6
780 Words
I keep it vague and tell him about the two strip clubs that I hope to have open soon. He laughs and takes a drink of his whiskey.
“Always a sound business venture. I have one open on the south side, and it’s been nothing but profit, even with Ruby’s Lounge.”
“What’s Ruby’s Lounge?”
He leans a bit closer, even though the other tables are too far away to hear. Colin’s been in America since he was young, but in his excitement, a slight brogue slips through. “It’s a brothel in the heart of downtown, but only a select few know that. Most people think it’s a small bar, and not a very good one at that, but that’s all done on purpose to discourage outsiders from coming in. Upstairs is where all the action happens.”
“Who runs it?”
We pause the conversation while our food is laid out. The shrimp pasta I ordered looks delicious, and I quickly take a bite while Colin says, “Everyone just calls her Ruby.” He laughs and says, “If the rumors are true, she’s a real ball buster, tougher than any man on my payroll. Apparently, she knows every damn thing that takes place under her roof, and if your name isn’t on her list, then your ass isn’t getting in.” He takes a bite and chews before raising a brow at me. “I could put in a good word for you, if that’s your kind of thing.”
“No, thanks,” I tell him, not having the slightest desire to f**k a woman in a brothel. Something about it just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s all the s**t I’ve seen with s*x traffickers, or maybe it’s just the depressing idea of an assembly-line f**k. Either way, I want no part of it. I’m all about a quick, anonymous f**k when my need grows too strong to ignore, but I’m not paying for p***y.
Colin shrugs his shoulders and takes another bite. “If you change your mind, let me know. From what I hear, they’re very talented women. I’ve never been in, but that’s only because I’ve got my hands full enough trying to juggle a wife and a mistress.”
“How is your family?” I ask, and he laughs, not looking the slightest bit guilty about jumping topics from his mistress to his wife and three kids.
“They’re doing great. Our youngest, Sean, just turned six, and Maggie’s thrilled to be at the point where she can finally have some time to herself with him starting school. Liam’s taken up surfing and Katie, god help her, is starting to show an interest in boys.”
I laugh at the look of horror on his face. “Sounds like they’re keeping you busy.”
The rest of the lunch goes well, and even though neither one of us would hesitate to retaliate if one of us crosses the line, I’m fairly confident that things won’t come to that with Colin. I know his type well. He’s established, sitting on nothing but profit, and all he wants is to know the northern half of his city is being taken care of by someone who has no desire to dip into the south. It’s the perfect arrangement, and when it’s time to say our goodbyes, he smacks me on the back and tells me to call him if I need anything. I tell him I will, and when I’m back in my Porsche, I take a few minutes to drive through the neutral area of downtown. The traffic is bad, but nothing compared to Moscow. The streets are crowded with locals and tourists, and I’m so preoccupied with people watching that I almost miss the discreet building on the corner with the small sign that reads Ruby’s Lounge across the top of the door. A man in a suit is leaving as I drive past, and if Colin hadn’t told me about the place, there’s no way in hell I would’ve ever guessed that the man had just paid for a quickie on his lunch break. Ruby is definitely discreet with her business, making me wonder what else she’s hiding in there.
It’s neutral territory, so I push the thought aside and head back to the house. Even with the positive start to this American venture, there’s still a s**t ton of work to be done, and I’m eager to get everything up and running as quickly and as smoothly as possible. It’s time to let everyone know that the Medvedev Bratva is in control now.
- Writer
