Looking around, he tsked at not seeing any staff who should have been there preparing to open the club. “Where the fuck is everyone?” Just as he uttered the words, he heard a scream coming from the back room. Othello rushed in that direction and burst through the door, seeing Roderigo about to strike a female staff member.
“Where is it?” Roderigo yelled and swung his hand, only it didn’t connect with the staff’s face since Othello grabbed his arm and roughly pushed him to the ground. “Who the fuck—?” He tried to get up, but Othello raised a foot and stomped him back down.
“Stay the fuck down,” he growled, and he could see the fear of all the gods flashing through Roderigo’s eyes when he noticed him. Othello looked at the female employee’s face, remembering her name was Lucy, whose cheeks were red, evidence she’d been slapped around a couple of times before he arrived. Lucy was one of the high-paid girls who did more than strip for the club. Feeling rage burn in him, Othello’s gaze flashed to Roderigo, who was still being held down by his foot. Reaching into his pockets, Othello pulled out some money and handed it to her. “Go home and rest for the night.”
“What are you doing? I bought h—” He didn’t get to finish the rest because Othello kicked him in the stomach, shutting Roderigo up.
“Go,” Othello said, looking at Lucy. “Don’t come back until your face is cleared up. And don’t worry, this won’t affect your pay.” Not only that, he couldn't let Tallen see her like that. His soldier had a huge crush on Lucy.
“Yes,” she said, running out of the room.
Once she was gone, Othello turned to Roderigo and spoke in an even tone that did not hide his anger. “What are the rules of my club?”
“It’s not your club,” Roderigo spat.
Stepping back, Othello removed his jacket and loosened the first couple of buttons on the top of his shirt. Never taking his eyes off Roderigo, who struggled to his feet, Othello unbuttoned his shirt cuffs and slowly rolled them up. Roderigo was a well-known businessman, or so he liked to tell people, but the truth was he lived off his daddy's money and made shitty investments, and that included the club Othello had won from him. It wasn’t until he took control that the place saw a profit.
“I’m giving you leeway, Roderigo, by repeating the question. What aremyclub rules?”
Othello had a code of conduct for both his entertainment establishments that must be followed, especially for the Mirage where he had strippers and escorts of all genders employed. The patrons could spend as much money as they wanted on his people all night long, or hell, days, but one major rule was never to lay a harmful hand on one of his people. The rule Roderigo broke. Growing tired of waiting for the man to answer, Othello raised a hand and slapped the man so hard he howled in pain as he stumbled back, hitting the wall hard. Othello didn’t let up. He hit him a couple more times.
“Tell me,” he snapped, slapping him even harder.
“Stop…please,” Roderigo begged. “I won’t do it again, please. I’m sorry.”
Not feeling appeased, Othello kicked him in the crotch and watched as he doubled over in pain, feeling no sympathy. Othello was not a nice man, but abusing women, children, and those deemed weak did not sit well with him. He really hated people like Roderigo, who had power and abused it because he thought he could.
“You’re banned from every one of my establishments. If I see you enter any one of them, I will kill you. Now get the fuck out!”
Roderigo struggled to his feet, glaring at Othello. “You won’t get away with this!”
“Why the fuck are you still here?” Othello snapped.
“Just you wait, Othello. I’ll make sure you pay for this.”
"You sound like an idiotic television villain. Fuck, you're annoying." Othello grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to the entrance, and threw his ass out. When he returned to the club and saw that it was still empty, Othello decided that besides Lucy, he would have to rehire a whole new staff.
“Fuck, and today started out so well.”
Des removed his helmet,stowed it away, pocketed his keys, and walked to the club entrance. Just as he was about to open the door, he was stopped.
“Hey, Doc.”
Turning, he saw Tallen walking over to greet him. “Hey,” he said, greeting him back. “I’m here to see Othello.”
“I know,” Tallen said. “It’s why I’m here. He got caught up in a meeting and told me to meet you and take you to the apartment. He’ll be up as soon as he’s done.”
“I don’t have to wait for him there. I can just go to the bar.”
“You can’t,” Tallen said hurriedly. “The boss forgot a private party was happening tonight, so the club is closed to the public.”
“Oh, I’ll go up then.”
Tallen nodded and led him to the apartment, about a ten-minute walk or less from the club. Tallen let him in with his key and left him to take care of his own things. Since he was preoccupied the last time he was there, Des took in the entire apartment without invading Othello's space. His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten in a while and had hoped to catch a meal and drink with Othello. Going to the kitchen, he opened the fridge and looked for something to eat. Not seeing anything he liked, Des decided to go shopping. Maybe he could cook something for dinner. He stopped at his thoughts, wondering if Othello would think he was thinking too far with their friendship.
Des didn’t know how to explain what they had going on. Over the past few weeks, they’d gotten together on and off and texted constantly. Their flirting became so distracting that lately, he couldn't concentrate on the painting project he was working on for Othello or sit through a lecture. He found his attraction to Othello growing rather than waning. He'd grown accustomed to Othello being a part of his circle, and he spoke with his two best friends less than normal. It didn't help that each time he felt them getting closer, Othello would pull away, putting distance between them.
“Fuck, I don’t know if I’m coming or going with this guy.” His stomach growled again. “Forget it, I’ll just cook something. He can think whatever the hell he wants.”
