Page 18 of Casualties

“Stop talking.I’m over you acting as if we haven’t been friends for more than half of our lives.Listen, I’m working tonight and tomorrow, but I will pick you up at seven tomorrow night.Be ready.”Fuck, maybe Cass is right.I know I’m controlling when it comes to sex and work, but not typically in my day-to-day life.

She goes to speak, but I lightly pinch her lips shut.And there she goes again, rolling those golden eyes, propping her hand on her hip, waiting for this conversation to be done.I bite the inside of my cheek to calm the thoughts running through my head.Ainsley acting like a brat makes my cock twitch uncomfortably.My hand tingles with the urge to swat her backside while she's bent over my lap.I have an unnerving need to see her ass painted a pretty shade of pink.

“Fine.”Ainsley pivots on the ball of her foot and starts walking briskly toward the door.

That’s fine, she can have the last word.I watch her disappear through the door and make my way back to my Bronco as Morgan blares “She Hates Me” by Puddle of Mudd.I don’t think he’ll be feeling guilty any time soon.Dude may not talk about his feelings, but you read them loud and clear in his music choices.

I plop my ass in the driver’s seat and drive to Sanctuary.The aggressive songs he chooses play loudly the whole way there.It’s alright, he wouldn’t want to talk right now anyway.

Walking into Sanctuary, Macie stands waiting to send us to Denny’s office.I am in no mood for small talk or casual flirting, so I just smile and nod as we pass.

Denny sits in the huge leather chair at his desk in deep concentration.He presses his pointer finger to his lips, gesturing to keep quiet.Morgan and I both drop in the chairs that sit across from him.I hear a deep voice through the speaker of his phone.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen, Denny.Pretty Boy Samuels is all about his public image, and refuses to tarnish it.”It sounds like Walter, Denny’s second, on the phone.Morgan and I call him Wally, despite his negative opinion of the nickname.Big tough guy Wally acts as if he doesn’t like us, but I know deep down he does.

“Well, that false pretty boy image he tries so hard to keep will surely tarnish if he doesn’t do what is asked of him.We need time to build up his file.I need all of the ammo I can get, so he has no option to say no.But listen, the boys just walked in, so I’ll touch base with you later.”He hangs up the phone and turns to us.

“How was your night off?I noticed you didn’t show up at the club last night.”He asks because nights off from work usually mean we are at Sanctuary for fun.

Morgan answers first.

“My little sister starts school this semester, and her obnoxious friend had the bright idea to go to a frat party.We needed to tag along to supervise.”He crosses his arms over his chest as he huffs out dramatically, giving away his annoyance.

“I see.Well, I’m sure everyone upstairs missed you.Apparently you two are the stars of the club when you show up.”Denny lets out a deep laugh, and signals me with his hand to chime in.

I’m going to skip over the small talk and jump right into the job.How popular our dicks are with members is not something I plan to chat about with Denny.Honestly, I'm surprised he noticed—I rarely see Denny upstairs.I know he’s a busy man, but he’s also single.I’m straight, but I'm comfortable enough with my sexuality to be able to admit he’s a good-looking older guy.Women at the club downstairs and upstairs flock to him on a daily basis.Not only is he good-looking, but he’s rich as fuck too.The few times I’ve seen him upstairs, he never partakes in public sexual activities.I get so wrapped up in where my dick wants to land that I lose him, and never see where he goes.I just assume he takes someone into a private room.

“So about this job.Morgan and I did some research, but not a full dive.We know who the target is, and obviously the typical information we need to get.Is there anything you are particularly looking for that you need us to dig up?”.

“All business, my boy; I like it.Yes, let’s get to it.Jensen Samuels was in attendance at a charity luncheon I attend.He has never been on my radar for potential membership, because his good boy public persona is squeaky clean.A member of his security team cornered me alone, informing me our state senator would like to have a brief meeting with me in another conference room.I was intrigued to hear what he wanted with me, so I followed the guard.Once in the room, we had our pleasantries, and he got down to business.Samuels asked to be an off-the-books client of Sanctuary.”He lets out a long breath, because that was a mouthful.

“What exactly is an off-the-books client?”Morgan asks.I’m glad he did, because I have no clue, either.

“He would like to be a client without a paper trail.Obviously I would never allow that, but he doesn’t need to know.You boys have our server so encrypted, it’s without-a-doubt unhackable.With that being said, he won’t be attending the club.It's too risky for a politician to be spotted, and rumors to start flying.”Denny’s taking forever to get to the point.

“Okay, so if he won’t be attending the club, then how will he be utilizing his membership?”I ask, confused as fuck.

“He has a few friends who enjoy the same lifestyle he does.He’s looking to host a private party at one of my more discreet locations - with a few of my most trusted members in attendance to round out the guest list.He’s willing to pay triple my yearly membership fee for the discretion.I agreed to him and his friends becoming clients, as long as they pass your background checks.”

“Don’t you think this sounds a bit risky?I mean, of course background checks will be completed thoroughly, but have you thought this through?I’m sorry if I’m overstepping, this just seems out of the club's element.”Morgan’s eyes widen at my bold questions, but I like Denny as an employer and a friend.

“Son, you leave the worrying to me.This is a huge opportunity that gets me closer to something I have been working on for years.Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”There is no malice in his tone.

“Alright Boss Man, we'll head home and get to work.You'll get a call from one of us with updates on the burner, and we'll let you know when you have the green light to proceed,” Morgan tells him.

“You worry about the research, boys.Walter and I will handle the rest.”Denny stands to shake each of our hands."Let me know if you run into any trouble."

"Will do, Boss Man."

My mind is spinning with the amount of work we have—on top of school starting the day after tomorrow.I have no idea how I will balance it all, but this is why Morgan and I are a team.We divvy up the job and help each other with school.It’s a balance that has worked for us as long as we have been friends.

My mind goes back to Ainsley and the conversation we’re going to have.I’m not sure how I’m going to get away without Morgan asking questions when we have so much work to do.I'll have to think of something.This is probably my only chance to clear the air with her.If I cancel, I doubt she will agree to meet with me again.

Once we are back in my car, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and reach to grab it.It’s my dad.

Dad

Hey, pal.You know that fundraiser Mom and I were planning to attend in Boise?

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