Chapter 2
"So how did today go with your father?" Regina asked into the phone as she continued getting dressed for her night out with Kathryn.
"Same as always. I sat out in the waiting room, while he was in his meetings." Her son's voice seemed more chipper than it had before he left, which she found odd yet relieving.
"Something good must have happened, you sound like you are in a much better mood." She said holding the phone with her shoulder as she tugged her body-con dress down into position.
"Well, I did make a new friend today." He said.
She smiled, "That's wonderful honey." Her son didn't have many friends and she was elated to know that he had found one. "What's his name, dear?"
"It's her not him." He stated.
Her smile widened further. She was pretty sure nine was a little young for a girlfriend, but she didn't dare ruin his moment, "What is her name?"
There was hesitation from her son's end, but then he answered, "Em."
Her eyebrows knitted together, "Em?"
"Yeah, it's a nickname her brother calls her. She gave me her number." He said, his voice seemed to sing.
Regina looked at the clock on the wall. She was running late, "Well I'm very happy for you honey. I have to go. I love you and I hope you have fun."
"Love you too mom, I'll call you tomorrow," Henry said before he ended the call.
She found herself sighing with relief at hearing her son's excitement. She had been so worried about him being with his father, that she had dreaded going out with Kathryn all day. She couldn't imagine having fun while her son was miserable. Now she found herself looking forward to her evening.
A horn honked from outside and she rolled her eyes. Suddenly she was feeling like she was a teenager again. She took one last look in the mirror to check her makeup. Satisfied, she grabbed her handbag, slipped into her shoe and headed out the door.
Kathryn sat inside the cab with the door open, "It's about time."
Regina rolled her eyes but smiled, "I had to talk to Henry before he went to bed."
She climbed into the car closing the door behind her. Kathryn was grinning at her.
"What?" The brunette asked checking her phone and then slipping it back into her bag.
"It is going to be hard to keep the men at bay." The blonde haired woman replied.
A slight blush crept up to her cheeks, but Regina shook her head, "Thank you, but I'm sure you are exaggerating." She had been married to a man who hadn't given her a compliment on her appearance since before their son was born. She was sure she didn't know what one felt like. The only people she heard compliment her was her father, son and the old men she treated at her father's clinic.
"How is Henry doing with the ass hat?" Kathryn asked.
Regina smiled, "Much better it would seem. Apparently, he has made a new friend. A girl."
The friend shifted in her seat as she grinned, "What? My Henry has a girlfriend?"
The brunette couldn't help but laugh, "It seems he does."
"And how does momma bear feel about that?" Kathryn cocked a curious eyebrow.
"As long as my son is smiling, I am happy for him. You haven't seen the way he looks at me when he has to go with Robin. I hadn't heard him this excited in over a month." She admitted.
"Wow. I mean I get it, but I just thought you would be a bit overprotective when it came to girls. And I am glad I haven't seen him like that because I would have to slap the arrogant ass you married." The blonde haired woman huffed.
Regina laughed. She loved how much her best friend loved her son. She'd been a wonderful Godmother and Henry loved her just as much. Her thoughts drifted to her husband. She wondered what he did when he had their son because the boy didn't tell her much.
The lights of downtown were starting to light up the inside of the cab. Regina found herself feeling restless. She did want to go out, but she would rather a nice glass of wine in her living room. She had lived shut off from the outside world for too long.
Her friends hand on her arm caused her to look up, "Hey? You okay?"
The brunette smiled and nodded, but it didn't reach her eyes. She was feeling too old to be drinking it up at some loud club that was meant for twenty-something kids. It didn't seem like the place for women in their forties. She blew out a breath of air trying to prepare herself for what was ahead.
"We are going to have fun. It will be just like in college, you can catch up on all those parties you miss out on." The friend grinned but gave the other woman's arm a reassuring squeeze before she let go.
She knew Kathryn meant well, but it wasn't helping. She just had to remember to tell herself to breathe. A panic attack was the last thing she wanted, and she didn't want to let her friend down. She just needed a drink to loosen up and she was hoping all went well.
SQSQSQSQSQSQ
The line went all the way down and back around the building. It must be one hell of a club to have these many people waiting for hours to get in. She couldn't remember ever having to wait in line. Most of the time, money or the sheer fact she was Emma Nolan got her in the door.
"Little Emma Nolan? Is that you?" The large bearded man asked in shock as she walked up to the front of the club.
