4 | The Boyfriend Mac
Past ~ 1 ⒈／⒉ months prior
I ’m sitting at Club Spin, trying to contain my rage, or it could be all the cocaine I did last night while out with Raydene’s boyfriend .
The piece of shit doesn’t deserve her. I wanted to knock him out last night when he was finger fucking some bitch in the VIP booth.
“You really think he’ll show tonight?” Dallas asks, sitting next to me. We’ve been here for about an hour. Raydene and Vi are about to go on.
My mind races. Fuck, yes, he’ll show. The smug little fucker thinks he’s God’s gift to all women. He treats them like shit to boost his ego. The look on his face was priceless when he found out I knew Raydene.
“Yeah, that fucker was shocked when I told him she was playing again tonight. He didn’t seem happy,” I say, eyes glued to Raydene.
Yesterday, after we found Ronny from the Black Crows, a domino of events started. Ronny’s meeting with the Devil Duos, the Devil’s Dames, and the New York men. What took us by surprise was when the Russians and Dexter, Raydene’s man, showed up. Seeing him and his associates get out of the SUV shocked us all. So, tonight, we’re all on high alert.
Quick, Trey, and I followed Dexter and JJ and King, his two associates from Chicago to a club on W. 17th. Quick and I went into the club and ‘accidentally’ ran into Dexter in the VIP area.
Quick being quick mentioned his fiancée was Ruby, who worked at Spin It Inc. label, and all the cards fell into place. Dexter wanted to show off for his associates by inviting us to their party and acting like this big-time DJ.
I wanted to throw him under the bus and let them all know he can’t even DJ. Ray does all the work. They have a pre-mixed set, so when he goes on, he fakes it. It’s one of the secrets she’s been bearing all these years. He’s all show and a sleazy fucker.
All night, I kept asking myself what Ray sees in him. She tells me it’s an obligation, but I call bullshit. I’m over her using that fucking word. No obligation is worth living a life you don’t want.
“Are you going to talk to Raydene about running into him and what went on last night?” Dallas asks.
“I don’t know. Ray already told me they had an open relationship. So, I don’t think him fucking around is new to her.” I chuckled. “Plus, she isn’t innocent either.”
“You mean since you’re fucking her too?” Dallas laughs, taking a swig of my beer.
All the brothers think something’s happening, but I’ve been getting to know her. I was trying to be a nice guy by not fucking her. We have had a couple of heated makeout sessions, but nothing serious. I mean, I am a guy. But fuck that, now that I see what Dexter’s like, nothing is going to hold me back now. I’ve been peeling my little onion, getting information from her.
I nudge Dallas as more of our club brothers, Chiv, Worm, and Tiny, walk up to the VIP area.
“The Russians still haven’t left the hotel, and Ronny is still at the Devil Duo’s clubhouse. All teams have been relieved so surveillance is still going,” Chiv informs us, grabbing a beer from the bucket of beers on the table.
My leg starts shaking again. I need to talk to Raydene, but I’m waiting until after she is done DJing. I don’t want to ruin her night, but the rage inside me is bottling up, and I must tell her.
We’ve become close these past few weeks. She’s opened up to me about her life, revealing a few small secrets, but now that I’ve discovered this information about Dexter, I want to question her.
She talks about lies, secrets, and obligations. What the fuck are they? Did she know Dexter is linked to Ronny? Ronny is the guy who has terrorized her best friend for years. I hope she didn’t know.
The club decided we’d sit the girls down tonight and show them the timeline we came up with last night. Too much shit has happened this past year, linking each incident together. We are just missing the primary connection.
“Wolfe and them still at the clubhouse watching, or are they coming here?” Dallas asks.
Worm finishes pouring himself a shot. “Yeah, he said he was going to hang there and keep an eye on everything and for us to take care of the girls.”
When I returned to the clubhouse this morning, I thought about approaching Ray with all this information. She’s been texting me, but I don’t know what to say, so I’m waiting to talk to her tonight.
“Jesus Christ. What the fuck are they wearing?” Chiv grunts, looking toward the DJ booth. “Or not wearing. Fuck!”
Dallas speaks up, “Believe me, brother. I wanted to rip off that little thing she called a dress the minute I saw her. It’s taking everything I have not to go fuck her right now.”
“No wonder Maddox, Shy, Redman, and Quick are glued to their women up there.” Tiny laughs.
Raydene drops her first song. “Free Your Body” by Chris Lake and Solardo. Raydene bounces, shaking her head and singing the words. When the beat hits, Vi moves up next to her with one arm in the air, and within seconds, they’re moving together as one, dancing.
Fuck me.
“Jesus Christ,” I groan.
Dallas smirks. “You good, brother?”
