by Erin R Flynn
“I’m not really sure. That would be tricky, and there would definitely be some dancing,” I answered, rubbing my arm. “Honestly, this was partially suggested to me by some talking between paranormal leaders. I don’t have an answer on how to do it or what should be done. I do think something needs to be done because what we’re doing in Chicago is working.
“My council is getting on board with the new age. I have police who are stepping up and realizing what paranormals in their districts go through. And most importantly, our people have a place they can go to. Special Agent in Charge Remington went with a team to investigate local police in Rockford wanting favors from the herd there and threatening to send them to the council if they didn’t play nice.
“That bullshit of humans taking advantage of us needs to end, but the right way. Granted, assholes will be assholes, and they probably pull the same on other humans, but my point is people are stepping up for help and to report crimes too, so everyone is safer.”
“If the government says no, you would still need a place to send trainees,” Reagan offered. “Noah and whomever could run a really badass training school that could help qualify people in your division since you weren’t given resources instead of one class here, begging for a shooting instructor there.”
“Good point. Something to at least make it work.” I shook my head before sipping my drink again. “I can’t see them saying no, though. There’s a big stink of people getting hurt on the job like Harris and I because there’s not the right help and training. If we were more devious, people could sue for what happened because of bad conditions and whatnot. Some group has to have rocking lawyers or lobbyists to help make this happen.”
“There are, which is how some of the hospitals were built,” the elder informed me. “Originally after we came out we were refused treatment, and that was a suitable answer to too many, so we opened our own hospitals and threatened to stop paying human taxes if we weren’t given the standard of care humans were. The government converted some closed down ones in major metropolitans, but most were made what they are from sizeable donations on our part.”
“I get both sides,” I confessed, ignoring some of the annoyed looks. “The government is kind of broke. There’s a lot we get still as citizens, food stamps, state and federal offices, military protecting our borders—lots that humans do. It’s not the government’s fault that we came out or whatever, and they don’t do change well.
“I think if they had the money, they’d do lots to make sure there was peace, but we’re, what, trillions in debt? And of course that’s not paranormals’ fault, but well, we want it fixed and it’s us that can hurt doctors and law enforcement.”
“And schools?” Simone demanded.
“Yeah, that one’s stupid,” I sighed, rubbing my arm again. “They don’t have those in Chicago, and honestly, the public school system is such crap anyways, all they did in most large areas was make one public school a paranormal school. And it’s crap because all the others are crap.”
“You keep rubbing your arm, and you’re getting awfully negative,” Reagan worried as he leaned in and cupped my cheek. “Alpha, I think you should feed. Are you still hurting?”
I took stock and shook my head. “No, everything’s tender, but I think I’m not healing emotionally. What happened yesterday is part of what’s lacking, Reagan. If my people were trained fully, if there was a team here in Vegas, I wouldn’t have gone through what I did. It wouldn’t have gotten so out of hand. There are people on our side abusing the system too because they know there’s not enough teams or people in place. For god’s sake, I took over a pack that proves it because no one was there to hold Engle accountable.”
I cleared my throat and apologized when I’d gotten a bit loud on that last part.
“It’s also not all on your shoulders to solve, my very young friend,” Laila comforted, rubbing my hand that was on my arm. “Sometimes we simply need to be shown the way, as our ways and normal do not always fit. You have been on both sides and in law enforcement, which most of us have always stayed out of, as that’s one of the best places to get caught; being around observant people is too much a risk. Hearing what you’ve said will assist us to move forward and help.”
“And the Tropicana?” I asked, really tired again and thinking Reagan was right and I needed to feed.
“A matter I would gladly discuss with your councilwoman, your boss, and maybe your mother, as we are all old and experienced. Sometimes it takes the young to come up with the idea and the old to make it happen.”
“Sounds great to me,” I confessed, thrilled when I saw trays being brought out with big salads so it was time to sit. We did, and I leaned into Reagan, giving him a kiss as I fed. I felt my body ease a bit and nodded that he’d been right.
We were served fairy nectar at dinner, and while I didn’t want alcohol at such an important function, it was also rude to refuse, as it was customary to toast with it. Also, I was glad when I tried it because it was amazing. It wasn’t beer, but almost was like a honey ale that was super light—not in the calorie way—and had hints of maybe passion fruit. Something fruity, but the drink wasn’t fruity, if that made sense.
“Are we good enough friends where we can get this for our new club?” I asked Laila, staring at the iridescent drink. “Is it safe for humans?”
She chuckled softly. “Yes, but the kick to them is intense.” She smiled widely and gave a slight nod. “There has been talk of expanding our production of it, as many want it. I would be willing to make an exclusive deal with you, Sera, that it only be served in Chicago at your establishment if the fairies that would set up there could rely on the pack’s protection?”
I blinked at her a moment and frowned. “Laila, I would protect them even without the trade if they’re in Chicago. I offered it to all the paranormals, and it’s my job.” I cleared my throat when I realized my mistake. “Your Majesty, I’m sorry. Reagan’s right and I am tired, recovering, and court is new to me.”