Emma grinned, "Hey Anton, it's been a while."
Anton used to be her father's bodyguard as long for as she could remember. He had always treated her like gold. He had been like an uncle to her and always kept her company when she was stuck at work or at some meeting with her father. David Nolan let him go the year before she left. He didn't warn him, he just told him one day that his services were no longer required, she didn't even get to tell him bye.
The big man stepped forward and wrapped the woman in a bear hug that lifted her feet off the ground. After he spun her around he sat her back down, "I have missed you girl."
She smiled, "I missed you too. I didn't know where you went after that day." She swallowed the lump that had invaded her throat again.
His face sobered but there was softness in his tone, "Sorry about Will. He will be greatly missed."
She didn't know what to respond with. She had yet to think too hard about her brother's death for fear she would cry, so she smiled and then changed the subject. "You work for Will?"
He noticed the way she avoided the topic so he followed her lead. "Yeah, he called me up a few months back and told me he was opening a club and asked me to bounce for him, so here I am." The man smiled again, "I hear you are going to be running the place now."
A group of guys waiting in the line called out, "Come on buddy. Are you going to talk all night or are you going to let us in?"
Anton stepped forward and smiled. He looked at two girls that were behind the guys, "Come on ladies." He waved the two girls through, "You ladies have a nice time."
"That's bullshit." The guy argued.
Anton stepped into the man's space causing his eyes to widen. "You got a problem with that, then I suggest you keep your mouth shut or your next move will be to the back of the line."
He looked back to Emma and softened his features. "Where were we?"
Emma laughed and then shrugged, "I'm not sure on the details of taking over the club yet. It's a long story and we will just have to see how it goes. I'm only here to check it out and meet with August."
The big man unclipped the red velvet rope and smiled, "Welcome home baby girl."
She wanted to tell him that she wasn't home, but instead, she smiled. She walked through the door that another bouncer opened for her. The loud thumping of bass from the music made her chest ache. She couldn't remember ever walking into a club sober. She usually had a fifth before she even left her room.
The club was scarce of lighting. The dance floor swirled in different colors. Most of the lights were concentrated over the bar and each table, yet still, they were dim. The open floor plan made the place seem massive, while at the same time all of the occupants seemed to make it shrink. Her eyes scanned the around the room. It was well decorated even for her brother, but then again he always had nice taste.
Walking up to the bar she observed the people around her. Most of them appeared to be in their early to mid-twenties which caused her to roll her eyes. Every place was the same. Same women, same lighting, same everything.
Emma sat down on the bar stool and took a deep breath. A girl on the next stool looked over at her and smiled seeming to look the blonde up and down. Emma couldn't help but smile back. It was more ironic than anything. She thought back to the redhead who had stormed out of her room only hours before. They were all the same, and for the first time, she was really seeing it.
"What can I get you gorgeous?" A voice called out over the music from across the bar top.
Emma looked up to see a short haired blonde woman. She wore a tight black shirt and almost nonexistent mini skirt as she waited to take her order.
Emma nearly laughed out loud for her brother's taste in work uniforms, but she was able to contain it. Her senses seemed extra sensitive tonight. As much as she wanted something strong to drink, she did tell her brother she would give him one day.
"Just a ginger ale, thanks." She answered.
The bartender looked at her sideways for a second but then went to retrieve her order. Emma guessed that there were not many people who didn't order alcohol at a bar. She would have probably given the same look if the shoe was on the other foot.
The short-haired blonde was back in a flash. She placed a napkin down and then put the tumbler fill with soda down on top of it. The woman winked as she walked away. Emma could tell she wouldn't be hard to take home. She looked down at her glass with confusion. When had she ever not been in the mood?
Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket yanking her from her thoughts.
A text message from August, 'Meet you in the back.'
She picked up her glass and turned to scan the room. In the far back corner, she could see her brother and what looked like Robin sitting at a large table with a few others. She sighed again and started towards them.
As she walked she had to squeeze past people, mostly women. They all smiled seductively at her and she was sure on a couple of occasions someone grabbed her ass. She smiled back at them but felt uneasy. Everything was the same, but yet it felt different. She was realizing she didn't really want to be here.
"Emma!" A dark-haired man with a dark beard said standing with a huge smile on his face.
Emma tilted her head in question, but then raised it in surprise when she recognized him, "Killian?"
