The Illicit Affairs

by Marí, Brittani

  On my way back down to the club, I realized her efforts had been wasted. What would she think if she saw us today? One son in jail and the other two still puppets for the man she tried to protect us from. The man she despised.

  I cringed as I thought of this, realizing I’d let her down. We all let her down.

  Robyn was wiping down the bar when I walked up. She gave me a concerned look. “I haven’t seen you around tonight. Is everything okay?”

  I gave her a knowing smile.

  “Okay, let’s start over. Does your sour mood have anything to do with your father coming in tonight?” she asked, already pouring my drink. I didn’t even have to ask her. She knew me well enough to know exactly what I needed. “Or does this have something to do with Alek Johnson coming in? I have to say, I squinted my eyes a few times before I believed either of them actually walked inside.”

  I wasn’t surprised when she poured herself a drink. The club was pretty much empty, except for a few lost souls. The ones who had drank too much or just weren’t ready to go home. The bouncer, Jarrett, was already letting them know the time. I noticed the dancers had pretty much wrapped up, too. I took a seat at the bar and silently weighed my options. I wasn’t known to get wrapped up in a situation that was out of my control—with one exception. Sadly, the situation with Mia was out of my hands.

  The only thing I could do was consult the one person who had saved me from myself once before. The person who pulled me out of a hole that I was quickly sinking back into. The person I was in debt to, despite the fact I had loathed him most of my life. Sometimes you have to sell your soul to the devil in order to cover up tracks with the power to ruin you.

  Robyn downed her shot, but her prying continued. “I’m guessing the situation is much worse then I suspected.” She set the bottle in front of me. “However, I’ve never known Wesley Black to be silent.”

  I turned to face her, trying to decide if I wanted to give her what she wanted—information. I’d spent many drunken nights with her consoling me in more ways than she should have. It was an agreement we had between us. One that had recently stopped for reasons I still hadn’t come to terms with. We decided just to let it end at that. Besides, I was sure our history would cause quite the commotion if it were ever revealed.

  “Stinson was here concerning some business that will soon be made public to the necessary people, and Alek Johnson…” I lifted my drink, giving her a stern look. “Well, let’s just say that’s a matter I still haven’t figured out.”

  When I finished my drink, I noticed Robyn staring at me. She wasn’t trying to hide it. She could smell my bullshit from a mile away, but this wasn’t her business and she knew it. She had lost the privilege when she betrayed me in a sense. However, I understood what led her to do what she did. I just didn’t expect it to be so close to home—close to a person I didn’t see eye to eye with.

  “I’m going to give you your space, Wesley.”

  She leaned over the bar and touched my hand. It gave me a view of her large breasts hidden beneath the tight crop top she wore, tendrils of long brown hair falling from the stylish bun on top of her head.

  When she spoke, her icy blue eyes displayed concern. “I just think you should know a lot of new faces were here tonight, and they didn’t look like they were here for a good time.”

  She pulled her hand back when she noticed me staring at her in a way we both knew was inappropriate.

  She continued. “They looked like they were looking for something—or someone.”

  I stiffened when she finished. I was glad she pulled her hand back because if she hadn’t, she would’ve felt it, too. I wasn’t a man who feared many things. However, the fact Robyn noticed something wasn’t right made me aware far more issues were coming my way.

  Why would Alek have his men searching around my club? What was he looking for? Who was he looking for? The only explanation I could come up with was Mia. He was looking for his wife.

  I wasn’t one hundred percent sure, but it was my first assumption. Maybe that was the reason he was continuously glancing at the monitors while we had our talk. He thought I wasn’t looking, but I noticed every time he did it. It was a small detail I chose to ignore at the time. It was starting to make sense. He was scoping out my place while his men were doing the same thing, but on a much more personal level.

  I gave her a firm nod. I respected the fact she would come to me with this type of information. It let me know that regardless of our previous situation and the way it ended, we could remain friends. She was someone I could trust.

  I didn’t want her to get involved, so I gave her only a small piece of information. “Yes, it was brought to my attention earlier. It’s being handled as we speak.”

  I could sense she wanted to say something else, but Jarrett walked up, putting our conversation on hold. He waited for my okay before speaking.

  “I did some digging on the man from earlier. The one who caused such a scene at the door, and strangely, I think he was a decoy for something else.”

  I gave Jarrett a confused look. “What sort of decoy exactly?”

  He took a seat next to me at the bar. “The whole situation was strange. The man just walked up and demanded entry. He clearly could see the line along the sidewalk. When I asked him if he was on the VIP list, he said no.”

  I looked at Jarrett and imagined the man on the screen trying to go against him. It was a battle he surely knew he would lose. He had been a big man, but Jarrett still had him beat. Jarrett was six-foot-eight with a build that warned you instantly not to fuck with him. That was the main reason I hired him. He also paid attention to things most people would ignore. This small matter was proving to be much more of an issue than either of us thought at first. I considered what he was saying about the man. He was right. It made no sense. If he was bold in the beginning, he should have continued to put up more of a fight toward the end.

  “So, what happened after that?”

