Page 12 of Soulless Angel

“Don’t worry about it, Angel. We’ll figure this out.” I pushed a lock of blue wig hair out of her face. Her entire look tonight was so different from her usual blonde, colorful self. I didn’t hate it, but I preferred Clover in her natural state. She was my little rainbow unicorn, and I adored that.

A man in leather slid onto a stool on the other side of Clover. He ordered a martini, making small talk with the bartender while she mixed his drink. Clover and I steered our conversation onto a neutral topic, wary of his close proximity.

After a few minutes, he turned to Clover, eyeing her up. “Forgive me if I’m overstepping here, but I just wanted to tell you that I love your look. Very sexy.”

The immediate urge to tear his head off his shoulders and dropkick it across the room struck. Who the hell did this guy think he was? I studied him closely. He was older than us by about ten years I’d guess. Was he alone? I thought that single men weren’t allowed in here.

“Um, thanks.” Clover gave him a short, clipped response. Dismissive.

He either didn’t pick up on that or he didn’t care. Her simple reply encouraged him. He openly ogled her cleavage.

“I don’t suppose you’re looking for a playmate. My partner is busy with another couple right now. Would you be interestedin entertaining me for a while?” His smile reeked of deception. Something was off about this guy.

Clover reached to take my hand, clutching it tight. “I’m here with someone. Sorry.”

His gaze dropped to our joined hands, and he nodded in understanding. Making eye contact with me, he said, “Sorry about that. I didn’t realize. Would you have a problem with me playing with your girl? Do you like to watch? I have VIP access to the back. It’s a whole different world back there. I’m sure you’d love it.”

Was this idiot trying to get himself killed? Did he have a death wish? Was this his way of inadvertently asking if I wanted to kill my girlfriend on camera? Or could he possibly know we were there to infiltrate the place?

Clover gave my hand a little squeeze, silently telling me to keep my cool. This was the kind of place where saying something so asinine was okay. We were here to blend in. I had to remember that.

“Sure, I love to watch, but only when it involves my two best friends. Nobody else touches this little beauty but the three of us. Sorry, dude.” I held his gaze, making sure he saw how deadly serious I was.

“Ah, I see.” He nodded, raising his drink to us. “Couldn’t hurt to ask. Have a nice night.”

We watched him go as he sauntered away from the bar. He headed for the long hallway that wound around a corner to what Clover had told me was the restricted area. Instinct propelled me off my stool.

“Wait here,” I told Clover, setting my drink on the bar in front of her. “I’ll be back. If I take too long or anyone messes with you, get Havoc and Raina’s attention.”

“What are you doing?” Her eyes were wide with concern. “Daire, don’t. Stay here.”

“It’s cool, Angel. Hang tight.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead before following the man from the room.

Something told me to go after him. Maybe he was just going to take a piss. When he passed the restrooms and continued on down the hall, I knew he was going to the back. If I could slip in behind him, I could plan the damn camera in my pocket and be done with this shit.

I kept my distance, making sure not to tread on his heels. Even though I moved silently, he must have sensed my presence. He whirled around to face me, a brow hitching up in curiosity.

“Have you changed your mind?” he asked, a hopeful light in his dark eyes.

“Not at all.” I glanced around, finding the two of us alone in the hall right outside the locked back room door. “I have a question for you. How does one obtain VIP access? I’ve heard about what goes on back there. It sounds like a hell of a good time.”

The man stiffened, his casual demeanor disappearing. “I guess that depends what you’ve heard. Usually, VIP is invite only.”

He was feeling me out, trying to determine if I knew the truth about the back rooms. I didn’t want to disappoint him.

“I know it’s not for everyone. I know that some people are just dying to get back there, if you know what I mean.” I may have been taking a risk but I had to try something. I gave him a knowing look. “It’s for those of us with darker tastes, isn’t it? Those of us who need more than we get out there.”

I motioned to the main room that we’d just left. A few moments of silence stretched between us. I was fully prepared to drag him into the restroom and beat the truth out of him along with his keycard. That wasn’t exactly the incognito approach the Sinners had demanded, although it might actually get us somewhere.

Finally, the man nodded. “Yeah, it’s for those with darker tastes. Are you sure you can handle it? Can your girl handle it? Do you want to send her out with a bang? Is that what you’re looking for? There’s good money to be had.”

A dark voice in my head screamed at me to kill him. To paint the walls in his blood. All this piece of shit saw Clover as was a dark web payout. An expendable body to be used for content peddled to sick fucks online.

Somehow, I managed to calmly say, “No, this has nothing to do with her. She’s not part of it. This is about me. What can I do to get a VIP pass?”

The man’s disappointment was obvious with the way his brow furrowed as he grimaced. His interest in killing Clover on camera had put him on my shitlist. This fucker had to die.

“What’s your name? I’ll give it to the person in charge. If they want to speak with you, they’ll find you.” Pulling out his key card, he twirled it between his fingers.

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