Page 21 of Say My Name

“Ah, good game,” Roman says. “Rack ‘em again, Ledger. I need a win.”

I head over to my desk while Ledger racks the balls, getting everything set up for another round of billiards.

“I was thinking we should probably start questioning people.” I fire up my computer, checking the schedule for tonight. “I heard Yuri’s in town.”

Roman chalks his cue stick. “I hate to say it, but every single member of Yuri’s crew is a criminal. So, if anyone knows the scum of the city it’d be him. I don’t trust them. Is Greer ok?”

I nod. “I talked to her this morning. I’ve still got the security detail watching over her as well.”

Roman lines up the cue ball, leaning over and aiming his shot to break. “That’s good,” he says, before sending the balls rolling across the table. The eight ball careens into a corner pocket. “Fuck.”

“That was a quick game.” Ledger cracks a grin. “Didn’t even need to play to win.”

Roman points at his brother. “That’s not a win. Re-rack.”

“You lost.”

“Says you. Re-rack. I’m allowed to ask for a re-rack. Right, Dev?”

I move from behind my desk. “I’m gonna head downstairs and check out how things are going. You two can figure out your own shit.” I’m not getting in the middle of their fight over who won the game. If I know these two well, which I do, this fight will escalate to them playing pool all night until they’re both exhausted and ready to deem themselves both winners.

Plus, what I’m really thinking about is Swan. I can’t stop thinking about her. The door clicks shut on their argument and I make my way to the balcony that overlooks the action. The club is in full swing, and we booked most of the rooms tonight, which is a relief.

I feared no one would visit the club to avoid being caught up in something they didn’t want to be caught up in, but that’s not the case. This club is not the ghost town I thought it would be.

People love scandals.

Swan is the first person I see when I descend the stairs and reach the main level of the club. It’s like my eyes automatically seek her out in any situation.

She’s gorgeous, sure. But I’m not the type of man to be distracted by a pretty face.

“Hi, Mr. Huxley,” Swan says as she passes by me, cocktails in hand.

I don’t have time to answer her before she’s standing at a table with two men, handing out the drinks. I observe the way they ogle her, and I want to rip their eyes out of their sockets. She’s unfazed by the men leering at her, and it’s fucked up the way my thoughts turn to her boyfriend, wondering what he’d do if he were standing right here.

My anger kicks up, and I push the thought of her boyfriend deep down. I don’t need to know anything about that fucker to know I already hate him. He has no problem with Swan working here. She even said she’d fuck other guys if it paid well enough, and that thought enrages me. Her boyfriend would be ok with that?

I wouldn’t be.

“You look like you’re thinking hard about something,” Swan says as she passes by me again. Her smile instantly calms my furious thoughts, and I smile back at her.

“I’m fine,” I tell her, knowing I need to get away from her before I end up telling her everything going through my mind.

“If you say so,” she singsongs before she makes her way into the server station.

I follow her, even though I shouldn’t. “What does that mean?”

She spins around to face me. She’s so pretty, with her hair piled up in a messy bun on the top of her head. There are a few loose tendrils floating down around her face, and I slide my hands in the pockets of my slacks so I don’t tuck them behind her ear. “I meant nothing by it. I’m sorry.” Her mood shifts and she drops the smile. “I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your mind with everything…” Her words fade away, and I know she’s talking about the murders.

I wish I could get through one conversation where it doesn’t lead right back to the murders. I’m upset with myself because I feel like the answer is hanging right in front of my face, but I can’t see it.

“I’m fine,” I repeat.

She nods and grabs a martini off the bar to deliver to one of her tables. My attention stays focused on her until I spot the Chekov brothers out of the corner of my eye. They are hard to miss. Both are built like linebackers, and even though they’re not heavily involved with Daddy’s business, they both take advantage of their father’s wealth and power.

“You have a new girl?” Dimitri follows my line of sight.

“She’s just a cocktail server,” I say, hoping to deter any ideas about asking her to join them in a room.

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