Page 16 of Captivated By Him

“Hey, Jakub. Long time, man.” One of the Kaczmarek men leans over the bar toward me. I step closer, completely blocking his view past the edge of the serving section.

“It has,” I say, taking his hand in a firm handshake. I don’t recall his name, but I’ve seen him before. He’s not high on the family tree, whoever he is.

“This isn’t your usual spot,” I say, keeping my demeanor neutral. The Kaczmareks control a territory further west. They have a small part of the city, nothing like what they control in New York. The New York family has a large chunk of pretty much any underground business, and last I heard, they were starting to reach into the political ring as well.

“Yeah.” He nods. His hair is light and drags along his shoulders. From the greasy appearance I’m not sure he knows how to wash it properly. His buddy isn’t looking too much better, and there’s a scabbed cut under his left eye.

These assholes aren’t part of the Kaczmarek family, but they work for them. Muscle.

Why is Kaczmarek muscle in my fucking club?

“What can I do for you? Need a drink?” I lean back a bit and slip my hands in my pockets.

He has to lean further toward me to hear me well enough.

“We’re just looking for someone,” he says with a nod, like I’m fully on board with whatever bullshit they’re about to pull.

“A girlfriend? I would have thought you have plenty of those on your side of town.”

He pulls back, frowning. “No, man. Nothing like that. I got some information the girl I’m looking for hangs around here. Maybe works for you?”

“Oh?” I move my foot beneath the bar to push against Nicole’s. I’m about to hear her name, and it’s going to piss me right the hell off. “Who’s that?”

“Nicole something.” He turns to his buddy. “What’s her name again?”

All muscle, no brains. Great.

“Sawitchy, Sawicki. Something like that. She’s got black hair, brown eyes.”

I push on a grin. “You just described half the club.” I nudge my chin in the direction of the dance floor. “And the name doesn’t sound familiar.” I pin her foot down beneath mine.

“No? Cause our intel is usually pretty good,” he continues to push.

“Maybe your information was wrong because your guy was playing in the wrong sandbox.” I shrug. “Now. Can I get you anything else?”

A part of me wants to grab this prick and pull him over the bar. Slam my fist into his face a few times before demanding he tell me why he’s looking for Nicole. But doing that would expose her hiding place. I’ll have to get my answers from her instead.

And I will get answers.

He stares me down for a full second before he finally backs off. This asshole is in my club and he’s trying to eyeball me. I huff a laugh. This isn’t fucking kindergarten, and this isn’t the way I play ball.

“You got your answer,” I say firmly and move my gaze toward the exit.

“We paid the cover,” the second guy argues.

“Happy to return it.” I pull out a few bills from my pocket and toss it at them. “Have a nice night, gentlemen.”

Like the scum of the barrel they are, they swipe up my cash and maneuver themselves to the exit.

I wave Stanley over to me.

“Stanley, make sure they leave and talk to whoever’s at the door tonight. I don’t want them back inside.”

“You got it.”

After he disappears into the crowd, I take a step back from the bar and crouch down, putting me eye to eye with my little stowaway. “Friends of yours?” I ask.

She frowns. “No.” She starts to move like she’s going to get up, but I push her back.

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