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He shrugs. “Some of my favourites.”

“They’re all legitimate businesses.”

He chuckles. “A large proportion of Talon businesses are legitimate and their income significant. The Talons own sixty percent of the businesses in the Northwest quarter of the city. Just as the Daos own most of the businesses in their region, theKukris in theirs. It’s the way the city works. There are ventures that operate on the opposite side of the law, but they do more for this city than you might realise.”

“How do you mean?” I frown at him. He must be delusional thinking that the criminal underbelly is actually a blessing to the city as a whole.

He just shakes his head. “I’m hoping you’ll come to see it the more time you spend with us, cop. Just remember the limitations you had on the force and what you can do now.”

I don’t really understand what he’s getting at, so I stay silent as we pull into the private underground car park at the club and head back up to Annika’s office. It’s the middle of the day and the club is open but quiet with only one dancer working the pole as we go through the main floor. The door opposite Annika’s is wide open and as we step up to it a husky voice calls out.

“Stuart Worth, get that delectable arse in here!”

Stuart chuckles and turns to the room where a blonde woman sits behind a desk. She stands as he goes to her, coming round to wrap him in a big hug. “Diamond,” he greets her warmly.

“Oh, my darling man, how you fairing up? How’s Lorraine, sweetie?”

“She’s doing okay, just gotta get this one trained up and I’ll be spending my days catering to her every whim.” He jerks his head toward me and Diamond steps back to give me an amused once over. I’d put her in her mid-forties, peroxide blonde hair swooped into an elegant but large updo. She’s short, probably only five feet with a large cleavage that’s younger than her face. Wearing a smart but provocative grey dress that hugs minimal curves and a face full of heavy but expertly applied makeup, she is quite something to behold.

After looking at me for long seconds, she tips her head back and laughs, a throaty laugh that has been honed by years of smoking. “Well, that explains it.”

“Explains what?” Stuart asks, looking as confused as I am.

“She’s in a mood today that only a man who looked like that could get under her skin.” She points a manicured nail at me. “You’re gorgeous,” she states.

I can’t help but laugh. “Thank you.”

Sighing wistfully, she adds. “If I were ten years younger, you could have been husband number four.”

“I shall forever mourn my chances.” I bow my head respectfully and she bats my arm playfully, an amused purse to her lips.

“So, you’re a cop?” she asks, heading back to sit behind her desk.

“Ah, so she told you,” I say.

“No honey, you just scream cop.”

I blink at her, and she just stares back at me expectantly. I realise she’s not joking. What exactly is it that screams cop? “I uh, well, yeah. I was.”

She nods. “Well, she’ll make things difficult for you because of it. Don’t let her.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She smiles at me again with amusement and looks me up and down once more.

“Yes, you’ll do nicely,” she says going back to her computer.

“Hey, Di, newbie here needs some accommodation. I thought he could move into the spare room with Den?” Stuart flops into the seat opposite her, leaving me standing.

“Hm, let me see.” She clicks and taps away at her computer before nodding. “Sure. I’ll need your ID hon, and for you to fill out a new starter form.” She slaps a form down in front of me and passes me a pen. I start answering standard employment questions and she stands, heading to a large key safe at the back of the small room. Opening it, she reveals what must be fifty key hooks all with sets of keys dangling from them. She plucks one set and hands it over to me when I pass the form back to her.“There you go hon, apartment 12b Harebell building on Love Lane.”

“Just like that?” I ask, taking the key from her.

Raising a brow at me, she looks unimpressed. “You planning on burning the place down?”

“No.” I frown.

“Then, just like that.”

I turn the key in my palm, staring at it for a few seconds. It’s too generous. It feels wrong, like I’m being played. Maybe Annika is a fan of the oldkeep your friends closephilosophy. I need to be vigilant.