Page 17 of The Torturer's Target

“We're not ignoring anything you might find important again, no matter how small. Tell us what else you’ve found,” Max ordered, his tone serious.

Bose quickly pressed some buttons on the remote control while he spoke. “Big Cat. His real name is Demyan Nikolai Sokolov. He’s Russian but grew up in America and changed his first name to Damian. The Bratva boss seems to have gone legitimate. In recent years, powerful bosses have been investing in legal businesses. They’ve invested in a lot of successful companies in all the leading industries around the world, such as energy, arms, agriculture, manufacturing, etc.”

Clinton furrowed his brows in confusion. “But how does that connect to our situation?”

Bose nodded. “Two months ago, Demyan Nikolai Sokolov met with the Homers Group.” An image of two older men shaking hands appeared on the screen. Max recognized one of them as Walker, while the other was a stranger with a large stature, gray hair in a bun and a face that looked larger than life.

Max sat up straight at the sight. “Walker?” Carter Walker, the CEO of the Homers Group, who saw the Kingston family as his worst enemy.

“Yes, boss,” Bose confirmed. “Maybe Sokolov wants to invest in hotels and resorts and chose the Homers Group for it and this meeting has nothing to do with your attack. Or, he and his niece, The Torturer, may have accepted a contract from Walker to kill you.”

This observation created more questions for Max. Could the Bratva boss be involved in this? Did Walker orchestrate the meeting? Did Carter Walker hire Tesiera Anderson to kill him?

CHAPTER 7. THE REQUEST.

The dimly lit alleyway leading to the rundown building was eerily quiet. The only sounds were the faint chirping of crickets and the steady click of Tesiera's boots against the pavement.

She came to a stop, surveying her surroundings. The only visible sign on the building was a large 'R' hanging precariously from its mounting. At first glance, it appeared deserted, but beyond the creaky doors lay things too taboo to speak of.

Tesiera entered the building, formerly an office space but was now transformed into an underground den for indulgence and amusement. A second door stood at the end of a long hallway, guarded by two burly men dressed in all black.

But they didn't need to check her or ask for identification. They knew Tesiera and were intimidated by her presence. They promptly opened the door with a greeting that she ignored as she strode inside.

Behind the towering doors was a staircase, and Tesiera descended the steps until she reached another door, this one unguarded but equipped with a digital scanner. This was the main entrance to the den,

a hub for high-profile individuals of the underworld. Strict security measures were in place to ensure that only those with proper validation could enter.

Tesiera approached the scanner and held up her hand, revealing a ring on her index finger. The scanner detected the ring and granted her access, opening the doors automatically.

She entered the room, which was shrouded in dim red lights that gave it a seedy atmosphere. In the center of the room was a stage where various scenes played out - a sex club, specifically catering to BDSM activities.

Why had Big Cat asked to meet here tonight?

Tesiera was not there to enjoy the erotic scenes playing out in front of her; she was there for work. Her expression twisted into a scowl as she entered the crowded room. She despised being surrounded by so many people.

The strippers, dressed in revealing attire such as miniskirts, thongs, crop tops, and bralettes, also served as waitresses. Some were barely covered with only pasties hiding their nipples. The men in the audience shamelessly groped them, stuffing money into their clothing. When one caught their eye, they would giggle seductively and approach the man who beckoned them over. Some men requested strip teases and lap dances, while others even shamelessly asked for blowjobs and other sex acts.

Only the most important guests could witness the most explicit scenes on the dais, separated from the rest by red velvet ropes. On stage, an iron bed and various sadistic and masochistic items were displayed. The performance had just begun, with a female actress dancing sensually on a pole. Both male and female members of the audience. Then a male actor joined her and continued to entertain the cheering crowd with exotic dance moves.

Tesiera strode confidently through the crowded arena, making her way towards the entrance to the private rooms at the far end of the club. Her presence turned heads and sparked whispers and murmurs as men gawked at her stunning beauty. She had an alluring but mysterious aura that drew attention, yet also instilled a sense of danger that made some men step away in fear. Tesiera was both admired and feared by all who knew her. And those who didn’t.

She reached a metal door at the back of the room and opened it to reveal a small office where a blonde woman sat behind the desk. Despite being the secretary, she could easily pass for a stripper with her perky demeanor and revealing outfit.

“Welcome Tesiera,” she said with a smile. “Here to see the boss?”

“Yes,” Tesiera replied. The receptionist nodded before typing some information into her computer.

“Follow me,” she said, getting up from her desk and leading Tesiera to another metal door at the end of the office. As they walked, the receptionist's short skirt rode up her thighs, causing her to constantly adjust it. Her low-cut top revealed most of her cleavage- typical secretary attire in this establishment. Tesiera called the club's secretary “Perky Blonde” because of the consistent rotation of new secretaries who were always blonde and full of energy.

She tapped the code into the security pad by the metal door and it slid open revealing a hallway of private rooms with closed doors.

“Room 18,” Perky Blonde said, and Tesiera curtly nodded before walking down the corridor. The metal door shut behind her.

Tesiera knocked on Room 18 and entered without waiting for a reply. Big Cat was seated on the bed, two barely dressed women were with him—one behind him, massaging his back, and another on his lap, giggling in a way that immediately put Tesiera on edge.

Two men were also in the room, and she recognized them as her uncle’s soldiers. They were in the middle of a discussion, which stopped as Tesiera walked into the room.

Big Cat's face lit up with a smile as he caught sight of Tesiera. “My dear Tesiera, welcome. I apologize for summoning you on such short notice.”

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