Dark Heart

by Eve L Mitchell

   The club was open until three in the morning; the band was due on just after eleven.

   “Aaron?” I turned and looked at Mike. “They want us on the door, that ok with you?”

  I nodded and told him to keep in touch with me through the coms unit and our phones.

   “Switching you every hour?” I checked. Mike nodded and I confirmed that was fine. Shadow and I were to move through the crowd. This is what we always did; we were both tall and could see over most people. I’d been given my earpiece when we arrived – I now clipped the mic onto my cuff.

  “Your girl’s looking lonely over there. She keeps glaring at you.” Shadow commented. “What did you do?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered as I fiddled with the clip.

  Shadow groaned as he shook his head. “This is going to be a disaster of epic,” he caught my eye, “epic proportions.”

  “I told her if she hooked up with anyone, she couldn’t bring them to the house,” I said quickly. “She asked if I was planning on hooking up. I said if it happens it happens.” I looked away from him.

  “You’re a fucking idiot.”

  “I know.” I shrugged. “It’s for the best, I can’t be getting messed up with her.”

  “She’s looking like that, she’s going to go home with someone to spite you,” Shadow warned.

  I glanced over at Lela – she was chatting to the bartender and laughing. My eyes narrowed. Was he flirting with her? Shadow rumbled with laughter beside me.

  “You’re so fucked. I ain’t ever seen you so caught up with a woman.” He laughed again.

  “Come on, let’s work.” Turning away from her, we walked over to the entrance to coordinate with the other security. I glanced over at Lela once and saw she was watching me. I smiled at her before I could stop myself and felt myself relax as she smiled warmly back. What was happening to me? I was never like this.

  The night passed quickly. The band were good, too soft for my taste but played well – the crowd were enthusiastic. I kept my eye on Lela when I could and noted she stuck mostly to the bar, she had seemed to hit it off with some of the servers and was happy dancing at the back to the band. In the dark of the club I found my eyes wandering back to her more often than they should have, telling myself I was checking she wasn’t overdoing it. Even I knew I was lying to myself.

  As with all clubs, there is always some trouble and it was nearing the end of the night when a group of guys decided to throw down. Shadow and I got to them first and I dived right in. It wasn’t long before the other guys arrived. We hustled them outside quickly, really it was over before it started. Once they were outside in the cold, sobriety and sense seemed to catch up with them quickly. It helped that some were local and knew Shadow or me.

  “Sorry Aaron, didn’t know you were there,” was muttered, or Shadow’s name and an apology was mumbled before they made a hasty departure.

  Grinning, I headed back in with Shadow. The club was winding down and I ran an eye over the bar for Lela – she wasn’t there. Frowning, I looked to the booth. It was empty. A tap on the shoulder from Shadow and he nodded with his head to the main dance floor.

  A cover version of Rhianna’s ‘Stay’ was playing, I had the vague recollection it was a Thirty Seconds to Mars cover, slowed down and heady. I was more focused on who she was with. Kyle Marshall had an arm loosely around her waist; one of her arms was resting lightly on his shoulder. He was talking into her ear and she was smiling at whatever bullshit he was saying. I took a step forward. Shadow placed a hand on my arm. Glaring at him, I shook free but I had the sense to stay where I was.

  I watched her tilt her head back and laugh. “Fuck this.” I turned and headed to the bar. I was getting paid to do a job, on both accounts. A soft graze of my hand had me turning to glare at whoever had reached out to me.

  “Hi Aaron.” Kayleigh stood in front of me.

  “Kayleigh, how are you?” I smiled at her. She beamed. I ran my eyes over her. Jesus she must have been poured into those jeans. She was wearing a black skin-tight halter top that was cut low. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail. She was small but she was packing a punch tonight. Shadow muttered something about me being an idiot as he walked on. I ignored him.

  “I’m good. I didn’t know you were working here tonight?” Her hand grazed my arm again and this time I saw what Shadow had commented on last night.

  “Helping out a friend, you know how it is.”

  She nodded and smiled at me.

  “Who are you?” came Lela’s voice suddenly. Surprised, I turned to find her beside me, glaring at Kayleigh.

