Page 27 of Fixate (Devious Mafia Daddies #2)

Ricardo

A few days after my call with Pharrell, I decided it was time to investigate more about my idea for the sex shop.

I told Pharrell that I needed to go check on some things in the casino and sent him off to work alone.

We had already been spending most of our time apart, and though I didn't really need to tell him where I was going, I felt it would be better if he heard it from me.

With his access to the cameras, I knew he would spot me easily if he happened to look. No reason to make him think I was trying to sneak around.

There was no one who held my attention like him, no one I was even remotely interested in.

I smiled, nodding at a few familiar faces as I made my way through the main floor of the casino. I had been here long enough for them to recognize me.

At this point, they had put a name to a face. Plus, I'm pretty sure that Pharrell's email to the entire company stating that I was his second-in-command also made me easier to spot.

When I questioned him about why he sent that email, he said it was a security blanket. Something that people would understand better when they saw me around.

Their curiosity had already been growing, the email was just the final nail in the coffin.

As I rounded the corner to the shop, I took a deep breath.

I could do this.

It might not have been the grueling work that came with family business, but it was still worth my time.

Pharrell's call about the funds going missing thanks to the man who was in debt to the Bratva got me thinking. The more avenues he had for money coming in, the better. And if the shop was like the other one I had visited, then there was definitely a need for someone to step in and help people out.

It didn't have to be a grand affair. All it had to do was inform people properly. You could even offer it virtually. I suspected that would not be as popular as going in person, but introverts existed.

And there were people who wanted to be kinky, but didn't want to leave the house.

I knew because technically, I was one of them.

No one knew about what I wanted or how I behaved, other than Pharrell, of course.

My curiosity created this urge to learn as much as I could. Despite my need to stay close to home, I still wanted to feel like I was part of something.

This was my way of making it happen.

Inside the shop, a young girl worked behind the counter. She smiled brightly when she saw me.

"Mr. Ricardo," she said cheerfully.

I leaned on the counter and took note of her name tag. "Hey there, Candice. How are you doing today?"

Her smile remained wide. “As delightful as ever. Not too busy, but not too slow. Is there something you need me for? Or maybe…”

She stopped and looked around the space.

“There's something here you want? I don't mean to be forward, of course.”

I chuckled. "No, I'm all good there."

Shit.

I wanted to smack myself on the forehead for being so obvious. She didn't need to know that I had toys. That wasn't why I was here.

Thankfully, her smile didn't dim at my words. She seemed to relax a bit, if her lowered shoulders were any indication.

“I'm actually here because I wanted to ask you some questions if that's okay.”

She wiggled a bit as if getting comfortable, then pressed her hands onto the countertop.

"Yes, sir. I'm ready for your questions."

She was a cute young woman. The type that obviously charmed many customers. She would be great to teach the class if she was knowledgeable enough.

Or maybe just to give a sales pitch, and we could bring in someone more experienced.

My mind was already running away from me with ideas. I had to reign it in to actually explain what I wanted.

"Candice, how many people would you say come in and out of this place a day?"

She tapped her pointer finger on the counter.

“I don't work every shift, but I do help with end of day totals sometimes. I would guess somewhere around a thousand or so.”

My thoughts froze at her answer.

“Even with the shortened hours?”

She nodded quickly. "Yes, even with the shop not being open as long as other places, we still get a lot of customers. Some come in and get exactly what they want right away, and others shop for a bit.”

I pulled my phone out of my hand and began to take notes. This was exactly what I needed to know.

“Would you say most people who come in here know what they're looking for?”

"It depends," she answered. “A majority do, though there are quite a few that don't have a clue what they're looking for or what we even sell. A lot of newbies.”

I grinned, noting down her words.

"Newbies, huh? So would you say that they have lots of questions for you about the products and things we offer?”

I got another quick nod. “Absolutely. I would say a majority of the sales process is answering questions.

