8. Pike

Chapter 8

Pike

The place smells like strong cleaner when Frankie and I enter. She's on guard more than usual and I have to wonder if it's because of last night.

Drake's dressed in a suit as he greets me with a handshake. Frankie growls, and Drake pulls his hand back.

"She doesn't like me," Drake laughs.

"No. But that doesn't matter. Let's get down to business." It actually matters a great deal what Frankie does or doesn't like, but I've explained her role in all this and she's agreeable to be a part of the plan.

"Of course, follow me." Drake leads me down a hallway to an office suite and has me sit in the leather chair across from his desk. The place is immaculate, not what I expected from Drake. The decorations are tasteful flower bouquet paintings and complementary wallpaper. Not something I would have picked, but lovely all the same. Frankie sits at my feet, relaxed to the untrained eye, yet alert.

I hand Drake my financials, which makes his eyes widen. They're fake, but he doesn't need to know that, not yet anyway. "I'd like to invest in making Flutter more profitable. You have a decent start, but it's all the same people every night as far as I can tell. How are you marketing to others?"

Drake frowns as he sets the papers back on his desk. He steeples his fingers and leans forward. "I haven't. Flutter has been profitable for the five years it's been open. I never saw fit to expand the audience."

"So you're leaving money on the table."

"Trick has been a good draw. Everyone wants to see a Fae glow. Fae are so rare in the human realm."

"They are, but so are other shifter types. And the succubus you have, she's amazing."

"No one is here to see her."

"Are you sure? Have you tried selling a sex demon's lust experience? It's intoxicating." I know that just from playing with a few incubi in my lifetime.

Drake thinks for a moment. "I'll consider it."

"Get the succubus on the phone."

"What?" Drake squawks.

"I want to get her consent before setting her up as the headliner."

Drake opens his mouth, but I cut him off with a look before he can say anything. He pulls his cellphone from his pocket, sets it on the desk, and calls the succubus.

After two rings, the performer answers. "Hey Drake, what's up?"

"Kristy, I have a new investor with me. Pike. He'd like to ask you a few questions."

"Shoot. I'm all ears," Kristy answers.

"Good to hear," I say. "How do you feel about being the headliner this week?"

Kristy sucks in a breath. "Really?" Her reaction has me grinning.

"Absolutely, darling. Would you be comfortable doing a lust experience for the audience?"

"Heck yes! I've been wanting to for a while, but Drake keeps shooting me down."

"Is that right?" I cock a brow at Drake. He's grinding his teeth and refusing to look at me.

"Yeah, I ask almost monthly. Figured I'll wear him down, eventually. We need more people and I think I can be a better draw than a glow worm of a Fae."

"I agree. Will you be ready tonight, or do you need time?"

"I'm always ready, Pike."

"Perfect. I'll get the word out and you do your thing tonight."

Kristy squeals on the other end. "Thank you!"

Drake ends the call.

"That's settled. We'll see if Kristy has what it takes. If not, we'll go back to Trick. But trust me, we need variety."

Drake nods as he slides the phone back into his pocket. "How many businesses have you invested in before?"

"A few here and there. We always triple the profit at least." Drake doesn't need to know it's all lies. My sole purpose is to get Trick and Ava out from under him, and what better way than to get him to trust me? "There's one more thing. Since Trick isn't performing this week. I want him."

"What?!" Drake pushes to his feet.

"Three million dollars for twenty-four hours with the Fae. Noon to noon. Whatever I want."

"Three million dollars?"

"You heard me. Trick might be better used as a plaything. I want to test him out." Of course, it's another lie. I just want to spend time with Trick. I have a theory on what will help sever the soul tether, but I need to talk to Poe first. The king will have a better idea.

"I don't offer prostitution. Just lap dances and bottle service and?—"

"We might be investing in what Kristy can offer privately and the novelty of having a Fae sex worker. I'll discuss with Kristy if I'm happy with Trick's performance. Have him washed up and ready for me tomorrow. Noon."

"Trick won't like it. It's the one promise I've kept all these years and intended to keep, but..."

"Three million dollars."

Drake swallows and scratches his short beard. "Exactly." He nods. "I'll have him ready for you in the VIP suite. There's a bed and other amenities."

"Perfect. No perfume."

"Got it." Drake waves me off and I push to my feet. Frankie joins me.

"I'll wire the money to you. We'll discuss other changes later."

"Right." Drake seems dazed as Frankie and I leave the office. I take Frankie's harness and we're back at my house in seconds.

"That went according to plan. Probably too easy."

