Page 49 of Spades

Damn it allagain.My phone is dead.

Guess I’m taking the L. I can just jump the turnstile. People do it all the time, often in full view of the police. I’ll just pay twice the next time I use it. That’ll even things out.

At least I have my keys in my purse. I’ll be able to get into my apartment, to my warm bed, and I can charge my phone.

All that matters right now is that I get the fuck away from Maddox Hathaway and Aces Underground.

Which way to the nearest Red Line stop?

Normally, I’d get out my phone and check, but I don’t have that luxury.

Christ. I’ve lived here for years now. How have I not memorized the lay of the land?

I guess I’ll just walk along main streets until I see something. Hopefully I’ll find a stop before I freeze my?—

“Lost, pretty lady?”

My heart drops in my gut. A gritty voice just whispered into my ear. I turn around and see a ratty-looking man wearing a leather jacket.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Mouse.” He gestures toward the shadows. “Come on, Dodo, Eaglet.” Two other men, also wearing leather jackets, emerge.

Dodo is heavyset with a large nose, and Eaglet is tall with long limbs.

I swallow. “I was just leaving. Nice to meet you all.”

Mouse grabs my arm. “I don’t think you were.”

“Let go of me!” I try to pull my arm out of Mouse’s grasp, but he’s holding tightly.

“I don’t think so,” Mouse says. He cuts a glance toward Dodo and Eaglet, the corner of his mouth twitching as a glint of darkness flickers in his eyes. “Can I interest you two in a race?”

18

MADDOX

Fuck.I really screwed this up.

I always knew Aces had a slimy side. Any kind of place like this would. Hell, it started off as an illegal speakeasy during Prohibition. They’ve always skirted outside the limits of the law.

Honestly, I never thought much of it. I once took a waitress to the private areas, and we both had a pretty good time. I’m not exactly proud of it, and I never did it again, but it wasn’t an inherently evil thing to do. Nowadays, I come to Aces to have a good drink, to meet people. Women, mostly. Do I look the other way when someone takes a server behind one of the velvet curtains? Yeah. I also buy produce that was likely pumped full of pesticides and picked by underpaid workers.

There is no way to be morally pure in this complex world.

I like this club. I love the mystery, the meticulously detailed theming that Rouge put into it after she took over. And it’s the best damn gin and tonic I’ve ever had. I’ve tried to replicate it at home, but it’s impossible. I swear to God, they must pick and ferment the elderflowers themselves. No one knows which brands of liquor they use, either. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it all in-house.

I’ve never brought a woman here before. All the women I’ve socialized with here have been members in their own right. They all know what goes on behind closed doors here, so I’ve never had to rationalize it for them in real time.

But if any of those women stormed out for any reason, I’d let them go. If they can’t handle the dark side of the world, they certainly won’t last with me.

I guess the same is true about Alissa.

Except… Shit. Her phone is dead. And I don’t think she closed her tab at the bar, so she doesn’t have a credit card.

Maybe she has other credit cards. Or cash in her purse.

But I don’t know that for sure.

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