And Atlas? He’s an all or nothing kind of guy. When he’s single, he fucks anything that gives him the time of day. But when he’s in a relationship? That’s it for him. He’s a hopeless romantic and in his mind, Cambria’s already his. So when he turns away yet another girl, I know I have his answer on the unusual situation.
Lucien on the other hand seems to be going the polar opposite. He’s so set on fighting this thing we have with her and proving that his life is still his own, that he’s going to try sleeping with someone just to make a point to himself. As Cambria pointed out, we’re all free to do what we will as far as she’s concerned, but I know Lucien. He’ll regret it come morning and it will be a huge setback for what could be a great thing if Atlas and I can just get the other two on board.
We start working our way in his direction, some woman pawing all over him. His jaw is tight as he dances with her, or more appropriately described as letting her rub herself all over him.
“Luce,” Atlas shouts to be heard over all music.
He doesn’t hear or see us at first, and eventually I have enough and shoo the woman away. “He’s taken!”
She looks at the three of us, shrugs, and gives us a thumbs up. Leaving to try her luck elsewhere, she departs without a scene, thankfully.
“What now?” He doesn’t have to go on any tirade, the simple phrase encompassing everything. I explain the same thing to him that I did to Atlas, but as expected, he isn’t sold nearly as easily.
“Things are complicated enough already without sleeping with her too,” he snarls, stomping back into the crowd. I sigh, but expected as much.
The rest of the night drags on as Atlas and I spend most of it at the bar now that we aren’t looking to hook up with anyone. Lucien resurfaces a couple of hours later, but he doesn’t have anyone clinging to his arm so I take that as a step in the right direction.
“Not a word,” is all he says before slamming back a couple of drinks. “When’s she due to get off?”
“Depends how good you are,” Atlas fires right back, nursing a steady buzz.
Lucien smacks the back of his head and I walk over to the edge of the pit, not seeing her at the turn table. I return back to the others, frowning.
“She’s not there.”
That gets both of their attention, but Lucien is more practical. “She’s likely in the bathroom.” He goes back to his drink, full of pent up frustration and no outlet because he can’t get over himself.
After another half hour passes and she doesn’t reappear, Atlas gets tired of waiting and goes to search for her. I strum my fingers across the bar nervously, debating going after him too, but knowing full well what I’ll likely find. Cambria outright said that she was considering getting lucky tonight and fuck, who would deny someone like her? Last thing I want to walk in on is someone balls deep in the girl that I’m head over heels obsessed with.
After a little longer, even Lucien is getting antsy. If that isn’t evidence enough that she got under his skin, nothing is. I’ve been with him for nearly a decade and the man is nothing short of composed to the point I questioned if he could even feel anything at all. Just his anger should be enough to signal that he has it bad for her; barely anything can get a rise out of the man.
He’s being so damn stubborn and it’s clear he won’t be doing anything, which means I need to stop being a little bitch and go find them. I take a deep breath and steel my nerves, preparing to get to my feet and head off in the direction Atlas disappeared in, when a heavy hand lands on my shoulder. I turn to find the bouncer glaring at us while fighting the urge to hit him as my stomach sinks, and I nearly vomit.
“Two strike rule, fellas. We don’t tolerate guys hassling our employees here. You’ve been eyeing Ria all night; hope you’re not dumb enough to have a repeat of last time.” Jax narrows his eyes at us, radiating menace.
I bat his hand off of my shoulder and glare right back. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, its people fuckin’ touching me when I’m not expecting it. Not a lot pisses me off, but that puts me in an instant bad mood when it happens.
“Situation’s changed,” I spit through clenched teeth. “Just ask her.”
He gives me a pointed look. “Trust me, I will be.” He moves off and scans the crowd before disappearing down a hallway.
Lucien gives me the courtesy of finding his glass incredibly fascinating, giving me time to pull myself together. It always fucks with my head when I’m caught off guard, and sometimes it takes me a few minutes to get control of the reins again. After nearly half an hour, I rise to my feet.
“I’m going to look for them, you coming?” I try to force levity into my strained voice, but I know he picks up on it.
He finishes his drink and gets to his feet, scowling. “Dorian, I know you’re smitten with the girl, but this can’t end well. We’re already in far too deep with her and she’s practically a stranger.”
I can barely hear him over the music and it actually helps more than I expect. Soon, all of the nightmares are chased away by the throbbing base and noise so loud I can hardly think, let alone remember. It’s a beautiful distraction, and before I know it, I’m back in control of myself, breathing steadily.
“Exactly. We’re already in so deep with her that we’re living together. So really, the only logical conclusion is to go for broke. Whatwouldmake an already complicated situation worse is if we start bringing random people home to bone when she’s there or her to do so when we’re at her place.” When I see his jaw tick, I know I’ve almost got him, so I continue to push. “Unless the thought of watching some rando fuck her in the back alley really doesn’t bother you in the slightest? If so, I will apologize and drop the subject entirely.”
He doesn’t confirm or deny, but his refusal to answer is an answer in itself. Lucien is a lot of things, but overly protective is his strongest trait. He took it upon himself to unofficially adopt me all those years ago, and Atlas fell into the fold a few years later. There are few people he cares for, but the ones he does, he goes all in harder than Atlas. Black and white. There are things that are his and things that aren’t. Once Lucien decides you’re someone he needs to look out for?
There’s really no going back at that point.
It’s why he doesn’t date and rarely hooks up with people. He keeps his head buried in work because he doesn’t want to waste time with people that don’t matter.
I push open the door to the employee lounge and pull to an abrupt stop, Luce crashing into my back. Cambria, Atlas, Jax, and some woman I haven’t seen before are seated around the table in various states of undress with cards strewn all over the table.
