Page 96 of Say My Name

“Yeah, a lot of your security team,” Dimitri says.

Vlad and Dimitri open the door and as we’re stepping out of the back office, two police officers head our way.

“The fuck is this?” Vlad asks the approaching officer.

I spot the buzz-cut before I see his face. Guy Adams. Great.

“We heard there was a commotion. Someone called the cops, saying there was a fight going on,” Guy says.

Vlad laughs. “There’s always a fight going on. You can watch anytime you want.”

Guy studies us. “Why are you here?” he asks me. “Thought you never left your club?”

“It’s none of your business,” I answer back.

His partner, Peters, glances around the club. “Everything looks good here. Let’s head back to the station. I’ve already got a mountain of paperwork for tonight.”

“Yeah, go do paperwork,” Vlad says to Guy.

“Heard you got some fresh meat over at your club. I might need a look,” Guy says to me.

“Sorry. I still have a strict no-asshole policy at my club,” I tell him.

Guy doesn’t find this funny and snarls. “I know you’re killing those girls at your club. Disgusting fucker. I can’t wait until they bust your ass for it.”

I push away from him. “Let’s get out of here,” I tell Roman and Ledger.

We leave Throwdown and I’m too worked up to head back to Club Greed. I can’t make sense of what the hell is going on. Sometimes I wonder if the answer is right in front of me. But it’s so obvious, I can’t see it.

“Why did you ask him about any employees going to the fight?” I ask Roman once he pulls away from the club.

“Figured if someone is into illegal shit like running a prostitution ring, then they’d be into illegal fighting. Besides, it’s a great place to pick up clients.”

“Smart. Wonder if Brandon knows about this?”

Roman only shrugs.

“Pull into Dave’s,” I tell Roman when he approaches the little dive bar on the outskirts of town.

“You serious?”

“Yeah, I just need a spot where I can get my head together before going back to the club.” Before seeing Swan.

Roman pulls into the parking lot, and we pile into the small wooden building full of memories. Dave’s was the first bar we ever came to when we were of age. I remember sneaking drinks to my underaged friends and Dave catching me each time. Sometimes he’d let it slide, but he always knew.

We used to run the streets back then, finding trouble any place we could. That was after my mother died. I couldn’t keep trouble away when she left us with the monster who never cared, no matter how much trouble we caused.

“Haven’t seen you boys in a hot minute,” Dave says as we each take a seat at the bar.

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

We order three whiskeys, and Dave grabs the bottle to pour.

“I heard you’re having some trouble out at your place,” Dave says to me while he fills the glass tumblers. He slides them across the bar to us.

I take a sip of the whiskey and enjoy the burn. “You heard right. They’re making a real mess of things.”

Dave pulls at his mustache, his bald head shining under the light. “I wish I knew something to help you out.”

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