“Of course, as no offense was meant,” she forgave easily, much to the shock of many in the room. “Besides, this is a meal among new friends, not an Alpha kissing the new monarch’s ass for show. And I know you would protect them, but giving the pack’s protection means they would have many allies to watch their backs more than your office.”
I sighed. “I’m still new to how that works too, but yeah, the pack would be on board. The club will hopefully give some needed jobs to the pack and Simone’s clan.”
“Plus, we would be a hot attraction if we had the exclusivity as being the only ones to sell fairy nectar,” Simone cut in, looking like she might pass out at the idea of it. She knew the business better than I did, which worked out well since I knew about nothing.
18
Dinner flew by, and mostly it was pleasant conversation, some of which was Simone picking Laila’s mind on club stuff. I was glad not to have to be the focus and sat back a bit, letting too much digest. After dinner, though, Laila shocked everyone by offering us a tour of clubs so we had ample information to go back with.
And that was when I learned another rabbit hole I’d accidentally tripped into.
Caesar’s Palace was owned by Laila, but under the company Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Fine. They also owned Planet Hollywood, Paris Resort & Casino, Bally’s, The Flamingo, The LINQ, Harrah's Casino Hotel, and a few others in Vegas. While Alpha Stud owned the Bellagio under the company MGM Resorts International, which included the MGM, Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, New York-New York, Monte Carlo, and Aria as the big names. In other words, I’d stepped right into a turf warfare I’d had no idea about.
The rest on the Strip were independent, including the Tropicana, which was a prime location... Especially for Laila since that whole area was Stud’s basically. Sure, other packs and shifter groups ran his places besides the Bellagio since that was his home turf and it kept things under wraps that it was all his since it was MGM Resorts International and it was
panthers that ran the actual MGM. Clever, but problematic.
“Good to know we walked into a fucking turf war and you’ve said you want to side with the fairies over shifters,” Hagan hissed as we moved on to the best ranked clubs not owned by the fairies but weren’t Stud’s, either.
“Well, he shouldn’t have fucking mob ties, which is probably how he took over so many,” I grumbled, not sure what else to do. Fuck it. It wasn’t my fault he’d been dirty or had ties to dirty. By all accounts, he was incredibly dirty, but the statute of limitations in Nevada ran out by the time anyone figured it out since it had been mostly before paranormals came out. When they did, everyone across the board was told no more public dirty, so things like being head of the mob were out.
Yay progress.
The rabbit hole became more of a problem when we arrived at the Wynn to find Gearmo waiting with a few of his wolves. The smile on his face was forced, and he was pissed as he approached me. “Sera, I didn’t think you were up for a tour of our nightlife after your injuries and certainly not since you blew me off for dinner to have fun with fairies.”
“She did not know of our battles for land and buying others out when she accepted my offer,” Laila interjected easily. “I did enlighten her, and I can practically feel the ulcer she is growing over it. I’m not sure why you’re shocked, though, Gearmo. Did you really think a decorated chief of the FBI could get into bed with someone whose roots and money all stem from old mob ties and dealings? I expect she has already received criticism from her coworkers for it.”
I cursed under my breath and nodded. “I didn’t put it together, but they alluded to something shady when I arrived and they saw your guys. I’d forgotten about all of that since I wasn’t ever invested in Vegas chatter. No wonder they were extra specially hostile when I got here.” I sighed and rubbed my arm, meeting Gearmo’s pissed gaze. “She’s right, though.
“I had no idea of any turf war, and I couldn’t get in bed with you, Gearmo. You know that. You got a lot of good press from the bust, but even the articles went off in their shock you would get involved given your history. What did you really expect from me?”
“A damn conversation before hearing you’re club hopping with the queen of the fairies, which she’s never done before,” he snapped, and it snapped my patience.
“And isn’t that fucking awesome she is with a wolf? You doing this makes us look bad and as if you expect me to answer to you, which I don’t even if you hate that I’m more powerful than you and have tits.” His eyes went wide, and I snorted. “It’s not a secret you’re sexist. You try to curb it, and I kinda like you for trying, but in your heart, women are beneath men and my powers chap you, so I still wouldn’t have sold the Tropicana to you. I’m also annoyed at the way you brushed off the local cheetahs when they told you they were threatened.”
He cleared his throat and straightened his jacket. “I doubled patrols on their club and told them not to worry that we could handle it.”
“Yeah, and you could have been in my spot with receiving the Tropicana if you’d taken the threat more seriously and looked into it,” I shot right back, his eyes showing me he hadn’t realized that yet.
Idiot.
“We’re making a scene, Alpha,” Hagan warned me.
“You are welcome to join us, Gearmo. I would be interested to hear what Sera and her business partner, Simone, think of your clubs compared to the ones we’ve already seen,” Laila offered, clearly meaning hers versus his.
Great. Exactly how I wanted to get stuck in the middle more.
After another two hours of club hopping, I was exhausted, and the games weren’t over as we returned to Caesar’s and Gearmo came with. What seemed to surprise everyone was when I veered off and didn’t head to the high rollers area but instead for something I’d seen a sign for when we’d left Omnia, the amazing club Caesar’s had.
And I got a surprise at who was sitting at Numb Bar & Frozen Cocktails.
