Page 7 of Controlled

I didn’t make it known I sold the company’s goods to cartels who ruled countries, but they would beg, borrow, or steal their hardware from someone. It might as well be from the Saint Corporation.

I pulled off my sunglasses, shaking my head as the booming music from inside leaked from around the edges of the sealed door. I shoved the dark shades into my coat pocket before entering, not needing to flash any credentials at the two barbarians holding court at the entrance. They knew who I was. I doubted there was anyone in town who didn’t.

They also knew who I was coming to meet with as evidenced by the brawny dude on the right pointing to the upper tier. I’d been here twice before, both times for meetings. I knew my way around. I headed toward the set of spiral stairs, the music pumping wildly in my ears. There was no reason for me to be in such a cranky fucking mood, but I was, the task from earlier in the morning doing nothing but sitting like a lead weight in my stomach. Or maybe it was the thought of going to the ballet that had me in a piss poor mood.

I was almost halfway up the steel stairs when my phone buzzed, indicating a text. I could guess who was trying to make contact with one hand minus four fingers. As soon as I pulled the cellphone into my hand, I grinned. I should gamble in my spare time. Stopping short, I took a couple of seconds to text Styx back.

Styx: You are coming tonight, or should I contact Easton so we can go on a hunt together?

My brother meant a hunt for me, but his use of the term was surprising.

Me: I thought you hated the darker part of our legacy.

The three dots indicating he was typing appeared immediately. I leaned against the iron railing, waiting as I scanned the club below. There were four dancers currently on stage, only one of them using a tall metal pole. I had to admit the facility was nicer than several of the dance clubs I’d been in over the last couple of years, the clientele likely demanding it.

I’d learned a long time before that every powerful man had a weakness, a penchant for something. Sex. Drugs. Extortion. Women. Cigars. Every man had different tastes, some favoring the darkest proclivities out there. Finding them and exploiting them when necessary had become another tool in my arsenal. Although as with everything else of late, I’d grown bored.

Styx: It’s growing on me.

I laughed and knew better. My older brother was almost squeaky clean and had been since meeting the love of his life. That left a bad taste in my mouth but at least we’d grown close again, something we’d been as kids but that as well as our humility, our humanity, and our souls had been beaten out of us.

Me: Right. You’re a terrible liar. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Yeah, well, the last part was a lie but pretending I was one of the good guys was part of business. I shoved the phone back into my jacket, heading up the last few steps. As expected, Carlos was holding court at the special table in the peak of the odd-shaped loft, two of his soldiers standing a couple of feet away. They bristled at first when I approached until they recognized me, one even pulling out a chair.

A drink had already been ordered. I had no doubt it was the scotch I preferred. If there was one thing about the merciless man who continued to enjoy the art of slaughter like I’d used to, it was that he had excellent tastes and an even better memory.

“Welcome, my American friend,” Carlos said as he leaned back in his chair.

“What do I owe the pleasure of your presence a month early to, Carlos?”

He laughed. “You always did want to get straight to the point.”

“I am a busy man just like yourself.” I lifted my glass, giving him a slight smile before turning my attention to the closest platform being lifted into the air. The club was unique in several ways, including the owner’s forethought into creating various and very distinctive dance numbers. I also liked the fact two of the three dance floors could be raised by several feet, providing the three floors with a more personal dance.

“Yes, and that’s something I can appreciate, Creed. I assure you this won’t take much of your time, but I did prefer to speak in person versus over the phone.”

The girl was bathed in blue neon, collapsed in the middle of the stage, her long hair and arms splayed out in front of her. She wore a striking red leotard, body hugging yet not too revealing. I did prefer to unwrap the package myself instead of having it shoved into my face initially.

I’d never seen her before, but as soon as she began to dance, I was mesmerized. In bare feet, her modern dance was provocative yet subtle, the mask she was wearing adding to the allure of the dance.

I hadn’t realized how entranced I’d become at her presentation until Carlos chuckled from beside me. “She is lovely. Yes? I’ve seen her once before. She is very… what you Americans call lithe in her movements.”

“I think you mean graceful.” And professional. And damn good. As she moved, my cock stirred. I was surprised, pleasantly so.

He laughed. “Yes. Imagine her in bed. However, as you said, you are a busy man.”

I turned my attention back in his direction although the gothic music she’d selected made it difficult to ignore the lovely girl. “What is the issue?”

“We need to renegotiate.”

I was in the middle of taking a gulp of scotch, and almost spit it out. I didn’t like wasting good liquor. I wiped my mouth, taking five seconds to watch as she flew through the air, landing with a hard thud as if in sorrow. Goddamn, my balls were tight.

“Did you suddenly have a brain lapse that we have a signed contract?” I asked, trying to remain neutral.

“And you know in our worlds, that doesn’t matter.”

I was forced to curl my fingers around the glass instead of doing what I’d prefer, snapping the bastard’s neck. To aid in my resistance, I kept my eyes locked on the girl while other lights swept over the audience, including highlighting our table. That was the very moment she’d twirled and dropped a second time onto her knees, the suspended stage creating the illusion of her being only a few feet away. “You have me curious, Carlos. Why the sudden need for a reconfiguration when we’ve been in agreement for four months?”