Had to admit the place looked great. The newly remodeled VIP section of The Notch Room was a winner. Upscale design that made you feel okay spending thousands but not so tasteful that it felt weird to have bare tits in your face all night. Set on the balcony above the main floor, the area offered some privacy without sacrificing the view to the main floor, where beautiful women danced gracefully around the poles, their bodies moving in synch to the hypnotic beat of the music. And allowed space for the dedicated dancers up here. The best-looking girls in the place reserved for the biggest spenders, of course.
“Marcus, you really know how to pick a place,” Jonathan Ware said with a sly grin as he leaned back on the luxurious sofa, his eyes scanning the parade of naked flesh before us. Of course, the asshole was bragging about his own club. He probably thought he’d invented the idea of having sexy women take their clothes off and dance for horny men. I clenched my jaw, trying to maintain my composure. This would normally be my favorite kind of business meeting, but having to deal with Jonathan sucked all the pleasure out of it.
“Can we just get this over with?” I asked tersely, my gaze fixed on the dancer closest to us. Her skin shimmered under the strobe lights as she undulated her hips, her ample breasts swaying invitingly. She turned her attention towards me, her eyes locked onto mine as she licked her lips seductively.
“Aw, don’t be so uptight,” Ware said, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves, right?” He gestured to the woman who was now sauntering towards me with a sultry smile playing on her lips.
“Hey there, big guy,” she purred, her fingertips brushing against my arm. “Wanna have some fun tonight?” Normally, I’d be more than happy to indulge, but with Jonathan leering at me, my libido and interest were below zero.
“Maybe later,” I muttered, my eyes still locked on the mesmerizing dance across from us. The eager dancer looked disappointed but moved away, her hips swaying enticingly as she went. I forced myself to focus on why I was here – this meeting with Jonathan was a necessary evil, and I’d be damned if I let him get the best of me.
My buddy Tommy finally arrived, climbing the stairs with a bottle of booze in hand. “Whiskey for the table,” he announced gruffly, setting it down with a thud.
Ware raised an eyebrow and scoffed, “Really? That’s your choice?” He snatched the bottle away, examining the label with disdain. “I’ll get us something better,” he said.
“Where the hell have you been?” I asked as Tommy sank down next to me, his eyes locked on the dancers.
“Had some shit to take care of this afternoon. Time got away from me. Did you miss me, Marcus?”
I chuckled. “Never, asshole.”
Tommy leaned over so I could hear him better. “Good, then mind your business. Hey, what was wrong with the whiskey?”
“Nothing,” I replied, my eyes following Jonathan’s retreating figure. “He just likes to show off.”
“Is that why I’m here? So you’re not alone with that guy? He seems harmless enough.”
“Ware is everything I hate,” I admitted, clenching my fists. “Grew up rich and spoiled, never had to work for anything, thinks he’s better and smarter than everyone else.” I sighed, trying to rein in my anger. “But I don’t have a choice. He’s the ticket to the real money in the city. He’s the one who can connect me to next level people who would never associate with someone like me – someone who grew up poor and hungry, having to fight just to stay alive.”
Tommy nodded, understanding my frustration. “Don’t forget, you’ve come a long way from that life. You’re not that desperate kid anymore.”
“I know,” I replied, my jaw set. “But I’ll never forget where I came from. It’s what keeps me going – striving, never giving up or giving an inch.”
“Right,” Tommy agreed. “You’ve built something for yourself. Some pompous prick isn’t going to stop you from getting what you want.”
“Damn right,” I growled, my fingers itching to punch something – preferably Ware’s smug face. But that wouldn’t solve anything, so I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the scantily clad women around us instead.
As if sensing my attempt to distract myself, one of the strippers sashayed over to Tommy, her hips swaying seductively. She had long, raven hair that cascaded down her back, and a body that nature never intended, but I could certainly appreciate. With a sultry smile, she climbed onto Tommy’s lap and began writhing rhythmically.
My man was definitely having a good time. He let out a low chuckle as she whispered something into his ear that made his cheeks flush. “Marcus, you’re missing out,” he said, grinning at me. “Join the fun.”
“Hard to enjoy myself when I’m surrounded by snakes,” I groused, dreading Ware’s return to the table.
