Read Vigilante 01 - Who Knows the Storm for Free Online

tattoos peeking out from the corners of a tight short-sleeved shiny suit—commanded their attention, stressing the importance of their upcoming Anniversary Weekend, the original two hundred guests when the doors opened, and how their continued patronage at the Iron Butterfly would keep them all very comfortable. He gestured with his hands, his mouth running a mile a minute; a Cockney lilt that might not be real, furious curse words and slurs that absolutely were, and a gentle threat under it all.
    Pull your weight, make them spend more, or find out just how brutal five months of winter can be out on the street without a plane ticket home.
    Rachel sat slightly behind where Zed stood, a smirk on her lips. She found their boss entertaining, even when he was furious, screaming and throwing things in the hallway.
    Damian Oh—Zed’s business manager, keeper of the money and details Zed didn’t want to bother with—sat on the other side, perched at the edge of his chair. Every time Zed raised his voice to air another point, Damian scrunched up his face and nodded. He squinted at each of them from beneath a shaggy styled haircut, fierce like a tiny purse dog that thought it was a Doberman, silently willing (Cade assumed) their continued moneymaking ability.
    “And before anyone asks, security will continue to be doubled.” He paused to scowl. “Tripled, until the police find the prankster calling in bomb threats,” Zed finished. This was an ongoing headache for him and all the other owners in the District. Bomb threats every few days, without follow through. Without even a random demand. Just—nuisances. Much like the fires and vandalism reported from job sites north of the city.
    The police were no further in finding the culprits than they were when it started a few months before, and the moneyed District movers and shakers were furious their bribes and protection money got them no closer to the truth.
    Cade found the girls in the massage room were terrible gossips.
    As the meeting went on, all attention turned to Anniversary Weekend and the level of service expected of the models.
    “What?” Zed said, stopping in the middle of a point about the add-ons to the various “acts” they were allowed to perform. Behind Cade, Alec had raised his hand.
    A collective groan went up.
    “Curious about a thing,” Alec said sweetly, kicking his legs out to tangle with Cade’s chair. “I’m assuming Herr Volder is one of the guests for the Anniversary Weekend.”
    Zed didn’t even turn in Alec’s direction, he just indicated to Damian he should answer.
    “Yes, he was part of the original two hundred,” Damian said, scowling. He didn’t like Alec, for many reasons—mostly centering around Alec’s refusal to do his time sheet properly.
    “Marvelous. And can I ask who is assigned to keep Herr Volder company?”
    A second groan, and Zed narrowed his eyes. “Rachel?” He threw it over to her; Cade knew how much she loved insulting the talent in front of large groups.
    “He knows the answer.” She toyed with the hem of her sleeve, the epitome of bored. “And he knows why.”
    Alec kicked Cade’s chair. “Ah, of course. Well, then, I offer my protest at not being considered. I do speak German, after all,” he said, all politeness and an accent like an action movie Euro-villain.
    “He’s not really interested in my conversation skills,” Cade drawled, rocking his chair back suddenly, so Alec had to pull his feet away.
    A titter of laughter.
    Rachel clapped and then stood up, apparently unwilling to grant Alec the floor for his regular attention-seeking song and dance. “Do what you’re told and make your money, Alec. You know the goddamn drill,” she said with finality. “Improve your cocksucking skills and I’ll see if I can’t upgrade your skinny ass.”
    She said it with the sweetness of a kindergarten teacher, and someone in the back snorted loudly.
    The meeting was over—which Zed realized a second