Chapter 21 Teo
twenty-one
Teo
“You’re supposed to be coaching me. Not just looking at me like you wanna eat me,” Yanna turned her body to face me. The small smirk on her face told me she knew exactly what she was doing... and saying.
“I wanna do more than that.” I caught her finger as it made a path down my chest. “You are playing with fire.”
I moved in closer placing her palm on the physical proof of what her teasing was doing. She let out a soft hum, as she allowed her fingers to curl just slightly. Her eyes fluttered closed, just briefly, as my erection grew tighter in my slacks.
Everything about her was driving me wild. Her scent… her body…hell even the way she so boldly fondled me openly in a club full of people was damn intoxicating.
Snatching her fingers away from the front of my pants, she turned around and leaned over the craps table, placing her ass right on my groin.
“Fuckin’ tease,” I growled under my breath, trying to maintain some semblance of control.
We were at Vortex, an underground lounge tucked away on the outer edge of Atlanta. We had one goal tonight. That was to restore order. But we would at least enjoy ourselves while we waited for the main attraction.
Orlando and Bianca.
She leaned over the green felt table, rolling the dice that was tucked away in her hand. My eyes followed the flick of her wrist, and then drifted to the end of the table as the dice flew from her fingertips. They tumbled across the surface, landing on a total of two.
“Craps,” the counterman announced, shaking his head and a collective groan echoed around the table.
“Damn.”
Ayanna’s mouth twisted into a tiny frown as her weight shifted from one hip to the other, blowing out a slow breath through her nose.
It was more exasperated than upset. She had just wiped out the last of the money I had given her to play with, an easy ten grand that I had casually dropped in her lap earlier that evening.
The loss didn’t faze me; or her for that matter.
Financially, she had nothing to worry about.
I’d give her fifty more if it kept a smile on her face.
Her gambling was more about the thrill than the money.
“Game humbling you already?” I murmured, sliding another stack of chips forward like I hadn’t even noticed the loss.
“That was a practice shot.”
“Right.” I chuckled.
Her eyes shifted to the new stack of chips, then back to me. “I’ve blown enough for one night. You don’t have to keep throwing money away.”
“Whether I spend it here or on something else next week, I was still going to spend it on you.”
“You really trying to have me out here acting like a rich housewife. Just bad habits and no budget.” She chuckled and my eyebrows lifted.
“But there is no budget when it comes to you.”
She exhaled, softly. “I can’t let you keep spoiling me like this.”
“Nah, I haven’t had the chance to really spoil you. Not like I want to. This...” I looked around the club. “Is cool...but this is work.”
That earned me a skeptical look, since we had discussed what tonight was about in depth.
She leaned in just a bit, lowering her voice. “You think they’ll talk?”
“Yeah, we’ll leave with results. Trust me.” I kissed her lips, because I couldn’t keep my hands or lips off her.
“And you spoke with the owners?”
“We chatted.”
Two brothers owned the business and I had a great business relationship with each of them.
I had been a silent partner when they first started this place, investing in their vision when others were hesitant.
I allowed them to buy me out once the club took off, but I still held some influence here.
So while this place seemed neutral from the outside looking in, it was far from neutral on the inside.
“Good, because I am so ready for things to get back to normal,” she said.
“I know. It will be soon. I promise.”
The crowd erupted in cheers as another winner rolled an eleven at our table. She smiled, momentarily distracted by the excitement around us. I’d do anything to keep that smile on her face. Including a quick resolution so she could get back to her brides, wedding dresses, and boutique.
Come on,” I murmured, brushing my hand against the small of her back, ready to move to a different section of the lounge. As we walked along the floor, we passed multiple card games. Yanna aimlessly fiddled with the diamond necklace that dipped low between her breasts.
When her fingers brushed against the pendant, she said, “I’ve lived in Atlanta all my life and I ain’t never heard of this place. There’s always a rumor, or something. And I’ve never even heard a rumbling?”
I smirked, turning to her with my palm settling on her waist as we stopped at a roulette table. “That’s on purpose, Amore. It wouldn’t be a secret if everyone knew about it.”
