"Security has held strong since the incident," Carter starts, his voice level."The extra patrols out front, the tightened entrance process.It's made a difference.There have been minimal questions from members as well."
Hunter nods, arms crossed over his chest."No new threats either.If anything, the street's gotten quieter."
Ridge chuckles low."Funny thing, some of the business owners down the block thought we were being targeted.When they saw the extra presence, they assumed it was something major.Called to ask if we were okay."
"It freaked them out," Mase adds."But then they realized the foot traffic increased from people walking to the main road to grab a ride or park in overflow parking.More eyes on their stores have made them money."
I smirk."A happy accident.But we can't count on luck again."
Cade lifts a brow."You got a plan?"
Ridge speaks before I do."We can't afford another close call.Even if the added security helped public perception, the last thing we need is complacency.I'm suggesting a few things.I think we need a software upgrade.A buddy of mine showed me a program that will take the security footage and catalogue the vehicles.Then it will keep a database of cars, who they belong to, and how often they appear.We can link the cars to members via the database and card swipes, allowing us to pinpoint easily any vehicle that shouldn't be in the area."
"Something like that is possible?"Hunter asks.
"Yeah, I've seen the model at work," I say."I also think we need to keep security on foot in the parking area.Keeps the traffic moving and prevents loitering.Makes us less of a sitting target."
Troy rubs his jaw."We'll rotate shifts.Make sure no one's burning out."
Carter nods, making notes."We'll need to make it look seamless.Not like we're running a fortress.Ridge, can you get us the info on the software?"
"Yep, I will call on it first thing in the morning," he says, scribbling notes on the legal pad in front of him.
We spend another ten minutes discussing logistics, deployment rotations, and shifts.Not anything fun, but necessary.
"And on a different note," I say, flipping to another page in my notebook."Outreach."
"We talking about the community education piece?"Mase asks.
"Yeah," I nod."Pink has agreed to do a talk next week at the university.Not a Club Red promo.This is about safe kink, healthy boundaries, and consent.It's a way to open the discussion about adding in the BDSM curriculum I've been working on."
Hunter whistles."She agreed?"
"After some convincing," I say, smirking."But it's a foot in the door.We've talked about this forever.About making the lifestyle less taboo.Pink's got experience and presence, so she’s the right voice.Having a man, one of us, speak to a bunch of women is too intimidating, but bringing Pink in will open the conversation."
Sawyer taps a pen on the table."How public is it?"
"It's a closed event.We're keeping it female students only, and they have to sign up ahead of time so we can do a basic background check on them.We aren't allowing cameras or students with any kind of disciplinary actions on file.But if it goes well, we could make it a bigger event.One step at a time," I say.
Everyone nods.Ridge leans forward."It's a good move.We've got enough shadows in our pasts.Showing the public we value safety and education might shift how they see us."
"Exactly," I say."We're more than leather and blindfolds.We're a community.Plus, classes like this could increase our member count.I was thinking of offering some kind of incentive to check out Club Red.They would have to take a one-on-one with Pink, and if she thinks they are a good fit, bring them in as a guest to see it, then offer a special membership price.We all know if more women are here, the men will follow."
There's a pause.A shared look passes around the table.This place saved a lot of us.And now we're finally doing more than just protecting it.We're growing it.They all agree with the method and want more details on how it goes.
As the meeting wraps, Carter claps me on the back."Good work, man.The outreach idea… that's big."
"Thanks," I say, shrugging on my coat."It's about time."
He lingers after the others file out.Carter leans against the edge of the table, arms folded."You good?You've been different lately."
I meet his eyes."Skye."
He nods slowly."Yeah.Thought so."
"It's not just a fling, and she's not some distraction.I'm in.All the way."
Carter studies me."You're taking risks, but I get it.She's different, and one of the good ones.She makes you want to do things right.Even if it's hard."