Occasionally, we have to go a little more in depth, though usually it's just a few questions about products or if I've ever personally used it or known someone who’s used it. They prefer the customer testimonial experience.”

I raised a brow. “I was not aware that that was part of it. Does it ever feel invasive to have to share that with someone?”

She raised her hand and waved it in front of her face.

“Not at all. I find it quite hilarious actually.

Part of my role when I got hired here was to work on inventory.

I learned what each product was and with my discount purchased a few.

Since then, I have sampled just about everything here.

I won't say that I share that with everyone, but since you're asking for research.”

I hummed. “Do you think people would enjoy an informational type of seminar about what we offer? The different toys and lubricants, things like that, maybe even a demonstration or two? Within reason, of course.”

Her eyes went wide as she clapped her hands decidedly.

“I think that's brilliant. I can't tell you how many times I've had people look at something and go, "How does that go there?

"” She laughed. “Genuinely, they're confused, and I don't blame them.

Some of these things look like they're alien contraptions.

Once you figure it out though, it's amazing.”

I grinned. “So informational talks and visuals would be good?”

“Yes, sir,” she confirmed once more.

“And do you think making it a regular thing would be good so that tourists of all kinds would come?”

She tapped her bottom lip as she took a second to think it over.

“I would say that it's a good idea. I could see how some type of sexual education class would be good for people. When they come into the shop, they find out about it and get the chance to come. They can always opt out. No one says you have to attend, right? They can still buy something on their own.”

“Of course,” I rushed to say. “This would merely be something extra. For people who might be new to a certain lifestyle or curious.”

There had to be something about the way I said the last word that triggered her into understanding what I meant. Her mouth formed a small "O" as she slowly nodded her head.

“Yes, that is a valid point,” she answered slowly.

“I also think that this type of thing being offered could draw in crowds of people who are local too.

I know that Vegas has a vast kink community.

There's a club here and there are people who come in from time to time for a summit, but it's not well known, I guess you'd say.

And not because it's only word of mouth secret society level stuff.”

I laughed again at the way she said those words. Candice was very charismatic.

“So, if it's not because it's only word of mouth, do you think it's just a lack of opportunity?”

She snapped her fingers. “That's it, exactly. People just don't know. And what you don't know, you can't experience. I mean, take this for instance.”

She pulled out a toy from under the cabinet.

“It's one of our newer products. Though it looks simple enough, this thing can get you where you need to be like nobody's business. I'm talking short on time, need a pick me up — this is your friend. Whatever floats your boat, this will do it.”

I stared at the device, curious to know why she was so enthralled with it. It looked just like the others I had been collecting. I bit my bottom lip, pondering if I should purchase it too.

I didn't necessarily need to know about the products, but if I wanted to be a part of the process as a whole and really present this idea to Pharrell, then I should have some kind of idea. I pulled out my wallet and slid my card free.

“I'll be the judge of that,” I said with just enough of a hint of what I wanted for her to light up like the Fourth of July.

She rang me up, chattering on and on about ideas she could have for the classes.

“I mean I'm not certified or anything, but I could totally contact the local club and have someone come out for more specific things.

Ooh, or we could go there. That would be fun.

I think they would give guest passes for people who wanted to watch.

I mean, maybe they did background checks and stuff too, which could deter customers.

I don't know. Maybe there's another place we could meet because doing them on the floor seems like a bad idea with the glass windows and everything.”

She waved her hand to the view behind me. It was jam-packed with people. The shopping area was never empty.

I was surprised that no one had come into the shop while I had been there. But then I saw the imposing figure by the door and my heart stopped.

Pharrell was here.

And where he was, people gave him space.

Candice must have noticed him at the same moment I did because she squeaked as she bagged up my package quickly.

“I work here a lot, so just come by if you need me again. I'm sorry. I'm not flirting with you. Please don't tell him I did.”

She held up her hands and backed away from me slowly.