She relaxed into my touch, placing her bets.“Is this where you brought all your girls when you were in town?” she asked, teasing, but I could hear the slight edge in her voice.
“This is where I bring my wife. I’ll never take you somewhere I’ve taken a random.” I kissed the inside of her wrist. That seemed to have eased some of her anxiety.
Yanna had always been good at masking her feelings for me.
Especially after the first time we slept together.
She pulled all the way back, never letting a jealous word slip.
But ever since I’ve claimed her in all ways that matter, she’s been letting that possessiveness show more and more.
And to say I didn’t like it would be a gross understatement.
Satisfied, she turned back to the table and watched the dial spin, her eyes following the white ball bounce around until it landed on black. She let out a small shout, followed by a clap when her bets paid off.
“Looks like you have some better luck over here.” I chuckled, squeezing her waist gently.
We spent the next hour bouncing from table to table. I let Yanna blow through another stack of chips, before she ended up winning a few thousand back. A lot of promises had been made — gifts to be bought, plus all the sexual favors she’d claim later.
We were both relaxed... chilling… almost forgetting why we were here. Until the doors opened behind us. And our guests finally walked in — two Moccasins, dressed for a night on the town.
Squeezing Yanna’s thigh, I let her know it was time. Our night of play was over.
I watched as Orlando and his wife moved toward the back of the club. They both slid into a booth tucked in the corner. One of the bottle girls made her way over, offering both of them drinks.
I stood, brushing my hand once more over Yanna’s thigh before letting go. She straightened her spine, then she shot me a glance. It was slightly loaded, and I knew why. It was showtime. Time to handle family business... officially.
She knew who I was and how I moved. But this was new for her. And while I’ve always known she would never flinch in this situation because my woman was a tough one, this was the part of me she hadn’t touched yet.
Until now.
She looked up at me, her fingers lingering on mine just a beat longer before she stood and adjusted her dress. No words passed between us, she just slipped her arm through mine and waited for me to move.
We made our way toward the back of the lounge with deliberate steps.
Yanna moved like a boss beside me, with her head held high, expression cool, and eyes that were forever scanning.
Without breaking stride, she clocked everything.
The bottle girl still lingering near the corner of our section.
The small band playing soft jazz near the bar.
The curious stares that tried not to be noticeable.
Obviously, the club didn’t quiet down to a low murmur or become dramatically still like you see in the movies.
People still chattered in the background, cards still shuffled, and women still flirted with the men who flaunted their wealth like it was nothing.
But something in the room still shifted as we walked.
A few minutes later we stood in front of the guest of the hour.
Orlando looked up, a ghost of a scowl playing on his lips. There was history and so much bad blood between us.
“Donatelli,” he deadpanned, no emotion or warmth. Just a barely restrained acknowledgement of the tension between us. We all knew this wasn’t some friendly meet-up. Not even the potential of forming an alliance. This was calculated... a chess move that will end in bloodshed.
The amount this time, was in his hands.
“Orlando... Bianca.” I matched his tone.
“I could’ve sworn the last time I left you and your bitch in that raggedy ass town of yours that we came to an understanding.
” I slid into the booth, settling in right across from the nigga who, if he wasn’t directly involved in the bullshit, damn sure knew enough to make sure his wife knew the kind of war she was starting.
Orlando’s scowl deepened. “Who the fuck you calling a b—”
“My wife was a target. Yes?” I cut him off.
“And you didn’t think I’d come for yours?
You should know that about me. I’m not the type to let things slide.
And unlike you I look a man in the eye when I tell them that I intend to end everything they hold dear.
Your wife, your son, your parents... hell, the list goes on.
” A sinister smirk crept onto my face as I leaned back, letting the weight of my words settle in.
He smirked then scoffed. “You think you’re untouchable?”
The corner of my lips lifted. “I know I am.”
“You know you are one cocky son of a bitch.” Bianca finally opened her lips to speak. “No wonder the North is up for grabs. You and all your arrogance.”