"I have a personal interest," I tell him with a smile, and he laughs as he knows the truth of that.
When Cain and Bridger approached me about running The Wicked Horse Vegas, I was highly interested. I was at a point in my career where I was tired of the frequent missions and traveling, and wanted to morph into more of a strictly managerial role. Since my business was based out of Vegas, this seemed like a good cover for what I really do for a living, as well as a good investment.
Of course, Bridger had me checked out thoroughly. And of course, I had to divulge to him the nature of my business. When I'd told him that I ran an organization of mercenaries for hire, he quickly covered his stunned expression with one of intense curiosity. I could see he wanted to ask questions that I'd never be able to give him the answers, but the most I could do was assure him that my organization was on the up and up and was contracted by our government to help out in sticky situations that our military was prevented from handling. My team was comprised of men and women I'd served with in special ops or that had been recommended to me to join the team by our government oversight manager.
This apparently appeased him other than a slight worry he'd had about me being able to devote time to The Wicked Horse. I assured him a I had fantastic crew, they were easy to manage and I was not actively participating in missions anymore. As far as I was concerned, I'd do some nominal oversight of my mercs, offer them free memberships so they could fuck as a perk to the job, and then I'd be devoted entirely to the club.
The only hitch in the plan was over compensation. While Bridger offered me a very generous salary, I wasn't interested in just that. I wanted an ownership stake because I wasn't stupid. This operation was going to make millions. So we haggled and negotiated but ultimately, we agreed I'd get a 30% interest with an increase in options each year if warranted, but not to exceed 50%. In return, I had to help finance the construction and opening costs, which was no problem because I make a shit ton of money doing the contract work for the government.
"We're scheduled to open next week?" Bridger asks.
"It's been a long year of design, construction, permits and upfitting, but yeah... we'll be opening next week," I assure him. "The staff have all been through extensive training and were vetted heavily before they were hired."
"Any sense the authorities will target us?" Cain asked, because while what we were doing was entirely legal in Vegas, we'd be a prime operation to infiltrate with some undercover cops hoping to maybe make a prostitution or underage bust.
The Wicked Horse doesn't engage in prostitution but is merely a social club whereby after paying your membership, you are allowed in the doors to do whatever you want.
Within kinky reason.
"No, and I've got plenty of contacts with the department," I tell him. "Our screening process to admit members is rigorous, even the ones that only buy daily passes."
"How many memberships have been pre-ordered?" Bridger asks.
I ticked off the numbers as I'd reviewed them this morning. "Almost a thousand yearly memberships and a little over five hundred have signed up for monthly memberships with a three month commitment. But the big money is going to come from tourists who want daily or weekend passes. Doing some demographic research and looking at the other clubs in the area, we can probably count on an average of at least a hundred people a night coming on a daily pass. It will be higher on the weekends, maybe lower in off season, but still... that's major cashola every day."
"And your projections for the first year of business?" he prods.
"Minimum seven million," I tell him with a level look. "But I'm thinking more as word of mouth gets around."
"Excellent," Bridger says as he flashes his teeth at me. "I look forward to seeing what you can do with this."
"I guarantee you I'll make it into the most sought after club in Vegas and we'll be rolling in money when it's all said and done."
Cain chuckles. "You always were a cocky son of a bitch."
I smile and have to agree with him. Whether you call it cocky or confidence, it's gotten my butt out of a lot of scrapes just having a strong and inherent believe in myself.
"Cain will come quarterly to check on things and review the books with you," Bridger says but we'd already agreed on that. I never mind someone looking behind me but I wouldn't be micromanaged. So far, though, I don't think that's the vibe I'm getting from either of these guys. Cain I trust deeply. He'd be on my merc team if he wasn't tied down in Wyoming, and I'm going to have to trust his recommendation of Bridger. Just as Bridger had to trust Cain's recommendation of me.
I believe going into this business is one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. I'll make killer money and there will be a variety of beautiful women I could fuck every night.
I mean... what job could be better than that?
If one trip isn't enough, stop by and visit the Wicked Horse Vegas to fulfill your Wicked Wish and to make your darkest desires reality. Wicked Wish (The Wicked Horse Vegas, Book #2) is coming August 15, 2017.
Click HERE to pre-order Wicked Wish!
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP!!!
Don't miss another new release by Sawyer Bennett!!! Sign up for her newsletter and keep up to date on new releases, giveaways, book reviews and so much more.
Connect with Sawyer online:
Website: www.sawyerbennett.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bennettbooks
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bennettbooks
To see Other Works by Sawyer Bennett, please visit her Book Page on her website.
About the Author
Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.
A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.
The Wicked Horse Boxed Set (+Wicked Bond [5]) Page 117