Page 62 of A Breath of Life (Shadowy Solutions #4)

Joshua smirked. “It’s courtesy to fuck elsewhere. Some people get a thrill out of having an audience, so they enjoy a bit of foreplay before finding a room. The rooms are down that hall.” He motioned to a shadowed area I hadn’t noticed, too busy absorbing this otherworldly place.

“This is insane. ”

“I told you. You can get anything you want here. Drugs, alcohol, sex. Whatever your heart desires. No judgment.” He nodded to a group of men openly snorting coke near the bar.

“Best stuff on the market. Everyone here is part of high society, remember? They pay an astronomical price for membership, and they get quality entertainment in every way imaginable.”

“Isn’t it weird coming here with your uncle or father?”

Joshua chuckled but didn’t answer the question. “Let’s get a drink. We stand out otherwise.”

It took a minute to shake free from the awe and wonder. I could hardly believe I was still in the city. This was a world I didn’t know existed. A dangerous world. The people running it were criminals.

Joshua ordered for us and handed me a crystal tumbler.

The orange hue of the liquid told me nothing about the drink, and Joshua didn’t fill me in.

I sipped, and its biting edge made me shiver.

Whatever it was, it was intensely strong and somehow both sweet and bitter at the same time.

I wasn’t sure I liked it, but it didn’t matter. The drink was nothing more than a prop.

For a time, we wandered the room as planned. The slow perusal allowed me a moment to get acquainted with the layout and blend what I’d seen on Joshua’s map with reality. Three hallways joined the main casino floor.

“Private rooms,” Joshua said, indicating the first.

He gestured with his drink as we passed a second. “Bathrooms and other parts of the building that I know nothing about.”

The third hallway was also a mystery to Joshua. If the floor plan was correct, the bathrooms were a stone’s throw from a rear exit, which was where I needed to be once I’d set up Costa’s first distraction. Finding the stairs to the lower level would come next .

We completed a circuit of the room, and although I took mental notes, I couldn’t verbally relay any of it to Costa. We were not equipped with cameras, and assessing details and making decisions that benefited the plan was solely up to me.

Meanwhile, I played the role of Joshua’s date, ensuring I hung off his arm and endured his constant touches and random affections while trying not to think about Diem’s deeply rooted jealousy and the hollow ache in my belly at his absence.

I wanted nothing more than to fling myself into Diem’s strong, comforting arms and never leave.

I would pepper him with kisses until he bitched and moaned, but he wouldn’t stop me because, secretly, he loved it.

I guided us toward a corner as far opposite the bathroom hallway as possible.

In Joshua’s initial rundown of the club, he’d mentioned how the main casino room was full of sculptures and prominent art meant to reflect the post-WWI period Ace adored so much.

Although he couldn’t describe the pieces specifically, it was reasonable to assume certain figures would be highly breakable.

During our initial circuit, a vast collection of bronze and marble statues stood out, and I worried we had made a grave error.

Then, I saw it— them . An abstract trio of blown glass.

The art seemed to represent unsexed people with entwined limbs, deep in the throes of an erotic dance.

On closer inspection, I noticed a gold plaque that read, The Lovers .

Joshua, understanding my intent, sulked. “Damn. I’ve always loved those guys.”

“It’s kind of hot. Are they fucking?”

“It’s a matter of interpretation.”

“They’re definitely fucking.”

“I agree.” We stared at them for a long time. “Ever had a threesome?” Joshua asked .

“No.”

Joshua hummed as he glanced longingly at the blown glass sculpture. His mind seemed far away. In another time and another place, I might have enquired about his experience because it was clear he’d done that sort of tango many times.

“I’m sorry, Joshy Woshy, but The Lovers must be sacrificed.”

“A shame.”

I lazily stuffed my hand in a pocket as I surveyed the room.

Casually, I wrapped my fingers around the device and tucked the thin coil of wire into my palm.

Costa had explained its function, but the mechanics worried me less than its reliability.

If it didn’t work as intended, I wouldn’t know what to do, and I wasn’t leaving without Diem.

The shadowed room worked in our favor. Joshua and I stood close as though examining the sensual piece of art.

In a display of tying my shoe, I surreptitiously adhered the device to one of the lover’s legs, wrapping the thin coil of wire neatly around it once to ensure it remained touching at all times as per Costa’s strict instructions.

