Book 2 Chapter 66: Spreading to Fill it Like Roots
Dantes walked around the workers, watching as the ground was cleared and they started to mark where the new building would go. With all of the fires, explosions, and deaths in midtown and the docks, he’d been able to buy up the site of the now destroyed Vivacious Vixen, as well as several of the other buildings next to it. Vera walked with him, holding onto his arm as they surveyed the site.
“I just think a glass ceiling and dirt floors in part of the building doesn’t send the right kind of message to clients,” she said as they walked.
“I’m fairly certain voyeurism and getting dirty are two things your clients are very explicitly looking for, Auntie.”
“Yes, but they want the illusion of class and decorum. That’s what helped the Vixen move from being just another whorehouse serving any man that could rub two coppers together into the kind of place that can serve captains, merchants, and officers.”
“It’ll only be in the back part of the building, less than a quarter of the whole structure. I need a place to sleep and do business, Auntie. I’m fine with building my own place separate from yours if that’s what you’d prefer.”
She sighed. “No. The kind of people you bring in will be good for business too. Besides, I want to be able to keep an eye on you.”
“And I want to be able to keep an eye on you as well. So this works out well for both of us.” He paused to pick up a small wildflower by the root that was in the path of a worker with a shovel and tuck it carefully into his pocket. “Did you pass my messages to the girls?”
“Yes. Not all of them are willing to come back, but most will. They appreciate the gold though. Alessa was particularly happy about the offer you made her.”
“Good. I thought she’d like that.”