Fuck no. I’m not.
I chuckle. “I’m good. My dick…not so much.”
“Right there with you, brother. Fucking fine as fuck,” Chiv announces.
I snap, “What the fuck?”
“Just saying, those bitches are fine as hell,” Chiv explains.
“Why aren’t you up there with Doc?” Tiny asks Dallas.
Dallas replies, “Because if I touch her, we’ll be fucking, and right now, I need to stay focused. I told her to go have fun with her friends.”
I nudged him. “Brother, go get some. We’ll be here watching over everything.”
Dallas asks me, “What time did Dexter get back to his hotel this morning?”
“He left Viktoriya’s hotel a little before noon,” I say, cracking my knuckles.
Quick and I were with them when Dexter got the text. He left the club alone, and we stayed with the other two men partying. Trey was sitting outside waiting for any of them to leave, so he followed Dexter. He followed him to Viktoriya’s hotel. So, we know they’re fucking for sure.
JJ and King were cool last night, and they acted like they were on vacation and only wanted to party and get laid.
The club is packed, shoulder to shoulder. I’m okay as long as we have eyes on Ronny and the Russians. Dexter, I wish he’d come. I’d love to handle him myself, but I have to remind myself that Raydene isn’t mine.
I shouldn’t have come tonight. I feel like I’m in one of those movies with everything in fast motion around me, but all I can do is watch Raydene on stage. The guys take turns having quickies with their old ladies, so what feels like minutes, I’m sure, has been an hour that I’ve just sat here.
I would have been more useful at the clubhouse surveying the videos. I’m too pissed off, and I don’t feel like partying. I want to get these motherfuckers.
All of our phones vibrate, making us all jump up.
Fuck, here we go.
Text messages start dinging rapidly.
WOLFE: Russians are on the move.
WOLFE: Dexter is on the move.
I look out across the club, making sure all our men are in place, just in case.
“We need to get the girls out of here,” I announce to everyone as the men start to huddle together.
“I’m texting Maddox to meet me at the front door,” Dallas tells us as his fingers type rapidly.
“Any words on Ronny or the Devils?” Chiv asks, looking down at his phone. “He didn’t mention them?”
Everyone up here is on their phone typing or calling someone. It won’t take long for them to get here. It’s not that far.
Placing his phone to his ear, Dallas announces, “I’m headed to the door. Mac, go be with the girls. I’ll be right up there once I talk to security.”
Fuck this.
I jump down from VIP and beeline it to the girls. I lock eyes with Raydene, and her face lights up. My heart races for multiple reasons, but right now, it’s to protect her from this motherfucker.
Once I reach her, I grunt, “How much longer is your set?”
Raydene’s face falters, but only for a second. “We got about twenty minutes left. Why?”
“Because we need to get back to the clubhouse,” I demand.
“Well, then go. We can handle ourselves, and we don’t need you watching over us,” Raydene snaps back.
I stand there for a few beats, giving her a death glare as my face hardens with each passing minute. I try to control my urge to throw her stubborn ass over my shoulder and leave.
“Okay, you two can go fuck now. I got a partner.” Vi laughs.
“Vi, shut the fuck up. I’m not fucking him,” Raydene says, folding her arms over her chest.
Not yet, but soon.
I move to the side of the booth, folding my arms as well, matching her energy. I notice Brick, who must have just arrived at the club, come stand next to me, glaring at Vi.
“What the fuck is wrong? Why are you two acting all caveman-like?” Doc demands.
“What the fuck are you wearing, Vi?” Brick yells, but Vi has headphones on to mix the next song.
Knowing Brick just flew in from Chicago, he has no idea what has happened in the last twenty-four hours. He knows we’ve been looking for Ronny, but he’s in the dark about all the other information we found out. I lean into him so only he can hear me. “Did you get the texts?”
Brick looks slightly confused. “Wolfe texted me to get to Spin immediately. Possible trouble. What’s up? Is it Ronny?”
I nod. “And a whole lot more. We’ll explain once we’re back at the clubhouse.”
Doc registers that something is wrong, and she starts to panic. “Where is Dallas? Is it Ronny?” She starts to search the crowd.
I grab her arm. “Don’t panic. He’ll be right back. He sent me up here to watch over you girls.”
“Why? Is something wrong?” Raydene yells, grabbing my hand and removing it from Doc’s arm.
Her action makes me pause. Is she jealous?
I smile internally with a stern glare. “No, we just need to leave soon,” letting her know this is serious.
Doc continues to search the crowd.
My phone vibrates at the same time Raydene says, “Fuck. What the fuck is he doing here?”
I look in her direction and see Dexter across the club. All our men move into position as I move closer to Doc and Raydene.
