Chapter 15 #2
“Holy shit, this place is banging tonight. It’s crazy out there!” He thumbs at the door as he makes his way to the empty chair across from me.
I look behind him and I don’t see Sebastian. “Where is he?”
“He who?”
“Sebastian? Is he not coming?” I raise one dark eyebrow at him.
Christopher looks at the floor and back at me, pessimism written on his face. “Yeah, he’ll be here. He’s still pretty upset. You guys have got to work this shit out. I don’t want to bring up old wounds, but you two need to cool the testosterone.”
“I’ll apologize when he gets here. I was out of line. This whole thing is putting me out of my element, and I can’t afford that right now.”
I rub my hand over my face and lean on the desk. “I didn’t expect to get married this soon, and she’s not exactly my type, but I’ll try to keep my temper under control around him. He seems to think she’s his, and she’s not.”
That last part comes out a bit more aggressive than I had intended.
“That right there, that’s what I mean? He just wants to be her friend. You need to bottle that shit up. He will not take her from you.”
I just glare back at him, shaking my head. Christopher looks at me, and a small smile breaks out on his face.
“You like her?”
“No!” I bark back too fast.
“Yes you do,” he points at my face, “Holy shit!”
Then he leans back in his chair and starts laughing. “You actually like her!”
“Fuck you!” I push the paper around my desk, trying to avoid him seeing some truth to his words in my eyes.
“Oh no brother, Fuck you! That’s why you’re so defensive about her? You might actually like a girl. Not a fuck toy, a sub you can dominate, but a normal, everyday woman. I never thought I’d see the day.”
My anger hikes and I’m trying not to growl at him.
“You’re jealous.” He laughs and points in my face again.
Just then, the door opens and Sebastian comes in. “Who’s jealous?” I look up at him and he has the same appearance on his face that I’d do.
Underlying bitterness and irritation. Christopher tilts his chair back and points to Sebastian.
“Alex, he’s jealous of you because you’ve made little Isabella prefer you to him.”
I can’t hold it in anymore. “Fuck you both. I asked you here about family business. But if you both continue to act like dicks, I’ll leave the club under Marcus’s care and you two can go fuck yourselves.”
Sebastian stops and glares at me. Christopher looks back at me and settles farther back in his chair. Noting the serious expression on my face now.
“Sorry, but it’s true.” He winks. “Can’t help a brother for having some fun.” He holds his hands up in surrender.
I look up at Sebastian and point to the other empty chair. I soften my tone, but not by much. “Sit please.”
He moves to take a seat and he and Christopher pass a quizzical look at each other.
“I’ve recently come across some information regarding the New York meeting and I’d like both of you to put your considerable talents to the test.”
They look at each other, and Christopher says, “Go on.”
“Robert Gallo only holds the diamond mine in trust. He’s lied to the board and to us.”
Christopher clamps his hand tight and looks at Sebastian. Sebastian is still glaring at me, but a small wave of confusion passes over his face as well.
Looking right at him, “As far as I can tell, Isabella is unaware of her father’s business dealings and has no clue as to what is going on. When I picked her up today, she had no idea that her father had even removed her from the house.”
“Removed?” Sebastian’s face is crimson as he yells at me.
“Yes. He asked me to bring her to my home before the meeting on Thursday. She is safe and sound Sebastian, no need to worry yourself.”
“Are you kidding me right now?” Sebastian yells in my face and then stands up and heads for the door.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Sit down. I’m not done.”
“Fuck you, Alex! She’s stuck in your house with you! Im’ going ot check on her.” He points at me, “You better not have made her cry again or so help me.”
Oh, I made her cry and scream all right.
“So help you what, Sebastian? Humm? You’ll kick my ass?”
“Yes.” He fully turns now and puffs out his chest, fists tight and turning white by his sides. I point to his empty chair.
“Sit. I’ll only ask you once and if you refuse, you’re out. I’ll handle this with Christopher.”
I pull out the file Carlos gave me earlier; I toss it across the desk to Christopher. Sebastian sits down as Christopher reaches for it. He begins to read, concentrating, his lips getting tighter as he reads.
My phone vibrates, and I pick it up. It’s a text from Carlos.
Carlos: All good down here. Busy, but so far nothing seems out of the ordinary. Charles and Daniel have Stacy booked for The Black room tonight. I guess the show will begin soon. Are you coming down?
