Here at Amethyst, it is different. One whole wall is a one-way mirror. While we can look out and watch the throngs of people below, when they look up, the only see their own reflections.
“What seems to be the problem gentlemen?”
The man who is arguing with my manager turns to me.
“Are you the owner?”
“I am. How can I help you?”
“This is a nice club you got here. I would really hate to have to shut it down. Your man here has been quite rude since I got here.”
“I apologize for that. If you tell me the reason for your visit, maybe we can speed this a long.”
“Got a hot date waiting on you at home do ya?”
I bristle at the mention of a girlfriend. While Sofia is not my girlfriend, I still don’t want this man knowing about her.
“I just have better shit to do than play games. What do you need? Sam here already showed you the liquor license and as you can see from the floor below. We are way under capacity.”
“Is it? It looks a little full to me. You know what could make it look less full? Maybe a couple of Benjamin’s floating around.”
“You are asking for a bribe?”
“No, of course not. I am just saying that if you had some bills you wanted to send my way, I would take a look at them for you.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but we are a legitimate business. Everything here is done above the board. We don’t participate in any illegal activities including bribes. I don’t know what scam you are running, but you might want to take it elsewhere.”
“I highly suggest that you reconsider.”
“Oh yeah? Why is that?”
“Because that brown haired little piece of ass’s life depends on it.”
Next thing you know, I have him pushed up against the wall with my hand on his throat.
“What did you say?”
He tries to talk, but I can’t hear him over the gurgled words.
I lower him and release my hold enough to allow him to talk.
“That pretty little girl you have been spending time with. My boss has her.”
I growl.
“He wants money in exchange for her?” I ask, but I know that’s not it.
Hell, if it was, I would give them every last dime to know that she is okay.
“Yeah. 100k unmarked in a bag. I will call you with the meet time.”
“Lo, call Luca.”
The tension in the room is tangible. I feel like I could combust at any minute.
“No answer.”
“Fuck. Call Gio.”
