The guard swallowed roughly and nodded, his cheeks becoming flushed. As I put the car in park and reached to open my door to question him further, the guard turned and headed to his office, locking the door behind him.
I pulled my door closed and eased the Audi forward and glanced toward Darrell, What the hell did he mean by that ?
Darrell still looked as perplexed as I felt and shook his head, Beats the hell out of me Boss. Maybe he thinks you need to get laid or something.
I let out a low growl of frustration. I knew all the guys thought that I needed that release. Hell, even after all Tara went through with Lea and knowing how I felt about both women, she still had the audacity to come to me on more than one occasion over the course of the last few weeks. And each time, I not so gently threw her out of my room. I only wanted one person, and she was gone.
We parked and waited as the thundering of the motorcycles died down and the rest of the guys joined us at the entrance to Insomniac. The ten of us stepped into the club and greeted our members and guests. I grimaced as unexplained looks crossed several of the faces we passed. I glanced over my shoulders and watched as each of my trusted friends simply shrugged, just as bewildered as I was.
As we walked steadily toward the stairs that headed to the VIP section of the club, I couldn’t decide if the looks we were receiving were one’s of condolences, pity, or disbelief that we had come to enjoy a night out. I pulled the doors open and glanced around the room as all chatter immediately stopped and all eyes turned towards us.
I took a step back and turned toward the door. I needed out of here. I couldn’t take the unrecognizable looks being sent my way. I looked up and met Darrell’s knowing eyes.
I can’t do this.
Darrell laid a hand on my shoulder as the rest of our men surrounded me, Yes you can. Take a deep breath and let it out. We are all right here with you. Lea wouldn’t want you hiding away at the house Carter. She would want you out enjoying yourself, if only for one night. You and I both know her annoying ass would.
Knowing that Darrell was right, I nodded and took a few steady breaths before tuning and walking to the far table I had once shared with Lea. I sat with my back against the wall and scanned the crowd as they slowly went back to their meals and quiet conversations. I looked to my right as a gasp sounded. Jenny was standing beside the table, her hands over her mouth and her eyes glistening.
Is she really gone ? her voice was barely a whisper as she glanced at the empty seat Lea had occupied before.
I simply nodded and watched as Jenny ran from the room, Darrien standing and trailing not far behind her. I turned to Darrell and tilted my head toward the door the two exited through, Something going on with those two ?
Yea. Darrell sighed and took a sip of his Cognac before continuing, since the last time we were here. It seems that ever since Lea stood up for the girl against you, Darrien has taken a keen interest in her.
HM. I really hadn’t given any actual thought to how far Lea’s influence had reached outside the house.
I reached over and lifted my glass of water, taking a long sip as I looked over the menu. I had just sat the glass back down when one of the guards for the lower level bust through the door, his hair disheveled and his eyes wild as he searched the room.
Lynx and Darrell immediately stood and crossed the room as the man’s eyes landed on me. The three men spoke quietly and animatedly as they looked back at me. All three men turned and stalked out of the room to the lower level.
I rose and started toward the door, but was stopped as Tony approached me, his face blank and his brow furrowed as he looked down at this phone.
Boss, you need to see this.
I looked between the door that Darrell and Lynx had disappeared through and Tony, his mouth set in a tight line as he continually ran his hand through his hair, his eyes still glued to his phone.
I sighed, torn about where I was immediately needed. I took a breath and decided to let Darrell and Lynx handle whatever was taking place downstairs. As I reached Tony’s side, he held his phone out to me.
What is it ?
He looked up at me slowly, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to speak.
Tony, what the fuck is it ? I took the phone and studied the screen as my heart started to pound against my chest. This isn’t..
I couldn’t finish the sentence as I looked back at the door as Tony nodded.
It’s the tracking program that is tied to the pendant you gave Lea. His eyes slowly left the phone and met my cold steel ones, Someone has set it off.
I felt my breathing hitch and a sharp pain hit my chest, Where ?
I ignored the questioning stares and whispered gossip of the members closest to us as Tony took the phone and looked at the coordinates. I watched as he keyed in some information and then as the blood drained from his face.
Here, he slowly looked up and met my eyes once more, in the club.
I glared at Tony and clenched my hands into fists, Don’t you dare fuck with me Tony.
Tony vigorously shook his head, This isn’t a joke Boss. The pendant has been activated somewhere here in the club.
I turned and yanked the door open, sprinting down the stairs two at a time. I could hear shouts over the music coming from the far corner of the dance floor near the DJ’s booth and pushed my way through the crowd. One by one, the members and guest stepped back as they recognized who I was, each one ducking their heads and whispering lowly amongst themselves.
I made my way to where Darrell and Lynx stood, taking in their angry and heartbroken glares. I followed their line of sight and saw Darrien straddling a smirking Emilio while Ben was being held back by Jason and Micah.
You stupid, Darrien swung and connected his fist with Emilio’s jaw, son-of-a-bitch. A second punch. You were, a third punch, supposed to, a fourth, protect her.
Emilio looked over from his sprawled position and raised a brow at me. Darrien pulled his fist back and started to swing once again. As he did, I hooked my arms around his chest.
Enough. I hauled him backwards, shoving him toward Darrell and Lynx.
Hold him. I shot them a glare letting them know I would deal with them later for allowing Darrien’s outburst.
I looked down to a still smirking Emilio.
Boss, Emilio greeted as he raised his hand outward.
I grasped it and pulled him up, at the same time bringing my other hand around, catching him in the same jaw as Darrien had with a left hook. Emilio staggered, then steadied himself as he wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.
What the hell was that for ?
You were supposed to protect her, I hissed out the same words Darrien had spoken just moments before.
I heard a collective gasp and straightened up as Emilio looked behind me.
And he did.
I stilled and closed my eyes as the voice I had so hoped to hear reached my ears. I swayed in place, drawing in deep breaths and prayed that my mind wasn’t playing a cruel joke on me.
I felt a light touch on my shoulder and watched wide eyed and frozen in place as the small hand moved down my arm and to the front of my chest, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake, warmth that only one person had ever been able fill me with.
I looked down and into the glistening eyes of Lea. She tilted her head slightly as she stood carefully on one leg and stretched up, her warm breath fanning my neck as she spoke quietly and seductively in my ear, Kiss me.
I didn’t need to be told twice.
I grasped the woman I loved by her waist and lifted her from the floor, never taking my eyes off her as I crashed my lips onto hers. I could feel the same need in her as I knew she could feel in me as she wrapped her arms around my neck and grasped my hair in her hands.