Page 95 of Underground Prince

Of course, the father Theo described seemed like a prick.

That, more than anything, filled me with unease. Because a person who could be that friendly,thatapproachable, who housed such secret rot, could become a great enemy.

“Shite, is that the Secretary of State over there?” Kai asked.

“You tell me,” I said. “Would the Secretary of State contribute to a sex trafficking ring?”

Kai shook his head. “This charity is completely on the up and up. Any money laundering that goes on will happen long after contributions are made and actual knowledge becomes tenuous. You think the A.G. with his A.U.S.A. cronies and the Secretary of State would be here with full awareness?”

“You mean these people,” I said, scanning the flawless faces, “who’re paying at least twenty thousand to be here, are unknowingly aiding illegal activity?”

“That’s the thing, Scarlet. No one can prove it or trace it back to Mr. Saxon. He keeps his hands clean. Gordon’s just your average, nonviolent, wealthy businessman who leaves all the unsavory work to his squad of soldiers.”

“People this powerful cannot be that stupid,” I said. “They must have some sense of the unsavory.”

“Maybe it doesn’t matter. These are movers and shakers who aren’t stupid enough to believe politics are pure. But you forget exposure, publicity, and networking—top tiers that could make it worth it.”

“Nothing is worth the lives of innocent people.”

Something in my tone had Kai turning his attention to me, carefully pensive until he broke through the moment with a grin. “Spoken like a true superhero.”

“If only,” I said, returning his smile.

Kai’s pondering returned, and I struggled to hear him over the waves of voices and music. “One thing you should know,” he said. “You’ll never see a Saxon commit murder.”

“Because they do it behind closed doors?” I quipped.

“No. They leave it up to their hired killers.”

My smile fell.

We drifted away from Gordon Saxon and to the farthest table on the other side of the room. This could’ve been a hint that the conversation was over, but it wasn’t my fault subtleties were stupid.

“But you’re here despite it,” I said to him as we steered through chairs and guests. “Surrounded by Saxons.”

He said, his lighter voice lifting the cloud on our shoulders, “I’m here to go fishing. A place like this has plenty of new prospects. It’s part of my job to recruit.” He winked. “Now it can be part of yours too.”

“Really?” I didn’t have to say the rest.These people? These elegant workhorses with solid gold utensils want to play in the underground?

Of course they did.

“Yes. Let’s go meet and greet our potential clientele,” Kai said.

We milled about for a while because the speeches weren’t starting for another hour. Kai introduced me to more celebrities and more notable faces than I could count, remarking into my ear that a lot of them were regulars at Theo’s games.

Theo’s reach was far—incredibly so—more than I accounted for while serving cheap beer in cheesy outfits in basements. He dabbled in both the seedy and luxurious, the difference coming down to whether you preferred eating chicken wings or caviar at his tables. A-list actors, professional BMXers, directors, a sound guy, producers, CEOs, CFOs, even those running for state senator jostled for a seat. Most were men, with few women, but all were fearless, goal-driven sharks, knifing through these tepid waters.

Kai was busy talking up a new prospect, a friend of an A-lister who’d recently sold an app and come into new money. Those were Kai’s favorites—the ones with all the cash and little knowledge of what to do—

“Ungh!”

That word actually flew out of my mouth.

I turned, my champagne coming precariously close to a tuxedo that probably cost more than my life, but I saved it by splashing the drink on myself.

“Aaagh!” I added, swiping at my chest.

“Scarlet?”

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