Bonnie, our club manager, walks over to me with my drink, only a soda. I need to keep my wits about myself. I've been drinking too much lately and it slows me down.
“Thanks, Bonnie. All good?”
She slowly grins and tosses her long brown hair over her shoulder, hand perched on her curvy hip, tits pushed out. Ever the professional and she knows how to market her goods.
“All good here, handsome? Do you want some company?”
Do I? I’m all pent up, but it's not sex I am craving, I'm craving pain and I don't mean my own. This situation with Jake's crew has got me all wound up and unsettled. I hate having to wait, I'd prefer to get on with forcing out the truth, but I know I need to be patient. As Dima has reminded me. Daily.
“Nah, I'll be heading out soon, maybe some other time.”
“Okay, you let me know if you need anything, Lev.” She sends me a dazzling smile, which honestly, does nothing for me. I'm not into foreplay and flirting so it has zero effect.
Leaning back, I take a sip of my drink. It refreshes my throat from the cigar smoke that tickles it, and I try to empty my mind of any thoughts. Fuck, this isn’t doing anything, not even the tits and ass on stage are helping.
Jules approaches my table. Obviously he got the little shit home. He sits down across from me, and I take another drag from my cigar, inhaling it deeply, enjoying the effects of the tobacco. It’s like a mini massage for my blood, keeping the tension at bay.
“He any bother?” I ask, blowing the smoke away.
“Nah, he is weird as fuck though. Was asking if you were single and saying how hot you are. The kid is insane.”
My eyebrows raise. This Aaron is full of surprises. It's rare that anyone shocks me, but either it's his confidence or lack of awareness that has my interest. The guy is unstable.
“Oh, he is more than that, he is a maniac. I could tell by his eyes that his crazy is on another level, even though he tries to hide it.”
“More crazy than you?”
“Ha! Fuck you. Not more crazy, he is just a different kind. But seriously, I don't trust the Santinis, and I definitely don’t trust Jake. That guy is up to something.”
And it's bugging the shit out of me.
“Why not just bring him in? Treat him to the holding pen experience. You'll get your answers. Besides, I’m sure Aaron would be thankful to get that sick fuck away from him.”
The holding pen is what Dima and I call our basement. It’s more like a torture chamber with all the bells and whistles. It's my playroom and not many make it out of there alive. But that Aaron comment has me curious.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, everyone knows how weird Jake is about Aaron, and I mean weirdly obsessed like he is his boyfriend or some shit.”
“You saying he wants his brother?” Well, stepbrother, but still, that has my eyebrows climbing off my forehead.
Jules nods. “Yep. Something is not right with that family. So, you gonna bring them in?”
“Not this time. I need to see how far this betrayal extends and if any of our other boys are involved. Just feels off, and I need to be smart on this one. I can have my fun later.”
“True. You told Dima?”
“Yeah he knows my plan, Simon too. Dima is onboard but it's only the four of us. Don't want to risk it getting out to any of our other crews.”
He sets his hands on the table as he rises out of his seat. “No worries. Well, if you don't need me for anything else, I'm heading out. See ya tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see ya tomorrow.”
After Jules leaves, I try to relax, try to encourage myself to want to fuck one of the dancers but it’s hopeless. Screw it. Time to go home and maybe going a few rounds with the punching bag will help, otherwise it's another night of unrelenting insomnia.
Punching the gym bag, a mild relief washes over me. I have been at this for an hour and my arms are screaming under the burn, my hands are aching, and I can see little flashes in my vision from the exertion. Sweat runs down my face and body, making puddles on the floor, but it feels good. The door behind me opens, and I know it’s Dima. We have a weird sixth sense when the other is around.
“You're down here late, brother, everything okay?” he asks on a yawn.
