7|Stop Blackmailing

I hated local elections. All those candidates smiled in front of the camera, pretending to help the poor but blackmailing people like me for campaign funds. They thought I got all the money easily.

“Let me handle it.” Enzo stood up and straightened his shirt.

“No need.” I rose to my feet and walked toward the door. “The sooner they leave, the sooner the guests will be comfortable. I don't want to lose customers.”

I waited for the elevator to go down to the ground floor while thinking of a sentence to counter the accusations of the police who came to my club. They didn't tell my men the purpose of their visit. So, I had to guess it myself.

Arriving at the ground floor, I headed for the front door. After nodding to the security guard, I strolled into the room on the second floor. The waitress opened the door, and her colleague served food and drinks on the table.

I sat down, awaiting the arrival of the troublemaker. I put an ice cube in a glass and poured scotch into it. I took a sip of the drink. The warm sensation in my throat calmed me down. It was what I needed to deal with that cunning conspirator.

“Good evening, Mr. Wyndham,” the police officer I didn't recognize, greeted me. He entered the room with an arrogant face. “Thank you for seeing me.”

“Please have a seat. What would you like to drink?” Enzo asked politely.

“No, thank you. I don't drink on duty,” the cop politely declined. He looked around the room. “We've heard unfavorable reports about your club. I know you keep the club in good standing. You know what to do to prevent rumors from spreading.”

“Sean Channing must have told you to come here.” I swirled the ice in my glass. “Tell him. I'm holding his son's widow hostage. If he wants his path to become a mayor to go smoothly, don't send anyone to blackmail me. Otherwise, the video of Mrs. Cullen Channing with no clothes on will go viral.”

The cop scoffed. “You think we'll believe your empty threats?” he mocked.

Enzo turned on the television and selected a channel. The officer raised both eyebrows before looking at the screen. The video showed Darcy training with Felicia. The woman had changed into a casual dress.

“She will be making her debut on Sunday. Sean can come to see her in person. I'll set up a table near the stage,” I said.

The man and his colleagues exchanged glances. They knew what kind of club I had. I noticed they came in disguise a few times. My club had the best and prettiest strippers, who drew customers back after the first visit.

“Mr. Sean Channing is a respected man in this town. You're looking for the wrong opponent, Sin. I'll be back. I hope you've made a good offer before I ruin your club's good name.” He smiled sarcastically before turning around.

I gulped the drink in my glass and placed it on the table. What an easy thing to deal with. Darcy's presence at the club would make things easier for me. If Sean came, things would be even more interesting.

“So, this is why you picked up the woman tonight?” Enzo guessed.

“I didn't know they were coming tonight, but yes. Darcy is going to help us get rid of a lot of pesky mosquitoes.” I stood up. “I'll leave the club matters to you. Remind my lawyer about tomorrow's meeting.”

“Okay, Boss,” he said half-jokingly.

Besides chasing away numerous mosquitoes, Darcy would invite many beetles to sample her pollen. Despite being married and having children, her body was seductive. Many men wouldn't want to marry her because of her reputation. However, they would gladly lust after her.

I looked around my house. All the room lights were out. Only the porch and garden lights were on. The butler welcomed me back. He asked about my needs, but I said no and allowed him to rest.

I climbed the stairs to the top floor and turned to the left. I opened the first door on the left. The room's lights automatically turned on, and a large photograph was in front of me, welcoming me. I had made it so far because of the boy in the picture.

I cleaned myself up in the bathroom and changed before heading to the balcony and sitting on the couch. I closed my eyes. My body gradually relaxed, unwinding after a long day of work. I couldn't wait for the morning to come.

“Good morning, sir,” the butler greeted me as I entered the dining room.

“Good morning,” I replied.

“Young Master will be back before Halloween. Is there a particular theme for decorating the house and grounds?” He filled a cup near me with black coffee.

“Wait for him to come home. Decorate the house the way he wants,” I answered.

“Yes, sir.” He placed the teapot on the table and took a step back. “The interior designer had finished renovating the Young Master's room. I gave them money for additional materials.”

“Ah, right. I forgot to check last night.”

“They're ready to be called back if there are any shortcomings without payment,” he reported.

