Page 39 of Single Malt

He didn’t look happy about my having included her, but she was thrilled. If I played this right and kept him talking about the things that his uncle did in Greece, it could be beneficial in several ways. I’d get the information I wanted, and he’d hopefully understand that my only interest in him was academic. Even better, Karina would most likely be bored by the discussion and not want to have anything else to do with him.

Perfect.

Twenty-Four

Brody

Before I’d doneresearch into New York clubs, I’d never heard of this particular one. In fact, it’d been nearly two months into my general research before I’d first heard the name Club Privé.

The city was big enough that it wasn’t a surprise that I’d still been finding new names after eight weeks. While I intended to offer my product exclusively to a few of the top clubs in the city – everyone liked to say they had something only offered in a couple places – I knew I needed to have a longer list than I intended to use. Just in case the first ones either weren’t receptive, or after meeting with the owners, I decided they wouldn’t be a good fit for Shannon’s.

Once I knew the name, it wasn’t difficult to find out more, especially since it’d been in the news a lot several years ago when a huge human trafficking scandal had nearly destroyed it. From what I’d read, the current owners had been responsible for busting said trafficking ring and had then built the club back up with a good, clean reputation.

Well, I wasn’t sure how many people would consider a BDSM club ‘clean’ or ‘good,’ but from a legal standpoint, they were well above board, and there hadn’t been any claims made against the Mannings. It seemed that the power couple actually worked with law enforcement to ensure that all of their members and workers were there of their own free will and weren’t using the club as a place to scout for victims. There were also rumors that they’d established a safe house of sorts for victims of trafficking where they helped survivors find work, covered treatments that ranged from medical to psychological, provided education, and more.

So far, my interactions with Gavin Manning had been professional, if a bit stiff, but I’d dealt with enough people to know that a person’s manner on the phone and in emails wasn’t necessarily who they were in real life, especially if the context was business. It was one of the reasons I always met people in person before I signed a contract.

Working that way took more time and a lot of travel, but I felt that a personal connection only strengthened the business relationships. Not everyone I worked with became a friend, but I wouldn’t work with anyone I didn’t trust or respect.

I wasn’t one of those people who thought the lines between business and friendship needed to be clear and unbreakable, but I also didn’t think I needed to be buddies with everyone. Dr. Josephs was a prime example of that. We’d never be friends, but I could honestly say that I liked him.

As I walked to the employee entrance of Club Privé, I felt the familiar sense of curiosity I got whenever I was about to meet new people, venture into a new potential partnership.

And I’d have been lying if I said I wasn’t a little extra curious because of the type of club this was. I’d been to plenty of strip clubs, had private lap dances that sometimes got a little friendlier than was advertised, but I wasn’t one of those guys who got off on being with women who didn’t really have the choice to say no. I just hoped this place was as clean as the reviews said.

I pressed the buzzer next to the door and waited. A minute later, the door opened, and I found myself looking up at a dark-haired man who was at least a good four inches taller than me.

“Brody McCrae?” When I nodded, he held out his hand. “I’m Gavin Manning. Nice to meet you in person.”

“You too.”

He stepped to the side and gestured for me to come in. “My wife’s in the office. She hasn’t been feeling well the last couple days.” He frowned, but I could see that it was the sort of frown that came when people were exasperated by someone they loved. “I told her she didn’t need to come today, but she insisted. Stubborn woman.” He grumbled the last two words, but the love in his voice was evident.

“I’m not married, but I have sisters,” I said as we made our way up a set of stairs. “Every single one of them hard-headed and strong-willed. And I wouldn’t have them any other way.” I laughed, and he joined me.

“You said you’re not married. Are you with someone?” Gavin stopped at the first door on the left.

Immediately, a face flashed through my mind. Light blonde hair, clear blue eyes. A pretty face and kiss-swollen lips. The sound of her coming echoed in my head, and I had to shove her out of my mind, think about math, and doing my taxes so I wouldn’t get an erection just in time to meet Mrs. Manning. I definitely didn’t want her husband to get the wrong idea. Fortunately, I was able to clear my head by the time I followed Gavin into the office.

“Brody, it’s good to meet you.” An attractive blonde stood up and came around the desk to shake my hand. She was pale and had dark smudges under her eyes, but if Gavin hadn’t said that she hadn’t been feeling well, I wouldn’t have even noticed because she looked as sharp and intelligent as anyone I’d ever met.

“Have a seat,” Gavin said as he went to his wife and kissed the top of her head. “You need anything?”

The first was directed at me, the second at Carrie. The two of them shared a look that I’d seen before. Da and Theresa looked at each other that way too. A sharp pang went through me, and for the first time in my life, I wondered what it would be like to feel that way about someone.

And then I remembered what it had done to my family when my mother died. I remembered seeing my father cry and how long it had taken him to smile again. I’d been a kid, but I remembered.

No, it was better not to have that connection. I could always find someone to spend time with if that was what I wanted. I already had my family, who I loved deeply. I didn’t need to add a woman, or worse, kids.

I shoved all of that aside and took a seat in a chair while Gavin and Carrie went to a small sofa across from me. My personal life had always taken a back seat to business, and that was another reason why I didn’t want what these two had. In my life, Shannon’s came second only to my family, and that was a different responsibility than I’d have had with a wife or kids.

“You mentioned that you do business with a few other clubs in the city,” Gavin began. “Does that mean this isn’t your first time here?”

“I’ve been here several times on business and visiting family,” I said. “Two of my sisters and one of my brothers live here.”

“Are they involved with Shannon’s too?” Carrie asked.

I shook my head. “Carson’s a designer. Maggie’s a violinist with the Philharmonic, and London is an actress.”