“Early morning? Have you looked at a clock at all since we obviously woke you up? Because it’s eleven-thirty.”
“Shit.” I had no idea it was so late in the day. I’m usually up by eight. I guess that’s what happens when all the sleepless nights catch up to you.
Glancing at Lucien, who looks distracted, I turn to Ramon who says one word, “Drugs.”
Choking on my coffee, I slam the cup down on to the table.
“What the fuck do you mean drugs? That’s what is going on at Kenza?”
Ramon nods his head in response.
“Who?”
“That we don’t know,” Lucien says joining in the conversation. “Last night I overheard a couple of guys talking about buying some heroin. One of them seemed to know all about it and said his supplier was here at the club. When they’d finished talking and I heard the door slam closed, I went to follow to see who it was, but there was no one there. I figured they’d headed back into the club, which was packed last night.”
Not saying anything, I sit and stew; wondering whom the fuck would bring drugs into my club. “It can’t be staff they know what happens if I find drugs on them in my club—can it?” Doubt rears its ugly head as I go through my list of staff. There isn’t anyone who I can say has been acting out of sorts. My staff gets paid well for the job they do so that they won’t be tempted to take the piss out of the club.
“You need to get an uncover cop in here. I have a couple of contacts we can use, but you need someone who knows about this shit to be in the club. Nothing is going to happen while you’re around, or us for that matter. It was pure fluke that Lucien heard what he did last night.”
I lounge back on the sofa with my feet up on the coffee table and my head resting along the back. Closing my eyes, I rub at my temples. I’m mad as fuck that drugs are being sold right under my fucking nose, and god help the bastard responsible when I find him.
“Set it up,” I tell Ramon. “It can’t hurt to have someone here. I want to know if they put someone in the club.”
“I’ll tell him.” Ramon slouches into the chair looking exhausted.
He hasn’t been himself for a while. It’s bugging me that my brother seems to have the world on his shoulders and won’t talk to me or anyone else for that matter.
Lucien watches him as well.
“I’ll ask Simon to keep his ear to the ground as well.”
“Do you trust him,” Lucien asks.
Lucien’s question plays over and over in my mind. He’s my manager, and I guess the one person in the best position to betray me, but I do trust him. I gave him a job—a chance. I can’t imagine him being the one responsible. “I won’t mention the undercover cop you’re trying to get here, but I’ll mention I’ve heard that we might have a drug problem and to keep his eyes open.”
“Okay.” Lucien nods and starts eating his muffin.
Turning to Ramon, I demand, “Talk to us, and don’t give me that shit about there being nothing wrong. You’ve changed. I’d even go as far as saying you look…sad.”
Ramon meets my eyes before looking away, and I know he’s about to lie to me.
“Don’t say anything if you’re not willing to tell me the truth because that will just piss me the fuck off.” I lean forward, resting my arms on my knees while waiting for Ramon to decide whether to speak or keep quiet.
A while back Lucien thought that Ramon was gay, and then Carla appeared as his so-called girlfriend. This made a telltale out of my oldest brother, but when we discovered he’d been pretending with Carla, it made me stop and think.
Although the thought of another guy touching my junk does nothing for me, if that’s the way my brother swings then I’ll support him no matter what. He’s my brother and I’d still be damn proud to call him that.
Then there’s Sylvia from the office who works as Sebastian and Michael’s assistant. I’ve seen the looks he gives her on the few occasions she’s been at a gathering at someone’s house.
He’s damn difficult to get a hold on what’s going on in his life.
“Carla’s brother is still missing.” He rubs his hands through his hair. “No one seems to know where he’s gone. It’s as though he’s disappeared from the face of the earth. The detective I hired was following his trail, but it’s gone cold. I have no idea how the hell I’m going to tell Carla.” He laughs. “I’ve even thought about getting Sebastian to tell her, but Noah and Carla are my friends so I can’t really do that. I need to be the one to tell her. I just wish I knew if he was okay.”
Sitting back again, I think about what he’s just said and I can’t help go back to the gay thing. “Are you gay?”
Lucien starts coughing. “Wrong way,” he whispers as he continues to cough.
“Idiot.” I shoot a glare at Lucien before turning back to Ramon. “You didn’t answer the question,” I remind a very uncomfortable looking Ramon.
He sighs and meets my eyes. “Not exactly.”
“Um, but not exactly doesn’t answer the question. Either you are or you aren’t.”