“Or maybe it’s not the snakes that are bothering you,” Tommy teased, his eyes narrowing. “Perhaps it’s a certain young woman who isn’t currently speaking to you that’s occupying your mind?”
My eyes snapped to his, annoyance flaring up inside me. “That’s none of your fucking business,” I hissed, my knuckles turning white as I clenched my fists.
“Hey,” Tommy raised his hands defensively. “I’m just saying, with everything going on, it might help to clear the air with her.”
“Maybe,” I conceded, my anger subsiding a little as I considered his words. It was true that I couldn’t stop thinking about Olivia. The thought of her continued silence weighed heavily on my mind, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
“Look,” Tommy said, his voice softer now. “All I’m saying is that life is too short for bullshit, Marcus. If there’s something you need to say to her, then say it. You never know what tomorrow will bring.”
“Fine,” I grumbled, unwilling to admit that Tommy had a point. “I’m just impatient. I’m waiting to hear how the raid I ordered went.”
“Raid?” Tommy asked, eyebrows raised. “Why are you so concerned? You’ve got a great team working for you, man. The whole point of getting off the streets and into management was to let other people worry about the down and dirty details.”
“True. But sometimes I miss the days when it was just the two of us out there fighting together, earning everything through our direct actions.” My mind filled with memories of bloodied knuckles, adrenaline-fueled nights, and the wild satisfaction of victory.
Tommy chuckled. “Yeah, those days were fun. But sitting in a leather booth with a pair of giant tits in my face is definitely better.” He grinned at me, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Can’t argue with that,” I agreed, allowing myself a small smile as we shared a laugh.
As if on cue, another stripper began to touch me, her slender fingers trailing down my arm. I waved her off, my patience wearing thin. She pouted but quickly joined her friend entertaining Tommy, who seemed more than happy to add another person to the party in his lap.
Just then, Ware stomped up the stairs. He didn’t have a bottle of booze, but he was clearly furious. “Get out of my club, Marcus,” he snarled, his eyes boring into mine. “Take your friend with you.”
“Excuse me?” I replied, barely controlling my hatred for the man. “Who the fuck you talking to like that?”
All of the girls scattered, leaving us to argue.
“I’m talking to you, a piece of gutter trash playing games.”
I stood, shoulders flexing, ready to shut him up forever. “You’re about to learn exactly what I really am, Ware.” Rage was rising in me too quickly to control.
“Oh, I know what you are. A jumped up street thug with an army of idiots working for him. Did you think I wouldn’t find out that your guys destroyed a huge shipment that one of my clients had been waiting for for months? I’m not as stupid as you,” he spat, his voice dripping with contempt.
Genuine confusion managed to calm my temper a tiny bit. “What? I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. I don’t fuck with other people’s product.”
“Yeah, okay,” Jonathan snapped, clearly not believing me. “I’m sure it was just a coincidence. Get out before it gets ugly in here.”
When I replied, my voice was low and dangerous. “But if you think I’m going to take this shit from you, you’re wrong. No one threatens me, Ware.”
“Thirty seconds, Marcus,” he sneered, ignoring my warning. “And if I don’t get the money for that shipment within twenty-four hours, everyone in this city will know what happened.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind? That would be a declaration of war.” My temper flared, but Jonathan merely stared at me, his eyes cold and unyielding.
As we exited the club, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, and it had everything to do with me. And as much as I wanted to focus on Olivia, I knew I had bigger problems to deal with first.
“Fine, you don’t believe me?” I bit back, my voice low and dangerous. “But if you think I’m going to take this shit from you, you’re wrong. You can’t threaten me, Jonathan.”
“Thirty seconds, Marcus,” he sneered, ignoring my warning. “And if I don’t get the money for that shipment within twenty-four hours, everyone in this city will know what happened.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind? That would be a declaration of war.” My temper flared, but Jonathan merely stared at me, his eyes cold and unyielding.
“Times up,” Tommy interjected, placing a hand on my shoulder. He was right; it was time to leave before things got worse.
I clenched my jaw and shot a final cold look at Ware before starting down the stairs, Tommy following close behind. As we walked out of the strip club, my rage simmered beneath the surface, tensing every muscle in my body.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath as we reached the parking lot. “I hate that smug son of a bitch. But I don’t believe he’d lie about something like this, not when it could cause so much trouble.”
