Cocktails & Clubs

  Four Aces, Volume 3

  Emery Quinn

  Published by Emery Quinn, 2023.

  © 2023 Emery Quinn

  Cover Artist: Sarah Kil Creative Studio

  Editor: My Brother’s Editor

  All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact Emery Quinn at emeryquinnauthor@gmail.com

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Cocktails & Clubs (Four Aces, #3)

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  EPILOGUE

  More Books By Emery Quinn

  Dark Italian Romance

  Stone's Revenge

  Sweet Retribution

  Four Aces Casino Series (Billionaires of Boston)

  Diamonds & Deception

  Seduction in Spades

  Cocktails & Clubs

  Hungry Hearts

  CHAPTER ONE

  This is the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Or the bravest. Only time will tell. The snores coming out of my new friend Kylee, whom I met at the bus station a few hours ago, are mildly comforting as we travel south into the unknown.

  At least, unknown to me. In my twenty-four years, I’ve never left my small town of Winston, Vermont. Not that I haven’t wanted to. Especially after my father informed me I’d be marrying Arthur Littlefield by the end of the summer. If I didn’t get the heck out of town now, I’d be trapped in a loveless marriage and would never get to explore the world beyond the three hundred acres of farmland I’ve been trapped on my entire life.

  There’s nothing wrong with Vermont. Arthur, on the other hand, I can’t attest to. His family’s farm is across the border in Canada, and they’re our closest neighbors. I’ve only met him a handful of times, and he was nice to me in the few minutes he talked to me, but that doesn’t mean I want to marry him.

  “We there yet?” Kylee stretches next to me. With her pink-tipped dark hair and heavy makeup, she’s quite the opposite of my long blonde hair and freckles. I’ve worn it in a French braid for as long as I can remember, but when we stopped at a rest stop somewhere in New Hampshire, she talked me into wearing it down.

  Since I’m not doing my usual work of farming, cooking, and sewing, it doesn’t bother me if it falls in my face.

  “I’m not sure. I’ve never been to Boston before. Is this what it looks like?” I lean over her and peer out the windows. Every town we’ve passed through has wowed me. I thought the drive through Burlington, Vermont, was impressive, but the land of concrete outside the window is something I’ve never seen before.

  Kylee presses her face to the window, then takes out her phone. “We should be in the city in about twenty minutes.”

  I glance down at her phone, amazed at how fast her fingers type out messages on the tiny keypad. I’ve only been away from home for less than a day, and I’m already overwhelmed by my ignorance.

  Over the past year, I’ve learned about some of the features of life I’ve been missing out on. Arthur had told me that my dad wanted to limit my exposure to the evils of the world, and computers, television, and phones were only a few of them. Keeping me isolated on our farm was out of love.

  But recent discoveries have told me otherwise. Hence the midnight escape and long, frightful walk down strange roads until a kind stranger picked me up and drove me to a bus station. I may be naïve, but I’m a quick learner.

  Father never allowed me to read many books. He homeschooled me until I was ten, then got too busy on the farm to keep up with my studies. He gave me books about cooking, sewing, farming, and how to be a dutiful wife.

  As my questions became more complex, Father began to get more annoyed with me. I was allowed to visit the local library as long as Aunt Frieda came with me. When I was twenty, a nice girl named Leila befriended me and loaned me a book to read.

  It was like nothing I had ever read before. Vampires and werewolves and teenagers falling in love. It opened my mind to another world that existed outside my farm. She snuck me dozens of romance books over the course of the next few years, until Aunt Frieda found a copy of a Julia Quinn novel.

  I thought my aunt would be okay with it since the women wore long, beautiful dresses, but she snapped at me, and Father never allowed any more trips into town. He lectured me on the sins of the world and told me no man would ever want to marry me and join our farms if I represented myself in such a slutty way.

  I would have never learned what that word meant if it wasn’t for the books Leila snuck in my bag.

  “You okay, farm girl? You’re looking a little squeamish.” Kylee tucks her phone away and sits up.

  “I’ve never been to a city before. Are you sure we’ll be able to find a place to stay and work? I’ve never had a job before other than working on the farm.”

  “Like I said, my friend Darren has connections. We’re staying at a fancy casino tonight.”

  “Casino?” I picture a dark hotel where criminals smoke cigars and drink whiskey, and the notorious criminals are entertaining women in the brothels upstairs. The only education I have on such places is from my midnight reading binges while hiding in my closet. “Is it safe?”

  Kylee snorts. “Farm girl, you’re in for a treat. You said you wanted to experience the world. Boston is a great place to start. Darren has friends. They’re gonna eat you up.”

  I bite my lip and nod. This is what I wanted. To be free. To feel like an independent woman like those in the books I’ve read. Only none took place in cities like this. Most were set in small towns or London.

