After a sleepless night, Jake went to Tony’s apartment at the club. It was weird; Tony only ever did his female entertaining at the nightclub, he never took women to the casino apartment. He watched as Tony went through his usual ritual of getting rid of the woman he had spent the night with. Jake was surprised to find that it wasn’t Roxy.

Tony kissed the woman quickly on the lips and shut the door behind her. Jake had to grin to himself; who said romance was dead! Still, those women knew there was no future in anything with Tony; what they did was entirely their choice. Then it struck him that was exactly what Ashley had said last night. These gay guys were consenting adults and it was their choice.

‘What happened with Roxy? I thought you were going to spend the night with her.’

Tony poured two mugs of coffee and smiled. ‘I did, for an hour or two, and then Tracey telephoned me for a chat. You know I’m never one to miss a golden opportunity.’

‘You randy old sod, one day that thing of yours will go on strike or drop off, believe me.’

‘Just not last night, eh, Jake. Right, what is it? It’s early, you knew I was entertaining, and yet you’re here with a look on your face that spells trouble.’ Tony was dressed in his white towelling bathrobe. He sat at the breakfast bar and took a sip of his coffee, waiting for Jake to speak.

‘I wanted to tell you last night, but you were busy,’ Jake said, then he took a deep breath and started to fill Tony in on everything he had discussed with Ashley. Tony sat drinking his coffee and said nothing, he just watched Jake’s distressed face as he explained what the men’s club was known for. ‘What do you think, Tony?’ he said, when he’d finished.

Tony put his mug down, picked up the coffee pot and poured himself a refill, then offered some to Jake. ‘I knew there was something. Ashley was far too quick off the trigger asking to host male striptease nights. Remember, I’ve been in prison, Jake, I do know that kind of stuff goes on.’

‘So, you’re okay with it.’ Jake’s nerves were frazzled. He had been worried all night, expecting Tony to fly off the handle and close the club.

‘Well, not okay, exactly, but that’s life. Those guys are paying a lot of money for their membership and their guests are buying drinks, and hoping to get on Mathers’ reserve listings. He’ll keep everything in order; I trust him. Money is money, and they are paying well for the privilege. Also, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. These men may not accept me or my lifestyle, but they’ll come around if they think I know their little secrets. Blackmail is an ugly word, but very useful in business.’ Tony smiled and raised his mug. He walked away and went to the bathroom to shower.