“I’ll take another Glenfiddich.” My gruff voice gives away the anger and pent up frustration. “Actually, make it a double.”
“Yes, Mr. Raven.” The young, blonde-haired, thin girl behind the bar couldn’t be any more different to my curvaceous, dark-haired beauty. Sitting at my bar, in my resort, The Raven Resort and Casino, drowning away my heartbreak is the only logical thing I can think to do, while my family solves the disaster of my life. I’ve been here, on my allocated perch at the end of the black marble top bar, watching the passing customers now for over an hour. The whispers and quiet music blending together in my fuzzy head.
It’s 11pm. A Friday night. Five days since I have seen her or spoken to her. Each night I have finished work later and later. My interlude in the public restroom of The Italiano with Isla has wreaked more havoc on my manhood. I can’t have her whenever I want, or show everyone she is mine, or go anywhere near my family for fear of Sokolov’s men putting our secret puzzle together. I have to listen to my uncle and let The Family handle it. I can’t end the Russian’s life now, protecting her from the devil himself. I’m fucking useless.
Women eye me up and down from a distance. My head buried down low unless I take a mouthful of my poison. Making eye contact with these vultures is almost admitting to them you want to get in their panties. Not for me. I’m. Taken.
Fuck this for a joke, I have to get out of here and make this right. I can’t sit around here being a pansy ass. If I want him gone, I have to do it. Waiting time is over. Knocking back the remainder of my scotch, I rise from the leather stool and stride with purpose toward the doorway to my future. My eyes are like steel, no one would dare get in my way. I’m like a bull seeing red. It’s time to use my horns and gore this Russian’s ass.
“Hey, hold up, Alex.” My determined steps don’t stop, even though I know that coarse voice. Hands fall on top of my shoulders, stopping me in my tracks.
About to unleash fury, I raise my arm and turn, ready to punch the person who is stopping me from my mission.
“What the hell, Seth?” His large body jumps back before I swing and collect his unshaven face on the way through.
“Really man?” My arm abruptly falls to my side, blood still rapidly flowing through my veins. Quick breaths escape my mouth. Seth protectively puts his other broad arm out in front of another body. “We were coming to find you. See if you needed an escape for the night.” My eyes follow his to find an athletic, toned woman’s body. Looking from the waist up, I notice dark tattoos decorating her arms then her long brown hair, with striking red streaks running through it, falling over her sculptured shoulders.
“Alex, you remember Kameron?” Having the opportunity only to meet her a few times in the last month, I still remember her vividly as Isla’s cheeky friend. Taking a deep breath, “Of course. Kameron…” Pausing for a second to inhale another steadying breath, I smirk. “Nice to see you again.”
A slight laugh leaves her mouth. “You too.” I wonder if she has heard anything from Isla? I don’t know how much information Seth has told her about the situation, but I need to know everything or anything. No matter how small. I’m getting fed the barest of information. My mind is going to explode soon…
Searching her dark brown eyes, I ask, “Have you heard from Isla?”
A sideways glance to Seth has my hair standing up on the back of my neck. Fuck… Something’s wrong. Leading them both over to the side of the walkway so we attract less attention, my body turns toward Seth. A fierce tone erupts, “Seth, what the fuck is going on? Kameron…?”
“Isla’s been in touch with Kam. Let’s go down to The Basement, get a drink, and I’ll fill you in on the details.” Seth links his arm through Kameron’s and pulls her to walk in the direction of the lift. I guess if I want answers, I’m going to have to follow. Fuck…
Catching up to them, we take the lift down to my club, where I found Isla on her knees. It’s like it was forever ago… The music blasts, the lighting dim with flashes of bright strobe beams fall upon us. Unwavering and with purpose, I make my way, with Seth and Kameron in tow, to the private area I have reserved for me always. No one tries to stop us. Just curt nods to acknowledge they know who I am. I take a seat on the soft, black leather bench seats. Kameron and Seth sit opposite me. Seth lets Kameron first in the booth. The red round table is in between us. Eager to find out what is going on, I don’t wait.
“What the fuck’s going on?” My hand runs through my now messed up hair, trying to stop myself from jumping Seth and punching it out of him.
A chirpy voice invades my ears. “Good evening, sir. Can I get you all a drink?”
Slamming my fists on the table, I lower my head. “For fucks sake…”
I’m certain the young lady flinches, but I don’t care. Seth interrupts quickly, “Bring two whiskeys and a bourbon with lots of ice in a highball, please.” The waitress all but runs away, not taking the time to write it down. “Man… You need to chill. You will give yourself a heart attack if you keep going like this.” Seth sits there with his arms crossed. I raise my eyes to look at him. A slight grin casts upon his mouth. Kameron hasn’t moved a muscle, watching me behave like an ass. Or a man in love…
“Just tell me what the fuck is happening.” I lower my voice, albeit still loud due to the music thumping around us.
Seth finally starts. “There’s been a few developments.” Kameron places her hand on his thigh. Seth leans across and gives her a sweet kiss on the cheek.
Rearranging himself on the seat, Seth continues. “Kam spoke to Jules and found out that Dimitri will announce their engagement tomorrow night at a large function.”