  I stare out the windows in amazement at the tall buildings. Soon, we’re driving over a bridge that looks like it’s held up with string. Butterflies dance in my stomach at the endless opportunities awaiting on the other side of the bridge.

  Kylee’s phone rings, and she answers it. “Hey baby. Yeah. We’re almost there. She’s um...” She looks over at me and grins. “No worries. Plan A is still a go.”

  Plan A must refer to her boyfriend, Darren, setting us up with a hotel room for the night and a job in the morning.

  She pockets her phone and points to the small bag at my feet. “Get your shit ready. Darren’s waiting for us.”

  Her demeanor has changed from that of a nice stranger who helped me figure out how to buy a bus ticket and kindly offered me a place to stay to abrasive. I can’t find fault in her, though, since I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for her kindness.

  When the bus stops and the passengers stand, I strap on my backpack and follow the crowd off the bus. I hear Kylee shriek behind me as she brushes past me and jumps into the arms of a tall, skinny man who is covered in body art and piercings.

  They kiss among the crowd of people, not caring about their audience. I instantly look away and am tempted to glance back. I’ve never seen anyone kiss before. I’ve only read about it and the passion that follows such an act.

  Their hands are in each other’s hair, and they stick to each other like plastic wrap. I’m tingly inside again, but not with nerves. It’s similar to the sensation when I’m reading one of the forbidden scenes in a book.

  I turn away again, unsure if my stare would be welcome, and take in the crowd in front of me. People of all shapes and sizes, different colored skin, varying fashion choices, young and old, rush past as if they’re in a hurry to get to wherever they’re going.

  I would be in a hurry too if I had a place to go. The smells of the city are quite different than on our farm. The air is cleaner in Vermont, but I don’t mind the mingling of smells of the city. Something between a blend of different spices and gasoline and motor oil my father uses in the tractor and his truck.

  I’m fascinated and excited to explore. A man in dirty clothes riddled with holes, including the knit hat on his head, which I find odd for the middle of June, taps me on my shoulder.

  “Pretty, miss. Do you have any spare change?” He holds out a plastic cup that has a few quarters in it.

  “Oh, I t
hink so.” I bring my backpack to my front and open the middle zipper where my wallet is. I don’t have much, only the three hundred sixty-four dollars I managed to find and hide away over the past year.

  “Get the fuck away,” Kylee yells at the man and steps between us. “What the hell are you doing?” she scolds me.

  “He asked for some change, and it looks like he can use it more than me.”

  “This? This is the chick you were talking about?” Darren, Kylee’s boyfriend, says. “What is she, twelve?”

  “She’s twenty-four. You are, right?” She studies me.

  “Why would I lie about my age?”

  “Let’s go.” Darren takes Kylee’s arm and starts dragging her away.

  I rush after them. I want to stare up at the tall buildings and peek in the windows of all the shops we pass, but Darren’s long legs don’t stop for anything. Not even the red lights or honking cars. I wouldn’t even guess it was close to midnight with how bright the streets are lit up.

  The only time I stayed up this late was if I couldn’t put my book down. I had to hide the light in my room, or my father would come in to see what I was doing. I’d wait until he was asleep before sneaking my book from between my mattress and hiding in my closet to read. On a starless night, the sky in Vermont can be as dark as pitch, and you can’t see two feet in front of you.

  With all these lights, people in cities must never sleep. It’s not long before we’re in front of a beautiful building. My head tilts back as I scan the windows that go up forever and to the glowing red sign at the top of the building. Four Aces. This must be the casino Kylee was talking about.

  When I walk inside, I am completely entranced. A hushed ambiance pervades, offering a respite from the bustling outside world. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft, warm glow, illuminating marble floors that I imagine feel cool and smooth beneath my feet. The air is scented with a subtle fragrance, and there’s a pond and waterfall—inside! —creating an atmosphere of serenity. This is the most beautiful, strangest place I’ve ever seen.

  “Hey, so, um, Darren and I want some private time in the room first. Mind hanging around here, and I’ll come get you later?”

  “Oh, okay.” My eyes fall on them. They can’t keep their hands off each other. My cheeks blush at what I think they’re going to do in the room.

  “Give us your bag so you don’t have to carry it around.” Darren reaches for it and doesn’t wait for me to unbuckle before taking it off my shoulders. I guess it’s a nice gesture, but he’s a little rude.

  Kylee gives him a look I can’t read before moving closer to me. “Look, farm girl. You can’t be all sweet and shit like you were to that homeless guy, or you’re gonna get eaten alive.”

  “But this is all so new to me. I need you to help me understand city life.” She’d promised to show me around, help me get a job.

  She doesn’t meet my eyes and gives me a quick hug. “My number one piece of advice is to pretend like you know what you’re doing. Don’t let anyone know you’re inexperienced.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “Lie. Tell people what they want to hear.”

