Page 45 of Compelled Obedience

Why don’t you invite her to stay with you, asshole?

Exhaling, I threw my head back. I certainly had enough room, but she’d never agree. However, I was determined to try. Hearing my door opening, I shoved aside my worry for now. It was business as usual and there were several large parties in the upcoming future, including the LA Robins due in over the weekend.

“Jesus Christ, boss. What in the fuck happened to you?”

Hearing Brak’s surprised question amused me. I hadn’t planned on coming into work on a Tuesday, but since the attack in Kerri’s alleyway, I hadn’t been able to think about anything else. “Nothing but the usual.”

“Since when do you go beating up on customers and members? Oh, yeah. How quickly I forget.” He scrubbed his jaw, rubbing his fingers across his goatee as he swaggered closer. “That’s one hell of a shiner.”

I touched my face and snorted. “You should see the other guy.”

“I’d love to. I didn’t know you had it in you, Mr. Fancy Suit.”

He had a way of making me laugh. “How’s the crowd?”

“Rowdy. More so than usual. There must be a full moon outside.”

“Maybe so.” I jerked my feet off my desk, leaning forward. “Parker mentioned some guy stopped by the other night looking for me. Slick dude, like FBI? Ring a bell?” Another coincidence? Bullshit.

“Not that I can recall. I’ll check with the other guys though. If he was FBI or any other law-enforcement asshole, he would have been required to show his ID.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m wondering how he got inside.”

“Could have been a Carnal Sins guest.”

I’d already thought of that. We allowed our exclusive members to bring guests, but their information was required like everyone else entering either club. When Parker tapped on the door, I motioned him in. “Any issues with rowdy folks?”

“Just the usual. Nothing to worry about.”

I drummed my fingers on the desk. “Keep an eye out for gang members.”

Brak whistled then grinned. “Any gang in particular?”

“The LA Cartel.”

“Whew. I sure as shit hope you didn’t grant membership to one of those assholes.”

I gave him a wary look. “Not in this lifetime, but I might have invited one here.”

“What the fuck?”

“Likely nothing. See what you can find out about the man who was looking for me and Brak. Make certain no one gets in the doors who has any gang affiliation.”

He laughed. “They don’t have a calling card unless you consider a sawed-off shotgun one.”

“We’re not in the boondocks. They’d have assault rifles.”

“Oh, that makes me feel a shit load better, boss.”

“I think you and the guys can figure it out.”

Snorting, Brak rolled his eyes. “I’ll pull out my crystal ball and shine it up for you, boss.”

I chuckled then rose to my feet. “You do that.”

Parker walked closer, shaking his head. “Give a man a couple nights off and he becomes a prize fighter.”

“Yeah, well. In this city, it’s becoming a necessity. Let me guess. The Robins team has special requests.”

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