Frankie hops up on our couch, but I have too much energy to burn, plus I need to talk to Poe. I wave my hand in front of me and close my eyes to the flash. Through the communication portal, Poe paces his office and his head snaps towards me.

"Pike? What can I do for you?" His red eyes search mine.

"What do you know about breaking a soul tether?"

He tips his head. "Not a lot. Why?" I explain the situation, and he starts laughing. "You always have been a hopeless romantic."

"What?" I can't help but laugh. I'm a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy.

"You followed Crawford around like a lost puppy until he told you to scram. You wrote him poetry, Pike. Poetry ."

"I was a dumb kid." And Crawford was a hot older demon.

"You cried when you picked out Frankie."

"That's because she was the cutest Hellhound I had ever seen. Who wouldn't have cried?"

"Most demons don't cry picking out a Hellhound." Poe shakes his head as he laughs. "You're a riot, Pike. I always do love when you call."

"Back to soul tethers." I try to get him on track. I need a better plan.

"Sure. There are a few ways to cut a witch created soul tether. Create a new soul tether, a genuine one that's stronger than the spell. But I have no idea what that really entails. And find the anchor that houses the spell and destroy it." He taps his fingers on the desk. "I'll have to check the archives to see if there are any other ways. Give me a few weeks."

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

Poe tips his head and the communication portal shimmers out. I plop next to Frankie on the couch. "I have no idea where to start looking for the anchor or how to create a genuine soul tether."

Frankie snorts and nuzzles her snout in my hand.

"We'll figure it out." But first I need to gather some supplies for Trick.

Flutter is packed. My instincts were right. People would rather experience what a succubus has to offer rather than watch a Fae's wings glow. Van and Warwick sit with me and Frankie. Surprisingly, Warwick doesn't have a flaming tray of HellFire in front of him.

"Who are you and what have you done to Wicky?" Van jokes, but that just puts a frown on Wick's face.

"Don't make fun." Warwick crosses his arms. "I have a lead on Ethan and want to be level headed when I find the courage to test it out."

"Probably for the best," I say.

The lights dim as the DJ announces the house rules for the night. "You can fuck each other all you want, but don't touch the dancers."

Van lifts a brow. "Seriously?"

"Yep."

Wick shivers as he sticks out his tongue. "I don't wanna be the person to clean up after tonight."

"I did not think about that," I say. Hopefully, it won't be all on Ava, the poor woman.

The first dancer comes out, Sparkle, the cat shifter from before, with purple ribbons around his cat ears. He plays up being cat like. We told all the performers to step up and lean into what they are. He even wears a collar with a bell. Each move has a soft twinkle. I never did ask his name. He's trying to catch my attention because he knows I'm the money now. I can smell the desperation on him and I'm not here for it. Even Trick didn't smell so desperate when he summoned me.

A few more dancers come out, then it's Kristy's time to shine. She's in a black latex outfit with her tail and small wings out. She's dressed like a dominatrix and several of the audience howl. Her hair is in fresh Bantu knots with what appears to be red tinsel woven into her black hair. Her lips pop a bright red against her dark brown skin. She's lined her gray eyes in black. Kristy is stunning, but I only have eyes for Trick.

Kristy has a whip in hand that I'm curious about how she'll incorporate that into her performance. She cracks it and several patrons moan.

"On your knees. Worship me." She offers a boot to those closest. Men scramble to lick the leather.

Oh, she'll work out nicely.

As the night continues on, she has men with their shirts off, parading around the stage as if they were ponies. Me, Van, and Wick cackle, as do a few others not quite hypnotized by Kristy's lust experience. Several people have paired up to fuck wherever they please. The sounds alone make me hard, but I keep watch on the act.

"I'm gonna go find a hole," Van says as he slinks away.

Wick swallows. "I think I'm going to head out." He tips his head toward the door. I nod in acknowledgement.

While I'm not sexually attracted to Kristy, even as she's pouring out all her succubus talents, I know she's an excellent performer.

The last call for alcohol goes out. I'd gotten lost in the show. When the stragglers leave, Drake turns on the house lights. The scent of arousal and cum and lube and everything else that comes with a night of fucking fills my head now that I'm not distracted.

"Ava's going to have a fun morning," Drake says.

"Let me get a clean-up crew in here. She doesn't need to deal with this."

"Fine." Drake hands me a key. "I'm going home to bed. See you at noon."

I nod and call in the best crew of brownies I know of. They're in and out almost as fast as I called them in. All for a box of cereal each. I lock up, then I'm back home with Frankie.