Page 5 of Devoured
CHAPTER 2
Roland
Iris’s chalky brown hair fluttered next to her ears as a breeze drifted through the parking lot. She walked like she hated the ground, each step forward harder than the last. Her tattoos were illuminated under the lampposts, dashes of bright color on her light skin. The scent of cranberry and oranges floated in the air, making me think of warmth, though she was far from it. Her voice in my memory, the sound equal parts silky and sharp, and yet vibrant too, like her words could punch through a door. She opened the door to an older car, and in the driver’s seat, she shot a glare at me before starting the engine.
That woman was a cherry bomb. Tight and compact, but full of power.
I ran a hand through my hair and turned back to the building, striding through the main entrance. A few people shouted my name, and I waved back, undercover security following me in close proximity. I had set up Vanish Sage City two years ago, but this was the first time I had been back. I preferred to be on the move. The only reason I was back was to take care of the Dahlia District, turning a once profitable private billionaires’ club—and let’s be honest, brothel—into a nightclub for those same men, but with a different mentality.
“The Adlers are here,” the security lead said, joining me in my walk as I approached the ropes to the VIP section. “Wil, the one you’ve been speaking to, and Derek, the future leader.”
“No Gerard?” I asked. It was a shame. That man had been around for a while. It would have been interesting to meet someone with that kind of legacy.
“Had other business. And there’s another Adler running around here somewhere, scouting the perimeter.”
I raised a brow. The Adlers had a reputation, but our relationship had been casual so far. There was no reason to make it antagonistic. No reason to focus on the missing Adler.
The guard at the foot of the stairs lifted the rope, and I walked up the steps, finding two dark-haired brothers sitting on the same couch as Iris had. The image of her sheer stockings flashed in my mind, covering that vibrant artwork, almost like a forest, that trailed down her legs.
The younger of the two brothers stood, offering me his hand.
“Roland Price,” he said. I took his grip, giving him a firm shake back.
“You must be Wil,” I said. He nodded. “And you’re Derek Adler?”
Derek and I shook hands.
“We finally meet,” Wil said. He gestured at the vodka. “I see you’ve gotten started without us.”
“I’m always in the middle of a good time,” I said. After a waitress brought some fresh glasses, I poured us a round of shots, and we toasted to new beginnings, tossing the alcohol back. Derek hit his chest with his fist, to deter the punch of the liquor, but Wil and I took it easy. We were both used to this kind of atmosphere.
But business was business. I had items I wanted to discuss with them.
“How long have you been protecting the Dahlia District?” I asked.
“For a few decades,” Derek said, wiping his lips on the sleeve of his button-up shirt. He rolled them up to his elbows. “Dahlia was having some trouble with the police and keeping the servers in line, so our father offered our services.”
“Keeping the servers in line?” I asked.
“They tried to run away before they had paid their debts.”
So the rumors were true. The sex workers there, keeping the brothel alive, were being sex trafficked. Yeah, that needed to end. “Their debts will be lifted,” I said, making it my official first line of business. “Not an issue anymore. They can come and go as they please. And the brand I’ll bring to the location,” I grinned, “We won’t need slavery to run it. People will be begging for jobs there.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Still a club, but with more of a nightclub atmosphere. Mainstream.” I understood the value of the sexual aspect of an elite club, but the Dahlia District clearly needed more to thrive. “I imagine some form of entertainment will suffice, but not like that. Not when you can pay for a decent escort in Sage City. Anyway,” I sighed, “you said you wanted to discuss a potential arrangement?”
“Yeah,” Derek sat up. “We want to sell our product in your clubs.”
“Vanish, or the Dahlia District?”
“Both.”
“And you don’t already?” I wasn’t stupid. I knew how it worked.
Derek rubbed a finger across his chin, looking off to the side. “The Dahlia District, yes. But Vanish? It hasn’t been,” he paused, “the easiest venue to establish our footing. But with your help, I’m sure that can change.”
That was good; my security was doing their job. I liked indulging in substances as much as the next, but I needed to be a part of those deals. I was never going to let another dealer sell unnoticed.
