Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
HARPER
I don’t know if it’s day or night when I wake, just that I’m alone in a windowless bedroom within The Scarlet Mirage. Waking by myself this time, there’s no fear within me that Felix is having regrets, not after how he behaved last night.
Jazz echoes from beyond the door. The music appears to be a sound check rehearsal rather than a performance, which leads me to believe morning has arrived.
Felix says he owns the entire high-rise building above this speakeasy and officially lives in the penthouse, but rarely stays there, having private quarters down here he prefers.
I sit up in bed, peering around the luxurious room.
The walls are dark emerald and shimmer faintly.
I’m in awe of the ceiling, black with gold trim.
The bed is massive, covered in red satin sheets.
There’s an old-fashioned dresser in the corner with an empty bottle of champagne we drank.
My bra, panties, and dress are scattered across the marble floor from Felix’s urgency to get me naked.
With a laugh, I fall back against my pillow, reliving every blissful moment from last night.
The smile when Felix first saw me. His lips on mine.
His arms around me. The sex in his office.
Him carrying me down the hall to this bedroom where we continued to work hard with our bodies, connecting for hours, until exhaustion overcame us.
We then fell asleep in each other’s arms. The nightmares stayed away.
I haven’t slept this well in a long time.
I roll over to reach for my phone, distracted when I lean on a piece of paper. A hand-written note.
My beautiful Harper,
Sleep for as long as you need then come find me in my office. I’m making arrangements for us to start our life together.
Love,
Felix.
I’m smiling again. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop smiling now that Felix is back in my life.
Needing to know the time, I grab my phone from the bedside table.
A message waits from Ally, asking how last night went with Felix.
I write a brief response, letting her know it went to plan and that I’ll fill her in on details later.
After hitting send, I see the hour is almost midday.
Far later than I expected. Today is Tuesday and the opening night of Romeo and Juliet is at the end of this week.
I have the lead role of Juliet and there’s a dress rehearsal late this afternoon I’m required to attend.
I’ll need to return home before rehearsal to freshen up and grab my ballet gear.
I’m tender between my legs, sticky with Felix’s cum and can’t dance like this.
But I don’t want to think about any of those responsibilities right now.
Down here, in the depths of The Scarlet Mirage, feels like I’ve left reality and am living in a dream.
Real life will kick in as soon as I step back onto the streets of Manhattan.
Felix has created pure magic with this place and I never want to leave.
But I can’t stay in Felix’s bed forever.
Collecting my clothes, I quickly dress then duck my head out of the bedroom, wondering how I’ll find my way back to Felix’s office.
Behind the entertainment area of the speakeasy are staff quarters and Felix’s private living space, where I assume I am now.
I was too consumed with Felix last night to take note of directions.
“Good morning, Miss Winslow,” a man speaks. I yelp, caught off guard by the voice and that people here know who I am. “My apologies for startling you. I trust you slept well.”
I glance to my left, realizing I’m speaking with the doorman from last night who granted me entrance through the mirror.
Getting a better look at him now, he appears to be mid-forties with dark hair and a stern face.
As with last night, he’s wearing a suit.
I’m getting the sense nobody around here dresses casually.
He mutters something privately. I realize he’s wearing an earpiece and is responding to someone. A moment later, his focus is back on me. “Mr. Blackwood asked that I wait on you while he attends to business. May I bring you anything? Breakfast, perhaps?”
“Can you take me to Felix, please?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
As I trail behind the doorman, I quickly learn that Felix’s private quarters aren’t large.
The space is luxurious but with only the required living amenities.
They connect straight to the staff corridors where musicians are setting up and tuning their instruments.
Dancers are stretching and rehearsing routines.
My eyes catch on two men at a table counting rolls of cash, along with a bag of pills. It’s a reminder that regardless of all the glitz and glamor of this speakeasy, The Scarlet Mirage is no noble venture. Felix is a criminal. He has an organization of criminals working beneath him.
