These were the kind of men Cal Grimes admired. This Slaver’s Club. These were the kind of men he wanted to emulate. But it was clear none of the men at the table were self-made. None of them had an air of ambition or drive. They had more in common with the apathy-filled club kids downstairs. The fact that they’d seen this sort of sexual brutality enough for it to bore them made Brady want to break something off in their asses. Something sharp and painful. But they’d probably get off on that, the lecherous fucks.
Brady didn’t want to know men like these. He didn’t want to shake their hands and pretend he enjoyed meeting them. He just needed one man for one minute.
Unfortunately, that man wasn’t at the table. Ken had shown him the only picture he’d found of the financier so Brady would recognize him. He was heavyset with a beard and a receding hairline. He was in town, and he should be here. He was supposed to be here.
Brady calmed his panic and focused on the others. They were deep in discussion about something that obviously upset the younger man. His posture was defensive, his expression volatile. But nothing he said made the others react in kind. Brady tried to guess what it could be about. A merger gone wrong? A country they wouldn’t let him buy? Or did the little evil Cabal member want a pony?
Before Brady could come close enough to hear anything interesting, they stopped talking and started to turn in his direction.
They’ve seen you. No backing out now, Finn.
“Good lord, Grimes wasn’t exaggerating was he, boys? That has to be a first.” The man closest to the stairs chuckled, his expression surprised as he looked Brady up and down without leaving his chair. “He’s bigger than my head of security, and that man is a mutant.”
The younger member, Pony Boy, stood and moved closer in silence. He shook hands with Grimes, but the entire time he was studying the zipper of Brady’s jeans as if he could lower it by will alone.
“Did you say he was a Marine, as well?”
“Yes,” Cal answered proudly, as if he’d enlisted himself. “He was commended more than once for heroism and valor in combat.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Brady forced out stiffly, wishing he’d been sent here to knock some heads together instead of playing Cal’s date. “Thank you for letting me—”
“He has a nice voice, too,” the third man interrupted, reminding Brady that Cal had told him not to speak unless spoken to. “Very deep. Very commanding.”
Brady felt drunk again. He was nauseated and not quite sure any of this was really happening. In fact, it was so much like a bad movie he had to swallow a laugh.
“Well done for your first time out, Grimes. To be honest, I didn’t think you’d get him here voluntarily. But looking at him now, I can see why you went to so much trouble. If he weren’t so well connected, he would be a perfect addition to our stables.”
Addition to your what, motherfucker? Brady looked down at Cal who was wisely avoiding eye contact. Brady no longer felt sorry for stringing him along. He no longer felt anything but quiet, seething rage.
Stay on mission. Smile. Relax. Imagine what you’d do to them if you could. That should cheer you up.
“The senator only has pull in this state,” Cal protested. “We have other clubs.”
Pony Boy frowned at Cal. “We have other clubs. You’ve only been invited to this one, so take care. And you’re still an idiot. The senator has more influence and political capital than he did before. And this big bruiser was there. He knows what happened.” He laughed. “You can’t handle a ride like this, Grimes. He would break you.”
Cal’s face turned red. “He’s mine. He wants to be here. Tell them, Brady.”
“I want to be here.” To burn your house down. Brady smiled genially.
All four men laughed at that and Pony Boy patted Cal on the shoulder. “I can see he’s overcome with lust.” He paused. “Are you sure you wouldn’t consider sharing him? I’ve been disappointed once already this evening. In fact, we could make the argument that you were personally responsible for that, so you owe me.”
Cal took a step forward. “I don’t care. I’m not sharing him.”
No one is sharing me you sick, nasty jackoffs. Brady nodded in agreement with Cal, showing the men his pleased expression. Try it and you’ll lose a limb.
Pony Boy didn’t look happy with that answer, but his tone was amused. “For now, that might be best. You’re our newest member, definitely our first charity case, and you’ve been here more than the rest of us combined these last two weeks. You need your own toy so you don’t break all of ours.”