Chapter 15

 

I walk out of my room feeling like a complete ass. The guys laugh as I make my way into the main room. Adjusting the jacket on my tux, they all laugh at me. Assholes.

“Laugh it up. You know I’m the only one that could pull this shit off.”

“You look good, Roc.” Amber, one of the other club girls smiles up at me.

“Thanks, darlin’.” I give her a wink before I head toward the door.

“You sure you can handle this shit?” Ghost says as he steps up next to me, his hand landing on my shoulder.

“It’s just like any other time, right?” I ask, knowing that if anyone would know, it would be him. Ghost just shrugs his shoulders.

“I suppose. I’ve only done it once, not my ideal job.” His voice has lowered. I’ve heard about that; it was rough on him. I was away on a run but when I came back, he looked like hell.

“If you don’t think you can, call me. I’ll step in. You have a good heart, Roc.” Ghost says.

“I got this. Thanks, though.” Climbing in the truck, Ghost holds the door open.

“I mean it, Roc.” I know he does.

“I know, brother.” He nods his head before closing the door. I put the truck in drive. I’m far too aware of my emotions right now. I’ve never liked to feel so much all at once. I try to suppress it all, but it just bubbles to the surface. Killing a woman was never in my job description. The whole drive I’m lost in my own head. It’s not a good place for me to be right now. I pull the truck into the parking lot. The same thought goes through my head over and over again.

“Just this once. He’ll be gone after that.” I look at myself in the mirror and I’m almost afraid of what I see. The man in front of me would have never let himself get caught up in this mess to begin with, let alone think about killing a woman. I owe the club, though. He knows too much. If I don’t do this, I’ll be putting everyone in danger. I can’t have anything happen to any of them for my fuck ups.

I climb out of the truck and make my way up the stairs. There are so many high-class people here that it makes my skin crawl. I don’t deal well with these types of people. I suck in a breath when I step into the overly bright ballroom. This is just way over the top for me.

I grab the first available drink I can find, and take it down in one gulp. Looking around the room, I recognize a lot of the people here. They wouldn’t know me, but I sure as hell know them.The mayor of this piece of shit city, the police chief. They're all here pretending that nothing is happening outside the walls of this building.

“You clean up nicely. What are you doing here?” My eyes widen when I hear her voice. Turning slowly, I lock eyes with the girl that has managed to steal a part of me.

“What are you doin’ here?” We both look at each other waiting for the other to respond.

“My dad’s here. I sort of had to show up.” I nod my head. That must be what she was doing the other day in town when I saw her.

“Yeah, I know one of the guy’s that’s runnin’ it.” Aria smiles brightly as she holds her hand out to me.

“Well, since you’re here, and looking amazing in that tux, dance with me.” How could I say no? Her long black dress hugs every curve of her body. Even in her heels she’s shorter than I am, but I love it. I love being in control of her. I pull her body closely to mine before leaning down to whisper in her ear.

“I hope I’ll be peelin’ this off you later.” I don’t miss the shudder that rolls over her body. 

***

Having her this close to me is perfect.

“You look pretty sexy in this tux. Where did you steal it?” Aria giggles before looking up at me.

“I can look hot in a tux without stealin’ it, babe,” I say, smiling down at her as we move to the music. I feel someone tap me on the shoulder. I turn around, not happy to see Tomlin already.

“Rocland. Good to see you.” Too bad I can’t say the same to him.

“Dad?” Wait, what? What the hell did she just say? I glance to the left to see Aria looking up at the man that has made my life a living hell for the last ten years.

“Dad?” I question her. She smiles but looks confused.

“Roc, this is my dad, Martin. Do you guys know each other?” My heart slams into my ribs. My stomach churns.

“I need some air.” Aria tries to grab my arm but I shake it off. I need to get the hell out of here. I walk quickly out the side door and onto the balcony. Pulling in deep lungsful of air, I steady myself on the ledge.

“Since you two have already been acquainted, it should be easy,” He says. He knew. This whole Goddamn time, he knew. Why does that not surprise me? Why does it not surprise me that he knew?

Rage filters through my body much like the blood in my veins. I turn slowly to face him, my hands clenched so tightly, I feel my arms knot up.

“You knew this whole time.” It wasn’t a question.

“I did. Did you think there was anything I didn’t know? Never doubt me, Rocland. I expect it to be finished tonight,” He says calmly. Too calmly. I snap. I lose it. I swing, slamming my fist into his face. He falls to the ground, before I take a step toward him.

“Roc!” Aria screams before she drops to her father’s side, checking his face. What do I do now? How do I make this work? I can’t kill her. I won’t kill her.

“I’m ok, Aria. Your friend and I had a disagreement. No harm done.” Tomlin pulls himself off the ground, blood running from his lip. My eyes dart around, trying to figure out how to handle this. Tomlin says something to Aria before walking back inside. Her hands slam into my chest before I realize that she’s even that close.

“What the hell are you doing!” She screams. Another shove. My mind is a whirling tornado.

“Roc, answer me!” My eyes finally drop to Aria and I don’t know what to say.

“I need you to be calm with what I’m about to say to you. You can’t falter, even for a second.” I don’t want her to lose herself in front of all these people.

Aria stares at me in confusion. How do I tell her this?

“What is it, Roc?” Her voice has calmed slightly. Swallowing hard, I grab her shoulders.

“Your dad… Shit! Your dad hired me to…” I can’t finish it. I can’t tell her what he wants me to do.

“What? He hired you to what?”

“He hired me to kill you.” The words come out but Aria doesn’t look like she believes me. Her eyes wander around, stopping on her feet. She won’t look up at me.

“Why you?”  She asks a little too calm this time. This is fucked up.

“Can we talk about this somewhere else?” I suggest. Her head shoots up, her eyes searching my face. She can’t really believe that I would do it.

“Go, where?” She asks in a tone that is highly nervous. Shaking my head, I let out a laugh.

“You think I’d do it?” The accusing tone of my voice should tell her all she needs to know.

“Wouldn’t you? What did he pay you? He offer you a shit ton of money?” She nearly smiles. I can see just how pissed she is right now. I can’t believe the nerve of this girl.

“You’re jokin’ right?” I ask. I need to walk away. She is pushing me way too far over my breaking point.

“You know what, Aria. Fuck you! You have your head so far up that pretty little ass of yours, you can’t even see straight. I won’t fuckin’ touch you, but I sure as hell won’t leave you with that monster either!” I yell before grabbing her around the waist and tossing her little ass over my shoulder. I don’t give two shits that people are staring at me. I haul her ass straight to my truck and my feet don’t stop until I get there.

“You better put me down, Rocland.” Screaming my whole name does something to me. A growl rips from my throat as I drop her ass in the passenger seat of my truck.  I flick the child safety lock incase little miss smart ass decides to jump from the moving truck. I climb in the driver side as she laughs. It’s an evil laugh, too.

“Real mature with the child lock.” She spats. Grunting once, I don’t look over at her. “Are you going to say anything?” She asks. I look straight ahead. I can feel her eyes on me. She wants to push me; I know she does.

“You can’t ignore me forever, Roc.” Her tone is softer this time. Aria slides across the seat, her hand landing on my thigh. I tense instantly.

“You won’t win this.” I tell her firmly. I love her little huff. She throws herself back on to her side  of the truck as I haul ass to the clubhouse. Pulling my phone out, I dial Dragon.

“Need me already?” His chuckle doesn’t go unnoticed.

“We have a problem. Meet me in the lobby.”