She smiled as the man walked around the table to hug her, "I thought Will was lying when he said he talked to you. We all thought you fell off the face of the earth."
The blonde pulled up a chair next to her brother.
August pointed towards her glass, "What's in there?"
Emma shook her head and passed the glass to her brother. She felt like a criminal as she watched her brother first sniff the glass' content and then he took a sip.
"Satisfied?" She smirked.
He smiled but didn't respond. He held out his hand towards Robin who in turn passed him a folder. As he pulled the paper out he slid it crossed the table to his sister, "This is what dad and I came to an agreement."
She clenched her teeth looking at him, "What you and dad agreed to? Seriously?"
"Just read it Em." He said not meeting her eyes.
She adjusted her jaw and slowly looked down. The document looked much like the one her brother had passed her earlier that evening. It stated that she was to remain sober, keep respectful hours, and she was not to cause any disturbances. The last part caught her attention. It said there will be no female escorts. She shot her eyes back to her brother, "This is the same shit as you handed me earlier."
Her brother licked his lips and looked at her, "Yes and no. If you read further you will see where it says that you have to remain celibate for one month. After that, you will be allowed to have a female companion" He hesitated before adding, "If we approve of her."
Emma raised an eyebrow, "Are you out of your fucking mind? How is this any better?"
"Come on Em, at least he is okay with the female companion part." Desperation seeped from his eyes.
"Oh really? Is he okay with it? You want me to give up sex for a month and then I can only date who father deems suitable." She really needed a drink right now. "You might as well sign me up for the nearest convent. That's what it will be like waiting for father to approve of someone."
She started to stand but August caught her arm, "Please, just try it."
She snorted out a laugh in disbelief. She couldn't believe her brother was going along with this. She let her eyes move around the table at the faces. Killian chewed his bottom lip, while Robin seemed to smile with his eyes. His face held no expression, but his eyes told a different story.
Robin looked at his watch and then slid the folder over towards her, "You have tonight to think about it. If you agree to the terms, then sign on the X's and bring them by the office in the morning."
Emma slowly pulled the folder closer, but didn't respond. She knew that if she were to open her mouth at this moment, nothing nice would come out. Her brother's demeanor had changed since they stood outside the restaurant.
She took one last glance at her brother, "And you're going along with this?"
He was having difficulty keeping eye contact with her. "Not all of it, but I do agree it is time for you grow up and stop following in Will's footsteps. You may not die the same way, but if you keep living this way, you will die Emma."
His words hit her like a ton of bricks. She only barely registered him standing up and leaving, Robin on his heels. She didn't know what was worse. The fact her father believed she was a vile creature whose touch was plagued or the fact that her brother appeared to agree.
Killian remained across from her. She could feel his presence but didn't look up right away. He had been her brother's best friend for most of her life. Whenever she thought of Will, Killian usually wasn't far behind.
She thought about the balcony in New York. Had August said those words to her while they were on the phone that night, she would be no more than a smear mark on Fifty-Ninth Street.
She could see Killian struggle to find something to say out of the corner of her eye, but then he seemed to give up.
He stood reaching out to squeeze her arm, "You should take the deal, love."
She closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair. A drink was sounding really good right now. She would have preferred a whole bottle at this point. She hadn't seen Killian in many years and he was telling her what she should do.
"And why is that?" She asked opening her eyes.
The dark haired man brought his eyes to meet hers, "If your dad takes this club, we are all out of jobs for one. For two, Will would want you to better yourself and do better than him."
Emma wanted to yell at him. She wanted to tell him to mind his own damned business, but she found herself suddenly exhausted. She wanted to get shitfaced and punch something.
"You need to do it for yourself Em." The man said before he walked away.
She wanted to scream. Why did everyone want her to do better with her life now? She hadn't heard from any of them in years and now they want to act concerned.
Emma clenched her jaw as she stood up. She was going to the bathroom, and then she was headed back to her hotel. She snatched up the folder and rolled it, sticking it into the back of her pants.
The noise of the club was deafening. She could hear hundreds of voices attempting to talk over the music. The pressure from the bass was still racking havoc on her chest and she found it hard to breathe.
She nearly shoved through people to get to the women's room. Once she made it to the door she rushed through taking a deep breath into her lungs. As soon as the door closed behind her it was an instant relief. The noise was stifled leaving only the muffled sounds of the club.
