Page 46 of When Sinners Dare

There’s a booking system with a timed schedule for the private rooms open to everyone who comes through the door. They can pre-book or take their chance on the night if they like someone. With the buy-in entrance fee, plus the charge on the rooms, Knox is going to get his money back for the elevator in a month, and we’ll be in the black the following month. But I’ve made sure all the money is running through my accounts. That wasn’t part of the deal with Knox, but he’ll find out after tonight.

I stop by and check in with Sasha, my number two at the club. “All set?”

“We’re solid. Over sixty percent of the rooms are already booked,” she says, as she scrolls through her tablet to check on the progress of the night. “I’ve made sure the girls all know the drill. We’re overstaffing tonight to make sure all the potential clients have the best choice. After the first few weeks, we can review what’s working and adjust.”

“Great. And keep a close eye on Lauren. I’d be interested to know how she does.”

“You got it.”

I leave her and go to the small office area next to the elevator. We maximised the potential space for client usage, which is another reason I want to convert the second apartment. Expansion – and not just for my own personal sanity. The office serves as the security hub, too, and we’re already struggling for space. With cameras on the front and main areas, we record who comes in and out, but nothing inside the private rooms. Security is positioned at the front door, behind the bar, and before the private rooms. Mel, a softy, who looks like a mean son-of-a-bitch, sticks to the rooms and provides backup for Sasha, but fitting more than two guys who look like they could line up for the Dallas Cowboys into the space doesn’t work.

I head to the bar, pour myself a tequila and wait for the fun to begin.

It’s not long before the atmosphere picks up. Knox and Shaw arrive early, and they both look vaguely impressed.

“Not bad, Sis.” Shaw looks around, or more accurately, looks at the girls walking around.

“Thank you. And thanks for coming.”

I signal for shots, and the barman lines up three glasses of tequila.

“On three. One, two, three.” We all pick up, toast our glasses, and down the shot.

“To Apartment B!” Shaw cheers before heading off to find some fun. For the first time in a while, I smile.

The invitations said nine, but it’s not busy until gone ten. As I circle the room, I smile at some of the clients I hope to class as regulars if the girls do their job. Shaw’s sitting in one of the soft-furnishing areas with great visibility of the open room and the pole. One of the girls is entertaining him, looking like she’s about to straddle his lap and finish the dance she’s started. He pulls her against him, keen to get his hands on her, and she seems just as happy to have them on her skin.

All the girls have to sell themselves and be comfortable with whoever might walk through the doors. Our client list is a little tamer than some of the other events we run, but that doesn’t mean they're nice men and women. Shaw is pretty tame in comparison to some of the people in this room.

I turn away from Shaw and nearly run into Knox. He looks a little distracted, but I know that won’t be because of the girls on show.

“Hey.” I greet him. “Drink?”

He nods, leaving Shaw to the entertainment.

“So, what do you think?” I press for his verdict as I grab us both a drink from one of the servers, but he’s not focused on me, he still seems distracted.

“Sure. Nice.”

What the fuck? Nice?“As much as I appreciate the vote of confidence, it would mean a lot more if you were actually paying attention.”

“Sorry.”

“Problems?”

“It’s growing into one,” he mumbles before downing his drink.

I take a guess as to who might be behind his mood. “Abel?”

“Maybe.”

“Have you two made up yet?”

“Fuck no. And we won’t when he’s sitting on revenge like it’s his personal choice as to what comes next.”

I sit and wait because it feels like there’s more to hear from Knox. He’s the thinker of all of us, and looking at him, I can see the wheels turning inside his brain.

“What is the plan? Or isn’t there one?” I ask, suddenly very interested in what Knox might have to say.

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