  “I’m sorry?” Kayleigh looked at her with a frown and glanced at me in confusion.

  “Yeah, you will be, this is the second time I’ve seen you hanging about like a bitch in heat,” Lela snapped.

  “Whoa, Lela, calm down,” I snapped at her. “This is a friend of mine.” That wasn’t entirely true, but I didn’t need the scene.

  “Are you kidding? This is who you are hooking up with?” Lela glared at me now and I stepped into her space.

  “Watch your mouth,” I warned her softly. Lela flushed and glanced away quickly and back to me with a little less defiance.

  “I don’t know who you are, but you can’t talk to me like that,” Kayleigh said.

  I groaned inwardly as I remembered she was still here. I held Lela’s eyes for a moment longer. I turned to Kayleigh. “Hey, Lela’s just had a bit too much excitement.” I reached beside me and clasped Lela’s arm as I heard her start to protest. I squeezed slightly. Lela quietened.

  Kayleigh nodded. “I didn’t see you at the Warehouse last night?” Oh, for fucks sake.

  “You were there?” Lela took a step closer to Kayleigh. I cut in front of her, bringing my arm around her waist.

  “Of course, I’m there every time, aren’t I Aaron?” I clenched my jaw, either she was totally innocent or knew she was pushing Lela’s buttons. I feared it was the latter and the hellcat beside me was about to start spitting.

  “Yeah, sometimes. Anyway, good to see you. Lela, come.” I walked away half dragging Lela with me.

  “How does she get to go?” Lela demanded.

  “Can we not do this here?” I asked as she tried to get out of my hold.

  “I want to know how that little skank gets to go and I have to stay at home.”

  “Keep your voice down, you are being completely ridiculous.” I was now semi-carrying her to the door. Shadow was sitting at the bar watching with undisguised amusement. I glared at him and he openly laughed at me.

  “Hey Lela, you ok?” It was Kyle. Fuck me.

  “Kyle,” I greeted. Lela stopped wriggling.

  “Lela are you ok?” he asked again.

  “Yeah, I’m ok,” she muttered.

  “You are?” I mocked her. She glared at me and then – covering a laugh – she looked away. “We’re good. See you around Kyle.” I slipped my hand into Lela’s and started leading her from the club. I picked up our jackets at the staff area beside the door. Sam hollered as I left. “Shadow!” I directed. I saw him nod in acknowledgement. Glancing at Lela’s shoes, I swung her up in my arms, ignoring her startled cry as I carried her to the truck.

  Once inside, I looked at her as she put on her boots. “What was that?”

  “She’s just always hanging around you, it annoys me.”

  “You’ve been here five days. You’ve seen her twice,” I commented drolly.

  “Yeah, well she has an irritating face.”

  “You’re crazy,” I muttered as I started the truck and headed home. “What were you doing with Kyle?”

  “Dancing?” She shrugged.

  “Uh-huh. You’re a pain in my ass, you know that?” I looked at her. She grinned at me and despite myself, I laughed. The snow had fallen heavy and the roads were covered. I would have to park on the street tonight.

  When I pulled up outside the house, I told her to stay in the truck a
nd I went around and carried her to the front door.

  “I have legs,” she murmured as she snuggled into me.

  “Yes, you do, and they are out for all to see in these temperatures, so to save you from hypothermia, which will just annoy me, I’m saving myself the hassle of listening to you whining.”

  “You’re a prick.” There was no feeling behind it though.

  “I know, you said before.” I smirked down at her.

  Once inside, she took her boots off. She kept glancing at me and I found myself looking at her. This was such a stupid situation to be in.

  “Right, well I have work in the morning, so…” I walked past her. She grabbed my arm and I stopped alongside her. “Lela…” I paused. “You don’t want this,” I cautioned.

  She took a step into me and tilted her head back to look at me. “I had three drinks tonight. Three. That’s unheard of. I didn’t want to disappoint you.” I nodded in acknowledgement. “I think I deserve a reward, don’t you?” Her voice was low and husky.

