Page 7 of When Sinners Dare

Depending on what you’re looking for and what Cortez establishment you visit, all of your tastes, proclivities, and desires will be catered for. Of course, this side of the business only reflects the more reputable area of the Cortez world.

While I know this project was only given to me to keep me quiet, I’ve done a better job than any of my brothers could have, and I know it pains them to admit that. Well, it pains Abel.

They might trust me with the family business, but they don’t see me as their equal. And that’s what I need to change.

Carmen’s lined up some of the girls who will now be under my charge. They'll meet a certain calibre and particularly high expectations to work here. There’s a far different criteria for the girls at the Bourbon Lounge or the other projects we run.

Everything’s ready, and I’m proud of what I’ve created. I’ve put everything I’ve learnt from Knox, Abel and Dante to practice, but with my own flare. Luxury, finery and opulence. A den to bleed our clients dry.

Talking of Carmen, she’s perched at the bar as I round the corner at the club.

“Carmen. I wasn’t expecting you.” I try for polite even though I’m furious she’s here unaccompanied.

She looks around the place as if inspecting it. “Abel asked me to stop by. Make sure what we’re sending will fit.”

“I’ll be more than happy to list the criteria we’re looking for at my establishment.”

Her smile is as fake as her hair colour.

“Of course. You can always come and pick, Mariana. I know you don’t visit often, but if you have such exacting taste…” She lets the sentence drift, and I can feel my hackles rise at her insinuation.

“I want girls that will play any role, any part that’s asked of them. A professional who’ll want to please, above all. No trouble, no risk. Do you even have any girls that fit the bill?”

“You’d be surprised.” Her fingers drum on the bar.

“Oh, you’ve learned from London, have you,” I stick the jibe in.

“Don’t blame London on me, Mariana. That was all Jackson Reed’s doing.” Her eyes grow wide, and she stands.

“And here I was thinking it was because of a girl,” I drawl, my mind racing. “One of your girls.”

“She was a problem the second she came in.” Carmen’s tough exterior seems to weaken for a second. “She fought everything and everyone.”

“What was her name?”

“Naja.” I commit the name to memory as more questions come to mind as to what the fuck Abel and my brothers are doing about Jackson fucking Reed.

My phone vibrates in my hand, and I pick it up.

Abel’s back.

A million questions race through my mind as I read those two words. What does that mean? Is Mother with him?

“I don’t know how you got in unescorted, but don’t come here uninvited again. I’ll wait for those girls.” I leave Carmen and start scrolling my phone to find Abel’s name and place the call, but he doesn’t answer. So, I turn around and leave the building, heading back the way I came to race to the house.

By the time I arrive, there’s no sign of Abel.

“Where is he?” I ask Dante, as he sloshes back a drink in the main room. He just shrugs. “Where’s Mother? Has she said anything?”

Still the silent treatment from Dante.

“Oh, are we being like that? Seriously? If you can’t talk to me, just run along home to Wren. I’m not in the mood.”

I head out towards Mother’s rooms, frowning. Over the last several years, it’s not part of the house I’ve often ventured into, and certainly not willingly, but needs must.

I knock on her bedroom door and wait.

“Mother?” But there’s no answer. She’d have slapped me with no hesitation for daring to walk into her space uninvited in the past, but I’m not sure she will now. Or, at least there’s a question now.

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