So, I have changed the little taster because this chapter turned out so differently than I thought it would. They are getting so much longer! I'm sorry but I hope you are all okay with the long chapters. I could break them up if you wanted?
I breathed out heavily, watching as my hot breath dance from my lips and disappeared into the dark night. If I closed my eyes, I could feel the beat pulsing from the club underneath me, the pure heartbeat off the club. The metal was ice cold, as I clutched it tightly with my left hand, almost steadying myself. Somehow, staying up here on the roof was more appealing and that cut deeply. Normally I could not stay away from the club for a matter of minutes, even when we weren't open but recent events clouded my mind. More often than not, Samuel or Damian had needed to drag me away from the club. The intoxicating atmosphere and the amusing patrons, were all I needed to distract me but not tonight.
Tonight, I was somber. I was stuck in this god-awful place in my head, wishing that I had never met Bryce. I had opened my legs up and worst, my heart. Not that I would let anyone else see this, but I was hurting and I couldn't stop myself from pondering how much easier life would be if I had a stable boyfriend.
"No more seedy deals," I laugh humorlessly, only to realize that the sound of traffic was drowning out my voice.
The traffic was heavy and the neon lights danced across the road, making me forget about how bitterly cold it was. I shivered still but the chill somehow failed to register and I only noticed when I looked down, seeing the goose bumps on my arms. I sighed and looked away from the lights, down at the people walking past. They all were rushing around, not bothering to notice their surroundings. If they had, maybe they would notice Samuel taking the money from a desperate teenager and passing him a thick packet.
"Dumb kid," I sighed once more.
I use to make a habit of not dealing to teenagers, I use to be a dealer with faint morals but life changed, and I evolved. I still felt the same twinge of guilt, when I saw a kid begging for their next fix. No money, no drugs and I refused to give out 'samples'. I suppose, in a twisted way we weren't that bad. Of course, I had blood on my hands but that was to be expected.
A club owner and a notorious dealer who in all other ways acted like a saint? No, completely impossible. Not even I was an acceptation, that was stereotype that had failed to be proven wrong. Never had I killed someone for the sake of it, I was oddly proud enough to say. They owed me money, stole from me and ratted me out to the cops (not that I had ever been arrested), they thought they could get away with it because I was a female.
The cops, were pretty oblivious and we were great at cleaning things up. Practice makes perfect?
I sighed again, rubbing my free hand through my black hair. I froze though, as a sound reached my ears. A sound I knew but was surprised to hear, I spun around and came face to face with piercing blue eyes. I clutched my empty glass tightly, letting out a quick breath and trying to slow down my rapid heart.
"Not smart to sneak up on someone unarmed," I smiled at Damian.
"Not smart to be unarmed Boss," He shot back and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Smart-arse," I chuckled, "Why are you up here anyway? You're suppose to be my bartender"
"Cam's holding down the fort," he shrugged and walked over to me, placing his hands on the cold rail. He looked over at the city for a moment and dropped his gaze, biting his lip.
"You got something to say?" I demanded, wincing at my harsh words.
"No," He whispered, "I was hoping for some advice"
I paused, "Go for it"
"Don't you ever get tired of it Boss?" He asked, "The drugs? The killing? The club? I know you love it but after what happened with Bryce, do you think you'll ever settle down?"
I blinked, "Damian, do you think you should be asking your employer this"
"Please" He begged desperately and I knew if I looked at him, his blue eyes would be swimming with questions. I nodded and placed my hands, moving my head downwards and looking at the people once more. I wasn't watching them, my thoughts were further away.
"I don't think I could give this place up," I admitted thickly, "I want to settle down, but who would ever think about seriously dating a club owner? A drug dealer. I do love this place and what happened with Bryce-"
"You fucked up" He cut me off.
"Yeah," I hissed, "I fucked him because it suited me and I cared for him. Why are you asking this Damian?"
"Boss," He coughed, "I think I need to quit"
"What?" I demanded, looking at him but he refused to meet my eye, "Why is that thought entertaining you for more than a second? You're my bartender"
"I can't do this forever," He shrugged, "Maybe I should settle down, I've been thinking about this for awhile now"
"Cameron" I nodded with understanding.
"I-" Damian cut off with a slight hitch, I tried not to gasp at the sound. The boy was crying and, I leaned away from the rail. He did and turned away, leaning against it and staring down at his hands.
"I'm pretty damn sure I love him," Damian bit his lip, "Well you know I do but, I don't want to just be his boyfriend. I don't just want that anymore"
"That doesn't mean you need to quit," I said gently.
