40. SIMON
SIMON
“ Y ou look good, Simon,” Tyler says as I approach him and Kai in the front hallway.
“Thanks. Jules letting you out on your own, Kai?” I ask and Kai crosses his arms.
“Why do you all think I’m not allowed out on my own?” he says.
“Maybe because he has a tracker on your phone and he is within touching distance of you ninety percent of the time,” Tyler says, and Kai is less than impressed.
“Actually it's ninety eight percent of the time and I’m not sorry,” Jules says before grabbing Kai by the neck and kissing him like they’ve been apart for several days. I doubt it was more than several minutes.
“Where’s Ivan?” Jules asks Tyler.
“He’s already at the bar,” Tyler says.
“Did you see him in that video?” I ask Tyler and he looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“What do you think? I’d prefer not to know about that stuff.”
“You should watch it. It’s funny how he fucked up one of his new inventions,” Jules says, laughing.
“I’m not listening,” Ty says as he walks outside and we follow.
Jules drives us in one of the SUVs to the bar, Starlight. I don’t get to come here much as I always work at the strip club.
As we walk into the bar, it's busy but not crazy. A band is playing on the stage, and the mood is seductive and chill. This is just what I need.
“Hey, glad you could make it,” Seb says from across the bar, just as Dima approaches.
“Nice to see you out of the house, Simon,” Dima says. He looks at me knowingly. He wants to ask about the other stuff. About Carlos.
“It would be even better if I had a drink in my hand,” I say.
“Everyone want their usual?” Seb asks, and we all agree.
We walk over to Dima’s booth and sit down. My back aches a little and I shouldn’t really drink with my painkillers, but fuck it. I haven’t needed a painkiller all day so I should be good.
I ease back into my seat as the guys talk around me, allowing myself to blend into the background and relax.
The music drifts over the low conversations of patrons who are talking and enjoying the show.
The mood here is relaxed. Nobody with a care in the world.
None of them are aware of what happened in the last week.
It's like looking outside of a window, seeing everyone move on with their daily lives, while I’m behind the glass pane, living a different reality.
I’m so lost in my own world of thought, that I don’t notice someone approaching our table.
It feels like years since I saw him. Carlos.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” he says, and I swallow hard at the sound of that voice.
“Carlos, nice to have you back. Would you like to join us?” Dima asks, and Carlos looks straight at me.
He looks different. A little tired, but colder. The edges that once made him dangerous are now sharpened, refined. The sun has agreed with him as his tan is now a darker shade, but his aura is like winter. Icy. He is a storm tailored in a gorgeous black designer suit.
“Thanks but I don’t want to disturb. I will grab a drink with Lucas. How are you, Simon?” he asks, and I feel all eyes on me.
“Better,” is all I say, and he smiles a knowing smile.
“Whatever you order is on the house. Relax for the night, Carlos,” Dima says.
“Thank you, Dima,” Carlos says, and I just watch him as he walks away, over to Lucas who is sitting at the bar chatting to the bartender.
“He looks good. Killing agrees with him,” Jules says and I scoff out loud. I only meant that as an internal scoff.
“What was that for?” Jules asks.
“Nothing. People like him love to live off other’s suffering.”
“I see you’re still hating on the guy. Give him a break, Si. He came through for us, remember? Got you home,” Jules says.
“Yes but he wouldn't have had to do that if the asshole didn’t take me there in the first place,” I hiss before taking a large sip of my bourbon.
“Hey, you started without me,” Ivan complains as he arrives at the table, followed by Aaron. These two are a nightmare together.
“What are you talking about?” Aaron asks.
“Simon hating Carlos,” Kai says.
“Have you seen him at the bar? He is looking good,” Aaron says, and part of me wants to text Lev to get the flirty little fucker into trouble.
“Why do you hate Carlos?” Tyler asks, and everyone holds their breath waiting for the answer. Like they’ve been searching for answers their entire lives.
“Because he’s a dick,” I say and look over at the bar to see Carlos leaning back, watching me intently while listening to whatever Lucas is telling him.
“I think he can hear you,” Aaron says, shit stirring grin in place.
“Can we drop it? I’m supposed to be having a relaxing night.”
Everyone takes the hint and starts bantering with each other as I force myself to focus on the stage and not look over at the bar. Dima is sitting next to me and makes me jump when he leans in and quietly speaks into my ear.
“Go talk to him. Remember what we discussed before you went away. I want no drama and distraction with our work. So either fuck him or end it and be civil.”
“I can’t promise not to hit him,” I say as I rise to my feet and stroll over to him. The delight on his face as I approach is nauseating.
Smug asshole.