Standing, I snuggled against Joshua’s side. “She’s as beautiful as the Mona Lisa.” My words were clear and specific, a simple phrase meant to alert Costa that the device was in place.

Joshua and I remained near the sculpture for a while longer, needlessly discussing its suggestiveness while acting our roles.

After sufficient time had passed, Joshua spied the man we’d been waiting for and took my elbow, guiding me to a nearby vacant table.

We relaxed with our drinks, waiting for the promised company to make his way toward us.

Joshua pointed him out with a tip of his head.

The man, one of Ace’s prominent spades apparently, mingled with patrons, taking the long way around.

The man was light on his feet, agile in the way he slipped through the crowd, ping-ponging from group to group with practiced ease, sharing smiles and conversation.

Despite his trim frame and the absence of muscle, I had a feeling that the guy was dangerous and deadly.

The deceptive lighting made it hard to pin an age on him, but he was most certainly older than me.

Early forties minimum, but if I had to guess, he was more likely a healthy fifty.

“We call him Jackal,” Joshua said as the man briefly stopped at a blackjack table and conversed with a few gentlemen. “None of Ace’s men use their real names. Too dangerous.”

“And he’s someone you’ve entertained before?”

“Several times.”

“You like them older, huh?”

“Not particularly, but I like the benefits. I’m more or less Ace’s plaything. Jackal fills in when Ace isn’t around.”

“Poor guy. Second rate to the boss.” The comment earned me a dirty look. “And the doorman?” I asked.

Joshua shrugged. “On occasion. il Capo is worth the ride.”

“I bet.”

“Are you judging me? I’ll have you know, Memphis had a ball when I brought him.”

“I have no doubt. He’s a bit of a slut.”

Joshua laughed. “That explains our connection.”

Only too much, but I didn’t have time to get into it, nor was I sure I wanted to explore my best friend’s sexual proclivities. The Jackal was nearly upon us. Time was up.

“Don’t fuck this up.” I hid my comment behind a sip of the noxious orange alcohol.

Joshua had the easy job. All he was required to do was push a button when I gave him the signal and play the role of an innocent bystander like the rest of the patrons .

I tried not to think about what I’d gotten myself involved in.

Diem was my sole focus, my main objective.

I wanted to believe he would be proud of me for enlisting my cousin and Kitty to break him out of captivity, but I had a strong feeling that if we lived to see tomorrow, he would yell himself hoarse for my reckless behavior.

Fair enough, considering the core of our plan was to cause anarchy and distract people so entirely that we could slip in and out unseen.

The Jackal arrived with a lascivious look in his eyes that made my skin crawl.

For half a beat, I wondered if this was who Memphis had entertained on his trip to the club.

Or was it Ace himself? I didn’t like that he’d conveniently left that part out of his storytelling.

Not that I wanted deets, but he had some explaining to do.

The Jackal wore a striped herringbone vest over an elegant white dress shirt.

A chain ran from a button to where I assumed a pocket watch was stowed in a vest pocket.

His tie matched the ensemble. A flattop hat sat at a sharp angle, obscuring part of his face.

He sported a dated mustache. Only when he stood beside our table did I notice the foldable metal cane, which he clearly didn’t need and used solely as an accessory for his costume.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my favorite drug.” He extended a hand to Joshua, who took it and allowed the man to pull him to his feet. They embraced with familiarity, the Jackal kissing Joshua’s cheek as he ran a hand down the curve of his spine, ending with an ass squeeze.

Then, all his attention turned to me.

Joshua waved a hand in my direction. “This is Liam. An old college friend.”

I shook when the man offered. His sweat-warm palm made me want to pull away, but I didn’t .

Joshua sat, and the Jackal pulled up a chair and joined us, his gaze stripping me bare one piece of clothing at a time. “Ace will be upset he missed this one. Delectable.”

“I had him in mind when I brought him.”

“A shame I get to enjoy him instead.”

Hello. I’m right here , I wanted to say. My sharp tongue and whiplash instincts nearly got away from me, but I swallowed the snappy comment and refrained from announcing that I was no one’s plaything—except Diem, but if I didn’t dismiss him from my thoughts, I wouldn’t be able to act my part.

I gifted the Jackal a sultry smile I didn’t feel.

“Cat got your tongue?” the man asked with a smirk.

“It’s a lot to take in.” I nodded at the expanse of the casino floor, ensuring I used the accent Joshua hated.

