Prologue

Ledger

Forty-Five Days Earlier

"Thanks for swooping in like our knight in shining security armor," I say to Dean Maddox, the owner of Maddox Security. His company is renowned for being the best, and here at Club Greed, we expect the best.

"Of course. You, Roman, and Devereaux are like brothers to me," Dean says, giving my fist a bump.

Club Greed is a premium adult club where we cater to the wealthy. Its opulent furnishings, lavish decor, and sumptuous ambiance create an atmosphere of luxury and indulgence unrivaled in Saint Pierce. Devereaux Huxley established the club years ago, cultivating its clientele into the prestigious assembly it is today. Among its ranks are top-tier businessmen, influential politicians, and the crème de la crème of society"s elite.

Several months ago, he faced a wave of negative publicity when the Greedy Girls, the club"s female staff, began turning up dead. The sinister actions of a serial killer casted a dark shadow over Saint Pierce, resulting in a downturn in business. It was during this time that Dev met Chloe, she had gone undercover, assuming the identity of a Greedy Girl in a plot to unravel the mystery.

Dean's eyes dart around the dimly-lit club as he sketches out an updated security plan.

With last year"s debacle with the Greedy Girls and our ex-security-chief-gone-wrong, we decided Dean was our best bet to handle the security here. Now I"m the club"s impromptu captain while my buddy Dev, who owns the club, handles preparing for the baby on the way. His girl, Chloe's pregnant and I couldn't be happier for the both of them. Life"s an unpredictable rollercoaster, right?

Dean"s gaze fixates on my twin brother, Roman, as he strolls through the club with Greer Huxley, Dev"s sister, on his arm. An unspoken question lingers in the air, and I clarify, "Devereaux"s sister."

Dean raises a brow as he probes, "How does Dev feel about them dating?"

"They"re not actually dating," I disclose. "It"s fake to help Greer"s professional image. Roman, though, has always had a thing for her. Maybe this is the push he needs to finally man up to his feelings."

Dean chuckles lightly. "Doesn't look like they're faking anything. Reminds me of my best friend, Xavier Stone. He's been in love with his wife since they were kids. They had a rough time getting together, but now they're happily in love."

I cross my arms. "Roman's too afraid to fuck up their friendship, but they're bound to end up together. One day. I'm willing to bet money on it."

Dean nods, focusing back on the file in his hands. "I've got Ranger Cole coming by to set up a team of men he trusts with his life. He'll put together a schedule for the men, and all you need to do is just sit back and trust me."

I shake his hand. "That's one thing I can do."

Dean rubs a hand over his chin. "What about you? Are you in love?"

I shake my head with a laugh. "Never. I don't really think I'm capable of it. Never really met anyone who has kept my interest for more than five minutes."

"All it takes is that one special girl."

As Dean goes over the security plan, an alarm pierces through the air. Panic flits through my veins as I ask Adele, my assistant manager, what's going on through the walkie. Her voice crackles through the walkie, announcing an attack in the Satellite Room.

The ambient flare of the club"s lights illuminates the surroundings as the music gracefully comes to a halt. Within the lobby area adjacent to the bar, a sparse gathering of individuals observes the scene.

Dean and I make our way to the Satellite Room.

I enter the room, and the bouncers I"ve enlisted to oversee the club until Dean arranges for a more permanent team encircle a woman seated on a plush couch.

Her face is shrouded by a blanket of brown hair, and I step closer to see exactly what happened. Adele sits next to her, rubbing her back.

"What happened here?" I ask, demanding attention.

Adele gazes her blue eyes up at me, and shakes her head. Hector steps up closer, and pulls me aside.

"We're still trying to figure out exactly what happened…" Before he can finish his sentence, a man adorned in an opulent suit, worth more money than this club itself, hastily enters the room.

Lazarus Delgado, Bane Delgado's cousin and right-hand man.

Bane Delgado is the most infamous crime boss in Saint Pierce, the name that sends shivers down the spine of anyone familiar with the city"s underworld. Known for his ruthless tactics and unrelenting grip on the organized crime scene, Delgado"s reputation is steeped in fear and violence. Currently awaiting trial, he"s a man whose sinister deeds and merciless nature are evident in every story whispered about him. Any way you slice it, Bane Delgado is the epitome of evil, a figure whose presence casts a dark shadow over Saint Pierce.

"Posey," he says, flanked by two men with nice suits as well. "What happened here?" He steps closer to Posey, and she visibly retracts from his touch.

The ambient hum in the room dissipates as all eyes turn toward me. Lazarus tears his glare from Posey, to me, and barks out, "You in charge?"

