~ Vladski ~
Soren
I step into the neon glow of Mr. Vladski’s strip club, the heavy bass from inside already vibrating. The sign above the door flickers with cheap pink and purple lights, spelling out “Velvet Eclipse” in cursive that tries too hard. Ray and Armen flank me as we push through the entrance without waiting for the bouncer to react.
The moment Vladski spots me from across the main floor, his entire body language shifts. His fake smile freezes, eyes widening for half a second before he starts clapping his hands sharply. “Alright, girls… break! Everyone out, now. Private meeting. Move it!”
Dancers in barely-there outfits scatter like startled birds, grabbing robes and heels as they hurry toward the back rooms. The few lingering customers are ushered out just as quickly.
Vladski tries to play it cool, smoothing down his shiny shirt and forcing a broad, welcoming grin as he approaches. “Mr. Sinclair! My friend. Always a pleasure.You should’ve called ahead… I would have cleared the place properly.”
I don’t answer. I just stand here, dark eyes locked on him, watching… not blinking and not smiling. Letting the silence stretch until the air grows thick with it. I can see the beads of sweat already forming at his hairline, and the way his throat bobs when he swallows.Good, he should be uncomfortable.
Armen stands to my right with that cocky, shit-eating grin plastered across his face, clearly enjoying this far too much. Ray remains stone-faced on my left, arms loose but ready, the perfect picture of quiet menace.
Vladski is shorter than me by a good five or six inches, so I do him the small favour of lowering myself into one of the large leather armchairs near the stage. I lean back, legs spread, one inked forearm resting on the armrest, and continue staring. No wasted words, no pleasantries.
“My shipment,” I say finally, voice flat. “The gear container from this morning… wasempty.”
Vladski exhales in a rush, shoulders sagging with visible relief. A nervous little laugh bubbles out of him. “Come on, you think I’d touchyourstuff? I heard about it, sure, but I swear on my mother’s grave… I hadnothingto do with it.”
His laugh is too quick, light, and relieved. I’ve dealt with this idiot enough times over the years to know exactly what his lying face looks like, and this isn’t it. He’sgenuinely surprised I’m even asking him. Which means he’s not the one who emptied my crate.
Still, I don’t move. I keep my gaze pinned on him, letting the silence drag on again while sweat continues to roll down the side of his neck. Armen’s grin widens beside me, clearly hoping for more drama. Ray stays perfectly still, waiting for my next move.
I lick my teeth slowly, the metallic taste of violence already sitting on my tongue, then lift my hand and point one finger directly at Vladski’s sweating face. “Who did youhearit from?”
Vladski stills like a rabbit in headlights. His fingers twitch up to pull at his collar, loosening it as if the room has suddenly grown too hot. That little nervous tug at the fabric is one of his oldest tells… he’s lying or at least trying to hide something. I’ve seen it too many times to miss it.
“Wh-what… did I say that?” he stammers, eyes darting between me and the empty stage.
I narrow my eyes, letting the silence press down on him like a weight.
Armen steps in smoothly, slinging a strong arm around Vladski’s shoulders like they’re old drinking buddies. His grin is wide and friendly, voice light. “Ah, come on, man. We’re just having a friendly chat here. You don’t wanna piss off Mr. Sinclair of all people,huh?”
The silenced Smith & Wesson Armen casually angles against Vladski’s ribs tells a very different story. One wrong word and that bullet goes straight through hisheart, yet Armen keeps smiling like it’s all a joke between pals.
Vladski’s breathing has gone shallow. “I really don’t want to get in the middle of anything…”
I grunt and rise from the leather chair, unfolding to my full height so I loom over him. I straighten my shoulders, dark hair still slightly damp from the earlier workout, and start counting like he’s an insignificant child who needs to learn his lesson.
“Five.”
Vladski’s chest starts rising and falling faster.
I turn fully toward him, voice dropping lower. “Four.”
Armen’s grin stretches even wider, eyes sparkling with enjoyment.
Ray speaks up from my left, calm and professional. “I suggest, Mr. Vladski, that if youwantto keep your life you give Mr. Sinclair the information he’s seeking. He won’t hesitate to put a bullet through you. You’ve caused enough trouble as it is.”
I let a jagged, sharp grin pull at my mouth and lean in close, breath ghosting over Vladski’s ear as I whisper, “Three.”
“I-I don’t want trouble, boys,” Vladski babbles, voice cracking. “I’ve been clean for months. When was the last time I caused trouble… I…”
“Two.”
“Okay!Okay!”
