She laughed, moaning lightly as I pressed my lips to her neck.
“Not that I have any idea what it’s like to be in the mafia, but I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. You seem much more important than just a thug.”
I leaned back, pressing her to my chest. “Oh, do I now? What fits better then?”
Billie hummed, exaggerating her contemplation, and I nearly threw her down on the bed all over again.
“Goon, perhaps? Maybe…lackey?”
Before she could say another word, I spun her around, smacking my hand down across her ass. The shiny fabric was stretched so nice and tight over it. Billie yelped before I spun her back around toward the door and patted the fresh slap spot so she’d get moving.
“Brat.”
She looked over her shoulder, and my cock twitched as Billie swayed her hips all the more as she walked forward.
“Thug.”
Quickly following behind her, I grabbed my wallet and keys from my nightstand and was sure to lock up the bedroom as we left. We were arriving fashionably late to the club, which was always a good thing in situations like this, and I silently prayed that Cohen, Teddy, and whoever else was meeting there tonight had started drinking early.
The trip across town was relatively quick, and as we walked up to the front door, where a crew of bruisers guarded the entrance, I felt Billie’s grip tighten against my own.
“We’re fine, darlin’. Just breathe.” She nodded subtly, letting out a low exhale. “They keep the civilians to a minimum, but the club is neutral territory. I can get us in.”
“I’m not worried about getting in,” she whispered, “I’m worried about staying in.”
Pulling Billie close and smoothing my hand down her latex-framed curves, I smirked as we approached the bouncers, skipping the line. “Just follow my lead, counselor.”
Meeting eyes with the bouncer closest to us, I nodded once before stepping onto the sidewalk beside him outside the club. He narrowed his stare, clearly recognizing me, but that wasn’t usually enough. I’d checked in with my contacts earlier and snagged the password for the evening.
“Thunder.”
The big guy smiled with only half his mouth and none of his eyes but nodded before stepping aside and unclasping the velvet rope that hung in front of the doors.
“Right this way, sweetheart.” As we crossed the threshold, I hugged Billie to me, whispering in her ear, the music forcing me to anyway. “Just stay quiet. It’s easier to listen while others spill than come up with too many lies on the spot.”
She turned to face me as we passed down the short all-black hallway, flickering as neon, multicolored lights streamed out from beneath the door up ahead.
“Speaking from experience?” I could just make out the lift of her brow.
“As a matter of fact…”
We hit the door inside. Shoving it open, the music blared at full volume, and I cocked my head at the familiar and continuously berating sight of one of the mafia’s most prolific dens of iniquity.
“Welcome to RainBooms, sweetheart.”
Billie gaped as she took in the chaos, color, and carnal activities around her.
“Oh my…” she looked at me, brows raised to her hairline. “God.”
The massive expanse of building stretched before us as I led Billie down the tall concrete stairs. There was no railing to be heard of, and I was frankly surprised more people in high heels didn’t break their fucking necks getting down to the main floor.
The main floor was, of course, not where we would be stopping. Huge panels of neon lights and projection screens hung above us in the ultra-high ceilings. There was nothing but smooth white concrete flooring and barely visible black walls in this entire front area, which was crammed so full of people it was a wonder they weren’t kicking people out.
Not that the owners gave a shit about the fire code or such crap. No, they kicked folks out because business was going down on this property whenever it was open, and too many civies were bad fucking news.
Bodies grinned and swayed in similar outfits to both Billie and I. There were lines of people mingling and waiting for orders at the two bars on either side of the room that ran the entire length of the building.
“Come on,” I called to her, still hooking my arm around her waist, “we’re going to the back.”