3. Vincente
THREE
Vincente
M y palms smooth down the front of my dry shirt and I shrug into my jacket, tug at the collar and straighten my suit jacket at the door of the VIP lounge. I look over the heads of all my guests until my gaze falls on the one person I’m looking for. Sitting at a table in the corner I see Aria. I roll her name around a time or two and see how naturally it falls from my lips. When I was changing my shirt, she was all I could see. The luxurious chocolate eyes meeting mine and her small hands placed on my stomach. I very rarely go downstairs unless I have to meet someone for business, then I mingle. But honestly, the thought of having people fall at my feet disgusts me. No, it's the people that disgust me. Some of these people are into anything. Drugs. Sex. And they speak to me as though I like it too. I don’t touch my own supply. What kind of boss would I be if I did that? I don’t do drugs. I’ll stick to whisky.
My feet move me towards Aria, speaking to Carl, one of my security guards as I pass. “I’m not to be disturbed.”
Carl nods, “Boss.” I walk over and greet them with a smile. “Ladies?” I nod, “I assume you enjoyed the Champagne.”
She looks up at me with those big brown eyes, just like she did before. “You.”
“Me.” I smile. “Would you mind if I joined you?”
“O...of course not, please take a seat.”
I throw my arm up for a waiter and snap my fingers, getting attention instantly. Within minutes another bottle of Champagne is on its way to the girls’ table and is placed down.
“Wow. That’s impressive.” Aria states.
I lean forward, my elbows on the arms of the chair. “I’m glad you think so.”
“You must be really important?”
My head tips to the side slightly, I don’t want to appear cocky but still I smirk. She lifts her glass, her plump lips rest comfortably over the edge of the flute as she tips it. My gaze roams downwards and I stare at her throat, just in time to watch her swallow. I wonder what it would be like to see my dick disappear through those lips. It twitches at the thought.
There’s a shyness to her, a naiveté. I like it. Her friend looks between us and stands. “I’m just going to the little girls room.”
I turn my head and watch her friend disappear through the door, then turn back to Aria with a smile. “So, Aria, tell me about yourself.”
“Pfft, there’s nothing to tell, I’m boring...” her gaze darts everywhere but at me. I need to feel her eyes on me.
“I’m sure you aren’t.” I throw her a wink.
Her one leg crosses the other as she wraps her arms around her small frame. It’s only now I see that her dress clings in all the right places. “Thank you for the Champagne and the chance to come up here. This is amazing.” Her hand covers her mouth just as she lets out a yawn. I smirk as I lift a brow.
“Now it seems that I’m boring you.”
“Oh my God no, you’re really not.” Her cheeks fill with color, “I’m just really tired. Tonight was a bit of a spontaneous night out, and when you’ve been working fifty to sixty hours, spontaneity isn’t the best idea.”
My brows pinch at that statement, “What is it that you do?”
“I’m an ED nurse. It’s very rare I’m even off for a day, never mind the whole weekend.”
She sips on her drink some more just as her friend makes her way back, but her step falters as she looks up and past us. Something crosses her features. A mix of sad and angry emotions flit across her face. Of course, being the person I am, I have to be tuned in to people’s emotions, otherwise I’d be dead. She pulls her chair out and the sadness that seemed to be eclipsing her anger suddenly passes, and she looks like she’s about to murder someone. “Is everything okay, I’m sorry I didn’t get your name earlier.” I lean forward and hold out my hand.
“Stacy. And yeah, I’m fine thanks.” She nods and smiles, but it’s forced, something’s eating at her. I’m not ignorant of a woman’s temperament and know when they need a minute.
I excuse myself telling Aria I’ll be back soon. I make my way around the room
mingling with guests, while keeping one eye on Aria. I’m not sure why. I guess when I like someone I go right after them and don’t stop until I succeed.
Her friend leans in and whispers something to her, she swings her head around to look across the room. As I follow her line of sight, the only person I can see is Brock, one of my other guys, and Gabriel, the little prick. He’s all over the place. I drag in a calming breath. Aria has turned back around but I know I’m going to have to deal with him. Silent fury bubbles inside me. “Get that little fucker away from my guests. I’ll deal with him later.”
With a nod, Carl goes over. When I go back to look for my little doll, she’s gone. “Fuck.” Now I’m pissed.
I snap my fingers at the waiter for his attention and let my body sink back into the chair I vacated a few minutes ago. The waiter is there in seconds, and with him is my usual drink in his hand. He places it on the table in front of me and I nod my thanks. I sit forward, taking the glass in my fingers and swirl the amber liquid around, hearing the ice clink against the sides. Lifting it to my lips, I take a long sip then get up, moving through my club and not stopping to speak to anyone but my men. “I’ll be in my office.”
I burst through the door and place my glass down on the desk and look at the monitor to see where they’ve taken Gabriel. He lies on one of the VIP couches fast asleep, probably sleeping off the effects of my product, that he fucking stole and thought I’d never notice.