He looked up at me now and I winced at the tears, "Boss, would you be okay with having a married couple or engaged couple in your ranks?"
I laughed, "I'D BE GLAD TOO!"
He grinned brightly, "Really?"
"You moron," I smiled, "Most of my employee's have slept together, Dameron is the only couple and I have always supported Dameron. I don't want either of you to quit. I want you to propose to your awkward boyfriend and be my bartender and stay. You, after Samuel, are my right hand man. I'm not loosing any of my crew, you're like-"
"Family" He smiled knowingly and suddenly his eyes were swimming in happiness. I nodded and then scowled, pushing the empty glass into his hands.
"Go and get me a drink," I ordered, "I'll be in my office"
"You alright Boss?" He smiled.
I nodded, "Things will work out Damian, Jack Daniels and Coke please"
He turned to leave and opened the heavy metal door, I grinned and followed him. I caught the door just before it closed, but he was already halfway down the stairwell.
"HOLD THE COKE" I yelled down at him and smiled, as his loud Irish laugh drifted up towards me.
For the first time in awhile, I didn't make my way out even when the clock on my desk indicated it was nine-thirty. It was only early and maybe, I'd make a grand appearance later. I knew that someone would call out to me if there was trouble or come and get me if I was really need, so I just slouched in my chair and stared at the books. The numbers floated around me and, I just couldn't focus.
A sharp knock on the door, pulled me out of my thoughts and I frowned in slight surprise. Hearing anything during working hours, was usually impossible and that's when I actually noticed how quiet it was. I couldn't hear Marissa strong voice, echoing through the club or the loud conversations between patrons. I couldn't hear Damian yelling to Cameron what people wanted to order, or Lindsay smashing another glass. Samuel's harsh voice telling people to leave and the distinct thud of fist meeting flesh, when they refused.
I stood and shakily put my glass down, wondering where in the world my drink had gone. I walked over to the door and wrenched it open, Lindsay standing there with a serious look. If I had just glanced at her, I would see determination and strength coursing off her but I saw the fear in her eyes and the slight tremble of her jaw. She had an emergency gun in her hand, clutching it so tightly that her knuckles were white.
"The safety's on, right?" I muttered to her. She nodded sharply and stood aside, I left the room. Without her saying anything, I knew what was going on. Deep down in my gut I understood, I walked across the empty floor. Cameron moved forward but I held out my hand, he stopped and handed me his gun.
I positioned it and grinned grimly, "What the fuck do you want?"
McKynleigh spun around and looked at me, her eyes full of mischief and her smile stained with alcohol. The grin dropped into a sneer when she noticed the gun, I glanced behind her quickly and tried to Asses the scene. Damian was holding his gun tightly, pointing it at Hannah, who was currently holding a squirming Marissa. Alex was keeping Samuel at bay, with a knife pressed against the taller boy's throat.
"I want her back," McKynleigh snarled, "Bryce has gone AWOL and I want her back"
"Not fucking likely," I snapped, "Bitch"
McKynleigh rolled her eyes, "It's business Emily, I just want my singer back. You took my employee and I don't care if he's dead or alive. You accuse me of stealing money and drugs, I want her and I'm going to take her"
"Get out" I said simply, flicking the safety off. She laughed, a loud laugh that set shivers through me. I held them back though and stared at her harshly, the club temperature seemed to drop. I heard another flick of the safety and turned to see Damian, staring harder at Hannah. She flickered her eyes away from her Boss for a moment, looking at Damian with mild disgust. I noticed Cameron shiver quickly and bit his lip, Lindsay shuffled over to him and handed him her spare gun. I think Damian just turned green; the minute Cameron took aim at Alex. I held my breath, they were waiting for me.
"Boss?" Damian asked, his voice steady and I hoped his hand was too.
"Your call Boss" Lindsay said, her voice quiet but loud enough for me to hear. I nodded and walked over to McKynleigh, my arm dropping a millimeter. She took a step back, hand reaching to her own gun.
"Don't" I snapped, raising my arm so I was aiming at her head. I saw the others mimic my actions, so they were aiming at their intended targets head. They all looked positively determined and I knew they would do it, the minute I told them to.
"Get out!" I yelled.
"I'm taking her," McKynleigh snapped, as Hannah began to drag a rather stubborn Marissa. Ellis though, was standing in the darkness, silent and watching everything unfold.
