Chapter 4

With suspicion rising and my curiosity clawing at me like a fierce cat, we hit the nightclubs owned by Lenkov. There is only three that I know of, Dragonfly, Club Cabana and The Red Ruby.  

I found nothing at Dragonfly or Club Cabana, but The Red Ruby is different from the other two, it’s more ‘fancy’, it’s a true spectacle to behold. The blazing neon lights of the club draw a never-ending stream of revelers to its door. The grand entrance of the place has a red carpet leading to the door and velvet ropes cordoning off the line of people waiting to get in. The doormen, dressed in a crisp black suits, stood guard like sentinels, checking IDs and maintaining order with practiced ease.

"Let's call it a night I don't think we'll be able to get in tonight." I let out a long sigh. Knowing this is the place I need to get into.

Rosemary lets out a long tiresome yawn, "Yeah, we should come back tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll call you, see you tomorrow then.” I call for a cab,

"Okay, bye." She waves as she hops into her uber.

"Four queens please," I say as I hop in.

The night was long and wearisome. At least the night wasn’t a total bust, I uncover Lenkov is going bankrupt, in the nightclub industry at least, which is weird. His clubs seemed to be doing great. In the line of The Red Ruby two girl gossiped a little too loud and I overheard their conversation that some hot shot is buying The Red Ruby, I would thought that it is his pride and joy so why sell it? Lenkov’s casinos is also hitting bad luck after bad luck. That must be why his so grumpy.

Driving up to the hotel I can feel the night's excitement wearing off and the exhaustion taking over. Pulling my phone from my purse, I sent a text to Rosemary to let her know I am unharmed and save.

She replies with a party emoji and thanks. Heading up to my room I grab my keys out of my bag and unlock the door just as another text come through.

Miss Lilly-Ann

I did warn you.

I shake my head at the text, too tired to care. Tossing the phone aside I strip down, pull on some PJ and crawled onto my bed. Within seconds I drifted off to sleep.

***

The next morning or more like afternoon, I pour all my energy into research. I need to find the guy buying all Lenkov's nightclubs. I wrote down what I know, not that there is much to work with, but if you keep on digging, you will find the diamonds.

I check the clock it is already past five, “Crap,” jumping from my chair, I rush to the bathroom to take a quick cold shower. I need to meet up with Rosemary.

Pulling on a nice skin-tight white number and silver open toe high hills. Finger combing my curly hair and applying some makeup, checking myself in the mirror, seems okay. I grab my phone and dial Rosemary.

"Hey, girl" she picked up on the first ring

"Hey, where are you?" I can hear the noise in the background.

"In the line at that Red Ruby club."

"What? Why?"

"Cause I want to see how it looks."

"Seriously?" I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Okay, I'll be there in a few."

****

Stepping into the club is like stepping into the heart of Vegas. The pulsing lights, the sound of clinging glasses, and the laughter of the patrons creates a symphony of indulgence. The walls are draped in silky, black fabric, studded with glittering diamonds. A bar, surrounded by velvet stools, snaked along one side of the room. In the center, the dance floor lit up with neon lights, beckoning guests to get loose. For those looking for a more intimate experience, there were private booths, surrounded by curtains.   

"This place is amazing!" Rosemary almost jumps in excitement as she grabs me and pulls me to the overcrowded dance floor.

The air is thick with scent of designer perfumes and excitement buzzes of conversation as we step on to the dance floor. Our bodies swayed and gyrated to the beat of the music, synchronizing with the flashing lights.

"Oh, shit Annie, don't look now but I think Rayon just walked in." Rosemary says looking over my shoulder.

"You have to be shitting me." I let out a sigh. His a great reporter of course he would investigate this place.

"Oh crap, his coming this way." She exclaim. "You should kiss another guy." She nods her head and smiles seductively.

"No." I hold up my palms, "No way I will just grab a stranger and lip lock with him."

"It will make him jealous." She pops her brows at me.

"Hey ladies." Rayon says behind me.

"Rayon." Rosemary narrowed her eyes and greeted him with her fuck off look.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I give Rosemary a sideways look and spine to greet him.

"Oh, you know. I like dancing." He smirks as he makes a sad attempt at a dance move.

"Lame," Rosemary says disgustedly, rolling her eyes.

"Okay, okay. Actually, I need to talk to you, alone." He gives Rosemary a once-off look.

"Nah ah, you don't get to shoo me. I was here first." She keeps on shaking her hips to the beat of the music ignoring Rayon.

"Please." Rayon looks at me pleadingly

"Fine, come." I grab his hand without a second thought. I forgot how warm and big they are, as I pull him along to the bar.

"What do you want?" I slide onto an open chair

"Can I get you something?" the bartender asks.

"Two beers please." Rayon says sliding onto the chair next to me.

"You didn't come here to drink a beer with me, now talk, I'm busy." I say annoyed with him

"I heard some weird rumors about Lenkov." He stops talking as soon as the bartender steps in earshot. He places the beers in front of us and moves to the other customers.

"His opening a gentleman's club." He whispers

"Okay and what about it?" I ask confused.

"Apparently that is where he'll be auctioning the girls.".

"Why are you telling me this?" Shocked, if we can get in there, we will have him cornered.

"Well, this is more your style, so I was thinking we should work together, for old-time sake." He smirks and gulps down the last of his beer.

I scan him up and down, not sure what his motives are, "Where's your proof?"

He pulls out a piece of paper from his jean pocket, an address is written on it with red lipstick.

"Do I even wanna know?" I ask rolling my eyes as I scan the paper.

"A man got to do; what a man's got to do." He smirks leaning closer to me. "So, what do you say, partners?"

"I don't know."

"Come on, I showed you mine, now it is only fair if you show me yours." He falls back into his chair smiling his gorgeous smile.

Nothing about that statement sounded right. A faint smile paints my face. "Fine, I'm gone regret this." I shake my head as I gulp down my beer.

"Awesome." He holds out his hand to seal the deal. I place my hand in his, to my surprise he gently brushes his lips against my knuckles. I gulped as our eyes met, seeing that fire in his eyes, sending a shiver down my spine. Shit, this was an awfully bad idea.