Wolf
I sat in my black SUV, the windows were tinted dark enough for me to remain anonymous. I watched.. From my vantage point, I could see the customer and employee entrances.The night was dark, and the club was pulsing with life. The bouncers were busy checking IDs and collecting cover charges. Theres a line of men and a few women waiting to get in.
The club was dirty, run by the local mob. Fox had me watching it. According to his intel the manager was Vince DeLuca. He was the bastard son of Salvatore DeLuca, an underboss in the Marino family. Theres been talk of a human trafficking ring. A number of girls have gone missing and that wouldnt be unusual, not in a city like this. People come and go, but all but one of the missing girls worked at Eclipse. I guessed it was more than a coincidence.
I watched as a man entered the club, a briefcase in his hand. He was nervous and kept looking around. Odd. I think it’s time to go in.
I stepped out of my vehicle and crossed the street to the clubs entrance. The bouncer was a tall Latino guy who gave me a once over as he checked my license. Its fake, but hed never know. I have access to the best forgers in the business. He nodded and opened the thick black door of the club.
Inside, the club was hot and sticky, the smell of booze and sweat hung in the air. There was a large stage where a girl in nothing but a thong and platform heels was grinding on a pole. The club was packed, and there were waitresses carrying drinks to the tables. Its a typical strip club.
I found a table in a back corner that allowed me to watch the entire club. The man with the briefcase was sitting at a table in the opposite corner. A bald man with a beard escorts him to the back. I made a note of his face, certain Id see it again. A waitress approached my table and I ordered a whiskey neat. When she returned with my drink, I tipped her well and told her Id call her if I need her.
I watched, and I wondered if anyone at the club realized a monster was in their midst. I know they say monsters are made not born, but they never met me. I didnt remember a time when I didnt enjoy the satisfying snap of bone or the sweet metallic tang of blood. I was born for this. I was a monster from a long line of monsters, but unlike my grandfather and my father. I had a code.
My code was simple: never kill unless it was necessary. If someone needed to die, they would die. But it would be quick and clean. I knew I was a monster, but at least I didnt play with my food. I just took care of business.
Thats why I was here. Business, I reminded myself as she emerged from the back room and stepped behind the bar. She was beautiful; her braids were pulled back into a high ponytail, and her dark brown skin shimmered under the lights. She was thee most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
I watched her as Vince gave her instructions. She was obviously new. She was stunning, and it had been a long time since a woman had caught my eye. I noticed the way she carried herself. She was confident, and her movements were deliberate. She was listening to him but at the same time watching the room. She seemed on guard, like she knew the world was dangerous. She wasnt wrong. I watched as she artfully dodged Vinces clumsy attempt to cop a feel. I made a note to break his fingers.
Her eyes locked with mine and for a moment, I was surprised. I wasnt used to being seen. I turned my attention back to the stage. I didnt need complications and the way she was making me feel was going to be a complication.
You interested in a dance? a blonde girl in a tight skirt asked.
I smiled. No, thanks. Just enjoying the show.
Let me know if you change your mind.
I nodded, and she moved to another table.
I kept looking back at the girl behind the bar. I wanted to see her up close. To talk to her. To smell her. I could feel it. The long-forgotten pull of desire. I shook my head. What was wrong with me? I was here to work, not chase some girl. Still, I couldnt help myself.I stood up and made my way to the bar.
She was graceful and efficient, tucking a loose braid behind her ear with one hand, pouring a drink with another. I watched as she handled the customers with ease. She wasnt afraid of anyone.
What can I get you? She asked, moving to stand in front of me waiting for my order.
I leaned in, catching a whiff of her scent. She smelled like cinnamon and honey. I wanted to devour her.Another whiskey and your name?
She looked at me, her dark brown eyes flashing with annoyance. I dont give out my name to customers.
Then, a whiskey.
Coming up.
She poured the drink and set it on the bar.
I put a hundred on the bar. Whats your name? She wasn’t going to get away that easily.
Imani. Look, if youre trying to get fucked. Im not the one.
I smiled. She was fierce. Both of those things are lies.
What?
Your name isnt Imani, and you are the one. I put another hundred on the bar.
She rolled her eyes and snatched the bill off the bar. Whats your name?
Wolf.
Now whos lying? She folded her arms under across her chest and looked me up and down.
Old family name.
She pinned me with a look that said she didnt believe me.
Swear on my fathers grave. I put my hand on my heart. I didnt mention that I was the reason he was in said grave.
Well, its not the weirdest name Ive heard.
