I’m still swiping at my wet cheeks, stuck on someone calling me family though. I haven’t talked to my parents or siblings in four years, and I’ve never missed them more.
Maybe the only family I have left are unhinged criminals, but at least it’s something.
15
Notes:
Sorry this chapter is late. Accidentally wandered through some dense fog in my bare feet, ended up on a distant planet full of barbarians.
Milo
“Wow. I’ve heard of this place, but I’ve never been here. It’s intense.” Rowan scans the main room of Shadow, the club Jalen sent us to.
“Nobody will get in there who doesn’t have an invite,” he’d assured me. “The security is tight, and the owner doesn’t fuck around.”
Good. I’m not fucking around either. “Intense, but secure. And we won’t be stuck here long. Whoever’s behind this shit is already dead. Just need to find them.”
Shadow is all low, warm lighting and polished wood. Lots of, well, shadows. Sofas and overstuffed chairs for lounging. Stages and spanking benches and giant cages for group sessions and people looking to put on a show. It’s not the first place of its kind I’ve been to, but it is unique.
Moans and groans reach us from out in the main room, and even the occasional burst of polite applause. Rowan flinches a little at every sound, nearly losing his footing when a bartender drops a glass. Though I guess I can’t blame him. It’s been an eventful couple of days, and I’ve clocked the abundance of barely visible cameras overhead. Nothing like knowing you’re being watched.
“We’re looking for someone named Daniel,” I tell Rowan. That makes him clutch Iggy’s tank harder. I suggested we leave thelittle guy in the car until we figured out exactly where we would stay, but he refused.
My hand goes to his lower back. Steadying him. Guiding him through the maze of dark stairwells and people. And yes, fine. Comforting. Didn’t take a genius to figure out that Iggy is Rowan’s emotional support animal. He’s been clinging to the lizard with blanched knuckles since what happened after brunch.
While Rowan is busy gawking at a man getting whipped on one stage, a big dude steps up in front of us. I’m tall and Rowan is taller, but this guy’s got us both beat. The earpiece tells me he’s security.
“Rowan? Milo?”
Rowan’s head whips around. “Woah. He looks like that werewolf from that one show,” he murmurs.
“He does,” I agree.
I’m a confident motherfucker, but in a contest between me and this guy, I’m not sure who could take the other down faster.
“Hecan hear you,” the big guy grumbles. Then he gestures with his hand. “Come on. I’ll take you to Mr. Corvus and then get you settled.”
We’re led up a quiet set of back steps to what appears to be some sort of VIP area. There’s a bar and a small lounge area, where a man with the bearing of a king and the shrewd gaze of a killer gives us an unsettling smile. “You must be Milo.” He turns. “And you must be Rowan. I’m Daniel.”
Experience keeps my body language from betraying my unease. Barely. This place is a very well decorated viper den.
Jalen better be right about the club being safe. I believe him about the security, but the man in front of me makes his security guard look like an adorable puppy, and I’m willing to bet there’s more firepower in this building than I’ve seen in my lifetime. If Daniel Corvus turns out not to be on our side, we’re fucked.
“Uh, hi.” Rowan’s smile is hesitant.
I edge closer until I’m standing almost in front of him. Not that I want to be rude to our potentially dangerous host, but my unease demands I keep Rowan shielded as much as possible.
“Thank you for letting us stay here.” I glance around, noting that there’s a guard at every room exit. “I promise it won’t be long.”
“Understood. Jalen said as much. He also assured me there wouldn’t be any trouble.” Daniel Corvus gives me a significant look. “I’ve recently beefed-up security, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
I’m reading this as “if you don’t start any trouble, there won’t be any trouble.” Let’s hope. “Understood. Thank you.”
“Good. Channing will show you to your room.”
He gestures to the guy who brought us in, who leads us down yet another darkened hall. This place is massive, a converted mansion apparently, with plenty of twists and turns. I’m careful to memorize each step since everything is dark.
“Down this hallway is where some of the staff live,” the big guy—Channing—says. “Make sure you keep it quiet after hours. Mr. Corvus invites you to make use of the club amenities during your stay so long as you don’t disturb any of the other guests.”
