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I watch her blankly as she puts the glasses on the table together with a wine cooler full of ice.
“Good evening, Parker. What a lovely name,” Vic says, her bright eyes on me in an obvious question. I shake my head and give her a smile. Okay, I may have requested a waiter more or less resembling his physique. Resembling…him. One of my latest obsessions-turned-grey zone.
“Thank you,” the young waiter croaks, looking visibly tense even from his spot behind Claire.Yess, even his mannerisms remind me of him. The way he peers at me through his glasses, dark eyes wide with anticipation.Fuckkk. The mere memory makes my cock twitch.
Damn gathering, I think for at least the tenth time over the last hour. If it wasn’t for tonight’s plans, I might let Parker ride me like there’s no tomorrow. I tap my fingers on my knee, suddenly impatient. “What time d’you think that stupid meeting ends?” I ask no one in particular, still eyeing Parker, who’s now busying himself filling our glasses. His hands are trembling slightly. “Cute,” I hum out loud, and he catches my sly smile with a fierce blush.Yeah.
A nudge in the ribs makes me look up, feeling irritated.What? I mouth at my brother.Behave, his lips reply. Then out loud, “The meeting will only start in an hour, man. God knows what time it finishes.”
“And if we’re all getting out in one piece,” Kai mumbles.
“No guns around though, orders from the big boss,” Ro counters, wryly.
“As if that’s ever stopped us.”
“Oh come on, stop being so dramatic,” Vic huffs, her ginger curls bouncing elatedly around her shoulders, making her large diamond earrings gleam like chandeliers. “Now come on.” I allow her to draw me back into her euphoria. Time’s only an interpretation. Tomorrow will come soon enough. Yesterday feels like it was an hour ago. Images of Connor on my bed flow by. The way he looked at me, so shy. Granted, I was a bit of a dick back then, but fuck me. I stillam. Asshole’s my middle name, baby. But the way he orgasmed with my name on his lips…apologizing. Damn. Not lying, that image has been haunting me ever since.
“Everyone got their drinks? Alright, alright. Raise them glasses!” We dutifully do as Vic asks and the self-righteous smile is back on her face. “To the Carringtons, the best goddamn family in New York!”
I swallow a sarcastic comment and instead, send her a small smile. No need to get snarky now, she deserves this. Vic eyes herRolex, her eyes sparkling as bright as the diamonds on her watch. “We have about half an hour to enjoy seeing ourinvestment and its successful opening. What d’you think, Parker? Don’t we all look hot as hell? Why don’t you get us another round?”
The young waiter scrambles to fill up all our glasses again, fueling the heat in my groin even further. I eye my brother while pointing at Vic. “And you’re tellingmeto behave? Look at her.” Aaron shrugs and rolls his eyes, making the two of us snicker. I toast again with Vic and watch Kai and Aaron walk over to the bar, champagne in one hand, their phones in the other. Always at work.
“Jeez, they’re always so serious,” Vic mutters, then takes another big sip.
“Who’s working tonight?” I inquire, nodding to the bar.
“Far corner.” She gives me a discreet point of her finger and I nod as I spot our girl. Obviously groomed by Vic, the tall, curvy blonde is dressed to impress. Her broad shoulders are decorated with a tight, glittery dress that hugs her generous shape in all its glory.
“If she fucks on the clock, she better hand over her fee,” I grumble. Though I officially identify as bisexual, I definitely prefer men. I’ve fucked girls before, but the likes of girls like that? No, I stay far away from them. They’re too much of everything. Nah, I like them more timid.
“Did the official owners actually make it tonight for the opening?” I ask.
“Nah,” Vic’s lips curl into a smile. “They had to work. It’s an expensive business to run a nightclub. For some.”
I grin and nod. “Itiswhen they’re working with you, bitch. That’s why I love you so much. My dream assistant.”
This area, which used to be pretty rough because of its location next to the harbor, has had a major recent clean-up. The row of warehouses in this neighborhood was auctioned to the public in an attempt to stop the zone from deteriorating even further. It worked. Individuals who were looking for a break started small urban businesses and the area started to pick up. Which is exactly how Vic got ahold of it. The young, fortunate couple that initially got their hands on this particular building thought they’d bought a ticket to their dreams. However, renovations of this size are a long and expensive process. Despite their best efforts, the investors pulled out. High recurring costs and a half-finished project meant desperate times, which called for desperate measures. And that’s where we come in. But you know the drill. Borrowing money always comes with interest, ain’t that right? In our case, a meager 300% rate. And the rest is history.
I knock back the rest of my drink in one go, and place it back on the table before my eyes find my brother’s. “What?”
“D. just texted. They found Ben. Hanged.”
My stomach drops. Fuck. Another one, and so soon. Before I can manage a reply—anyreply—Aaron suddenly stands, nearly knocking the table over, the phone in his hand. “Fuck this. We need to go, D.’s outside.” He doesn’t wait for us, and we simply follow his large steps as he marches through the club toward the exit. He’s always been the most sensitive of us all and these murders are clearly weighing heavily on him. I can feel it too. Slightly agitated, a bit worried. Mostly just surprised, although the victims would be disappointed to hear that. I just find it difficult to place all of this. I mean, plenty of rivals who’re looking to increase their share in our depraved market, but fucking hanging people? That’s some gruesome shit.
“Poor Ro,” Vic whispers as we take a seat in the back of the van. He sits in the front, next to D., his forehead pressed against the window, eyes cast down.Don’t talk to me.
“Alright, let’s just go,” I say and D. pulls away from the curb. “Who the hell plans a first gathering on a Saturday night at eleven o’clock anyway?”
“Someone who’s got something to hide,” Ro mutters, his mouth still against the tinted glass.
Vic sighs. “Perhaps. Or someone who knows that people simply can’t stand him during the daytime.”
“A vampire?” I joke and Vic nudges my arm.
“An arrogant son of a bitch. Apossibleabductor and killer of our men. Adefinitecompetitor.”
Chapter 3—Austin
