Page 38 of Loyalty

For now, anyway.

• • •

Despite the name of the club, Heavy Metal had very little to do with scream-o music or hard rock. Siena figured that out the second she stepped inside the joint. The reflective lights and metallic accents left shimmering colors cascading over her body-con red dress, and the matching four-inch stilettos on her feet.

The bouncer at the front of the club had only nodded at her when she mentioned being there to see a Marcello, even though she hadn’t technically been told to do that by Andino.

Whatever.

It got her through the door.

Siena kept a firm grip on the red clutch in her hand as she weaved in and out of the moving people. The flickering lights and bass pounding through the hardwood floors made for quite an experience.

She wasn’t really a partier.

Clubs weren’t her thing.

She did kind of like this, though.

Siena found herself moving toward the bar while her gaze scanned the crowd for a familiar face …

For John.

The bartender came down her way, and tossed a rag over his shoulder. With a warm smile, he asked, “What can I get for you, pretty girl?”

Siena smiled. “Something light.”

“I can mix you up something virgin, but it’ll look like the real thing if you want really light.”

“Sure, do that.”

It was a couple of minutes before the guy came back with her drink. As she paid for it, Siena thought to ask, “Do you know where Johnathan is by chance?”

The bartender cocked a brow. “Marcello?”

“There’s only one, right?”

“That there is. He’s usually upstairs in the VIP, or working out of an office. Either way, you won’t find him on the floor.”

“Thanks.”

“Just tell the guys guarding the entrance that John asked for you, and they’ll let you through.”

Siena laughed. “Even if he doesn’t know I’m here?”

“Only one way to find out.” The bartender winked, adding, “And I bet he won’t say no to your pretty face.”

Well, then …

CHAPTER FIVE

ANDINO PASSED John a subtle nod as he handed his cousin a glass of what would look like vodka to anyone else watching. Around the table tucked in the back section of the VIP area of the club, the two were working out a deal with a local gang leader who had been encroaching on their territories.

Capos had to talk a lot to make shit work, especially on the streets. Business could not always be done through bloodshed. It drew too much attention, and left them wide open for retribution. A good Capo could get anything done that needed handling with a few words, and a drink.

Or, that’s how John had learned the business.

The gang leader—Maverick—took the second glass Andino had been holding with a nod, and thanks. Maverick held the glass up to John, and he did the same with his own, clinking the two together.