Page 445 of Dark Love

“Everything is fine at the club.”

We have a procedure in place if it wasn’t that doesn’t include me coming up to Shock’s little world. “I need a background check.”

Shock’s fingers stop moving. “How fast?”

“Before he sells another woman would be good.”

The space chair swings around. “You think he’s solo, or are we looking at an operation here?”

“Not sure. The name is Eamon Plant. And his girlfriends seem to disappear.”

“Ahh. It’s going to take a week.”

He always says that. “What do you need to make it go faster?”

“Can’t. It’s impossible.”

Nothing is impossible with the right motivation.

“Vex.” Barb pops her head into the office.

“What do you need?” Barb doesn’t seek people out unless she needs something. I slowly turn to face her.

“I’ve been doing the monthly inventory.”

And?

“It’s not in my budget, but I want to order a new machine.”

What is with her and toys? We’re getting to the point where her little stash of emergency supplies could be considered a fully stocked hospital. The only thing we’re missing is an MRI and a heart and lung machine. “Do you need it or want it?”

“Um.” Barb stares down at her shoes.

Why did I even ask? Money isn’t an issue. “Buy it.”

“Thanks. Hey Shock.” She gives him a small smile. “I better go get that done.”

Shock doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even blink.

Earth to Shock.

If I thought Shock might ever build up the nerve to speak to Barb, I would warn him off, but Shock has no game. In all the years he’s worked for me, I’ve never seen him speak to a woman, let alone go out with one. “Shock.”

“Huh?” He looks up from where he was staring at the empty doorway.

“I need that information in two days. This man threatened someone from Willow Street.”

“Fine. I’ll get it done.”

“Quietly.”

“No one ever sees me.” The chair swings around and Shock disappears into a virtual world.

***

“Payne.” I step off of his private elevator and into his foyer.

“We’re in here.”

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