A scream ran through the club and my eyes quickly scanned around for what uttered the horrible sound. Hannah was on her knees, clutching her stomach and Marissa ran towards me. McKynleigh made a grab for her, but a snarl from me made her stop and back up. Damian turned and thrust his gun into Alex's back, making the dark boy drop the knife quickly. I tried not to look at the pool of blood on the floor, streaming from Hannah's arm.
"Take her," I snapped, "And get the fuck out of my club Abraham. I don't want you near this place and keep your employee where he is or I'll kill him. You understand, any of you come here again and I'll kill the lot of you. You fucking got that?"
Hannah was being helped to her feet by Alex and Matheus, who were also partially holding her back. I glanced downwards at the small bloodied knife, which Marissa held tightly. I gave Lindsay a pointed look and bless the brunette, she took it from the shaking auburn haired girl. McKynleigh thrust open the club door and basically dragged her crew out; I walked over and bolted the door.
I stared at my crew or gang, the only family that I had. Cameron was hugging Damian and I suspected the taller boy was scolding him for being an idiot, like couples do. Lindsay was speaking kindly to Marissa, who looked like a mess. Bruises were forming on her arms and I suspected she'd be supporting a black eye tomorrow, but she was coping. I turned the safety on and stared down at the blood on the floor, knowing that it would have to be cleaned soon.
Samuel walked over to be, rubbing his next absent-mildly and scared down at the blood too. He shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, a kind gesture that I normally would have shrugged off but I couldn't be bothered. I looked around the club, the mess that covered the floor, and the mess that was everywhere. I sighed and searched around for a broom, but the first step I took faltered almost immediately.
Samuel reached out to steady me and looked into my eyes, trying to wordlessly find out what was happening. I knew though and tried to avoid his eyes, only to have his impossibly large hands cup my face and force me to look at him. Normally it barely affected me, but tonight the alcohol did not only wash over the scars and sooth them but it blurred things slightly. It was off, I wasn't drunk or tipsy but I could not be anywhere near sober.
"Boss?" He asked gruffly, his voice harsh and more gravelly. I looked up at him and maybe it was the alcohol or the fact, I had nearly been forced to kill someone but I saw my best friend in a new light. Samuel had always been mildly attractive, to me at least but everyone else threw himself or herself at him. Right now, I could see the appeal. I could definitely see the appeal.
"Damian?" I asked him, not bothering to look away from Samuel, "Cameron? Lock up for me would you?"
I tore my eyes away from Samuel, to see Damian and Cameron smiling at me eagerly. I sighed and dug around in the pockets of my jeans, tossing the keys at the shorter boy who caught them, with surprising ease. Without another word, I hurried off into my office, trying not to stumble in front of my employees. I grabbed my bag and the jacket I had bought with me, picking my shoes off the floor and deciding not to wear them.
"Boss?" Marissa bit her lip and looked at the floor.
"Go home," I sighed, "Everyone, we'll all talk in the morning. Just go home and rest, everyone. Lindsay, go home with Marissa, I really don't think anyone should be alone tonight"
Lindsay nodded and smiled at Marissa, "Sleepover"
Marissa laughed weakly and nodded at her friend, running her hands through her hair. She murmured a 'be right back' and departed, probably to collect her things and fix her make up. Samuel offered me a smile, as I walked over to him.
"I'll walk you home Boss," He offered, I shrugged because I was in the mood for a nice walk.
He opened the door and just before we walked into the cool night air, I threw back at Damian and Cameron, "No having sex in my club!"
I could almost feel their glares on my back, but laughed and let Samuel slam the door behind us. It usually took only a short while to my apartment but tonight it felt like ages. Samuel looked down at me and pulled me back, squatting down. I understood instantly and silently accepted the much-needed piggyback. He almost ran to my apartment and maybe, if I was dozy I would have fallen asleep.
He sat me on my feet and allowed me to open the door, watching as I threw my bag, shoes and jacket into the room. I smiled up at him, as he stood there slightly awkward. I raised an eyebrow and dragged him in by his collar. He laughed and let the door shut silently, I studied him for the second time that night. Noticing the faint line across his through, not enough to leave a scar like mine but it would be noticeable tomorrow.
I touched it, making sure he didn't wince before tracing the line with my fingertip. Even in my alcohol haze, I thought about what I wanted to do next. He smiled at me and that was all I needed, I jumped onto my tippy-toes and pressed our lips together hastily. The kiss was not sweet or chaste; it was the opposite sensual, hot, passionate and demanding.
I can't regret this, was the last thought I allowed entering my head, before pushing all thoughts that were not about right now away.
So been awhile? What are everyone's thoughts :) I'll probably be putting this on tumblr too, just so everyone knows!