I nod, stepping closer to the girl on the couch with Adele. "I am." I turn my attention to the woman. "Miss, are you okay?"

She glances up at me and I'm momentarily frozen in place. The most beautiful crystal-blue eyes stare back at me. She blinks, and it's slow with her long lashes and button nose. She's stunning, but I remember she's a guest here at the club, and realize she must be the fiancée of Bane Delgado.

Adele stands and I replace her spot on the couch next to the woman.

"Miss, are you okay?" I ask again.

Dean is talking with Hector and a few of his men, most likely trying to piece together the story of what's going on.

The beauty sitting next to me looks at me, for the first time she just stares at me like I'm her only lifeline in the room. It doesn't go unnoticed how she doesn't rush away to leave this place.

"I was sitting in this room, waiting for them to finish with their meeting." She wraps her arms around her body, but keeps her blue eyes locked with mine. "Then the lights went out and everything went black. I tried to feel my way to the door, when I heard the lock click. I knew somebody was in the room with me, and I froze." A single tear trickles down her cheek and I fight the urge to swipe it away with my thumb. She keeps going, "And then I heard his steps when he came up behind me and I smashed my hand against the wall, hoping like heck I'd hit the panic button."

Each room is equipped with a panic button for this very reason. "That was very smart," I tell her.

Now her tears fall freely and she lets her head fall into her waiting hands. "After the alarm blared, he was gone."

I place my hand on her thigh, and realize my mistake when she jumps slightly. "I'm sorry," I tell her. "Did you get a good look at him when the alarm flashed?"

She shakes her head. "No."

"He came up behind you, right?"

She glances at me. "Yes."

I stand from the couch, and hold my hand out for her. "Can I try something?"

She nods. "Um, okay."

"I'm going to put my arm around you like he did, and I want you to tell me if he was taller than me, or shorter than me." I can feel everyone's eyes on me in the room, but I don't care.

A few of the security team have left the room to try to find the culprit most likely.

Posey turns around, and I step up behind her.

I keep my voice calm and calculated, trying not to scare her. "I'm going to put my arm around you now," I tell her, softly.

"Okay," she whispers.

I drape an arm around her, speaking close to her ear. "Did he say anything to you?"

She shakes her head no.

"Was he taller than me? Or shorter?"

She thinks for a moment, and then whispers, "Shorter. His shoulder came to my shoulder blade, almost like we were very close in size. Whereas your shoulder is closer to my head."

"You're doing so good," I tell her, and she visibly shivers.

I'm sure this is making her uncomfortable, so I step away from her. "How tall are you?"

"Five seven, and a half."

I smile at her. "Do you remember anything else?"

She shakes her head. "No."

"Posey," Lazarus says, stepping closer to her. "Let's get out of here. We've already told Bane what happened and he wants you home. Where you're safe." He turns his attention to me. "I can't believe you have a club that would allow something like this to happen."

"Sir, we'll work double time to ensure this never happens again. We have cameras, which we'll be checking to see who entered her room. Again, we apologize for this."

Lazarus doesn't look impressed.

"Here," I reach into my suit jacket to produce my card, "please call me, or text if you remember anything else." I hand it directly to Posey who wraps her tiny hand around it, and puts it into her little clutch purse.

"You'll be hearing from Bane soon," Lazarus says. "I'm sure he'll have questions as well."

I nod. "I understand."

"Maybe next time we have a meeting here, you can watch her."

Posey's eyes shoot to mine, and I nod. "Be my honor." I can't believe I'm sitting here agreeing to babysit Bane's fiancée. However, I know the type of man Bane Delgado is. He's not one to fuck around with.

He's also one of our best clients, and here at Club Greed we take that shit seriously. So, if we have to kiss a few asses to ensure our members keep coming back, we do it.

Bane uses the club as his own personal business front. Hosting meetings, parties, all sorts of wicked things.

Lazarus nods in a silent command, his abrupt turn signaling for Posey to trail behind him. With a quick nod, she gracefully rises from the plush confines of the couch, her gaze briefly lowering before obediently following him out of the room.

Once they leave, the room tenses. I turn to Dean, demanding answers about the incident. Adele"s firsthand account is no help, and Hector and his men have no leads.

"Frustrating," Dean mutters.

However, I'm left wondering about the woman who just left. Posey. She's like a breath of fresh air in a swirling dust storm, a welcome respite amidst all the chaos. I need to learn everything I can about her, after figuring out who attacked her and why.

And then I'll make them pay.