  Jarrett paused before continuing. He seemed sure of his recent assumption. “You called and told me to get rid of him. I simply warned him that he didn’t want to test me.”

  “And?”

  “He left like nothing was wrong. Like gaining entry to the club wasn’t a big deal.”

  “Did he seem drunk? High maybe?”

  He considered my question. “Nope, he was sober, just stupid.”

  I shook my head in amazement. “So this random man walks to the front of your line and demands entry. I call shortly after and you warn him once. Then he simply walks away like it was no big deal?”

  Jarrett nodded, then paused when he remembered something else. “You know, the only other thing I can remember is the same car Alek Johnson got out of was already parked across the street when the man walked up. I didn’t pay it much attention at first, but I’m positive it was already there.”

  I took a deep breath. The situation was getting worse with each second that passed. “Did he walk in that direction afterward?”

  He looked toward the door. “I don’t think so, but with him holding up the line, people were starting to get aggravated. I had to hurry up and gain control of the situation before it got too out of hand.”

  I stood from my seat at the bar. “What about the other door? Did you notice the other bouncer having issues?”

  He considered my question. “Now that I’m thinking about it, he did walk my way for a minute when he saw I was having issues. I gave him some advice, warning him to never leave his post. He was new. I figured he didn’t know better.”

  Robyn chimed in soon after. She was hanging some martini glasses in their place. “You know, I noticed Alek Johnson making contact with the same guys I was telling you about, Wesley. He gave them a discreet nod as he walked inside.” She continued working. “I wouldn’t have caught it if I weren’t looking directly at him. I was just shocked to see him. I don’t even think he realized I was staring. He was too distracted by something else.”

  I slammed
my fist on the bar. I think it scared Robyn, but I was pissed. “So where exactly is this new guy?” I demanded.

  I paced in front of the bar. Jarrett was looking at me like I had lost my mind, and Robyn had stopped working to study me. I was a man who often kept his composure in even the worst situations, but the fact I had possibly been fucked over in my own establishment was testing my patience.

  “Let me explain why this new bouncer’s whereabouts are important,” I continued as I tried to calm down. “For starters, I don’t recall hiring someone new. I’m pretty sure this new bouncer was the one who gave Alek’s men, I assume, entry to my club, while the man who distracted Jarrett acted as the decoy.”

  Jarrett nodded. “Yeah, boss. It makes sense.”

  I wanted to lecture Jarrett on how unacceptable the whole situation was, but I knew it wasn’t his fault. He had his own issues to handle at the time. The thing that concerned me was how the situation happened. Where exactly did this man come from, and what was Alek looking for? If it were Mia, he wouldn’t have found her. She was upstairs in my apartment the whole time. It must have been something else.

  Jarrett shrugged. “Honestly, Wes, I don’t know. He must have left. I let the last person out before I walked over here. I didn’t pay him much mind, and everything was clear on his side. The door was even locked.” Jarrett started for the door, but I stopped him.

  “I’m sure he’s gone by now. Whatever he was sent here for, he must have already gotten it.”

  Robyn collected our glasses and the nearly empty bottle from the bar. “What do you think they were searching for?” she asked.

  At first, I was sure they were looking for Mia, but Alek didn’t stay long. So, they must have been looking for something else—someone else. I gave her the only answer I could come up with. The sad part was that I wasn’t even lying about it. I glimpsed around the bar, my eyes eventually focusing on her.

  “Honestly, I have no fucking idea.”

  ***

  I wasn’t a person who enjoyed surprises, but the beauty that awaited me at my office door was too tempting to turn down. She still wore the clothes that she had been dancing in on stage, and the thought of seeing her petite body without them excited me. She decided to block my way. Her little game was almost cute.

  “I thought you might enjoy some company,” she purred.

  In a way, it annoyed me, but I wasn’t one to judge. She was a woman who knew what she wanted, and a distraction from everything I had going on seemed like a good plan. Sex and liquor were always a good distraction.

  “I think you might be right, sweetheart.”

  I opened the door, and she quickly followed. Her eyes wandered around my office, but I didn’t give her much time to look around.

  “This is—”

  I cut her off. “How about we start with you removing your clothes.”

  “Okay. Where do you want me?” She looked nervous but quickly obeyed.

  I took a seat on the couch. The whole scene reminded me of the two people who had already occupied the space. The thought of Mia made hard, but not for the woman in front of me. I thought of this woman as a fill-in for the woman I really wanted to be inside again.

  I looked at the woman before me. Her platinum hair reached all the way down to her ass. The lace outfit she wore allowed me to see every curve of her body, fitting her like a glove. She would’ve been an average man’s wet dream, but I was used to the lifestyle. I could smell desperation from a mile away. The beauties who worked in the club were a dime a dozen. I preferred a woman to have something different to offer. Something besides her body. Sadly, this woman didn’t make the cut.

  “How about you strip for me right here,” I instructed, leaning back and pointing to the small space in front of me.

  She looked at the glass table in front of the couch and realized I wanted her directly in front of me. The coffee table was only inches away from the couch. I could tell she was still nervous. What happened to the bold woman who awaited me at my door? Maybe I intimidated her. Or maybe she didn’t expect me to go along with her little plan. I turned on the music.