I suppose being here, embracing this life, turns me into a criminal too. There’s not one ounce of regret within me. I spoke truthfully at Ally and Dan’s engagement party when I told Felix I want this life. I want everything that comes with him.
When I take a closer look at the pills, I realize the two men aren’t counting any old drug, but eclipse.
I glance up at their faces, recognizing one of them instantly—Theo Wilson, Felix’s closest friend, the guy who got Felix into dealing eclipse back in school.
I avoided him at the engagement party because I’ve never liked Theo.
Hated him, even. But I can play nice. I’m starting fresh with Felix and won’t let anything ruin our life together.
“Theo, hi.”
He glances up from the eclipse, seeing my smile. Theo has a buzz cut instead of the dark mess of hair I remember. His fashion was always ripped jeans and hoodies, but now he fits right into this place, his appearance sharp and clean-cut. Countless tattoos peek out from his suit.
“Well, if it isn’t the lady of the house.
” Theo looks me up and down and smirks, though there’s nothing threatening in the gesture.
He stands from the table to join me. “Thank god you’re back in the picture.
Blackwood can be so painful at times when he’s moping around over you.
Though I expect the moping won’t completely stop until—” He cuts himself off with a laugh. “I’ll see you around, Harper.”
Theo’s approval of me is a shock. I’ve always assumed my dislike toward him was mutual. I should leave him be, but I’m curious over whatever statement he was about to make.
“You expect the moping won’t stop until…” I prompt before Theo returns to his table.
“I shouldn’t have said anything. Tyler is a sensitive topic around here.”
Right. Tyler.
Guilt settles in my chest for choosing Felix even though I know I’ve made the right choice. Tyler told me not to look back. To not keep hoping for the three of us. Being with Felix is the only way forward, I only hope—
No. I correct my line of thinking.
No hope.
No Tyler.
I force myself to stop thinking about him.
“Boss.” A younger man steps close to Theo, lowering his voice, though I still hear. “Anderson can’t pay you for the eclipse deal last week.”
“Give Anderson a friendly visit tonight. Tell him…” Theo thinks for a moment, then his lips curl upward. “We understand his financial crisis and like to be accommodating to our customers’ needs. We can waive the fee. Then remind him of our policy: if he can’t pay, he can’t breathe.”
My eyes flash wide. I don’t know why I’m surprised at the threat. Theo is a drug dealer. Of course he wouldn’t take kindly to people screwing over his business. But seeing it firsthand is an adjustment. Is Felix this cutthroat?
“You and Felix are still in business together, selling eclipse?” I ask when Theo and I are alone in conversation again. “Do you own this speakeasy with him too?”
“The answer to both of your questions is no. Felix stepped away from eclipse a few years ago. I have my own organization of men who deal exclusively at The Scarlet Mirage. Felix runs this place by himself but I…” Theo’s smirk returns while choosing his words. “I fix all of Felix’s problems.”
I lick my lips, nervous. “What kind of problems are we talking about?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Say… if someone threatens the secrecy of this place, I need to find inventive ways to keep that person quiet. Or if a man is stalking the lady Felix loves, and that said man has given her a black eye, I pay him a friendly visit.”
A shiver rushes down my spine, but I’m not entirely sure it’s from fear. I’m growing hot and my tummy flutters. I don’t know what this reaction is.
“Felix ordered you to kill that man?” I whisper.
Theo answers me with a lazy laugh. “Now you’re putting words into my mouth. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work. It was a pleasure seeing you again, Harper.”
I’m left staring at Theo in shock as he returns to his table, confused by these feelings in me. I should be disgusted and scared over everything he alluded to. Instead, I’m… flattered and… enamoured.
Felix has been keeping track of me when I thought I was the furthest thing from his mind. Not only that, he had a man killed for attacking me. I want to know what else Felix has done. I’m desperate to learn everything new about him.
Jesus. I am fucked up. I don’t care. Nothing will scare me away from Felix. I need to see him right now.
