Phoenix

 

Lavender. That fucking scent still lingers in my nose, making my head swim. Thoughts of her at my mercy, my marks lingering on her skin, are almost more than I can handle. The idea of her being mine has sat in the corner of my mind for so long. The idea of it becoming a reality is even better. I shake off the thoughts as I walk into the warehouse that sits on the edge of the docks, readying myself for this meeting. I don’t know how things will go over with my dad. He wants in on the human trafficking but at what cost? Losing David Reynolds isn’t an option. We work closely with him on these projects, so we know what angles to work and which to leave alone when it comes to the legal end of things. Of course, what we do isn’t legal. Not one single thing is, but that doesn’t mean we don’t take every precaution that we can think of to keep out of the police line of sight. Walking into the warehouse, I eye the product. It was easy to walk in here today, and that bothers me. I should have seen a guard at the door, both inside and out, but there wasn’t. Something about that makes my skin crawl. Slacking on the job is not allowed in any way, shape or form.

“Where the fuck is the guard?” My voice thunders through the room. A few of the guys lingering around snap their attention to me. Eyes are wide, and fear is present, which is exactly the way I like it. “You! Come here,” I growl. The man watches me wearily… as he should. My senses have been thrown off by that little bit of closeness I had with Jess, and now I’m going to take out every last feeling on them.

“Yes, Mr. St. Clair.” The idiot stands in front of me, speaking respectfully. At least he has that part right. My hand shoots out, wrapping around his throat as his eyes widen. His hands instinctively come up to claw at mine as the need for air arises.

“When I say there is to be a guard, both inside and outside of the door, do you know what that means?” I ask him, my tone staying level. His face is reddening from the lack of oxygen, and yet I can’t find it in me to care. “That means when I walk up I want to see that guard outside, and when that door opens, I want to see the other one. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, is it?” Looking him in the eyes, I love seeing the strain. The way his eyes are watering make the lines around his eyes more pronounced. I don’t let go. No, I stand here like the bastard I am, watching as his life slowly slips away from him. The fight slowly seeps out of me when I hear my dad’s voice.

“Son. Let him go.” With a smile, I let go of his throat, watching as he drops to the floor gasping for that sweet oxygen. I spin on my heel and offer my father a smile.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be here today.” Walking toward him, his eyes remain on the fool still gasping on the floor.

“I can see that. I was just passing through, thought I’d check in.” His gaze finally slips to mine. I cock my head and raise my eyebrows.

“Didn’t think I could handle things?” I ask him smugly. He’s done it before. He’s underestimated me and found out the hard way that I was more than capable of handling this business.

“Let’s not rehash the past, Phoenix. I wanted to see if you came to an agreement with David yet. I’d like to start those services before the new year.” Dad turns on his heel and walks toward the offices as I follow behind him. Slipping my hands into the pockets of my jeans I contemplate his next move.

“Why so soon?”

“Why not? What sick fuck wouldn’t want a pretty little foreign girl at his beck and call for the holidays,” he says as if they were not humans as well. I understand it, I do. But I don’t see people as commodities. They are what they are. Just like us, they live and breathe. We walk into the scantly decorated room, closing the door behind us.

“Jake is setting up a meeting between David and myself. It seems he has some reservations about the whole situation. I don’t think I’ll have an issue getting him to agree,” I inform him. My dad sits down in his leather chair, elbows resting on his desk. The way his eyes gaze around the room, I can already tell he’s ready to leave. My dad doesn’t like being in one place for too long. That’s partially why my mom left him so long ago. She and I are still on good terms. I love my mother, but I don’t see her as often as I’d like, and we never discuss business when I do. She has no interest in that part of my life, and I don’t offer it up.

“I don’t see you having an issue either. If anything, we will use his kid against him.” My eyes narrow at his words. What does that mean?

“Jake?” I question.

“No… Jessica. She’s different. Unique. Dark hair with blue eyes. That porcelain skin like her mothers. I bet she’d bring in top dollar.” As the words leave his mouth, my chest tightens, and my heart clenches. I grind my fingers into the palms of my hands as I try to control the anger that’s washing over me. He won’t touch her. No one will but me.

“I don’t think it will come to that.” I grit my teeth, trying to remain as impassive as possible, but when her name is brought up, I can’t help myself. It’s like a fucking curse.

“Maybe not but that door stays open just in case. I assume you have everything under control here?” he says with a sigh, leaning back in his overpriced leather chair. I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him.

“Why would you think I wouldn’t?” I don’t disguise the hate in my tone. I don’t like when he questions my authority.

“Never mind that. I need to be going. Friction is off limits for the foreseeable future,” he says as he shoves himself out of his chair. Why in the hell is it off limits?

“What the hell’s happening with Friction?” I watch as he blows out a breath, running a hand through his hair.

“There were some minor issues with the amount of product being used. I’m handling it. The club isn’t your worry, but until I find out who is supplying it, I’ve closed it down.” Well, isn’t that great?

“Great. I’m sure the budget will take a hit.” My dad chuckles before adjusting his suit jacket.

“I don’t think money is of concern. We have plenty, and once we move on with the trafficking, we will make more. The club is irrelevant.” With that, he walks out of the office, letting the door close behind him. I slide my phone out and call Jake.

“What’s up?”

“Friction’s closed. We need to find something else to do tonight.”