Emma leaned against the sink with her palms holding onto the granite countertop. She closed her eyes as she concentrated on her breathing.
The door opened flooding the hollow sounding room with all of the noise Emma had been trying to escape. A woman walked in talking on her cell phone. She held it with one hand while the other was holding a finger to her ear in order to hear whoever was on the other end.
Once the door shut, she was able to remove her finger as she spoke, "That's great honey. I'm glad your dad is taking you to the zoo tomorrow."
Emma opened her eyes and glanced at the woman in the mirror. The woman was gorgeous, to say the least. Her wavy brunette hair fell just past her shoulders. The tight body dress she wore made it hard to not notice all she had to offer. She watched as the woman chewed slightly at her dark red bottom lip while she listened to whoever she was talking to.
"I miss you too honey and I can't wait until next weekend." Even her voice was smooth and sexy.
Emma realized the woman was looking back at her with a curious expression. She turned back, "Okay sweetie, call me tomorrow. I love you."
The blonde looked back at her own reflection and turned on the faucet. The water was cold, and she found it surprisingly soothing.
"Sorry about that, my son is just excited." The woman said.
Emma made eye contact in the mirror and almost regretted it. Her dark brown eyes were captivating and she had to force herself to blink, "Oh?" She wanted to kick herself for not having a better vocabulary.
The brunette walked over to the sink next to her and leaned in to look in the mirror. "Yeah, his dad is supposed to be taking him to the zoo tomorrow."
Emma turned the faucet off and smiled, "Well that should be fun."
The brunette pulled a tube of lipstick from her purse and took the top off, "I just hope my ex takes him. He has a nasty habit of saying he will do something but then something comes up at the very last minute and he cancels."
Emma had heard what the woman had said, but she found herself watching as the brunette ran the red lips stick over her already perfect lips. Luckily for her, the other woman didn't seem to notice how the blonde's mouth was slightly gaped open.
She walked over to the paper towel dispenser and pulled out a couple to dry her hands. What in the hell was wrong with her? She couldn't remember ever being like this. She found her palms sweaty, her heart racing and a sudden loss for words.
The brunette walked up to the towel dispenser and grabbed out a couple of napkins. Suddenly, a herd of women came through the door. The comforting quiet of the bathroom was now flooded with the sounds of the club from the opened door. A roar of laughter and voices followed as a group of women tried to talk over one another.
The brunette was shoved into the blonde's chest causing her to fall back into the wall next to the dispenser, "I'm sorry. Are you all right?"
Emma felt the heat rise to her cheeks but she managed a smile, "it's okay. It's not your fault."
An earthy calming scent filled the blonde's nostrils. A moan nearly escaped her lips. This had to be the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on, and she was making the blonde's brain turn to mush.
It seemed that just as fast as the women had burst into the bathroom, they were now all leaving. The brunette smiled shyly and Emma could have sworn she had seen pink in the woman's cheeks. The blonde smiled back but tried not to make eye contact.
Without another word, the woman walked out of the bathroom. Emma found herself still leaning against the wall near the dispenser. She snapped her mouth closed and started for the door.
As she stepped out into the club, she found herself looking for the dark-haired woman. There had been something familiar about those chocolate colored eyes of hers. Emma couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. It was almost like she had seen them somewhere before.
The blonde made her way to the table in the back of the club. Her eyes roamed through the darkness for the beauty but failed to locate her. She let her eyes fall to the dance floor, but still nothing.
"Looking for someone baby girl?" Emma glanced over to see Anton.
She laughed, "Well, yes and no."
"Well it can't really be both, can it?" He said with a grin.
"I guess not." She answered him but her eyes still scanned the room. Finally, she saw her. She was standing next to a tall dark haired man. He didn't look like he was in her league, but the woman smiled as they chatted and drank.
Anton stepped closer to her as he let his eyes fall to where she was looking, "That there is Regina Locksley."
She turned towards him, her eyes wide, "As in Robin Locksley's wife?"
Anton laughed, "Yeah, I was shocked to know he got his grubby paws on one like that too."
She could feel Anton watching her, but she found it hard to tear her eyes away from the brunette.
"Now Em, you're gonna want to leave that one alone." His deep voice vibrated her hair as he had leaned closer to ensure she heard him through the noise.
She kept her eyes on the woman and didn't respond.
"Emma? Are you listening to me?" He said raising his voice.