Glancing around, I spot the doorman waiting patiently for me, out of earshot from my conversation with Theo. “Shall we continue to Mr. Blackwood?” he asks.
“Yes, thank you.”
He escorts me through the rest of the staff quarters. It’s not long before I hear Felix from behind a door.
“Be respectful. I’m not looking to humiliate anyone.
Just make sure the women on that list understand my situation has changed.
None of them are to be invited into The Scarlet Mirage again.
I want the living quarters down here cleaned top to bottom.
I can’t have Harper finding someone’s lingerie beneath a couch cushion. ”
“Understood,” a male voice replies.
My skin heats with jealousy, hearing Felix talk about other women. He’s doing the right thing by erasing all evidence of them, but I hate the thought of him being with anyone but me.
“As for all the staff,” Felix continues, “everyone is to follow Harper’s word without question. If she needs anything, any time of day, it will be hers.”
“Yes, sir.”
Smiling, I knock on the door. “Yes?” Felix calls out.
I step into the office, finding him shirtless and in a pair of black pants, his blond hair untamed from sleep.
The sight of him makes me gulp. Felix’s green eyes are intense, drinking me up like I’m an addiction.
His presence is fierce and intimidating with the many tattoos across his arms and torso, yet he’s so beautifully handsome.
Another man is writing down Felix’s orders. An assistant, I suppose. The moment the assistant sees me, he steps out of the office and closes the door, offering privacy. The next thing I know, Felix has me in his arms. He walks me backward, pressing me to the wall with his body and lips.
I curl into him. This is bliss. I could kiss this man forever.
Before we get too carried away, Felix strokes a finger over my cheekbone. “How does your eye feel today? The bruising looks a lot better.”
My lips quirk at the reminder of my stalker. “You had Theo kill the fan who attacked me?”
His brow creases. “Did he tell you that?”
“Not in so many words.”
Felix holds my chin, looking firmly into my eyes. “No one harms you and walks away, Harper. Has that much not always been clear?”
“I’m realizing now. But I have questions. There’s so much about you I don’t know.”
“Ask away.”
I let out a deflated laugh. “I need to get ready for work.”
“Tonight, then.” His lips brush against mine. Each word out of Felix’s mouth is slow and suggestive, making me gasp when he grinds between my legs. “Just you and me, learning everything about each other.”
I’m lightheaded, wishing I could blow off work commitments and spend the day in Felix’s bed. It takes great effort to be strict with myself. I change the topic to steer my mind away from sex.
“Everyone is to follow my command? I just arrived and I’m already being treated like I run the place?”
“Yes. You’re my equal here.”
“You have a lot of women leaving lingerie behind?”
Felix trails kisses along my jaw. “That was only a precaution. I want you to be happy here, in our home. You’re no guest. I’ll have someone collect all your belongings and bring them here immediately. You’re not returning to your apartment.”
A confused but delighted smile finds me. “You want me to move in with you?”
His kisses travel to my collarbones and he grinds between my legs again, making it impossible to think straight.
“Harper, don’t act like we need to take this slow.” Felix’s hands slide beneath my dress, grasping my panties. “Of course you’re moving in with me.”
“You’re right. We’ve wasted too much time. But I need to return to my place to grab my ballet wear. I have a dress rehearsal in a few hours.”
Felix pulls my panties down. “I can arrange for someone to collect your ballet gear.”
“I don’t know where I left everything.”
He sighs with laughter, giving in. “Fine. You win. We’ll go to your apartment.”
My smile broadens. “You’ll come with me? Don’t you have business to tend to?”
“Business can wait. I just got you back, Harper. I’m not leaving your side. My plans for today involve following you everywhere you go. Kissing and fucking you every chance I get.” Felix laughs through each word as he kisses me.
That laugh. I’ll never tire of it. I think it might be my favorite sound in this entire world.
I can’t believe we’re here. This all feels like a dream. I love my life.