  I searched her eyes. They met my gaze steadily. I dipped my head down towards her and paused. “Lela…” A shrill ringtone made my head snap back as Lela jumped in surprise. I took a step back. She searched her purse and took out her cell.

  She pressed ignore. I frowned as she hastily put the phone away. Her phone went again, a message this time. I crossed my arms as I waited. Lela stepped away and gripped her purse.

  “Phone.” I held my hand out.

  “It’s no one.”

  “How talented of no one to be able to phone and text. I must see this wonder for myself.” My hand was unwavering.

  “You think you’re funny.”

  “I’m fucking hilarious. Give me the phone. Now.”

  “No.” The glaring brat was back.

  “Ok.” I walked past her, spun and disarmed her of her purse. Her screech was enough to wake the dead. Fishing out her phone, I tossed the purse at her.

  I read the message.

  Kyle: So glad we caught up again tonight, can’t wait to take you out tomorrow

  I watched her standing there, panicking, wringing her hands.

  “Goodnight Brat,” I sneered at her as I passed, tossing the phone on the table. “Stay out of my fucking room,” I called to her as I headed to bed.

  I ran my miles on the treadmill in the morning. I had gotten little sleep but the way this week was going, I was used to lack of sleep. It was becoming the norm. I showered and then slipped out of the house. I didn’t want to look at her this morning. I had almost made a stupid mistake last night; I had almost kissed her. I shook my head, I hadn’t almost kissed her, I had been ready to fuck her – what had I had been thinking?

   I headed to the garage; there was no customer desk on a Saturday and just skeleton staff, Jim would sometimes come in and check over the weeks work if there were still cars needing to be worked on. I made my way over the yard and headed inside. No one was in yet and I found the worksheet of the cars still remaining. Seeing some fairly routine work, I shrugged off my jacket and outer layers and got down to work. I pressed play on my Metallica playlist and soon lost myself to a good riff and work.

   “Hey there.” I looked up at Jim; he and Trey seemed to have arrived together. “Getting colder.” This was why I liked this man; everything may sound like a question but that was his conversation done for the morning. Trey went out and cleared the yard of the build-up of snow. When he was done, the three of us worked in silence.

  A few hours later, Jim announced he was heading home. Trey hung back to discuss tonight’s fights. Once I checked the liquor order, he headed off to Costco. I contemplated the gym – Shadow had texted earlier to say he had been in to the gym and Frank was fine, so he was spending the day with Maria, before tonight. I had forgotten to get extra guys for tonight’s fights last night when I was at Z Club, so I shot off a couple of texts to Sam and his head of security to see if I could borrow some guys for tonight. Fucking Lela, messing with my head.

  I rolled my shoulders. I was a twenty-four year old man and I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t want to go home and see her get ready for a date. This was messed up. My lip curled at the word date. This was day six, there couldn’t be much longer of this hell to endure. Surely.

  My phone rang and the disappointment that I felt when I saw it was my mom was embarrassing. This wasn’t me. I needed to snap out of this and snap out of it soon.

   “Hey mom, sorry I haven’t spoken to you in a few days.” I hopped up onto the workbench at the far end of the workshop. Tilting my head back, I closed my eyes.

  “Hi Aaron, we’ve got our stuff together. Now Paul said not to alarm you – but he thinks we’re being watched, so he’s going to his lady friend’s tonight to say goodbye.” She paused. “Then he will head out tomorrow. Alicia and I are going to the movies this afternoon and then out for dinner and then we’re just going to start the drive.” Her voice was low, but this was my mom – I could tell she was scared. I’d frozen when she had started speaking.

   “Fuck! That fucking bastard!” I jumped off the bench and began pacing. “Mom, I’m so sorry. Do you want me to come? I’ll kick the shit out of whoever it is.”

   “No!” I heard her exhale. “No…and watch your language,” she added as an afterthought. I almost smiled. “We haven’t been silly, the last few days we’ve been leaving things in the car, nothing to raise suspicion. We’re leaving so much behind, but, well, Alicia is more important.” I thought about telling her that Tommy knew, but I couldn’t tell her on the phone. I’d tell them on Tuesday. It was still important to keep them hidden – they’re safety was all I cared about. Even when I paid off the debt, my sister would never be safe from Tommy. I knew it and so would they.