“Neither do I,” Tommy admitted. “But you need to cool off, man. Go home, clear your head.”
“Tommy, you go on home too,” I said. “I don’t want you wrapped up in this any more than you already are.”
“Don’t order me around. I don’t work for you, dickhead,” he replied. “But I’ll take it as good advice because my dick is hard as granite and you’re certainly not going to suck it dry for me.” Tommy laughed and gave me a nod before walking away.
I got into my car and drove back to Desire, speeding the whole way and not caring one bit. I roared into the parking lot in minutes, cutting through the darkness like a predator hunting its prey, wildly wheeling around to the staff area in back. My hands gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity, and I could feel the heat of my rage radiating off my body.
As I stepped out of the car, one of the guards approached, opening his mouth to say something that was sure to annoy me even more. “Not now!” I barked, my voice dripping with venom as I shoved past him to go inside.
I stormed through the back of the building, my footsteps echoing against the polished floors, and slammed the door to my office shut behind me as I hit a number on my cell.
“Benjamin,” I growled into the phone when he picked up, my patience wearing thin. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Oh, I was just about to call you. Wait, how’d you find out about the missing guys?” my head of security asked, his voice tight with anxiety.
“Missing guys? What the hell are you talking about?” The confusion only made my anger burn hotter. My fists clenched at my sides.
“The men we sent to on the raid. Enzo’s team. They’ve all disappeared.”
“Fuck.” My mind reeled. Enzo was one of my most experienced street guys. He and his guys were super solid and reliable. For the first time in a long time, genuine worry began to creep in. “Someone stole from Jonathan Ware, and he’s blaming me for it. This can’t be a fucking coincidence.” I paced the small confines of my office, the walls closing in on me.
“Marcus, listen to me,” Benjamin said, his voice steady despite the turmoil we found ourselves in. “I’m five minutes away. We’ll talk more when I get there, alright?”
“Fine. Just… hurry up.” I hung up the phone, my thoughts racing faster than my heart could keep up.
Stepping out of my office, I surveyed the club. Staff were finishing final preparations to open. There was already a line out front. But with everything going on, I couldn’t risk having them here. “Listen up!” I shouted over the din, drawing their attention. “Club Desire is closed until further notice. You’ll still get paid your hourly wages and tips, but go home.”
Their faces showed a mix of confusion and concern, but they nodded in understanding, filing out of the club one by one. It would cost me a fortune, but keeping them safe and loyal was more important right now.
By the time Benjamin arrived, I was standing at the empty main bar, my hands gripping the edge like it was the only thing keeping me from losing control.
“Tequila?” Benjamin quirked an eyebrow, gesturing to the row of bottles. I nodded. He poured, and we shared a series of quick shots, the burn in my throat doing little to soothe the storm raging inside me.
“Alright,” he said, setting down his shot glass with a sharp clack. “I was thinking about this on the way over and we need to slow things down. We need time to find out what exactly is happening.”
“Time? I don’t have fucking time, Ben!” The words hissed out between clenched teeth, but Benjamin didn’t flinch.
“Marcus, I know you don’t enjoy waiting around and doing nothing. But you need to lie low for a bit. Whatever’s happening is focused on you. Having you run around interrogating people is only going to make it worse. We can’t bust heads if we don’t know who did what. Any mistakes right now will only make this situation worse.”
I hated to admit that he was right, but begrudgingly nodded. “Fine. So, what do you suggest?”
“Give me twelve hours,” Benjamin said, his eyes serious. “I’ll figure out what I can, then we’ll meet again and make a plan. Even if that means going to war with everyone in the city.”
“War…” The word felt heavy on my tongue, but I agreed, feeling tired and fed up with everything spiraling out of control. But sitting around and doing nothing wasn’t in my nature. I needed something else to focus on, something – or someone – who could take my mind off the chaos.
“Marcus…” Benjamin’s voice was cautious, but I waved him off.
“Go do what you need to do, Ben. I’ll handle my own shit.”
“You got it, boss. I’ll talk to you soon.”
With that, he left, the weight of his words settling on my shoulders as I stared at my phone. “Fuck it,” I muttered, pressing call and holding my breath, desperate for a miracle.