Perversion (Perversion Trilogy #1)(31)

Belly still looks skeptical. “The girls will get an hourly rate for the time they’re there, plus fifty percent of the fee from the Johns and all tips, including stage money. It’s a cash only business with security and cameras everywhere, which isn’t hard since we already run security for the casino. All we have to do is increase staff and bring in a few more of our guys. Lan, Dicks, and Ruff-Ruff are already on board.”

“And the girls?” Belly asks. “What happens when some sick fuck asks them to do something they don’t want to do?”

I shrug. “They don’t do shit they don’t want to do. They can refuse anyone at any time, and they can leave whenever they want and work whatever hours they choose over and above what’s on the schedule,” I assure him. "The girls who want to stick around for longer than a shift will have their own rooms. Catering will be available around the clock. Booze, weed, and most uppers permitted. Painkillers of any kind, and H are not allowed to be carried or done on the premises. We want the girls to party and have fun, not zone out of life, or OD.”

Belly takes a deep breath and considers my answer. “No free fucks for you guys. I don’t want them thinkin’ they’re obligated to suck Bedlam dick just because they work for us.”

“Mutually consensual, paid dick-sucking only,” Sandy swears, holding up his right hand with his other over his heart.

Belly rolls his eyes. “Who’s running this shit-show?”

“Me,” Haze answers.

“Madam Haze at your service,” Sandy says, with a bow of the head and a dramatic hand roll.

“No,” Belly says. I think for a moment that we’ve lost our argument, but he continues. “Haze can manage the business side of things, but I’ll only agree to this if Marci runs the show. The day to day. She picks the girls. She makes sure they get what they need.”

Marci nods in agreement. No hesitation. “I’m in.”

Haze and Sandy celebrate by giving each other an across-the-table bro-hug. Marci ducks to avoid being caught in the middle. She kisses Belly on the lips.

It’s just me and Belly left as the rest of the table gets up and shuffles out of the room. He points to me.

“I’m backing you because I believe in you. Always have.” He leans in close and places a hand on my shoulder, just like he did on the very first day I arrived. “One day, when I’m no longer around, Bedlam will be in your hands, Grim. You’re going to have to lead those boys and all our men, by example. You’re going to be the one who makes sure this ship of ours don’t sink when I’m gone.”

“Don’t talk like that. You’re not going anywhere,” I tell him, hating that he’s even mentioning a world without him in it. “Docs tell you something new you ain’t telling me?”

He shakes his head. “I won’t be gone soon, but I will be someday. That’s all I’m saying.” Belly stands from the table. “It’s always been you, son.” He raises his chin. “Don’t fuck it up. Oh, and schedule a sit-down with Marco and Margaret to give ‘em a heads up. Lord knows we don’t need any more bloodshed in this town. I don’t wanna lose any more soldiers.” His eyes grow sad. He looks to Digger’s empty chair. “Or anymore sons.”

“You want me to talk to them about extending the ceasefire while we’re at it?” I ask.

Belly shakes his head. “We’ve got a month. We’ll handle it then. No need to push buttons on something that don’t need to be pushed just yet.” Belly takes another swig of his whiskey, then sets the glass down. He’s about to leave the room when he turns back to me. “You wanna tell me something that you ain’t telling nobody else? You got that look in your eyes again. This about Emma Jean?”

“For once, I wish you didn’t know me so well,” I say with a chuckle. I scratch my jaw.

“You find something out about her finally?” Belly asks with hope in his voice.

“I found her,” I say, “I just didn’t know it at the time.”

“Where was she?”

I shake my head, still unable to believe it myself. “In my fucking bedroom.”





Fourteen





I overhear Tristan on the other side of the door. Whoever he’s talking to mentions Gabby’s name. It won’t be long until he finds out she’s Marco’s sister, and that I’m the enemy.

For the second time in my existence, I feel guilty. Not even the knowledge that I was finally able to give his picture back can ease the soul-crushing, stomach-twisting guilt made worse by the fact that I can still smell Grim. Feel him over me.

I shiver.

The connection between us suddenly makes sense when I realize who he is. All these years, he’s been right here in Lacking. I want to wrap my arms around him and tell him everything. But I can’t. If he remembers me at all, only two outcomes are possible. He’ll either try to protect me from Marco, and, by doing so, break the truce that’s allowed this town peace for the first time in years, causing a war, or he will kill me.

And, a war would start anyway.

Which is why I’ve come to a decision. It might be a stupid one, or I should say, another stupid one, but it’s the only option that won’t end with a whole town blood bath.