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“It’s cozy here.”
Nate chuckled. “For you, yes.”
“Don’t worry, Nate. I’m not going to kill you.” I looked over at him and smiled.
“I… um… okay.”
We fell into silence, as I thought about all the ways I was going to exact my revenge. Although I’d do it anyway, I promised Joe… and I always keep my promises.
Chapter 6
Addie
Instead of going home, Nate took me to our club, the Gilded Cage, so I could see what they had done to it in my absence. The yard was freshly mowed and landscaped, and a privacy fence had been added around the property so the neighbors couldn’t see anything. Tall trees had also been added to further obscure anyone’s view.
“This is nice,” I said as I walked up the driveway.
“Yeah, I was wanting to talk to you about adding a parking garage to the left with a walkway that leads straight into the club.” He shrugged. “More privacy. But we added the trees that go all along the property so no one can see into the yard.”
“That’s good.” I let out a deep breath. “Good idea about the parking garage. I’ll talk to Lucian. Make sure he’s down with it.” I let out a deep breath. “We’re leasing it so it’s still his property, but the Club is ours.”
Nate nodded as he walked up to the door and opened it, waiting for me to go in first. We were the only ones with a key to get into the building. For now, no one else needed one. Inside, there had been a few changes since the last time I saw it. There were more royal blue accents here and there. Little pops of blue in the pictures on the wall. The chairs in the foyer been changed out for plush velvet ones, also blue. The front counter was steel. A wall the color of steel was behind the counter.
“I like it.”
Nate nodded, smiling. “Check this out.” He walked behind the counter and punched in a code to a small keypad on the side. I didn’t even notice. Suddenly, a door opened and a light came on.
“What the hell?” I looked inside and weapons of all kinds were in what looked to be a vault.
Nate shrugged. “These weapons are for sale for use outside the Club, of course. But only a select few will know about it or have access to it.”
“I love it.” I nodded my approval. “Also, we’ll have firepower, just in case.”
“Exactly.” He closed the door and it melded seamlessly into the wall again.
“I was thinking about members. The only people who can get in the Club are the ones with a special token.” A crease formed between my eyes as I looked around, thinking. “What if it was a coin, silver with a blue stone in the middle. Is that possible? Maybe something that can go on a keychain? That way, we can scan it and it will automatically be deducted from the patron’s account. No money would be exchanged on premises.”
Nate ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe. I’ll look into it. Is that what you want?”
I nodded.
“Then we’ll find a way to make it happen.”
A smile lit my lips. “To add to the exclusivity, we could only make a certain amount every six months or so.”
“Make people wait.” Nate returned my smile. “I like it. They’ll be wondering what’s going on in here. A waiting list could be a good idea, too.” He chuckled. “When we open it up to registrations again, people will be beating the doors down to get in.”
I took the pieces of paper out of my purse, handed them to Nate, and recounted my conversation with Lucian as we headed toward the back office.
The black marble floors were carried throughout the house. In my office, the black floors looked amazing against the red and black wallpapered walls. My black desk was directly opposite the door. I sat in my cherry red desk chair and surveyed the room. On one side of the room was a black leather sofa with red pillows and two high back chairs. On the other side, a full-length mirror hung on the wall, trimmed in gold, and a large potted plant sat on the floor beside it.
“I like it.”
Nate beamed, obviously proud of what he had done. “Good.”
“How is the guy you want to manage the club?” A crease formed between my eyes. We’ll need the right people behind the counter.
“Trenton Felici.” He shrugged. “He’s a good guy. Very classy. Been with the family a long time. Good with numbers, personable, and doesn’t take any shit.”
