Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Devereaux, there you are.” Adele stands by my side with her trusty clipboard in hand. “Kurt Merrick and Derek Matthews.”
Ah, yes. The red-haired man is Kurt Merrick, son to the state senator, Don Merrick.
The guy we’ve been looking for.
“Fuck, I want to talk to them,” I say.
Security has broken up the fight, and Guy’s partner has his hands holding Derek’s hands behind his back as he leads him outside. Guy grabs Kurt and starts heading the same way.
I follow them, knowing I won’t be able to have a conversation with Kurt like I want to.
“I’m not pressing charges,” I say, hoping Guy will release the two men and I can talk to Kurt privately.
Guy spins around, his dark eyes meeting mine. “Devereaux Huxley, I knew it was only a matter of time before we were called to your club. Nothing but problems.” Guy shakes his head. “I guess if you have a club that caters to the lowlifes of society, you get this kind of shit happening.” He’s placing handcuffs on the dark-haired man, Derek, and taking him to his squad car in the lot.
The red-and-blue lights flash against the glass entrance of my club, and people spill out of the doors to get their view. I’m sure this shit will go viral on the internet within the hour. More bad press to a club already under so much scrutiny.
“Gotta give you something to do instead of picking on the locals at the 7-11,” I say.
Guy huffs. “Who started the fight?” he asks Derek.
“Look, sir, I don’t want any trouble. My friend and I got into a minor argument that got out of hand. He started the fight, but I won’t press any charges.” Guy tightens his grip on him. “I decide who goes downtown.”
“My buddy owes me money, and I was just trying to collect,” Derek says.
Kurt sits on the curb near us, his hands cuffed behind his back while the other officer gets his statement.
“You sure you don’t wanna press charges?” Guy asks me.
I shake my head. “Just trespass them. I don’t want them back here ever again.”
Derek’s shoulders slump. “Mr. Huxley, I apologize. I didn’t start the fight. I was just defending myself. Please don’t take my membership away.”
“I don’t allow men who fight in my club.”
“I can take these two guys downtown, let them cool off for the night,” Guy says. The walkie-talkie on his shoulder chirps, requesting he answer back. He steps away, leaving Derek in handcuffs next to his squad car. “This is Officer Adams,” Guy says into the receiver.
“Why should I let you stay?” I ask Derek once Guy is out of earshot.
Derek nods to Kurt. “That asshole owes me money and doesn’t want to pay what he owes me.”
“That’s not my problem.”
“I know, sir, but I needed the money.”
I don’t give two shits about this man’s money problems. What I care about is the reputation of my club.
Guy returns to Derek. “We just got a call from a homicide detective. Looks like you’re going downtown. We need to question you about the murder of Taylor Haws.” Guy motions to his partner. “Peters, we’re taking both men downtown to question them regarding a murder.”
Derek wrestles against his restraints. “I didn’t kill her. I only gave her a ride home that night.”
Guy’s not arresting him, but he still puts him in the backseat of the squad car with his hands cuffed behind his back.
They toss Kurt in another squad car, and Guy walks over to me.
“The other officers will take your statement.” He tips his chin to the squad car that just pulled up with two male officers seated inside. “You should think about closing your club down. It’s obvious bad things happen around you.”
I don’t reply as he turns and heads to his vehicle. I watch him drive away and curse the two men who caused this commotion.
What the fuck is going on?
Did Kurt have something to do with these killings? I guess the cops will find out what they know. One thing’s for certain. Neither of them will ever step foot in this establishment again.
Roman and Ledger walk up behind me.
“Ah, I guess Kurt was in town,” Roman says, patting me on the shoulder.
“Looks like he may have been hiding out.”
“What happened?” Ledger asks me.
I shrug, because I really don’t know. “The one guy, Derek, complained that Kurt owed him money.”
“Money for what?” Roman asks.
Ledger shakes his head. “Don’t know.”
“I think it’s time we find out,” I say, leading them back inside my club.
Chapter 22
Chloe
* * *
Being left in the room with all the cameras excited me almost as much as Devereaux touching me. I nearly reached that elusive orgasm he kept denying me, thinking I would get a clue bigger than the monstrous dick I was stroking, but he shut the monitors off and the password lock was something I couldn’t crack.