Hey chocolate, we need another round. A loud-mouthed man yelled, from the other side of the bar, interrupting us.
I watched as she took a deep breath and plastered on a smile before turning to face him and his equally crude friends. I watched as the men at the bar grew rowdy. I could tell she was on edge. Her eyes darted around the club like she was expecting trouble. They were all drunk and getting more and more handsy. Somebody was going to get hurt.
Back off, she said as the man leaned over the bar and tried to grab her ass.
Come on. Dont be like that. Just a little fun. He said, reaching for her again.
Shes not here for your fun, I rounded the bar. I grabbed his arm as I stepped between him and the bar.
The mans eyes flicked to me. Mind your business, pretty boy.
You need to back off. She said no. I took all of my control not to break this motherfucker’s arm, but I couldn’t afford to get thrown out of the club. I tightened my grip enough to feel the bones shift under his skin and see him wince.
Its fine. I can handle them.
Jasmines voice was calm, but I saw the anger in her eyes. I let the man’s arm go.
Lets go, the man said, and his buddies followed him away from the bar.
She turned to me. What was that about? You dont even know me.
I dont like assholes.
She looked at me. Thanks, I guess.
I nodded.
She leaned in putting her hand on my arm. I was pissed I was wearing a jacket. I wanted to feel her hands on my skin.. My name is Jasmine. She whispered against me hear.
I stepped back smiling and put another hundred on the bar before leaving..
Outside, the street was deserted. I stood in the shadows and waited. About fifteen minutes passed before a couple of bouncers tossed the asshole, who tried to grab Jasmine out on his ass.
Keep your hands to yourself, fucker! The blonde from earlier yelled over the bouncers shoulder.
Fuck you whore. He yelled as the door closed.
I watched as he stumbled down the deserted street and into a blind alley. There was precious little CCTV in this part of town. I pulled on a pair of black leather gloves from the pocket of my jacket and followed him. He was a dead man. Nobody touched what was mine, and Jasmine was mine. The moment I saw her I wanted her, and I always got what I wanted.
As he turned to face me, I grabbed his throat and slammed him against the wall. Trying to touch her was a mistake, I said, before snapping his neck and dumping his body in the dumpster. Covered with trash, hed be buried with the rest of the garbage.
I sat in my car and watched the employee exit. Eventually, Jasmine came out. She was walking with the guy Latin guy from the door. She got into his car and I felt a surge of jealousy. I followed.
They drove to a run-down apartment building. Jasmine got out of the car. The guy waited until she was inside before pulling off. Just a friend then. Something like calm replaced the anger that had been threatening to rise inside of me. I parked my car around the corner and walked back to Jasmines building. The lock on the security door was broken.
I stepped into the dim, dingy vestibule and looked at the mailboxes along the wall. There it was Jasmine Banks 1R. So her apartment was on the first floor. A small alley separated Jasmines building from the equally rundown one next door. I stepped into the alley, careful to stay in the shadows, even though I knew she wouldnt be able to see me if her lights were on. They were.
Through the window, I could see most of Jasmines apartment. It was a one-room studio. Her black high heels were lying by the door, where she no doubt kicked them off before heading to her bathroom. I waited. She came into view wrapped in a blue towel, her braids in a bun. She dropped the towel, and I almost groaned. Her body was perfection. Curves and smooth brown skin that I wanted to touch. I reached down and palmed my cock through my trousers. I imagined her soft full lips wrapped around it. The way her dark eyes would look up at me.
Fuck.
She picked up a bottle of lotion and poured some into her hand. My eyes followed every movement as she began to rub it slowly over her skin. I unzipped my pants, freeing my rock-hard cock. I started to stroke it.
I was a sick fuck, but I couldnt stop. She bent over slightly to rub lotion onto her legs, giving me a perfect view of her ass. I wanted to be balls deep inside of her. I groaned, my hand moving faster on my cock. I clenched my fingers tightly around my cock, imagining the silky feel of her skin against my own. Each stroke sent shivers down my spine. I needed to touch her. I could almost feel her skin against mine, and my longing grew fiercer with every stroke. I imagined the way she would moan as I tasted her. Her body writhing under mine. Her tight pussy gripping my cock.
I came hard, with a strangled groan. I tucked my cock back into my pants and watched as she pulled on a t-shirt and wrapped her hair in a scarf before she crawled under the blankets, turning off the lights. What the fuck was I doing? This was not the plan. I couldnt think straight. She was driving me crazy, and I wasnt even close to her … yet.