  “How long do you plan to keep me waiting, sweetheart? I’m dying to see you naked.”

  I assumed the music gave her confidence because she suddenly started to move. Her clothes began to come off piece by piece. Every time she rotated her hips, she threw another piece at me.

  It didn’t take long for her to get naked. She wasn’t wearing much. Her petite body soon started to wind down. Before I knew it, she was crawling onto my lap.

  “Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”

  This woman was good. I had to give her that. She knew what a man wanted. I could see why she was one of the most popular dancers in the club. She came off as innocent, but it was all part of her act. I quickly caught on, unbuttoning my belt and pulling out my cock. Her eyes lit up as I casually stroked myself. I then moved her to the side, retrieving a condom out of my pants before letting them drop to the floor. She settled back on top of me after I put the condom on, positioning herself directly above my cock and sinking down on me.

  We both groaned in satisfaction as she moved the same way she had when she danced for me, skillfully rotating her hips. I gripped the back of the couch, meeting her with a hard thrust each time she sank down.

  When I felt myself start to lose control, I stood up. She wrapped her arms around my neck as I continued to pound into her, her petite frame hanging on for dear life. I thought I was getting too rough until her teeth gently latched onto my ear.

  “Yes, harder. Give it to me harder, Mr. Black,” she moaned.

  I continued to torture us both, pounding into her relentlessly, her grip on my neck tightening as she started to reach her peak. When she screamed in my ear, I quickly dropped to my knees, making sure to place her ass on the edge of the cushion of the couch. I found my release as I thrust into her one last time. I leaned my head against her breast, trying to calm my rapid breathing.

  “Wow,” she whispered.

  I nodded against her breast. “That’s one way to describe it.”

  When I reached for my pants, my hand brushed across something. I thought it was a piece of her clothing, but I soon realized it wasn’t. It was Mia’s panties. They were wrapped around the foot of the couch. I stuffed them into the pocket of my pants, quickly pulling them back on. The white lace of Mia’s panties brought back memories. I could faintly hear the woman speaking to me.

  “Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?” she asked.

  She was still naked on the couch. Her legs wide open, taunting me. This was the part I hated. The part where I had to ask them to leave—if they didn’t know to already. I never claimed to be a knight in shining armor. My escapades always came to an end. It was easier that way. It didn’t give them time to assume it was anything more.

  “No, sweetheart. I just have some business I need to tend to,” I responded.

  She leaned up off the couch. “Are you kidding me? It’s past two in the morning.”

  I had a feeling she no longer came in peace. She appeared sweet and innocent at first, but I was quickly learning she had a mouth on her. I cautiously picked her clothes up and handed them to her, still trying to put myself back together.

  “It’s nothing personal, sweetheart. You and I both knew what this was about. You came on to me, remember?” I reminded her.

  She yanked her clothes out of my hand and started to quickly dress, her eyes never leaving mine. “You know, I should have known you were an asshole when you didn’t even attempt to ask my name. Just in case you were curious, it’s Nina.”

  I didn’t bother explaining to her that I knew the names of most of my employees, hers included. I had more important things to worry about. The fact Mia’s panties were right by Alek’s foot while we had been talking bothered me. Did he see them? My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Nina’s voice.

  “I guess I’ll let myself out since you’re finishe
d with me.”

  I nodded, not paying much attention. The sound of my office door slamming finally gave me a chance to think. I replayed the entire night in my head. The conversation with Alek, to the information I had received from Jarrett and Robyn. What did Alek know? If he didn’t know everything, he damn sure found something out. If he didn’t, why else would he have left so quickly? Before his phone rang, the discussion between us had been his top priority. There was evidently something else going on that was big enough to steal his attention. I made a note to try to figure out what it was.

  Chapter Eight

  Mia

  MEMORIES AROSE WHEN WE least expected them. Many things could trigger a memory—sight, sound, or even something as simple as a touch. The senses we used in our everyday life could also save us from ourselves. Save us from certain danger. I was one hundred percent sure the man who pulled the vehicle up to the sidewalk of Avery’s apartment was a threat. I didn’t know where the feeling surfaced from, but it was far too strong to be a coincidence. The second the vehicle pulled to a stop, I quickly let myself out. I didn’t wait for him to open the door.

  The thought of having to look directly at him gave me chills, and the longer I stayed in the closed space with the strangely familiar man, the more I felt like I might suffocate. I tried not to make my discomfort evident for various reasons. The main one being I didn’t want him to recognize me if my feelings were right, if he were someone I needed to distance myself from. A person who would hurt me. The words he spoke as I stepped out of the vehicle only added to my discomfort.

  “Have a good night, miss.”

  I gave him a quick smile when both of my feet were planted on the sidewalk. “You, too.”

  Luckily, when I stepped toward the building, a few people were walking toward the door. Even at such a late hour, people were just getting in. It was normal when you lived downtown. The bars and clubs started to shut down around two in the morning, then people would begin making their way home. It was a lifestyle many people enjoyed—a lifestyle I no longer had. I quickly caught the door after a woman walked inside.