A single knock sounds on my door. “Come in.” I don’t ask who it is, I don’t need to. There’s only one person that knocks on my door like that; Carl. I straighten my jacket, neck the whiskey in the glass and suck the remnants through my teeth before leaving the room and letting him take me to where Gabriel is.
I nod at Stuart, as we enter, he’s my other trusted guard. “Wake him up.”
A bucket filled with cold water and ice is thrown over him. The ice cubes scattering everywhere as they hit the floor. If that doesn’t wake him, I’m sure I can think of another way. His gasps fill the room as he shoots up from the couch into a sitting position. His eyes wide as he looks between us. I pull a chair over and sit it before him.
“Gabriel, Gabriel.” I sing, “What have you been up to, huh?”
“Nothing, Boss.”
“Oh. You’re not lying to me, are you? You know I don’t like liars.”
His head shakes frantically from side to side and his breathing speeds up; I know he’s lying. Lulling him into a false sense of security, I take a box of cigarettes from my pocket and offer him one. Naively, he takes the offer and places it between his lips. Carl lights it for him and does the same for me. I drag a lungful of nicotine in and blow the smoke out. Gabriel calms, just like I wanted him to. “You looked like you were having a good time tonight.”
“Yeah, it was a good night.”
I try to look like I’m interested, but honestly, I don’t fucking care. “So how much have you sold?”
“Sold?”
“Yeah, or did you stick it all up your own nose?”
His head shakes again as his trembling fingers lift the cigarette to his lips. He sucks in a drag and shakily blows the smoke through his parted lips. I lean forward planting my elbows on my knees and wait for his answer. When he doesn’t reply, I nod at Carl and Stuart. They take an arm each and pin him to the back of the couch.
“What are you doing? You don’t have to do this, Boss.”
“Too late. I asked you a fucking question Gabriel, and you didn’t answer me. Tell me, is there anyone that wants your sorry ass to live? Anyone that might miss you? Because right now, I’m ready to put this little problem to bed.” Gabriel quickly nods again, “Or maybe I should make this easier for you to answer,” I take the knife from Stuart. The light hits the steel and gleams from the blade, making Gabriel’s eyes widen. “Is there anyone that would give a fucking shit about you?”
I press the tip of the blade to the dip in his neck, putting pressure on it until it’s pressing against his skin. I’m ready to slice him open right now. “Please, Boss” He begs like a little bitch. “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I swear, ju...just don’t kill me, p...please?”
“Get his cell.”
While Stuart pins him by the arms, Carl checks his clothes and finds his phone. As I power it on, messages pop up. One after the other I glance at them. But when I see the name Ari, it gets my attention. Could it be a coincidence that this is the same brunette beauty as the one I met tonight? It’s not a common name after all.I drag my furious gaze from the messages to the water leaking from Gabriel’s eyes and snot running from his nose as he stutters.
“We can trade.”That didn’t take long.
Loosening my grip on the handle, I wait. “Tell me, Gabriel. What on earth does a little fucking rat like you have, that I could even possibly want.”
“The girl you were with earlier…”
Now that does spike my attention. I ease the pressure on the knife. “Go on.”
“Her name’s Aria.”
“And?” I take more pressure off the blade,
“She's my girlfriend.”
I press the blade back against his throat, “Are you fucking lying to me? Because if you are…”
“I swear to you.” His head shakes frantically, “She’s my girlfriend.” I almost let him go for putting on such a show as I laugh out loud. “I swear, I didn’t even know she was coming here.” He lifts his chin in a show of confidence. “She never fucking goes out usually,”
I study him for a moment. “What the fuck does that woman see in a junkie cunt like you?” He shrugs but his wild gaze doesn’t leave mine. Usually, I can smell them, but I’m not sure this time. “So, what exactly are you proposing?” My voice is level and firm.
“Ari in exchange for the coke and money I owe you.”
My head cocks to the side as I begin to make sense of what he’s offering. “So, you’ll give up that hot little number to repay your debt? Am I hearing this right?”
I shake my head in disbelief and turn to Carl. Maybe he has the answer, he shrugs his shoulders though, so I turn back to Gabriel. “Is that what you’re saying?” I ask again just to make sure.
“I need more coke and I need protection, I’m in trouble…”
“You mean other than with me?” Gabriel nods.
A laugh bursts from my lips. Is he fucking serious? I mean I don’t mind taking Aria off his hands. “Okay,” I nod still chuckling, “you have a deal. But, when I say the deal is over, we’re done. You get me?”
“What do you mean?” The tremble in his voice is clear. He doesn’t realize what he’s got himself in to. There’s nothing like making a deal with the devil to make me happy.
“Exactly what I said. This is only over when I say it’s over.”
He nods, his fists tightening in his lap. I hand the knife back to Stuart, and turn to leave, but not before stepping up to Carl. “Sort him out, let him know we mean business.”
“Boss.”
I stride confidently towards the door. Gabriel’s breathless gasps and pitiful screams reach my ears as punches rain against his body, but being the sick bastard I am, I smile to myself as I leave the room.
Soon I’ll have a hot little brunette all for myself. And to make it that much sweeter, she’s a gift, all wrapped up for me to open.