Page 46 of Barristers & Bones
They walked out together, and Fiona turned to Roman. “One of Strack’s sons got past our new bouncer.”
“Who are they?” I asked.
Roman’s jaw clenched. “Lionel Strack. His brother is Jerome, and their father’s name is Silas Strack. They’re all psychotic and dangerous, with different but equally repugnant reputations. Do you remember the men at the country club I warned you about?” I nodded. It had been my first day interning with him.
“They’re part of a larger drug syndicate here in Vegas, and they own several shell companies and businesses.”
“What types of businesses?” I asked.
“Those that take cash and are less mainstream, like massage parlors, strip clubs, pawn shops, or nightclubs.”
I turned to Fiona. “Why did he attack Misty?”
“Intimidation. They want to launder money through Euphoria,” Fiona answered. She gazed at Roman. “Your firm is a silent partner, but I think it’s time to make it public. We also need to discuss additional protection–I expect a partner discount.” She gave him a knowing look, then stood and started pacing, her hands on her hips. “I detest those lowlife bastards. They’re like cockroaches. They always come back, and they never seem to die. Lionel attacked one of my girls out in the open and on stage. I know they did it to spook my dancers. This needs to stop.”
On the way home, I stared out the window. Roman seemed lost in thought, and I mulled over what I’d learned. “All these field trips we go on, you’re checking in with your business interests, aren’t you?”
Roman didn’t speak.
“What about Sin City Motorheads? And that sprawling pawn shop we went to a few weeks ago?” He didn’t answer, which was answer enough. “Is that why Ivan sometimes does background checks on your clients? Because you’re vetting them as potential business partners?”
He stirred. “It’s legal to have clients as business partners in Nevada, as long as the arrangement is fair and reasonable, they consent in writing–”
I waved my hand. “I know all that. How many of these businesses that we’ve been visiting does your firm have a stake in?”
He studied me. “Most of them.”
“Even the Wild West Chapel?”
“Not that one.”
I stared ahead, trying to grasp the implications of how deeply they’d enmeshed themselves into the Las Vegas business sector. “I make a good cover, don’t I? You dragging your intern around to the businesses you supposedly do legal work for. But the reality is, you own or have a partnership in most of them. Do you know how they all run?”
“Mostly. Ivan knows more about the two tech companies than I do.”
Two tech companies. Jesus, no wonder these guys were loaded. “What do the Stracks want?”
Roman sighed. “Access to businesses to help them launder money. They’ve been successful with several establishments they don’t own but just have an… arrangement with, but Silas is a greedy fucker.”
He walked me up to my apartment. “We need to talk. Invite me inside.”
I unlocked the door and hesitated, but he quirked an eyebrow. “Come in,” I sighed, too tired to fight.
Kicking off my shoes, I pulled out the filtered water pitcher and poured us both a glass, downing mine.
He took a sip and watched me over the rim. “I need you to accompany me to a black-tie event on Saturday night. If you recall, our deal includes occasional weekend events.”
“I don’t have enough time or money to find anything to wear.” The thought of him taking one of those women I’d seen him with online tightened my stomach, but I shoved it aside. “You should find someone else.”
“No, and I’ll send something over.”
I huffed out a breath. “Ireallyhate that word.”
Chapter 14
Roman
On Friday at noon, I drove Luna home. “Have you heard anything about Misty?” she asked.