   “I should have fixed this years ago for you,” I muttered, my head bowed.

   “You do more than enough. We’ll call you tomorrow when we’re all together. This is a good thing, Aaron. A fresh start. Alicia is so excited at starting at Watertown.” I smiled tiredly; my mom really was an amazing woman. We didn’t deserve her.

  “That’s good mom, call me today to let me know you are both safe for tonight.” She agreed and was about to hang up, when I asked, “Has he called?”

   There was a long silence. “Your uncle spoke to him. He called from Texas, I think he has gone looking for your father.” The rage exploded through me. I felt it coursing through my veins and I struggled to keep it controlled.

   “Call me later, let me know you’re safe. Stay alert.” I heard it in my voice, the barely contained fury. “I love you.” I hung up when my mom said her own goodbye. I stood with my head bent and my heart pounding.

   I stared at my phone for a long time. I ran the pros and cons in my head, I tried to rationalise. I tried to remain in control. Fuck it. I pressed call.

   “Aaron?” Jay’s voice sounded surprised but hopeful. Hate laced my veins.

   “Who did you tell?” I didn’t need to elaborate; I heard his breath catch.

   “I don’t know what...” he began, still trying to bullshit me.

  I shook my head. “Don’t.” My voice was whisper soft. “Don’t lie to me little brother. Who the fuck did you tell?”

   “Gerry. He’s Tommy’s nephew,” Jay answered.

  Of all the names I was expecting, it wasn’t his. Gerry, was Two Bit Tommy’s nephew? Why didn’t I know this? I leaned against the workbench. My mind was scrambling to process.

  “Are they ok?” Jay asked me quietly.

   My rage was back, it had been momentarily stupefied at the revelation of Gerry but now it was back in full force. “Don’t call them again. They’re done with you,” I snarled down the phone.

   “You can’t do this Aaron, they’re my family too!” Jay shouted in desperation.

   “They stopped being your family the minute you sold them out.” I hung up and dropped the phone on the bench. I leaned on the bench and lowered my head. Gerry was Tommy’s nephew? How h
ad I missed this? Gerry worked around here now and again; he was always disappearing for long periods of time. Now I knew why.

   I picked up my jacket. I needed to go to the gym after all. A punching bag was going to be my only release.

  I parked in the street – the snow was falling heavy again. Gotta love winter. I jogged up the stairs and headed to the office. I noted Frank on the main floor with Jordan again – I raised a hand but said nothing. I picked up a bag I kept here and headed back to the changing room.

  When I went in, I pulled up short to see Matt there tugging on a t-shirt.

   “Hey,” he greeted.

   “Hey.” I moved past him and then started shedding clothes.

   “You ok?” He was hesitant but genuine. It pissed me off.

   “I’m fucking dandy,” I snapped at him.

   “Ah...ok.” He nodded as I pulled on my gym shorts. With a curt nod, I walked past him. I tossed my bag back in the office and then started strapping my hands.

   Frank came casually over. “Aaron...”

   “You want me to put them in the hospital?” I met his startled stare, unflinchingly.

   “No,” he admitted, rubbing his chin.

   “Then leave me alone.” I walked past him and soon it was just me and the bag. The rage poured out of me, I channelled it all into my fists and the release was so welcome. I kept my head down and my steps light, constantly moving around the bag. After a while, I stayed still and kept the same repetitive routine, using my whole body, fists, knees, feet, until someone stepped up and steadied the bag, giving my punches more purchase. I didn’t lift my head – I appreciated the assistance, it made the repetitive strikes more forceful, allowing the ferocity of my fury out. I assumed it was Frank. I kept the same rhythm up for a while, working it all out. Finally, finally, I felt that I could lift my head.

   Colton Dawson looked back at me.

   I didn’t blink. I’d emptied all of my emotion into the punching bag. I smoothed my hair back and started to unwrap my fists as I held his stare. In truth I was surprised to see him here.