He thought about it.
His response was quiet. “Okay.”
I liked that response. I showed him so by reaching up and cupping his cheeks, pulling his face down so I could kiss his forehead.
We got to the club a little after seven. The crowd always took a while to perk up. The later it got, the more crowded it got.
Tonight, however, the crowd dribbled in just as it had the night before.
Lev, spotting what I had, commented, “Something’s up.”
I frowned, nodding in complete agreement. Something was indeed up. I’d never seen the club so empty since I got here. Compared to the day I stole Sasha’s wallet, this crowd was embarrassing.
That was when Birdie approached, looking mildly anxious. “Can I have a word?”
“Of course,” Lev replied.
Her nervousness increased as she wrung her hands together. “I think you should call Sasha. Nas is on her way. I need you all to hear this.”
Lev did as she asked, taking out his cell and calling his brother out from his office. Nas arrived and sat on the arm of my chair. When Sasha arrived, he spoke kindly to Birdie. “Little bird, why are you looking so worried?”
She reached into her jeans pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Sasha. “I found this on my car when I went out for my break. It was on all the windshields. I collected whatever I could, but…” She shrugged. “Some people were bound to get them before I could remove them.”
Sasha unfolded the paper, read in silence, and then cussed softly.
His jaw tight, he handed the note to Lev. “I think we just found out where our customers have gone.”
Nas and I both leaned over the seat to read with Lev.
Aphrodite’s Kiss. New show. New girls. Completely refurbished. Faces that will stop your heart. Free drink with flyer.
“That’s not all.” Birdie winced. “One of Laredo’s goons approached me just as I was coming in from my break.” Her eyes apologetic, she looked directly at Sasha. “He’s recruiting from right under your nose, baby.”
“Motherfucker,” Sasha whispered. “That would explain why ChaCha quit on Wednesday.”
My jaw dropped. “He can’t do that!”
Lev’s lips thinned. “He can; he just shouldn’t. It’s an unwritten rule of sorts. It’s considered bad form.”
I sat back in my chair, feeling glum. I turned to look at Sasha. “Why does he hate you so much?”
For once, Sasha didn’t glare at me. He spoke quietly, “I scarred up his son’s face when he tried to off me. The pretty boy ain’t so pretty anymore.” He sighed. “Laredo didn’t give a rat’s ass that his boy brought that shit to my property. He sees those scars and he wants to end me.”
“What happened?”
Nas explained in a short tone, “Sasha slept with Alessio’s wife.”
Sasha uttered a defensive, “She said they were done.” He ran a hand through his dark hair. “How was I supposed to know she was using my cock as a weapon against him?” He smirked at the memory of her. “I’d like to say she wasn’t worth the trouble, but she was a goddamn wildcat.”
“Well, it’s not Sasha’s fault the lady is a tramp,” I muttered.
Sasha seemed surprised by my support. But, still, his glare returned. “What new show? What’s he got that we don’t?” Frustration took over. “I can’t even send anyone down there to see what’s up. Not anyone I trust. He knows everyone who works for us. Knows our faces.”
I looked around at them all, their thinking faces on.
Was I the only one who had the solution to this problem?
“He doesn’t know me.” I offered with a mild shrug, “I’ll go.”
Lev barked, “No,” at the very same time Sasha grinned deviously and hissed, “Yes.”
They looked at each other.
Sasha spoke quietly, “You want this ship to sink, moy brat?”
“Net,” Lev replied unenthusiastically.
“I don’t mind. It’s the least I can do,” I uttered sincerely.