Page 5 of Power of Shadow

I shift my gaze to another monitor, from the second basement floor. This part was the last to be opened to customers. While the price of entry to this level is a thousand bucks, my casino is only for high rollers. No one here plays to win a few thousand extra. Here, people play games with stakes that reach hundreds of thousands or even millions.

We have tables for roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, and several varieties of poker. Since I opened this part to customers a few months ago, my bank account balance, as well as Eli’s and Theo’s, have increased tenfold.

“Are you even listening to me?” Eli’s words bring me back to reality.

I gaze upward at him. His dark eyes seem to penetrate me, but they reveal no sign of rage.

“Of course I’m listening to you,” I lie. But because we know each other so well, he’s completely aware when I’m doing it.

“You bastard.” He laughs and shakes his head. “I was just saying that your special guest accepted the invitation. He’s at the club right now.”

His statement sparks my interest. Although I’m well trained not to show any emotion, this news raises my eyebrows.

Finally.

“Timothy?”

“Timothy,” Eli confirms.

“Which level?”

“Private. First. He suspects you want to talk, and he’s not here out of pity from the Pact. That didn’t quell his curiosity, and that’s why he showed up.”

Eli has always been an excellent observer. He knows people like no one else. People are like puzzles to him, which he puts together in his head until the whole picture is complete.

“He’s cautious. Afraid of being outmatched. Yet, he’s intrigued. That’s why he didn’t stay at the club or take advantage of the erotic level or the casino,” I conclude.

Eli nods. “It’s no wonder he’s afraid of his own shadow after what happened with your father,” he adds after a brief pause.

“Except that things with my father never really end.”

Looking at Eli, my mind travels to a distinct reality, to a different time. For a moment, I’m a kid under my father’s thumb again. I know what it means to be on the receiving end of his anger.

To get rid of the unwanted past, I shake my head.

“Time to say hello, then.”

I button my jacket and head for the exit. Eli follows me.

The face of the girl in combat boots flashes through my mind. It annoys me that I have to take care of other responsibilities and can’t go after her right now. But this is equally important.

We walk down the hallway to the private elevator.

Surprisingly, Theo came up with the name for the club. He’s the quietest of the three of us and therefore probably the most dangerous, although Eli and I are no slouches either. The name was his idea, no matter what. And it fits because it tickles every circle of temptation in this world.

All the rooms on the first floor are for patrons who desire a tranquil atmosphere and personal shows from the performers. High-profile customers pay a fortune to be with my girls away from the eyes of others.

“Did you see him?” I ask as we get into the elevator.

“No. There was no need. Before he even crossed the club door, I got the info from security. You think he might know something?”

“No idea.” I rub my face with my hands. “He was one of my father’s closest people. We don’t have many leads to follow either.”

The elevator doors slide open quietly, and we get out on the lower floor.

“Which room?”

“Red.” Eli laughs.