Page 21 of Torch

“No?” Cara raised a brow.

I nodded my head. “We want to sign a contract to use your security company for our guards.”

Sara swayed her head back and forth. “Although I love the idea, this would take a little brainstorming. You know our guards normally go away on long-term contracts when we assign them.”

I knew all about how their business ran. Cara and Sara's clients ranged from celebrities and government officials, such as senators and mayors, to CEOs and others. Normally, their contracts lasted six months to a year. Sometimes longer, depending on the severity of the issue. I had already thought this over on how we could work together.

“We’ve already thought about that. While you two are always gaining new clients, you also have guards who aren’t currently on a job. For those who aren’t on assignments, they could come work here for extra cash until they do.”

Cara’s grin turned into a full-blown smile. “That could work. My guys go crazy when they don’t have an assignment. Even when they come back after completing a contract, it’s hard for them to settle, sitting around waiting for another one. This could be the thing to keep them distracted until another job surfaces.”

“So, what do you say?” Blade asked them hopefully.

“Let’s set up a meeting and go over numbers. You’re going to need no less than twenty guards to keep this place secured,” Sara suggested.

We nodded in agreement as Cara stepped to the side and called her assistant, Sage, to schedule a meeting with us. Once that was done, Blade and I locked up the nightclub and left. Right as our sisters drove off, Blade walked over to my Camaro. While I mostly rode my bike, today I had a few things on my agenda that required a vehicle.

“You still going to Dreams tonight?” he questioned.

“Yes, I’ll be there. I just have a few things I have to handle, and then I’ll be on my way.”

He smirked knowingly, but didn’t say anything. He dapped me up and got on his bike to leave. Once I was in my car, I dialed Brittney’s number. After three rings, her smooth voice came through the speakers of my car.

“Hey. Are you here already? I’m almost ready.”

“I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. My meeting ran a little late.”

“Meeting? What exactly is it that you do, Christian?” I could hear the curiosity in her tone.

I chuckled, knowing I had been keeping certain things vague with her. I needed to see what she was all about before I revealed who I really was. After Mariana, I kept my wealth a secret if I could. While she might have been the first to try to con her way into my life for money, she hadn’t been the last.

Spending time with Brittney made it clear she was nothing like the others. She was willing to sleep on her best friend’s couch rather than stay in a loveless relationship regardless of Julian’s wealth. That quality attracted me to her more than anything else. I admired that she refused to let money control her life.

While it was great not to have any financial worries, money didn’t buy happiness.

“I own a few businesses.” I still kept it vague. When I explained Dreams to her, I wanted to do it in person. Running a strip could sometimes be a red flag to some women. Bianca hadn’t been too happy about it in the beginning until she saw for herself that we kept it very professional with our dancers.

None of them can say we’d ever come onto them. And for those who tried flirting with us, we shut it down immediately. That was one of the quickest ways to get kicked out of our club.

“Hmm. What kind of businesses?”

I shook my head at her bossiness. “You’ll find out soon. Now, finish getting ready. I’ll be there in a few.” I disconnected the call before she could finish pressing me.

By the time I pulled up to the apartment complex, I was crunched for time, so I texted her to let her know I was outside. If I had time, I would have gone to her door. I got out of my car and leaned against the hood as I waited. Three minutes later, Brittney approached me.

My dick hardened from how sexy she looked. She wore a black spaghetti-strapped bodycon dress, a jean jacket, and red stilettos. I went to pull her into my arms for a hug, but she placed her hand on my chest, stopping me. I frowned in confusion.

“There are two things you need to know about me. One, I don’t like when someone hangs up on me,” she sassed. I bit my bottom lip, turned on to the max at her feistiness. “Two, I don’t deal with men who are into illegal activities.”

I could see why she thought I was into something I had no business in. It was the one thing I avoided answering when she asked. I grabbed her hand again, and this time I successfully pulled her between my open legs, holding on to her hips.

“I apologize for hanging up on you, beautiful. I didn’t mean any disrespect. Two, I can promise you I don’t have any illegal dealings. Now, part of the reason I didn’t want to disclose what I do is that it’s part of the surprise I have for you tonight.”

“Your job is part of my surprise?” she asked suspiciously.

“It is. So, stop asking me questions, trying to make me spill the tea.”

Just like I knew it would, Brit burst into a fit of giggles. “Please don’t ever say that again.”