“It’s been a hectic morning,” Trent went on to say as he dropped into the booth, casually reaching over the table to shake Dylan’s hand. “Did you order yet?”
Dylan shook his head. “Haven’t been here long. Just wanted to make sure we got a seat. Didn’t know how long this would take.”
“I say we eat while we talk. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
Okay then.
Ten minutes later, after they’d ordered food and received their coffee, Trent launched right into his spiel about this new club he was envisioning.
“I’m comfortable with the way Luke runs Devotion,” Trent explained, “but I’m interested in something a little more … hip. I know that sounds strange, but I preferred his previous club to this one.”
“By hip … I assume you’re not talking open to the public.”
Trent shook his head. “Absolutely not. But I am interested in something a little darker, more in the realm of bondage and discipline.”
“BDSM,” Dylan mused.
“Exactly. And right now, there isn’t a club in the Dallas area that caters to it the way I want.”
“So, you’re into that?” Dylan wasn’t judging, he was simply trying to get a feel for who this man was. “BDSM?”
“Yes.” Trent apparently wasn’t going to elaborate.
“What about your … career?” Surely the man considered the repercussions of owning a BDSM club and the impact it could have on his acting career.
Trent leaned back, resting one hand on the table, the other along the back of the booth. He looked completely casual, not at all put off by Dylan’s line of questioning.
“I was just offered a leading role in another movie. After some serious negotiations, I took it. That’s going to eat up a lot of my time. So, if you’re asking whether or not acting is a priority for me, then yes, it is. It pays the bills, and as long as the roles are still coming, I’m still taking them. But this endeavor is equally important. A lot of actors dabble in producing and directing. That’s not my thing. This is.”
Good point.
“So what is it you’re looking for from me?” Dylan asked, leaning back when the waiter returned to deliver their food.
“Thanks,” Trent said to the waiter. “I’ve got financial backing although it wasn’t necessarily needed. I’ve got more than enough to finance this endeavor, but I was looking for some silent partners who were familiar with the industry. I’m venturing into an area that’s outside of a lot of people’s comfort zones. I want to have input other than my own. If you’re interested in that aspect … as a partner … I can have my lawyer present the information to you.” Trent picked up his coffee. “I’m also looking for someone to manage the club. From the highest level. As much as I want to do that, it’s not going to be possible. Luke will tell you that I tend to stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong, so I need someone strong enough to push back when necessary.”
Dylan grinned. He could totally see that from Trent.
“If you’re interested, you’d be responsible for hiring people and managing the day-to-day. We will have to vet the clients and work diligently to ensure their safety and anonymity while they’re in attendance. I’ll get you anything you need.”
“You said you’re looking for something different from Devotion. Are you modeling it after another club?”
“Have you heard of Devil’s Playground?”
Trent shook his head.
“It’s an establishment owned by Maximillian Adorite. He resides here in Dallas, but his most successful clubs are in Las Vegas and New York. He does have one here, but it’s a basic nightclub. The other two have similar clubs within the walls, but they’ve also got expansion clubs, which are in the realm of what I’m looking for.”
Las Vegas and New York.
“I’m not at all interested in the nightclub aspect. Too many of those to contend with.”
“So, a standalone fetish club is what you’re looking for?”
“Exactly. And so you’re familiar, I think you should go visit one of the other two,” Trent stated after chewing. “Get a feel for it. I’m breaking ground in two months. It would be ideal if you were up to speed. Things are going to move fast.”
Of course they were. Dylan suspected Trent Ramsey did everything at warp speed. At thirty-four, the guy was young, definitely still a hot commodity.
“I assume since you’re breaking ground, you’ve already got a location in mind?”
Trent nodded, then took a sip of his coffee. “I do. It was critical that I put a little distance between my new club and Devotion. I’m not looking to be in competition with Devotion. After all, I own a stake in it as well.”
Dylan understood that. “That’s good information to have.”
“So, I’m going out on a limb here and trusting what Luke told me,” Trent added. “If you want the job, it’s yours. I’ll get you the contract details so you can look it over. If the money’s an issue, let me know. I think it’s fair, but if you feel differently, I expect you to speak up.”
Straight and to the point, that’s obviously how Trent rolled.
“I’m interested,” Dylan told him, setting his coffee mug down. “Of course, I’ll have to review the contract. And I’ll head out to Vegas to check out Devil’s Playground to see what I’m in for.”
“Perfect. I’ll get you a suite at Carnality. It’s the hottest fucking place out there right now. Max Adorite bought the flagging hotel/casino, changed the name, and has revamped it into one of the nicest places on the strip. Don’t let the name fool you.”
Interesting name, Dylan had to admit.
“I can get my private jet to take you out there,” Trent offered.
“No need. I’ve got one of those.”
Trent’s eyebrow lifted, obviously curious.
“My grandfather,” he stated.
“If you don’t mind me asking…”
“Xavier Thomas.”
Trent grinned. “No need to explain further. I recognize the name.”
Dylan figured he would. Xavier Thomas was a billionaire who had worked his entire life to get where he was today. Plenty of people had heard of him.
“Again, I’ll get my lawyer to send the information over.” Trent glanced down at his watch. “I have to run. I’m heading to California in a couple of hours. Need to take care of a few things first. I’m looking forward to working with you, Dylan.”
“As am I,” he said, shaking Trent’s hand as the man stood. “And I’m covering breakfast.”
Trent smirked. “That’s probably a first.”
Yeah, well, Dylan damn sure wasn’t looking for any handouts.
“Call me when you check out the club. Let me know what you think. We’ll get together next week and walk through the blueprints and the design.”
Dylan nodded. “Will do.”
With that, Trent was out the door and Dylan was still trying to catch up with the conversation. He took a moment to breathe before he pulled his phone from his pocket.
Now it was time to call Sarah.
Looked as though a trip was in their immediate future after all.
“VEGAS?” SARAH COULDN’T KEEP THE surprise out of her voice.