Page 90 of Seducer

“In the office on the first floor. You’ll see the door marked employees only.”

“Thank you.” I immediately noticed the on and off lights that seemed to come from nowhere. I also could hear the hard thumping of a drum. While there was a sense of the macabre, I wouldn’t call the interior scary in the least. Well, maybe to eight-year-olds. I chuckled from the thought.

The bouncers gave me a basic pat down, ignoring the Beretta I had secured in a leg holster. I’d learned a long time ago never to be without a weapon. As soon as I walked inside, I was struck by the gloomy lighting. The most vibrant color was neon blue, the swinging fixtures bolted to the high ceiling constantly creating a shimmer skittering off the floor. With the addition of black lights, those wearing certain masks appeared even more ghoulish.

Music pumped from every surface and I could see at least two large bars. With at least two hundred people inside, I was curious as to how many guests had been invited.

However, my hackles were raised. Something was definitely off.

I’d always relied on my instinct and it told me that there was another hunter inside the club.

There were hallways to the left and right, the one to the left indicating restrooms. As I headed down the other, I was completely overstimulated by the sights and sounds. But I could almost hear a thudding heartbeat over the roar of the music.

The door with a flimsy looking employees only sign wasn’t locked, something that surprised me although I suspected Brant had been waiting for my arrival. There were several offices, all equipped nicely.

I found Brant in his office near the end of the hall, staring at his computer screen. He appeared as if a zombie, the costume state of the art. That was something I could admit.

The space was put together yet also not quite right. As if he’d been attempting to make an impression. I’d remained in his doorway for almost thirty seconds before he lifted his head. At first, I was certain I noticed absolute terror in his eyes.

“Wow. You came. I honestly didn’t think you had any desire to check out my place.” He rose to his feet, wiping his palms on his pants. The man was sweating like a pig. After walking around the corner of his desk, he threw out his hand.

His nervousness was also apparent by the fact he was shaking.

What in the hell had the man gotten himself mixed up in?

I wasn’t in the mood for niceties or chitchat. I simply wrapped my hand around his throat, lifting and tossing him against the wall. His chair went flying, his eyes immediately filling with heightened terror.

I had him barely standing on his toes, easily able to lift the thinner man with no exertion.

“What… What are…”

Clamping down my fingers, I wanted him to face the possibility I would kill him without hesitation. “I’m very curious as to why you were so interested in the Obsidian Society. Enough so you didn’t bother to ask me about it in private. That put me in a very testy mood. That places my family and my business in a precarious position and as you might imagine, that’s unacceptable.”

“I don’t… know… anything. I was just curious.”

What fucking bullshit. It was that moment I determined he’d led me here for an entirely different reason than hoping I’d fall in love with his new business venture.

I squeezed his pressure points, cocking my head as I studied his reaction. “Did you know there are dozens of pressure points on the human body? Now, they can be used to relieve pain, a practice called reflexology. However, they can also be used to provide excruciating anguish.” I yanked one of his hands into mine, easily finding the exact location I was looking for.

There was no delay in Brant’s reaction. He winced, crying out in a way that brought tears to his eyes.

“That’s barely an acknowledgeable level. If I add just a hint of additional pressure, I assure you that everything in your urinary tract and bowels will be released. Now, I’m certain you don’t want that. Do you?”

“No. No! Please stop.”

I did, but not at first. When I finally relinquished my hold, I immediately backed away. He cradled his hand against his chest, sucking down pockets of air. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Exhaling, I shifted back by another two steps. “What did your father tell you to do?”

“My father had… nothing to do… with my questions.” He had a surprised look on his face.

“Then who did?”

He tried to get as far away from me as possible. “I don’t know. I swear, Zach. I had an anonymous email sent to me and I laughed at first, but whoever it was provided details and suggested the club would be very good for the society. I thought it was okay at first.”

I laughed. I could sense the man was telling the truth. “Keep going.”

“Okay, I was threatened the club wouldn’t open. That the city would continue to find infractions. That the cost would be thousands of dollars I didn’t have.”

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