Dexter’s eyes are glued to us on stage, but he moves to where Viktoriya and her men stand. They’re toward the back of the club. Raydene doesn’t move as we both watch him.
“Ray, what’s going on? Did you know he was in town?” Doc asks her while watching Dexter greet Viktoriya, kissing her on each cheek.
Once Dexter releases Viktoriya from his embrace, they both set their eyes on the stage where they are all standing.
This motherfucker. I clench my fist, trying to control my anger. He doesn’t give a fuck.
Even though Raydene’s on my other side, I can feel her tension. “Don’t know, and nope!” She pops the ‘P,’ sounding pissed off. Raydene moves in to mix her next song. The crowd moved to the beats, not knowing any different. Vi and Ray can put on a show, that’s for sure.
I don’t say anything as I watch Dexter and his group.
What the fuck are they up to?
My mind starts running scenarios. Did she know? I turn to Raydene, who is bouncing back and forth on her toes, tweaking the sound as her song mixes in. I can see her eyes are still locked on him. Once the song drops, I grab her elbow, breaking her stare off with Dexter, and ask her, “Did you know he was in town?”
Please say no.
When she doesn’t say anything, I move into the booth area, grabbing her waist, and pulling her up against me. Raydene stares at me, lost in her thoughts like she’s seen a ghost.
“Shut the fuck up,” Vi yells at Brick, turning to us. “No, she didn’t know. He hasn’t returned any of her calls or texts the last few days we’ve been here.”
I look into her eyes for any indication that’s a lie but nothing. It’s like Raydene’s in shock. Why isn’t she flipping out or going after him?
“Take her. I’ll close our set.” Vi motions for the next DJ.
I tune everyone out, leaning down closer to Raydene. I say, “Did you know?”
Raydene shakes her head.
I start to move us toward the back of the stage, away from the crowd.
“What the fuck? We met last night, and tonight, you have my girl in your arms?” Dexter yells from the stairs.
I turn around just as Raydene sidesteps me, yelling, “What the fuck are you doing here?” She stops midway, realizing what he said, and turns back to me. “Wait, you met him last night? Where?” she demands.
Fuck.
Dexter steps forward, forcefully grabbing her by the arm and yanking her to him. She squeals, trying to pull her arm out of his death grip. “What the fuck, Dex? Let me go! Jesus!”
I growl, stepping forward and clenching my hands.
She’s not yours. Chill. I remind myself.
“I guess I forgot to tell you I knew her,” I say with a cocky smile.
Dexter doesn’t let her arm go as he pulls her to his side. “We’re out of here.”
I move toward them as Raydene starts to fight him. He whispers something into her ear, and instantly, she stops resisting. Her whole demeanor changes, losing all life.
What the fuck?
“I have to get my stuff. You need to let go of my arm,” Raydene replies, sounding dead with no emotion. She won’t make eye contact with any of us.
Her words echo in my head. Secrets. Lies. Obligations.
Dexter doesn’t release her immediately as he keeps his standoff with me before finally letting her arm go.
I stand still, hoping she’ll come to me, but she moves to the booth instead.
My mind starts racing.
Does he have something over her?
What’s keeping her tied to him?
Why would she leave when she obviously wants to stay?
Is she scared of him?
I need to give her a way out.
Fuck!
“Ray, you outta your damn mind if ya think I’ma let ya leave with dese motherfuckers,” Vi announces.
Raydene packs up all her stuff as the new DJ enters the booth.
“I’ll have someone come pick up my stuff tomorrow from the apartment. I have to go with Dex. Please don’t fight me,” Raydene pleads with Vi.
Raydene hugs Doc as I grab her arm, demanding she listen to me. “You don’t know him. Stay. I need to talk to you.”
Dexter starts to move toward me, but Chiv and our men move in, blocking him.
“What the fuck?” Dexter demands. “Move, that’s my girl.” The men behind him don’t help as they stand there and watch.
I look into her gorgeous green eyes and say softly, “Whatever it is, you don’t have to go. Let’s talk. You need to know what I know. You don’t know who he really is.”
Raydene smiles at me, and my heart constricts. When she reaches for my face, I think I’ve gotten through to her, but she stops mid-air, hearing Dexter yell for her. Ray drops her head and before walking away, she replies, “I know exactly who he is.”
I suck in a deep breath, and as I let it out, I say, “DamnDean,” as she moves around me to leave. I don’t move to stop her.
I can’t.
I can’t watch her leave with him.
I can’t do anything.
I gave her a way out.
She’s not mine.
Feeling defeated, I drop my head.
She picked him.
She. Is. Not. Mine.
I don’t move until I hear Brick yell, “Time to go.”