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I’m close to turning around when a car pulls up in front of the building, a nice car, and a few men in suits get out. They’re all well-dressed and look like the type of patron I’d expect at such a club. Two of the men go in, leaving two others by the door.
They must be the bouncers, I realize, feeling relief that the strange situation seems to be falling into place. Exhaling to centre myself, I plaster a smile on my face and prepare to walk over when I notice the bulge in one of the men’s pants, and my eyes widen when I realize it's a gun. I fall back into the shadows, uncertainty filling me.
Since when do bouncers have guns?
I stand in the darkness, rooted to the spot.
I don’t want to go home empty-handed, but everything about this is screaming for me to turn back.
I have to at least check out inside, I reason with myself.Maybe it's super nice inside.
As though by divine providence, one of the men at the door reaches into his pocket and brings a phone up to his ear. I can’t hear what he says, but when he closes it, they both head inside.
The corner of my lip turns up.Curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction always brings him back, the old mantra plays in my mind.
I make my way across the street and into the light, swallowing once before entering the large building.
Well, I didn’t come this far.
Atlas
Going Under
I’m pissed,but not surprised, when Eli and his goons walk into my office, again without invitation. The fucker looks the same as always, the cocky smirk on his face and his too-expensive suit. I nod at the guards, glaring at them until they leave and it’s just me and Eli.
“No manners,” he admonishes.
“What do you need?” I ask, ignoring him. “We have the seating arranged; I can have Phil show you.”
“My men will check that out, as well as the perimeter. I’ve taken the liberty of sending your men home, we will provide security this evening.”
I exhale through my nose. “You going to finally tell me who this Master is?”
There’s a small knock at the door and a moment later, a man steps in.
I immediately know it’s the Master I’ve been waiting for. His hair is mostly brown with flashes of silver on the side, and though he looks familiar, I can’t place him and I’m sure we’ve never met. He’s maybe a few years older than me and is dressed well, but not as extravagant as even Eli.
“Hello, Atlas,” he says, holding out his hand. I shake it, noting his firm grip. “I am Ivor Stolanski.” He turns and sits like he’s some kind of fucking royalty. Eli closes the door behind him, but stays, standing watch. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you and visit your establishment. You have quite the set-up here.”
“Thank you,” I reply tightly. “We do what we can with what we have.”
The man smiles and I’m surprised to see no sarcasm, no smirk or malice there.
“Well, it certainly is impressive. I can only imagine what you’d do with the space and the funds,” he says evenly. I resist the urge to hiss through my teeth at the comment as my worries are confirmed.
“I’m a humble man, I enjoy the simplicity of what we have here.” I hint not too subtly. He tips his lips into a smile again, and I’m still shocked to see how genuine and warm it seems. This isn’t what I expected from, with a man of his reputation, and it throws me off. I am usually good at sensing duplicity, but this man makes my skin crawl in an entirely different manner.
“Ahh, yes, there is something to be said for the simple pleasures.”
The silence between us seems to last a long time.
“Is there anything else we can arrange for your evening?” I finally ask. The man tilts his head slightly, his smile growing.
“No, actually. However, there is another matter I would like to discuss, but it will have to wait until later. Eli?”
Eli steps up.
“Have one more perimeter search done. I’ll go take my seat.”
