Page 22 of Feast

Felix pondered for a moment. “I wonder where he went…after he left the booth.”

Spider finally spoke up. “He went outside.” We all turned to look at him. “You see, I was out front for a little smoke break⁠—”

“Why am I not surprised?” Haze interrupted.

Spider shot him a look. “As I was saying,” he snapped. “I noticed Ray step out for some air, sweating profusely. I tried to get close to the little fucker, but another man met him, and they both rushed back inside the club before I could get close.”

“And how is any of that fucking helpful?” Haze asked.

Spider leaned his head back over the edge of the chair. “If you’d just let me speak,” he groaned. “As I was saying, on my way back into the club, while trying to keep up with our friendly neighborhood drug dealer, I just so happened to bump into someone else. Someone much more important.” He lifted his head and grinned. “You know, seeing your cousin up close and personal like that really puts into perspective how much you guys look nothing alike.” He looked across the room at all of us. “I mean, there’s no family resemblance.”

“Wait. You ran into Kief?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yup. And he was in quite a hurry, talking on the phone and completely ignoring any kind of manners or decorum. Rude ass. But I guess it’s a good thing he doesn’t know my face, or we’d be so fucked right now.”

Felix took another sip, finishing off his drink. “I’m surprised he had the nerve to even leave The Burnout, considering he’s been holed up there for so long, knowing we’d be coming for him.”

Spider shrugged again. “He was probably returning from a meeting with Toro.”

My eyes widened. “You know Toro?” I asked.

My ex-boyfriend looked at me in surprise, as did everyone else. “Uhh, yeah. Kind of an important name to know. But the real question is how the fuck do you know that name?”

I looked at all their faces. “Well…as I was waiting for you two to come back, in the VIP room…I heard Ray mention it.” Everyone listened. “He was on the phone with Kief. He didn’t say much, but from what I did hear, it sounded like he was meeting him tonight.”

“Meeting Kief? Where?” Felix asked.

It took me a few seconds to remember. “The Cosmic Oxen.”

Spider blew a raspberry. “Wow. Classy.”

“What—what is it? Is it another club? Or a bar within Kief’s organization?” The men all exchanged a look.

Why is no one answering me?

Spider cleared his throat. “Back to the main point. You said Ray is meeting Kief at The Cosmic Oxen? Tonight?” I nodded. He looked over at Felix. “Well, now we know our next move. But.” He returned his warm gaze to me. “That still doesn’t explain how you heard the name, Toro.”

“Oh! Well, Ray said it, after—” I stopped, knowing if I told them about how men were looking for me, Haze would fucking lose it. Or worse. But even still, it was a risk I was willing to take. So…I kept that bit of information to myself.

I’m sure Ray only wanted to find me to berate me about the charges. Nothing serious.

I cleared my throat. “After the call with Kief, Ray made another. That’s when I heard him mention that name. Toro. But I didn’t get a chance to hear anything else ‘cause he walked away.”

Spider blinked, looking back at my older brother. Felix looked sick to his stomach. “Well, we knew Ray had some kind of ties to Toro, but I didn’t expect him to contact him in a situation like this.” He looked at me with such a serious expression. “And there was nothing else he said?”

Yes.

“No.” I lied. “That was it.”

Haze rubbed his temple, frustrated. “How the hell are we supposed to infiltrate a meeting at The Cosmic Oxen? I mean…midnight tonight? It’s nearly ten. It’s too short notice to contact other Web members, and I don’t think any of us are exactly the right fit to blend into that crowd.”

“What kind of a crowd is it?” I asked. Haze quickly shut his mouth, refusing to answer me. “Haze.”

Spider let out an exasperated groan. “Ugh, fine! I’ll fucking tell her.” He tilted his head at me. “The Cosmic Oxen is a luxury strip club. Only high-paying customers and the elite can even afford to access it. It’s one of Northern Light’s known businesses that funds a portion of Kief’s network. And one which thankfully practices full nudity in its dancers.” He smiled.

“Easy,” Haze growled.

“Why? We all know it.” He laughed, looking at both my brothers. “Especially you, big boy.” He winked at Haze.