Today has been a long day. Meetings on top of meetings. Talking to the dumbest people on Earth. I’m currently trying to secure land in Bali to open a holiday resort and it’s proving a nightmare. It’s gotten to the point where I was fantasizing about all the ways I could kill my Project Development Manager, while he was listing off all the reasons we may struggle to make this work. I wanted to remove his tongue and peel the skin slowly off his ugly face. But I realize that’s not a realistic outcome.
I’m becoming restless. Day by day the itch under my skin grows. For what? I don’t know. I need something to entertain me, to make me feel alive. I think tonight I will go to my old hangout, and see if that helps curb my irritance. An old acquaintance owns a bar on the outskirts of the city. A few drinks and some chill music may prove to be the remedy.
“If you don’t need anything else, I will be off for the night, Ethan,” Lilian says to me. I was miles away,staring out of my window, watching the nightly traffic build up on the streets.
“That’s fine. See you tomorrow,” I say with a nod as Lilian grins and leaves the penthouse.
I have a quick shower and dress into something more casual, black jeans and a light black cashmere sweater. We are still in Spring so the weather remains mild, with a chill at night. I text my driver, David, and get him to wait for me as I finish getting ready. The need for a bourbon and distraction taking over.
About an hour later, I arrive at the bar, the sign like a beacon calling me back home. Starlight. Yes, this is just what I need.
I walk inside the decadent bar that oozes money and sex appeal. A jazz band is playing tonight so the mood is dark and sensual. It’s a cabaret/burlesque bar, so you never know what treat you are in for. Only people with money come here, alongside people with money in the dangerous part of the world. You never know what’s gonna go down.
There are a few tables and booths left, and deciding I want to be hidden, I walk over to one of the dimly lit booths and relax into the leather seats and focus on the band on stage. The guy has a hell of a voice. I immediately start to unwind as my shoulders loosen.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? Been a while, Ethan,” a deep voice penetrates my ears and I look up to see a smirking Dima.
Dima is one part of the Kozlov brothers. Dangerous family. Powerful. Also hot as fuck. I’ve never consideredmyself gay. Or straight. Or anything. If I like it, I fuck it, or even hurt it depending on my mood. But it’s never been like that with these guys. We’ve known each other for years and helped each other out a time or two. We know every secret about one another. They are part of a small group of people who know who I really am. What lurks in the darkness.
Dima sits across from me, and clasps his hands on the table. He’s assessing my mood. Those sharp blue eyes are like an x-ray. He has a talent for reading people. His black hair is styled to perfection as is his beard. I appreciate a man who looks after himself.
“It has,” I say, just as a waitress turns up at our table.
“Bourbon. Neat,” I say, and she nods politely and turns to Dima.
“Same,” Dima says, and she scuttles off.
“So, what are you after?” Dima asks, and I raise a brow at his question.
“What makes you think I need anything?”
“I can see the signs. You’re tense. Stressed. Is it violence or sex that’s on the list?”
“You think you’re so fucking smart, don’t you?”
Dima laughs. A smoky deep rumble courtesy of his love of cigars.
“I am. Come on, Ethan. You only ever come here when it gets difficult or you need help clearing up an issue.”
“Fine. I don’t fucking know what I want. I just need….something. I’m bored out of my mind.”
The drinks arrive quickly, and I take a large gulp,enjoying the soothing velvet liquid that slightly burns my throat as I swallow it.
“How can you be bored? Work not busy?”
“It’s always busy. But boring busy.”
“Maybe you need to get laid.”
“Maybe you need to mind your business and shut the fuck up.”
“Feisty. So it’s blood you want.”
I sigh in annoyance, and he only grins at me.
“I’d forgotten why I stopped coming here. It’s because you talk too much. I don’t know what I want. Maybe both. I’m itchy all of the time.”
“You’re wasted doing what you do, Ethan. You would’ve fit perfectly into our world. You could have done anything you want.”