The Jackal glanced around as though seeing the establishment for the first time. “Impressive, isn’t it?” He studied my barely touched drink. “Do you need something stronger to help you relax?”

“No, I—”

“Nonsense. Allow me.” With the snap of a finger, a busboy hustled over with a tray of what I assumed was a party selection of illegal drugs. My skin radiated goose bumps.

The busboy set the tray on the table, dipped his head at the Jackal, and vanished.

Yeah, this was not going how I hoped . I needed to get this show on the road before I was roped into doing something I would regret. “Could someone direct me to the little boy’s room?”

I purposefully glanced at Joshua, but it was the Jackal who responded. “I’m sure it can wait. ”

“It can’t. Tiny bladder. Better I go now. When the fun kicks in, I don’t want any interruptions.” I aimed for coy and facetious, but I wasn’t sure it landed.

The Jackal, busy crushing a colorful selection of pills with the edge of Joshua’s empty glass, seemed perturbed but waved me in the right direction. “Down that hall. Hurry back, or the party starts without you. I’m perfectly content with young Mr. Stroud on his own if you take too long.”

“I’ll be fast.”

Before I could make my escape, the Jackal caught a finger in one of my suspender straps and drew me toward him. I stood, looking down into his hungry, hooded eyes. “You’re not scared of me, are you?”

“Not at all.”

Without releasing me, he licked two fingers and pinched a sizable amount of the powdery, colorful pile he’d made. “A taste for the road. Open up.”

My heart thundered. I had no clue what the pills were or how they would affect me. I flashed my attention to Joshua, who did his best to cover a nod. Was he telling me to go ahead? Fuck me.

Before I could think too hard about what I was doing or pause too long to cause suspicion, I opened and allowed the Jackal to coat my tongue with the dust. When instructed, I sucked his fingers clean, seductively rolling my tongue around the digits to hopefully erase the doubt in his all-too-knowing gaze.

The substance was bitter and unpleasant, but I somehow avoided wincing and instead licked my lips slowly and erotically as though I’d enjoyed it.

The Jackal grinned, a glint shining in his eyes .

With a smirk, he trailed his finger down the length of a suspender to the front of my pants. Humming, he fondled my uninterested cock. It didn’t seem to bother him that I was the furthest thing from aroused.

“You may go now.”

Dismissed, shaken by what I’d done, I aimed for the hallway that led to the bathroom.

Nothing could erase the acrid taste from my mouth, and I wanted to spit and gag and make myself vomit.

My focus had never been on the bathroom, but I contemplated ducking inside for a moment to rinse my mouth.

What had I done? Fuck, fuck, fuck. This was not good.

In my panicked state, I almost rounded the corner without giving Joshua the cue.

Halting, heart hammering, eyes watering, I glanced over my shoulder. Joshua wasn’t looking. Look at me, asshole. My companion was too busy taking a fucking hit off the tray. This would not fall apart because of him. What was I going to do?

Wavering, on the verge of returning to the table, Joshua finally glanced up. Eye contact was brief, but when I touched the brim of my pageboy hat—the sign he was meant to wait for—he winked.

Thank fucking god. I vanished around the corner but didn’t race away. Head down and hugging a wall to avoid other patrons coming and going, I waited for it to happen.

And waited.

And waited.

Ten seconds passed. Twenty.

I cursed, fearing Joshua wouldn’t follow through when glass shattered.

Men shouted in surprise. Chairs clattered to the ground as I imagined people launching themselves to their feet, having no idea what the heck had happened .

“Now,” I said into my inconspicuous microphone. “Now, now, now.”

Within a second, the lights in the entire building flickered, and I hoped it meant the computers and cameras were officially on the fritz. My cousin had assured me they would need at least a few minutes for their system to reboot.

I ran as more shouts erupted behind me in the main room.

I passed the bathrooms on my right, almost colliding with a guy as he exited, and continued to the end of the hall, hoping and praying Joshua was right about a back entrance and that Costa was able to get inside with his fancy as fuck gadgets.

As I rounded the corner, hoping and praying I would run into my cousin on his way into the building, I came face-to-face with the Bishop.

We both startled.

He narrowed his eyes in recognition. Before I could react, he unearthed a pistol and aimed it at my chest.

“Oh fuck,” I muttered, unsure what to do.

He raised his arm with a smirk. “Going somewhere?”

A single gunshot pierced the air, and I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for impact.