"Yeah, I heard you. Isn't she getting a divorce from him?" She asked.
Anton turned his body so he could see her face, "Yes, but your father doesn't want you with anyone for a month."
"He acts like I'm a nymphomaniac or something." She said more to herself than the man.
A chuckle bubbled from his throat, "By the way you act I can see where he would think that."
She rolled her eyes as she continued watching the other woman. The man she was with seemed to be leading her towards the back of the club. Emma watched as it seemed the brunette was intoxicated.
She narrowed her eyes, "That's impossible."
"What's impossible?" Anton asked looking in the same direction. "Oh wow, Mrs. Locksley appears to have reached her limit.
Emma watched as the man led her to the back door of the club. He held the other woman up with one arm around her waist.
"Somethings not right." She said as she started for the back door.
"What's going on baby girl?" The big man asked as he followed her.
Emma shouted over her shoulder, "I was just talking to her in the bathroom, she wasn't drunk."
She hit the bar on the back door causing it to open with a loud clank from the lock releasing. The cool air blew past her and she could smell the earthy scent the woman had been wearing. She looked first right and then left not seeing either the brunette or the man.
The door closed leaving Anton standing behind her. She could hear the faint noises of the club through the walls and the sounds of traffic on the streets. They could not have gotten far. She had only been sixty seconds behind them.
"Get up bitch," a man's voice yelled out from their left.
Emma didn't wait, she took off running. Halfway down the alley next to the dumpsters, the man was standing over the brunette. She had fallen and was struggling to remain conscious. The man was yanking on her arm in an attempt to force her to her feet.
"What's going on here?" She asked.
The man glanced up at her with a glare, "Why don't you mind your own business bitch."
She clenched her fist at her side, "It's my club, bitch, so it's my business."
The man lets go of the woman's arm and walked up to the blonde, "I don't care who you are Skank, this is none of your business. So leave." He turned back to the brunette and reached down.
"You lay one more finger on her and you will be pulling your balls from your throat." She sneered.
Without warning the man stood and swung his fist towards her face. Emma leaned back causing him to miss and stumble forward. She raised her knee slamming it hard into his crotch. The man grunted falling to the pavement on his hands and knees.
"You fucking bitch." He managed.
Anton appeared from the other side of the dumpster. "I think I've heard enough of your disrespectful mouth you little pervert." He reached down with one arm and jerked the man to his feet.
Emma hurried over to the brunette who was slouched down against the dumpster. Her purse had been dropped and her cell phone was a few feet away.
Kneeling down, the blonde gently cupped the other woman's cheek, "Hey, you okay?"
There was a mumble, but nothing coherent. Emma reached out and picked up the phone to put it back in the woman's purse as it lit up. A picture of Henry was the wallpaper and she smiled. She knew those eyes were familiar.
"I'm gonna take this creep into the office and call Mr. Nolan. He will want to know." Anton said.
"No, wait." Emma stuffed the phone into the purse and looked up at the confused man, "Please don't call dad on this one. Robin can't know about this."
"What do you want me to do? Mr. Nolan will fire me if he finds out." Anton nearly shrieked even through his bass tone.
Emma licked her lips as she looked back down at the brunette and then she thought of Henry. The kid had been worried about his mother through this divorce. If Robin found out about this he would never let her live it down. Not only would the beauty suffer for it, so would the kid.
"He won't find out, and I am going to sign the papers tomorrow and agree to his terms. After a month, the club is mine and I will make sure you keep your job." Her eyes were pleading.
He flexed his jaw muscle, "What's this about?"
"I haven't done a lot of good deeds in my life Anton, please, let me try." She begged.
Anton yanked up on the man's arm as the guy was wiggling to get free, "Stop moving before I break your damn arm." The giant man scratched his chin. His eyes moved between Emma and the brunette on the ground. "If you take her back to your hotel, your father will find out."
Emma leaned back and stuck her hand in her pocket. Pulling it back out she looked down at the wad of money. There were at least a hundred bucks there, "I'll take her to a cheap motel somewhere so he won't know. She can sleep this off and I'll fill her in on everything in the morning after she recovers. It will be like none of this ever happened."
He took a deep breath and then released it, "Fine Em, but I'm trusting you."
She smiled up at him, "What are you going to do with him?"
"I'm gonna teach this pervert a lesson in how to treat a lady." He said pulling the man back towards the club.