“Now how did you end up here?” I asked Tristan as I took the stool next to him, checking out the options.
“Word got around fast about the tour and then Alpha Stud moving to intercept you, and I knew you’d end up back here,” he answered before turning to the bartender. “She’ll have a strawberry butterfly. Small.” Then he smiled at me. “Trust me, you’ll like it. I knew you’d like a place like this too.”
“I do. It’s different.” I thanked the guy and went to pay him, but he waved me off, seeing who was in my group. “There was one of these at Harrah’s and it had a steady flow like this one seems to. It’s fun.”
“And you like fun,” he chuckled as I turned in my stool to look at my group, rubbing my sore leg as I wasn’t healed enough to walk hours in a fancy dress and heels.
I nodded while taking in all the frowns. Hagan and Reagan’s I understood because I’d walked over to Tristan in their eyes, but that hadn’t been my intention, and I could easily explain that. Laila seemed confused, and Gearmo was just annoyed as he’d been since he’d joined us. Simone frowning worried me, though, so I raised an eyebrow at her.
“You haven’t said much of anything through this whole whirlwind tour, Sera. It concerns me as your business partner in the club.”
“I thought I was a quieter partner?” I checked, frowning now as well. “I mean, I know we’re thinking Siren’s Kiss for subterfuge and a few other things, but you’re the one who knows this stuff, Simone.”
“It’s my first club, though,” she replied, smiling now that she understood. “A quieter partner means you won’t get in on scheduling shifts or jumping in on managing kinds of stuff, picking distributors, but we’re in the concept stage, so yeah, this is where I need you to be the partner. Once we get into day-to-day stuff, then you get quiet.”
“Oh, sorry.” Then I really frowned. “You won’t like my idea.”
“Tell us anyways because I find myself curious as well, as you have a talent for seeing much from different angles more than those of us born to our world do,” Laila interjected, gesturing to her, Gearmo, Simone, and even Hagan and Reagan as they were born wolves too.
I nodded, taking another sip before meeting Simone’s gaze. “Did I ever tell you I did an undercover assignment in the FBI’s Tokyo office?” She slowly shook her head. “Yeah, it was to bust some host clubs and how they treated non-Japanese workers, some of them doing everything from whoring them out, to threatening to sick Yakuza on them, to holding onto their passports. Huge bust, yay, lots of bad guys thrown in prison, but I was also trained in being a hostess.”
“Now I’m curious as to what you’re thinking too,” Tristan muttered, his leg brushing mine as he turned to get a better look at me. “And not for Vlad, so don’t even think that.”
I nodded that I heard him but didn’t comment on it, keeping to the conversation and focusing on Simone. “I know you want the dungeons or underground BDSM rooms. I’m cool with that as long as there’s no gags and someone with great hearing on that level at all times to listen for disclosed safe words or if things go too far. Maybe some classes too for newbies or people who want to try but not dive in.”
“That’s what I was thinking too, but the no gagging is a good idea unless there’s a third party in there or we keep cameras on for security,” she agreed, studying me. “What else?”
“I think the first floor should be a swank restaurant that doesn’t have servers, but hosts and hostesses that take care of one table and get a percent of sales like they do. Also, there’s a minimum order amount to reserve a table kind of thing, but there would also be like theme nights of what they wear.
“The cosplay shop I went undercover at made gobs of money. I mean, I made more in the month working there undercover as a new host than six months of my salary as an agent with the FBI. They had nights where it was almost as busy as a small Comic-Con when they did promotions and went all out on costumes and customers dying to take pictures with their favorite characters while drinking.”
“I r
eally like that idea,” she confessed, back to vibrating with excitement. “What else?”
I sighed. “This is where you’re going to think I’m weird.”
“We like your weirdness,” Hagan chuckled, giving me a wink. “Just say what you want, and what’s feasible or works with what Simone was thinking can be worked out.”
He had a point, so I didn’t hold back. “The club is on the second floor and set up like XS at the Wynn. All the booths, on three levels, the ones in the back darker for naughty times, dancing poles on the side for fun, but not naked like shifter clubs because that’s too much. However, not clubbing clothes or anything that could let cell phones slip in. People go into one locker room or another and get keycards, and pass through metal detectors on the other end before the club after they get off the elevator.
“Plus, something that would fry cameras or whatever and warn people of that plus we can hear it and it would get them barred for life. But also, they lose their clothes. Men get towel wraps that adjust around their waist, and women get those but more like I saw someone walking through a lobby with a bikini cover that almost looked like a mini dress. We could even get awesome fairy material for them, and they’d be pretty like club dresses but color coded so everyone was clear on rules.
“Say anyone interested in women wear pink. Looking for men wear blue, bisexual green, and just there to have fun but not interested in hooking up or open to it get purple. If we’re crossing into new territory with having humans in shifter-like clubs, then things have to be damn clear for legal purposes and muscle on the floor to make sure everyone behaves.”
“That’s not weird at all. It sounds like an idea I’d want to steal,” Gearmo admitted, shrugging when we all shot him a dirty look. “I won’t or at least not until you prove to be successful, as you are trying something new, and on a big scene like Vegas flopping isn’t an option.”