My eyes glare at Seth. The effects of the adrenaline, fury at this statement, and alcohol flowing through my veins make my head want to explode. Sweat beads on my palms. “Motherfucker…” I reach for my whiskey that the young lady silently placed down and, with haste, ran off. “Why didn’t our men find this out?” I know he’s not the one to blame but what are uncle’s soldiers doing? “What the hell is uncle doing?” Standing up, my legs need to move. “Why are we learning this from you, Kam, and not from our guys?” Resting my two hands on the table, arms stretched, elbows locked, bracing myself like a rigid piece of wood, I rage, piercing the both of them with blazing heat.
A tremor takes over my skin, someone is running their nails along my back.
“Alex, darling…” Gripping my waist is a claw-like hand. “I’m so glad you’re here tonight. Let’s go dance your worries away. My room’s still available for afterward.” Her smooth voice repulses me more and more. I whip my head back to find Dede clad in a skanky tight-fitting peach dress, trying to wrap her other arm in front of my chest. A bright flash makes me look around, watching someone turn instantly the other way, blending in with the crowd down below.
Kameron stands, yelling, “Get your hands off him, bitch.” She tries to free herself from being in the booth. Seth stands so she can’t exit and since I’m on the other side of her, she’s not going anywhere.
Maybe I should let Kameron loose on my ex-one-night-stand that lasted longer than what it should have… This night is turning into one hell of a circus.
Wiggling and pushing, Kameron keeps her eyes on the hideous female next to me.
“Oh dear… You have it all wrong. Alex needs me to make him feel better on nights like tonight.” Touching my cheek, Dede leans in to take my mouth.
A glass shatters.
There’s a flash of red and black.
Strong patterned arms reach forward across me, hands stretched outward trying to clutch something…
“Get your filthy hands off him, you slut.” A groan rips through the air. With precision and speed, Kameron’s over the table pouncing on Dede like a predator. Long, strong fingers are around Dede’s neck within a millisecond. There’s a strangled shriek. Dede’s arms and legs are failing around trying to grab anything of Kameron’s to knock her hand away from her neck. Isla’s friend smacks Dede into the wall to the side of our table before Seth and I know what’s happening. Dede’s leg smacks out and catches Kameron off guard, releasing her grip from her neck. It’s now Dede’s turn to try and prove she has what it takes to take this hunter on. But the strong, athletic body of Kameron’s is no match for the weak, plastic frame of Dede. A handful of hair pushes Dede’s vocal chords to breaking point. The shrill of Dede is overpowering the bass of the music. Seth and I finally work out his date has got Dede in a death grip.
“Fuck, man… Get her.” I yell to my cousin.
Seth’s enjoying the show, watching his woman kick some ass but people are starting to notice. He steadily moves his giant body, reaching for Kameron. Her hand rears back ready to thump Dede again. Seth grabs ahold of it, effectively stopping her.
Kameron has other ideas. Wrestling with Seth’s strong arm, she powers on, “Let me the fuck go.” Letting her feet kick now seems to be getting the job done. Fuck…
“Dede…You need to get the fuck away from us, now.” I roar and move between her and the now sweaty, amped up Kameron. We’re all gasping, getting air to our lungs. Seth’s finally holding on to her. Large arms wrap around her middle while he bends forward, whispering into her ear. Her chest rises and falls fast. A stony face meets his. He’s in trouble with this one…
Dede finally gets her footing, brushing her hair back, smoothing down her dress so her ass isn’t hanging out of it anymore. There’s red marks on her neck and cheek where Kameron’s hands landed on her.
Inclining her head toward Kameron, Dede yells, “You need to keep that one on a leash.” Trying for nonchalance, she turns and walks away, leaving our VIP area. The security tries to shield us from the rest of the nightclub, but many patrons are surveying the scene.
Rubbing my hand over the back of my neck, I watch Seth move Kameron back to where we were sitting moments ago. Her breathing is still agitated and she doesn’t look happy. The table is already clean from the shattered glass and our drinks replaced. People eventually return to their night. Thank Christ we employ a great DJ here, keeping the music flowing and bodies on the dance floor. Minding their own business.
“Who the fuck was that?” Seth’s got his hand on her thigh, holding the fired up Kam down. “And why the hell did she have her hands all over you?” Deciding not to fuel the fire, I take a mouthful of my whiskey and a breath.
“She’s in the past. But she has a hard time remembering it.” Smirking, “She may now have that message though.” Raising my eyebrows, looking between her and Seth, I laugh out loud.
“Looks as though you have someone to take care of your ass, man.” My bad mood from before is gone. “Or kick it in to line.” I try to be serious but it’s not working. My laughter continues, thinking of Dede being handled expertly by Kameron. Nothing like a good cat fight to relieve the moment of everything before it. Kameron’s obviously in good shape for a cake maker. An artist when designing and making cakes and perhaps in designing tattoos too? I’m sure there’s more to Isla’s friend than meets the eye. Seth obviously is smitten with her.
“So, Seth, tell me the details before anything else interrupts us?” My elbows are placed on the table, hands under my chin.
“Man. I’m surprised you don’t know.” A mouthful of his whiskey slides down his throat, he shuts his eyes for a moment, letting the burn run down his throat. “The engagement party is taking place here. In The Raven. Tomorrow night.”
Motherfucking… Unbelievable…