Lionel was more than just a butler in my house. He was my helper and advisor. Age hadn't dampened his enthusiasm for serving and caring for all my needs. Therefore, he refused to retire and chose to die in my house.

I entrusted him with the household affairs and all the labor in the house. His work was perfect, and none of the servants complained. Thus, I granted his request to serve me in his old age.

After breakfast, I headed to the club. Enzo was waiting in the meeting room with Darcy. The woman who wore ordinary clothes still looked classy. I sat beside my assistant. My men escorted my attorney and his partner.

“Thank you for coming, Mason. Please begin the meeting,” I said.

“Thank you, Mr. Wyndham.” He pulled a file out of his briefcase. “This is an employment contract between Darcy Bailey and SW Group, in this case, The SW Nightclub.” Mason placed a folder in front of Darcy. “Please study it first.”

I knew all the details in the contract because I drafted it, but I didn't trust anyone, not even my attorney. I opened the folder and read each point carefully. Mason was being honest by not printing a single point in small letters.

“The contract states that I must raise fifty million dollars in three months. Do I have to quit if I reach that amount before the end of the term?” Darcy asked.

Since my attorney and assistant turned to me, I replied, “I only need you to pay off your debt. So, you're free after collecting fifty million.”

“Can I keep working until the term is over?” she asked.

“Only if you benefit my club. I don't want to lose,” I answered.

“I'll add that point here. Is that okay?” Darcy looked at my lawyer.

“Go ahead,” Mason replied.

She didn't ask any other questions, so we signed the agreement. I thought she would protest at some point. After Mason declared everything done, I glanced at my man. He was leading Darcy out of the room.

“Have you studied the contract Channing sent?” I asked after Darcy and my staff left the room.

“I did.” He pulled out the contract I referred to and placed it on the table. “Just like the current mayor, he wants the same profit sharing.”

“They're all greedy. I'm the one who worked hard and took the risk, yet they want a piece of the pie.” I glanced at the documents on the table and turned to Enzo. “What about the other candidates?”

“They didn't submit any proposals,” he replied.

I furrowed my brow. “Are you serious?”

Enzo smiled. “Isn't this what you were waiting for? There's a mayor candidate who doesn't take advantage of you and your businesses?” He gave me a meaningful look.

My assistant escorted my attorneys to their car while I headed to my office. I placed the letter of intent from Channing on my desk. Mayors change, but my fate didn't. I'd spent years in the hands of the political elite to hide their dirty work.

I sat in my chair and turned on my laptop. Enzo had set up all the applications I needed to do my work. I checked the security cameras, and the video was of Darcy and Felicia in the training room.

I zoomed in to see what they were doing. Felicia had several students, but I asked her to focus on Darcy. I wanted the preparations for the birthday event to go smoothly, including her first appearance.

Darcy wore a gymnastic outfit and covered her lower body with a miniskirt. She was dancing with a pole. Her hand movements were fluid, her curves were seductive, and her long hair added to the sexiness of her dance.

“Boss!” someone shrieked, startling me.

My heart skipped a beat at the shout. I turned toward the door and saw Enzo standing with a furrowed brow. “Are you out of your mind?” I asked.

“I knocked and banged on the door, but you didn't respond. I thought you were dead inside,” Enzo explained. He walked over. “What are you watching?”

I quickly grabbed the mouse and pressed the button to close the screen showing the video. “What I do is none of your business,” I said.

Enzo looked at the screen and gave me a suspicious look. “You're always on your guard. It's the first time you haven't answered a knock on the door. Who made you daydream?” he asked.

“What did you come here for?” I changed the subject.

He sighed but didn't continue the argument. “I need your signature to release the stock of drinks from the warehouse. There are a lot of reservations tonight.”

Enzo placed a proposal on the desk. I quickly read it and looked at the number of drinks and types the bar needed. After ensuring they correctly listed everything, I signed at the bottom right of the document.

“Add more security personnel. I want the cameras to work properly. Don't let any guests record our dancers.” I reminded him.

“Okay.” He took the proposal and approached the door. When he opened it, someone was standing outside. “Oh!”

“Sorry, Enzo. I didn't mean to surprise you,” Felicia said. She entered my office and looked behind her. “Darcy wanted to ask you something, Boss.”