Chapter Fourteen
fourteen
Warren
Hot water runs down my body as I stand in the shower.
Every time I close my eyes, I picture Selena sprawled out in front of me, that sweet pussy on full display. Everything about her drives me completely mad in the best and worst ways possible.
Knowing I should stay away from her only makes the thrill of the chase more exciting. I’m playing with fire, and right now I don’t care if I get burned.
Gripping my dick, I pump as thoughts of how sweet she tasted on my tongue flash through my senses. Delicious caramel skin, chocolate hazy eyes, and plump red lips play through my mind while I continue to glide my hand over my rock-hard dick.
I need this woman again.
As my grip grows stronger and my pumps faster, I roar out as I find my release. It hits me so hard that I have to grab onto the walls of the shower to keep myself standing up.
After I get out of the shower and dry off, I head into my living room to grab a drink.
Xavier has put us all on lockdown since the night at the docks.
Dad has had all of his men working overtime to find the piece of shit who set us up.
As we thought, the new client that Dad was trying out wasn’t really a client, but another mafia family trying to run us out of business.
According to one of our insiders at the local police station, a tip was called in that a body was found at the docks.
Now, Dad and the rest of our men are searching for the real name of the person who is responsible.
We have our suspicions, but until we know a name for sure, we can’t move.
So, we are all staying home, which means Shadows is put on hold, too.
Pouring myself a glass of whiskey, I move to my couch and sit down. My phone buzzes on my coffee table, and I pick it up. It’s a message from Chicka, who I now know is Selena. It’s a link, so I open it up and find a new post on her blog.
The Real Face Of Shadows
In my last post, I shared the underworld of Shadows that fuels rumors around Sunnyvale.
However, after getting an inside scoop, I am here to share that the dark and foreboding glimpse of the club that has spread widely on social media is only a piece of what Shadows is truly like.
So, come with me into a world for those looking to escape reality.
Stepping through the doors, you will find yourself transported into an alternate reality.
A reality that you create for yourself. With a mask that hides your identity, you are free to become whoever you choose to be in that moment.
Giving freedom to those who fear scrutiny, Shadows doesn’t just allow you to explore your sexual desires, but it allows you to find the freedom you never knew that you needed.
If you are someone who seeks excitement, inclusivity, and self-expression, then find your way to Shadows. I promise, you won’t regret who you find in yourself.
I read the article two more times and smiled to myself.
Damn, she really captured what we imagined when we first set out to create our club.
Sure, at first it was about sex and fun, but it quickly morphed into something for us.
A place where we could be free, even though we had to hide our faces, we still got to be ourselves in public.
Me: I read the article. I need to see you soon.
I decided not to message her through Shadows but to her cell phone number, which I also received from my PI. This may be overstepping, but let’s face it, we’ve already crossed all of the boundaries.
Selena: Who is this?
I stare at her message again. Blowing out a heavy breath, I do something that I know I shouldn’t. I gave her my name.
Me: It's Warren.
Selena: How did you get my number? Wait, I don’t want to know. Did you like my article?
I chuckle at her response.
Me: Yes, I appreciate the shift in perspective.
I take another sip of my whiskey and revel in how it burns going down my throat. I like the pain it brings.
Selena: When is the next night of Shadows?
I can’t bring myself to text her the answer. I take a few minutes to really consider my next option here.
I hit the call button and wait anxiously as the phone rings.
All I’ve ever wanted in this life is fun and living dangerously.
That has been the focus of my personal life with the mafia and with women, but things with Selena feel different.
She somehow sees something different in me, and she’s not afraid of me even though she should be.
“Hello,” she answers, her voice sounding wary.
“Hi,” I say.
For some reason, talking to her on the phone feels so personal and invasive. Even though I’ve been inside of her, this feels strange.
“Why are you calling me?” She jumps straight to the point, and I love that about her.
“I want to talk to you, but I can’t text what I need to say,” I admit. Cringing, I want to punch myself for the honesty. This woman makes my brain foggy; it’s like I can’t think rationally when she's on my mind.
“Oh,” she sighs.
“Listen, when I told you that you should be afraid of us, I meant it,” I told her.
“I know,” she states flatly.
Damn.
“What do you know about my family and me?” I ask.
For some reason, I wait for her answer with bated breath. What if her response hits home and I realize she’s not who I think she is?
“Honestly, I don’t know anything. I’ve seen the rumors, but I only believe what I experience firsthand.
That’s why I wanted to explore Shadows for myself and not write based on what others say.
I needed to live and experience it to tell the story.
I will say, from what you’ve shown me, it’s clear you have something to hide… ”
She hesitates, and I feel something inside of me darken.
“Selena, I have a lot to hide. If you knew who I really was, you would stay away from me,” I told her.
That causes a sharp pain to slice through my chest. The thought of her going away makes me feel sick to my stomach. If anything, I want her around me more, even though that is only asking for trouble for both of us.
“Why?” she challenges.
I chuckle. “Are you always this stubborn?”
“Yes,” she giggles.
“I really want to see you again, but it’s going to be a little while. Things right now are complicated,” I explain.
“Ok. I guess I will just see you again when you are ready.” She doesn’t push me for more answers. It’s nice, but also a little unsettling. I like the side of her that doesn’t give up, but I also really crave this side that seems to understand me even when I can’t fully explain myself.
“Bye, Selena,” I say.
“Bye, Warren,” she states, before hanging up.
I stare out the window and watch as the ocean waves grow increasingly angry. I want to leave my home and find Selena, but I know it’s not safe right now. Someone is after us, and I need to remain hidden.
My phone rings again, and for a split second, I smile, thinking it might be Selena, but I don’t recognize the number.
“Hello,” I answer with a sharp tone.
“Is this Warren King?” a male voice asks.
I sit up straighter and down the rest of my drink. “That depends. Who is this?” I bark out.
“This is Detective Miller from the Sunnyvale Police Department. We have a few questions we need to ask you, but we are having trouble tracking down an address for you or your brothers,” he explains.
My heart skips a beat as I quickly type a text out in the family group chat with my Dad and brothers.
Me: On the phone with a detective.
Damon: I had one call me, too.
Xavier: Same. Don’t say anything.
Dad: Everyone, stay calm. I’m working on this.
I close the texts and finally respond to the detective. “That’s because I don’t like people knowing where I live,” I say gruffly. “Do I need an attorney?”
“Well, Mr. King, that depends. Do you feel as though you’ve done something to warrant an attorney?” Detective Miller questions.
“No, but I’ve got a detective calling me, so fucking excuse me for wanting to get that clarified,” I spit out.
Detective Miller chuckles, and I feel as though he is patronizing me. “I just need to ask you a question, Mr. King. Where were you on the night of May fifteenth, around midnight?”
Fuck, that was the night that we went to the docks and found the dead body.
From what we’ve learned, the body was a guy who owed one of our men a lot of money. He was killed as a way to set my family up and take us down.
“I was at home,” I told him.
“Can anyone else collaborate on that story? I spoke with Damon King, and his fiancée, Lily, has ensured his story, and Xavier King has also stated that he was home and shared a DoorDash receipt as proof.”
I wrack my brain. I’m the only one without anything to support my story. Panic starts to sink in, and alarm bells ring through my head. Fuck. This is bad.
“Yes, my girlfriend, Selena Martinez, can. We were together all night.”
Fuck me.
Why did I just say that?
I’ve stood up to hardened criminals and mobsters, and never have I been more terrified than to think what Selena is going to do once I tell her she’s my alibi.