Page 52 of Midnight Danger

That part was true. It didn’t matter if you were a prude and repelled by sex or into hardcore BDSM, everyone had an opinion on sex. There was no doubt in my mind these men knew exactly who I was and what my business connections were. We weren’t the only ones with tech geniuses on our payroll.

“My boss is a fan of your businesses. He’s admired them from afar for years. His establishments go more to the extreme side, catering to a specific clientele.”

My stomach rolled at his words. The thought of men walking around in my rooms preying on women made me want to find every one of them and dispatch them to whatever god they believed in. The only saving grace had been that we’d never had any complaints about either The Midnight or Twilight Rooms, everything happening in them consensual.

“I can’t return the compliment, considering I only found out about his business a few days ago,” I remarked dryly, finally giving him my attention.

He studied me with the intensity of a cat watching a mouse. “Technically, Malcolm’s shares in the company still exist. My boss wants to know who will be claiming them. You’re the one sitting in this meeting.”

Jordan turned from his usual place at the window to watch what was happening. He wanted to shoot every one of these men in the back of the head, but they were puppets and their deaths would achieve nothing.

“What are you implying?” I asked, my tone so cold the air could freeze between us.

A vicious smile lifted his lips. “You have access to the files on thousands of members to your clubs, including access to their medical results. We are always in need of new slaves with certain characteristics. Shares in the company go to those who are most effective to our organisation.”

Ash moved into the conversation casually. “And how was Malcolm effective?”

“Each of our directors take an active interest in training our recruits.” The salacious tilt of his mouth made nausea burn up my throat. “Malcolm was quite the expert in breaking our assets so they could be reprogrammed.”

Jordan stiffened at the corner of my eye.

“And what exactly do you think the three of us can do for you?” I inquired. “We tend not to break our toys.”

His reptilian gaze moved to Jordan. “No one has ever been able to prove anything about the three of you. No evidence exists that you are anything more than playboys who enjoy fast cars and beautiful women.”

“That’s because that is exactly what we are,” Jordan flashed him his practiced smile he’d perfected long ago in law school.

“And yet, Malcolm said that every time there was a problem in his precious Council, that you three dealt with it and left no witnesses.”

If Malcolm wasn’t already dead, this would have signed his execution warrant.

“I’ll have a chat with him next time I see him,” Jordan commented dryly.

The nameless man laughed humourlessly. “Something tells me that Malcolm is long gone and none of us will find any evidence of his demise.”

Jordan stared blankly at him. “Are you suggesting that you harmed Malcolm?” he deadpanned. “I need to advise you that, as a member of the Bar, if you disclose any information pertaining to a crime that I am duty-bound to report it, as you are not my client.”

The man stared at Jordan for several seconds before his laughter boomed around the room. “I like you. Psychopaths are rare nowadays.”

“Unfortunately, assholes are everywhere,” Jordan snarked, turning back to the window.

The stranger’s eyes stayed trained on Jordan, violence lurking in their depths.

“No offence,” I intervened. “The three of us own a successful business chain. It’s been nice meeting you, but since your boss didn’t have the decency to come and meet us in person for this gathering, I have a busy schedule.” I stood and tucked my phone in the inside pocket of my suit.

“He’s a busy man,” he replied with a shrug.

“So am I. Have a pleasant day.” The three of us strode toward the door. I learnt one thing from my father at an early age, and that was playing hardball in business. The more you gave the more people took. If you walked away, they tended to chase you.

“You’ll regret not taking their offer.”

I never bothering turning around. “There was no offer on the table. Tell your boss, I only deal with business partners face to face, not through their minions.”

The door slammed behind us.

“You sure you know what you’re doing?” Ash asked, casting a weary look back at the door.

“If they think I’m a pussy, they’ll either stroke me or try to fuck me.”

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