  “I’m not very good at that.” Which is a lie. I’ve been lying to my father and Aunt Frieda about my books and about the three hundred dollars I took from them over the past few months. Granted, that was stealing.

  Ick. Maybe I am made for this.

  “Pretend to be confident. Pretend you belong. And don’t let anyone walk all over you.”

  “Let’s go, babe. I’m horny as fuck.”

  Darren gives me the creeps. I really don’t want to be in a hotel room with him, so I agree to give them some space.

  “Where should I meet you?”

  “Here.” Darren shoves a ticket at me. “Go hang out at The Club. Plenty of guys will buy you a drink and show you a good time.”

  “We’ll meet you there later.”

  Before I can ask where The Club is, they’re gone.

  It’s not until the elevator doors close that I realize they have my wallet and the few pieces of clothing I brought with me. I’m stranded in the middle of the lobby of a fancy hotel with nothing but a ticket to a place called The Club.

  With no money and nothing else to do, I take Kylee’s advice and pretend to be a confident woman and head to The Club. Wherever and whatever that may be.

  “Excuse me.” I stop a woman who is dressed in a lovely black suit. I read her name tag. “Hi, Valerie. My name is Elo...” I clear my throat. “Ella, and this is my first time here.”

  “Welcome to Four Aces, Miss Ella.”

  She’s kind, and I like her instantly. I hold up the ticket Darren gave me. “Can you tell me where this place is?”

  “It’s on the tenth floor. If you take the elevators over there, they’ll drop you off right in front of it. The Club is a favorite spot for dancing.”

  “Oh. I’ve never been to a dance. Thank you, Valerie.”

  “Enjoy your evening.”

  “I will.” I skip to the elevators excited for my new adventure.

  CHAPTER TWO

  My office door opens, and my lead bouncer, Henry, steps in. “Trey. We’ve got a situation.”

  Hell. It’s almost two in the morning. Closing time. Why the fuck do situations have to go down now when all I want is to go home and work on the reno in my kitchen?

  “Someone losing their shit over last call?” I save the spreadsheet I’m working on and make a mental note to review my inventory list one more time before sending it to my liquor vendors.

  “A woman got roofied.”

  “Fuck.” I run my hand across the back of my neck. “You get the perp?”

  “Yeah. He’s been taken care of. Police have him now.”

  “Good. The woman?” I shove my phone in my pocket and stand. My team knows I insist on being involved in cases like this. It’s not something I brush off to my bouncers or even my assistant manager.

  “She’s, uh, up in the VIP lounge with Maxine right now.”

  “Her friends? Boyfriend?” I cross my office to him, ready to interrogate. I hate talking to people. I prefer to stay out of the spotlight and manage from afar, but this is one of the few instances when I’ll converse with clubgoers.

  “That’s the thing.”

  I stop in front of Henry. At six foot six, he’s only an inch taller than me and maybe fifteen pounds heavier. I respect his position, even though most people look down on bouncers. It’s how I got started, and if Drake Reynolds hadn’t befriended me, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today.

  Owner of The Club, one of the most exclusive clubs in Boston, private shareholder of twenty-five percent of Four Aces, and managing a shit ton of money in my investment portfolio.

  For a punk who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks with drug-addicted parents who’ve been in prison for nearly half my life now—thank fuck—I can’t complain.

  I cross my arms and glare at Henry.

  “She came alone. I watched the video surveillance. Arrived at approximately twelve twenty-eight. Alone. Handed Travis a ticket. Looked like a lost soul as she scoped out the place. Instead of beelining it for the bar, she walked the perimeter of the main dance floor. At twelve-forty-six, she was on the second floor, doing the same. Watching.”

  I don’t like where Henry is going with this. Something with the girl is off. If she was looking for her dealer or pimp or her next prey, I’ll have to devote more time to watching the cameras to vet out the riff-raff.

  “At one-oh-four, a woman pulled her out on the dance floor. I questioned her. Name’s Haley Forrester. Didn’t know the blonde. Took her in because she was alone, and Haley was attracted to her.”

  “What’s the victim’s name?”

  Henry shrugs. “No idea.”

  “She didn’t introduce herself to Haley?”

  “Miss Forrester is quite wasted. She doesn’t remember, and the music was so loud. Says she flirted with the blonde but didn’t get the vibe that she likes pussy, so eventually she found a new dance partner. One who can actually dance, she said. And kiss.”

  I spin my finger to get Henry to get on with the story.

  “At one-nineteen, the blonde is seen at the bar and asks for a glass of water.”

  “Who poured it?”

  “Blaine. He asked if she was the DD tonight. She didn’t understand what he meant, but he didn’t have time to strike up a conversation. Gave her a water bottle and went to wait on customers. Then a man is seen cozying up to her and buys her a drink. She shakes her head. He orders one anyway. Blaine makes it, slides it across the bar. When Blaine turns away, the guy pours something in her drink.”