eros is.

Vincent Locke is a snake dressed up like a gentleman, and despite the fact that he makes his money in the dirtiest way possible, buying and trading human beings like cattle, he likes to do it all under a veneer of luxury and civility.

And if Quinn and I want to have a chance of getting a chance to speak to him, we’ll have to do the same—for tonight, at least.

I drape a tie around my neck and somewhat awkwardly tie it, cursing under my breath as I get it wrong the first time and have to start over. Once I’m satisfied with it, I smooth down the lapels of my jacket, check myself one more time in the mirror, and then head downstairs.

Nico and Killian are sitting in the living room, neither of them speaking as they wait for me and Quinn to be ready to go. I can tell that Nico is on edge, and although he’d never fucking admit it out loud, I know it’s because he’s worried about Quinn.

I’m not sure she quite understands what she’ll be walking into soon, despite the warning he gave her this morning—but I do, and no matter how fucked up things are between us, I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect her.

Nico’s gaze flicks over me as I walk over to stand by the couch, and he nods sharply. “You should be good. You’ll blend in with most of the crowd at Eros, which is what we need.”

I snort under my breath. “I’m so glad they’ll approve.”

Nico rises to his feet, his expression serious. “You know the rules of the place. And you know that Vincent doesn’t bend on anything. You remember what you need to say to get in?”

I nod. “Yeah, I’ve got it.”

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