Page 54 of Torn Souls

Second Circle, under the guise of being a sex club, is really a brothel. Everyone knows it but looks the other way, just the same.

While part of me can understand it, considering the power Angelo Amato holds in this city, it still makes my skin crawl. When we first set our sights on Seattle, we made sure tothoroughly look into Angelo and his dealings, especially Second Circle.

All of the women there make the choice to work there. They are also well taken care of with frequent check-ups and check-ins. The rules are very clear about what is and what is not acceptable to engage in with the women, no matter the amount of money exchanging hands.

Still, to me, it feels like a slippery slope.

Who is to say what is truly happening behind closed doors? Is Angelo so protective over the women who work at Second Circle because he wants to keep them quiet?

I don’t like it.

The fact that we’re taking Oaklynn into a place like that has me pacing the living room while the men who I consider my brothers are lounging with glasses of whiskey in their hands. Are they not worried? Can they not see the danger here?

I’m aware that part of the reason I’m so on edge is that it’s my job to keep everyone safe. That goes double for Oaklynn. We’re about to walk into a situation outside of my control and into a club run by another powerful man in the city, one who has deeper roots here than we do.

Angelo respects Kirill. They came to an agreement before we even took out Morozov and his operation, but that doesn’t mean I trust the man. It pays to not trust anyone outside of your inner circle.

The only exception to that is my brother, Wolfe, and his guys. But that’s a bond borne of blood and history all its own.

We’re all dressed in suits, but mine feels too tight. I turn and glare at the guys while repressing the need to scream at themand find out how the fuck they’re so calm right now. I feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin.

Can they not feel the danger? Are their instincts not screaming at them?

Kirill eyes me as if I’m about to lose my shit. He’s not that far off.

“Is this a good idea? Taking Oaklynn with us?” I can’t help the questions that slip from my lips.

Sure, I already lodged my displeasure earlier, once Hendrix and the guys left Kirill’s office since I wasn’t going to contradict him in front of anyone other than us, but the feeling of dread that has wrapped around my shoulders has only gotten heavier. Don’t they feel it too?

“She needs to be there with us,” Kirill states like it’s a foregone conclusion.

I don’t see it.

When I simply glare at the man, knowing he won’t kill me just for expressing my opinion and my fears, he lets out a long-suffering sigh. He holds his hands up to try and placate me, but I’m not having it.

“If there are already rumors on the street about Oaklynn and us, which is what I have a feeling may be part of what Angelo has been hearing, then we need to give credence to those whispers. We can’t hide her away. Mikhail will have his eyes on the situation and hiding her away will only make it seem like we can’t protect her, like she means more than they think she does to us.”

“But she does,” I protest, my words holding a growl of warning.

“She does,” he agrees with a curt nod, “but they don’t know that. They think she’s simply a means to an end, a contract. We have to keep up with that ruse, even though we know the truth. If we only lock her away, if we wrap her in bubble wrap, and keep her far away from anything dangerous then they’ll know she’s our weakness.”

I run a hand over my hair, the feeling of the short bristles against my palm grounding me. “She is our weakness.”

“And we will protect her with everything we have,” Kirill’s eyes flash violently.

“We will.”

It’s a vow. One that is echoed by Maxim and Huck without hesitation.

I know they’re just as invested in our woman as I am; Kirill is as well. Still, my gut is screaming at me to not go through with this.

“Angelo is not a threat to us or her,” Kirill reminds me.

We’ve done business with Angelo in the past and he was very appreciative when we took out Morozov. It might not be a life debt that he owes us, but it’s not far off. His organization gained power with the shift and the city is safer, even with Mikhail trying to gain a foothold in the darkest corners of the city at the moment.

“I don’t like that he peddles in flesh of any kind,” I grit out through my teeth. “And we’re taking our woman into a place like that.”

Maxim grins from ear to ear, a naughty twinkle in his eye. “It’s not like we’re going to be selling her,” he throws out far too casually which earns glares from the rest of us and chucklesunder his breath. “Maybe she’ll surprise you and be into it. The last time we were there, the show being put on was rather,” he pauses as if searching for the right word, “titillating.”

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