BLOOD TIES (Decklan Jennings Thriller Book 1) by Philip Duncan (book recommendations for young adults txt) 📕

were hoping to see Vladimir, or someone they thought might be Vladimir. They didn't actually know for sure if the older gentleman they saw the other day at the house was him or not, but they assumed as much.

We should have asked what he looked like before blowing the guy’s head off, Decklan thought.

“Do you see anyone that could be our guy?” Langley asked.

“No, nothing yet,” Decklan replied.

They decided to walk around rather than just standing at the bar, staring like a couple of creeps. As they were making their way through the main floor, they had three different half-naked women come up to them asking for a dance.

They both politely brushed them off and kept moving. Then another girl came up, but this time only to Decklan.

“Hey handsome. Can I buy you a drink?” she asked.

“No thanks. I have one already,” he replied, holding up his untouched whiskey.

“How about a private show?” she said.

Decklan looked at Langley, not exactly sure what she meant, but he nodded his head, indicating for him to go with her. Langley leaned over to Decklan and whispered, “Go with her and see if you can find out anything about our guy. See if she knows him or possibly who his favorite girl is.”

Decklan hated this plan, and in any other situation, he would turn around and run straight for the exit. His wife was dead, but he still felt like he was somehow cheating on her. This left a gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of his stomach. The only feeling worse than this was the feeling of not knowing who was responsible for killing his family. Against his better judgment, he agreed. The attractive woman grabbed his hand and led him through the crowd and into a hallway behind the stage. There were several doors, all shut, which meant there were other girls inside entertaining privately.

They entered the only room open and she instructed him to sit on the couch while playfully pushing him down. The lights were off, but the room was not dark. It had a neon glow that was coming from the ceiling. The girl started to dance and Decklan tried his best not to look, but he had to look somewhat interested so he could get some answers.

“You like what you see, handsome?” the girl asked.

Decklan nodded.

I need to get some answers now so I can get the hell out of here.

“Can I ask you some questions?” he finally said, cautiously.

“Of course, baby, whatever you want.”

He couldn't believe this shit worked on guys. It was clearly rehearsed and disingenuous. Nothing about this was a turn-on for him. Not even a now completely naked girl. Any girl that wasn’t his wife did nothing for him.

“Have you ever seen a Russian guy in here before? Goes by the name Vladimir,” he asked. “Possibly an older gentleman?”

“Oh sure, I know who that is, but he has his own girl. I’ve never met him before, only seen him.”

“Who's his girl?”

“Candy.”

“Is Candy working tonight?”

“She's working the room next door.”

“With Vladimir?”

“That's right, baby. Why do you want to know so bad?”

“He's an old friend, and I heard he was in town and wanted to catch up.”

“How sweet,” she said, continuing to dance.

“Do you know if he ever brings anybody with him when he comes in?”

“You mean like friends?” she asked.

“Sure,” he replied.

“Yeah, he usually comes in with about four or five other guys.”

“Where does he go after he's done with Candy?”

“To his private table in the corner next to the main stage,” she replied.

Decklan figured he got all the information he needed and was ready for this little show to end. He tried standing up but the girl playfully pushed him back down.

“The show isn’t over yet, sweetheart,” she said. “I have one last surprise for you.”

He couldn't imagine what it could be, considering she had no more clothes to take off. So he waited patiently to see what it was. She started working her way down his body, placing herself in between his legs. She went for his belt, trying to unbuckle it, but he’d had enough. He jumped to his feet, accidentally knocking the girl backwards.

“What the hell?” she yelled. “Something wrong with me?”

“I'm sorry. I just don't feel comfortable with all of this. I have a wife. I shouldn't be in here with you. I shouldn't be here at all. Here, take the money,” he said as he pulled out a stack of cash from his wallet. “I don't know how much you normally get paid, so just take it all.”

She took the money and stepped out of his way, allowing him to make a beeline for the door. Once outside, he felt like he could finally breathe. Being in that room with someone other than his wife made him feel like he was suffocating. He quickly made his way back to Langley so he could relay the information.

At least something good came from all that, he thought to himself.

“Jesus, Decklan, are you all right?” Langley asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.”

“I'm fine. I got what we need,” Decklan replied.

“Great. What’d she’d tell you?”

“He's here right now,” Decklan replied. “He's in one of the private rooms with his girl Candy.”

“Shit. Nice work,” Langley said. “Did you find out if he's the same guy we saw the other night?”

Decklan took a moment to try and gather himself, as his heart was still racing like a derby horse making the final turn.

“I don't know for sure, but I know what room he's in so we will be able to confirm once he comes out.”

“Great work,” Langley said. “Wait right here. I need another drink.”

Decklan sat down at the table by himself, waiting on Langley to get back, when out of nowhere he heard a quiet voice directly behind him. “I heard you were looking for Vladimir.”

His heart immediately dropped from his chest down through the floor. The stripper must have told someone I was asking questions, he thought.

He turned around slowly