If it occurred any other night, I’d be there now. But I’ve got shit to do.
Alex: “Soon. Still meeting with Christopher and Sebastian. Be there in an hour.” Little bubbles appear on the screen.
Carlos: “Hope you don’t miss it. It should be good. ;) ”
It usually is when Stacy puts on a performance.
We were out in Vegas on a business deal, hopping from club to club scouting talent as we went.
I sat in on one of her shows, and I was astounded.
She was one of the best Subs I’d seen on stage.
She has talent and loves her job. She’s been in the lifestyle for a long time and is one of the best in our club.
Sebastian lifts his head from the folder. “A paper trail? I can only help so far with a paper trail?”
He looks at the folder again, flipping through some pages.
“I can run a trace through the banks, check out the holdings in Africa, and see where the money trail leads. I’ll follow that as far as I can.
But that will only answer so many questions.
The money will show us where it’s going, but it won’t tell us who your new trustee’s name is or if they even belong to the Gallo family. ”
He tosses the folder back. “So, how much time does Robert have before he’s out?” Christopher asks.
I grab the folder.
“Till we find the Will or any way to find out about the trustee, I’d say a year or so from what Carlos uncovered. He seems desperate to me and is pushing for marriage. Isabella seems to be his way of cementing her with our family. Why I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure that one out.”
Sebastian growls, “I don’t want her hurt, Alex.”
My anger rises. “Neither do I, Sebastian. I know you think I’m a total prick, but until I know what’s going on.
She’s under my protection and my roof. A bodyguard and a security team are present at the house.
She does not know she’s under surveillance.
But till I know what all this is about, she will be fine. ”
Christopher looks at me, “Have you spoken to dad about this?”
“I will as soon as we are on the plane and I have a few more answers to give him. As for the club, I’m putting you in charge for a bit till I get back.”
“Fine, I’ll handle this end. Sebastian can get his investigation started and I’ll bring a few of my guys on. They know a few people that might help.”
“Great, so we are all on the same page.”
I look between them both. I put my hands on the desk and rise.
“Sebastian? I am sorry for the way I acted. This whole thing has me unsettled. But I will warn you, she is mine, will always be mine.”
He just looks up at me and scowls. “Then treat her better. She is not a toy.” He sneers.
“I know. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some guests I need to check up on.” I round the desk and they both rise to follow me.
“Where are you headed?” Christopher asks.
“Silk. Jamison’s men are down there and Bennett’s got a private booth in the back.”
I turn to him and raise my eyebrow. “I don’t figure you’d like to stick around and have a drink at the bar?” I give him a smug smile.
He laughs and says, “I could use a drink.” Grinning at Sebastian, he asks, “You thirsty?”
Sebastian lifts the folder. “No, I’m heading home. I have to get started on this if you want anything by Thursday night.”
I put my hand on his back and give him a shoulder hug.
“Thanks, brother. Let me know if you need anything”
We all head down the stairs and I take a left at the bottom as Christopher and Sebastian head into the bar. I pass through the employee’s only door. I take out my card and press it to the reader as a green light blinks, stepping through to head down the stairs.
Reaching the bottom of the steps I follow the small dark hallway and open the black lacquer door with the gold filigree Silk painted in bold letters.
Pressing the buzzer, I step back so the camera can read my face, and the door clicks, pushing it open I step in and I close the door securely behind me.
The wall sconces cast the black and red interior in shadow. The low lighting and the sultry music hits my ears.
The girl at the counter is wearing the signature leather thong with black leather straps in a crisscross pattern across her chest, exposing her pert breasts.
She has her black mask on, veiling her features but I know everyone, masked or not. “Evening Mr. Russo.”
"Evening, Chantel."
She presses a buzzer under the desk, and a soft click hums opening the door to the main lounge. I walk in and take in my surroundings.
The lounge is busy tonight. Most of the tables are full, and a few have their pretty little pets kneeling on the floor, holding their leashes, stroking their hair as they drink and converse across the table with the other Doms.
The bartender is busy handing out drinks, and I see Carlos in the back corner with his usual girl on his lap. She has her hands running through his hair and he’s smiling at her as they chat.
I don’t know if he fucks her, but she’s his favorite. He always picks her up for the night when we come down. He catches my eye and then moves her off his lap.