Page 97 of Spades

“You can’t speak?”

She presses her lips together and gazes around.

“Youcanspeak, but you won’t?”

“Correct, Mr. Hathaway.”

I turn around to the cool female voice behind me and widen my eyes. A gorgeous woman, late thirties, wearing an outfit that makes the waitstaff’s look normal. Big poofy collar, and a crimson ballgown that looks like something straight out ofBridgerton. Her hair is bright red and styled in an elegant—if not slightly stuffy—updo, and she is bedecked from head to toe in rubies. She extends a hand to me, and the gem-studded bracelet around her wrist tinkles.

“Rouge Montrose. I’m the owner of Aces Underground.” She looks me over. “We’ve been expecting you for a few weeks now, Mr. Hathaway. We were beginning to think you weren’t going to show up.”

I swallow. “Well, my father left me his membership here. I wasn’t even aware that was something someone could do.”

She crinkles her eyes. “My grandfather insisted on that policy when he started the club. It was during Prohibition, you know, and people would disappear from time to time. We decided that members could bequeath their membership to their next of kin in the event that they died of something other than old age.” She lays a hand on my shoulder. “My condolences on the loss of your father, by the way.”

My brain goes haywire at her touch. I’m not sure why—she’s only touching my shoulder—but it’s sending an electric shock through me that I haven’t felt since…

Since Laurie.

And from deep within my bowels, Mad Maddox opens his eyes, sniffs around.

“We weren’t particularly close,” I say.

Her eyes sparkle. “Yet he saw fit to leave his membership to you.”

I nod. “I was his only child. The only one who could inherit it.”

“I suppose that’s true.” She cocks her head. “Still, though, he could have simply opted to not pass his membership forward.”

“Well, he did.” I run my hands through my hair. “And believe me, I could use a drink after the last few weeks I’ve had.”

“Of course.” She gestures to the server. “Three, why haven’t you taken this man’s order yet?”

I wrinkle my forehead. “Her name is Three?”

“You see her shoulders, don’t you? She is the Three of Spades. We call the servers by their numbers here.” She points one of her long fingers at Three. “We have a philosophy that servers should be seen and not heard. Truthfully, we hardly want them to be seen at all, unless”—she leans closer—“one of our patronswantsto see them.”

“How do you mean?”

“Interpret the meaning however you will, Mr. Hathaway.” She gestures to the curtained-off areas surrounding the club’s perimeter. “As a member, you are allowed to reserve a private space by the hour. The spaces have very comfortable chairs…and beds. If you’re interested in some company in those spaces, I am happy to arrange that for you.” She gestures broadly across the club, where servers—mostly women, but a few young men—are milling about, carrying drink orders. “Pick a card, any card.”

I look up at Three, who is still standing there silently. “Gin and tonic, please.”

She walks away, and I turn back to Rouge. “What do you mean? You’re selling their…services?”

She smirks. “Only if you want them. These people are brought over from the most poverty-stricken corners of the globe. Aces covers their housing, food, and medical expenses for the first five years of their lives here in America. In the meantime, they need to save up money. They keep one hundred percent of their wages and tips, and their tips can be earned in”—she purses her lips, her eyes almost glowing—“severalways.” She looks down at my crotch. “I can see that Three has…piqued your interest.”

Threeisgorgeous, and I’d be happy to take her to bed, but it’s Rouge herself who has fascinated me more. She’s the reason my dick is reacting.

“How much does it cost to take one of the servers to a private area?”

She grins. “There is no cost. But the customary tipping rate is one hundred per hour. More if you’re satisfied.”

I lean toward her. “And what’syourrate, Rouge?”

She laughs at that. “Mr. Hathaway, you’ll have to work your way up through the deck before you can land yourself a Queen.”

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