Sinister in the Moonlight

SINISTER IN THE MOONLIGHT HALE SYNDICATE BOOK THREE TRINA M. LEE Copyright © 2023 by Trina M. Lee All rights reserved. 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 as permitted by U.S. copyright law. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred. Book Cover by Marvin Lee Cover Design. 1st edition 2023 CHAPTER ONE MAVEN “How about a round of lap dances? My treat. Which girl do you like best?” I sat back in my seat, barely stifling an eye roll. It was bad enough that the guys we were meeting tonight had chosen a strip club to conduct their business. Now they wanted to supply lap dances. I had no problem with men enjoying this type of thing or women choosing to dance. However, we’d come to do business, not ogle women like total perverts with nothing better to do on a Saturday night. The nightclub was loud with music and mostly male voices. I sat there with my elbow propped on the table, my chin in my hand as I surveyed our surroundings. As far as strip clubs went, it wasn’t the nicest of places. Our new business partners had chosen the location for this meeting. They were the top men in a group that trafficked illegal goods like drugs, weapons, and stolen objects. They’d worked with Archer. Now they were working with us. Like many of Donovan Archer’s former clients, these guys had chosen to cut ties with what remained of the Archer empire. Smart choice. Ace, Ruthless, and I had come to work out the details. Having them run our goods around the city, and even the country, helped take some of the heat off our people. The authorities had been doing their best to find a way to bring us down since Donovan Archer turned up dead. They still had Maddox. This very moment he sat in a jail cell waiting for us to find a way to bring him home. Wolfe was working around the clock to make that happen. As far as we knew, they wouldn’t be able to keep Maddox much longer. Not without some real evidence, which they had none. Of course they had no evidence that he’d killed Donovan Archer. Because he hadn’t. I killed Donovan. Maddox hadn’t been able to deliver my enemy to me like he’d always wanted to. Instead, he took my place in a jail cell. If that didn’t say love, I didn’t know what did. In the four days since Maddox was arrested, I’d been slowly unraveling. The memory of watching them drag him out of the house had played over and over in my head. Every night I stared at the bedroom ceiling, seeing it on repeat. I needed Maddox home. I wouldn’t be able to relax until he was back. “That really won’t be necessary.” Ace held up a hand to politely decline the lap dance offer. “We have to be at another meeting soon.” Ace flashed a brilliant smile that charmed any and all people in its path. It did nothing to deter these guys from buying a round of lap dances. “Nah, fuck that.” The loud mouthed spokesman for their group of four waved away Ace’s refusal. He puffed on a cigar, his greasy hair shining in the dim club light. “Let me buy you a dance. To seal the deal. It’s tradition.” This time I did roll my eyes. Tradition. Why did I come along again? Oh right. Ace had deemed me unable to stay home alone. Not that I’d really be alone. The property was packed with Hale Syndicate security people. Wolfe was at a meeting with his judge friend to talk about Maddox. Since I’d been a moody wreck lately, Ace had refused to leave me behind. “What about you, sweetheart?” The spokesman, Roy, turned his toothless smile on me. “Are you interested in having one of these beauties rub all over you?” I held up a hand and shook my head. I fucking hated being called sweetheart. “As much as I appreciate the offer, I’ll have to pass. Thanks anyway.” While Ruthless mumbled something about having to take off in a few minutes, I waved over a server and ordered three tequila shots. I wasn’t usually one to drown my sorrows in alcohol, but in the past few days I’d imbibed more than a little. Before leaving the house I’d poured a long island iced tea strong enough to peel paint off the walls. I wasn’t coping well, and I knew that. I just didn’t care. Roy pulled a wad of cash from a pocket, waving it above his head. It didn’t take long for a few dancers to find their way to our table. Right away a blonde dancer gravitated to Ace, sliding onto his lap without invitation. She thrust her barely covered tits in his face and giggled. “Aren’t you a cutie?” she gushed, booping the end of Ace’s nose. “I’m going to make you come in your pants, handsome.” Gag me. Ace held both hands out at his sides, doing all he could not to touch her. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, but that’s really not necessary. I’m sure Roy would love it though.” With a bark of laughter, Roy grabbed a sexy redhead around the waist and pulled her close, breathing her in with a lecherous sigh. “It’s my treat, Ace. Enjoy. I’m sure your lady won’t mind. It’s all in fun.” Ace met my gaze, his blue eyes filled with unspoken apologies. I shrugged. The idea of my guys at a strip club enjoying the show didn’t bother me. The blonde brazenly rubbing her hands all over my man did bother