I feel strangely nervous as I step into Luciano’s. I’m not sure why, since Mack is one of my closest friends, but there’s something about this whole thing that has me on edge. The hostess points me to a private booth in the back corner, away from the normal lunch crowd.
I slide into the booth across from Mack. “Didn’t think you’d show,” he says.
“I keep my appointments.” He grins and we shake hands.
Mack has that young boyish charm about him. His beard is close cropped and trimmed, and he always looks very put together. I remember when he first got started, the guy couldn’t wear anything but sweatshirts and jeans. Now he’s in a three-piece suit with an expensive watch. It’s almost like that programmer punk from back in the day doesn’t exist anymore.
I’ve changed over the years, too. I’m just as driven as I once was, but all my youthful naiveté has been beaten out of me. You don’t get this far in business without learning how the world works and how to master it. That inevitably changes a man.
“So, what’s good here?” I ask him.
“The martinis.” He grins.
“Can’t. I have work to do.”
“I bet. All the more reason.” Mack signals at the waitress and she brings over two drinks, obviously already prepared.
I sigh and take mine, thanking her, and take a sip. It’s a good martini, and I can’t help but wonder why Mack is buttering me up.
“Okay, Ethan,” he says. “Before you yell at me, just listen.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I wasn’t going to yell.”
“You have that look.”
“What look?”
“You know the one.” He smirks at me. “It’s the ‘I’m a disappointed CEO’ look. Doesn’t work on me, but it can be fucking intimidating anyway.”
“Didn’t know I had a look,” I say, laughing. “But go ahead. Give me your pitch.”
He leans toward me, getting serious all of a sudden. “The pitch is simple. You won’t be disappointed.”
I raise an eyebrow. “That’s it?”
He nods. “That’s it. If you do this thing, you won’t be disappointed.”
“I’m a little disappointed right now. I expected some kind of hard sell.”
“I don’t need to,” he says, shrugging. “Truth is, you’re lucky to get invited.”
“Lucky?” I give him a look. “I don’t need to pay for pussy, you know.”
“Oh, I know that.” He sips his martini and eyes me. “But that’s not what we’re talking about.”
I pause, not sure what he means. “The text said an auction,” I say.
“It’s an auction and it’s for women, but it’s not just for pussy.”
“What else to they do?” I ask. “Clean your house?”
“Maybe,” he says, a serious look on his face. “Truth is, man, they’ll do whatever you want. For as long as you’re paying. And these girls, they’re beautiful. Untouched. Unspoiled. They’re not a bunch of old pros. They’re... special.”
I can’t help but laugh and shake my head. He’s talking like he’s in love with these girls or something. They’re still just people, just women, and I can’t imagine that they’re anything amazing.
I have to admit, I was picturing a bunch of old and used-up hookers, but that’s probably not fair. High-end escorts tend to be young and beautiful. But he’s making it sound like these are real virgins or something like that.
“Have you gone?” I ask him.
“Absolutely.”
“Why?” I ask, mystified. “You don’t have trouble bringing women home.”
“It’s hard to explain,” he says softly. “When you buy these girls... you own them. It’s like every fantasy you’ve ever had all rolled into one, and you get them for as long as you want them.”
“I don’t have time to buy anyone,” I say, laughing again, although Mack doesn’t find it funny. “This just isn’t the time.”
“This is the perfect time. Whoever you bring home will be there, in your house, waiting for you. If you don’t touch her, that’s your choice, and it won’t matter. This is no work, no fuss, no bullshit. Just an attractive companion that’s down for anything.”
I have to admit, he’s making it sound enticing. Maybe it’s the martini, but I do like the idea of a beautiful woman waiting for me to come home, ready to be dominated and willing to do whatever I ask of her.
I finish my martini in one quick motion. “Last question. This Syndicate. Are they dangerous?”