Dark Heart

by Eve L Mitchell

  Set up ran as smoothly as it always did. I checked my phone several times for Shadow but there were no messages or calls. I was beginning to actually worry when he came in. He walked across the floor with his usual confidence, but I saw the uneasiness in his eyes as he met my eyes. He knew the risk he’d taken letting her in my house. It had paid off for me and the cover was necessary, but still – it had been risky.

  “Hey, ok, before you tell me how you are feeling. Lemme show you.” He thrust a black and white sonogram picture under my nose. I had seen several of his baby’s pictures before and they were all blurry images, this one was more defined. “Look at my baby’s dick!”

  I shoved the picture away from me. “There is something wrong with you.” I laughed loudly as he picked me up and gave me a giant bear hug. “God you’re a fucking animal, I’m going to hurt you.” I protested but I was properly laughing now as he jostled me up and down.

  “Shadow! Be careful, he’s fragile still from being unwell.” Lela’s sharp tone and warning look was enough to make Shadow put me back on my feet; I feigned a cough. She rolled her eyes at both of us and our pathetic role play, before turning back to help Trey. We headed to the back of the unit. When we got there, I asked for the picture and we both revelled in it for a few moments.

  “That’s absolutely amazing.” I handed it back to him.

  “They said today that they couldn’t deny it was a boy and did we want a picture. I made him print about a hundred.” Shadow rubbed his face in joy.

  “I’m so happy for you both. Everything is ok still?”

  “Yeah, bed rest is doing wonders, Maria is on it until birth. They think they may take her early, but we keep up with two-week scans and they’ll play it by ear. She misses you.”

  “Yeah me too, I don’t miss Clara though.” Shadow’s laugh was low as he sat in one of the seats.

  “I know, come around on Sunday, Mama goes to church for hours.”

  “Ok, that would be awesome.” I looked at him. “So…wanna explain?” I jerked my head to the front of the unit.

  His explanation was exactly as Lela had told me. It was Johnny Carmichael that had come looking for me. That, I hadn’t been expecting. The thought of Lela in the house for three nights alone made me nervous. Thank fuck she had been alright.

  “And she didn’t ask any questions?” I asked him disbelievingly.

  “Only who the girl was. I told her it was none of her business and she shouldn’t ask.”

  “You tell her I was with a girl?” I asked. He shook his head.

  “Nope. Jumped to that conclusion all by herself. Jealous little thing, isn’t she?” His grin was teasing.

  “You seem to like her more,” I commented drily. “Changed your tune, haven’t you?”

  He laughed at me. “She was quick witted and genuinely eager to help, her concern for you was real. I knew she wasn’t gonna say anything.” He rose to his feet. “Still don’t think you should sleep with her though. On that I have changed my tune.”

  “Shut up, I need to go speak to Eddie, see what odds I got for tonight.” I went to walk away. He grabbed my arm.

  “How are they? You haven’t said.”

  My smile split my face in two. I didn’t even care that I was showing so much emotion. His answering smile was the reason Shadow had been my best friend my whole life.

  “I wish I had been there man. I miss them too, especially the little squirt.”

  “She said hi and to remind you that she’s an aunt since I am obviously never having kids and Jay is dead to her.” I closed my eyes briefly at the pain I felt upon uttering those words about my brother, it took me by surprise.

  Shadow slung his arm over my shoulder as we walked out to the front. “Who else would be aunt to my kid? Let her know anytime she wants, she can see him?” he said softly.

  I went to answer but I pulled up at what greeted me.

  A few customers were already in. The DJ hadn’t started yet. It was Lela that caught my attention, she was behind the makeshift bar, her sole focus on Kayleigh who stood chatting to Mike’s girl. Trey was nervously watching Lela, who was watching Kayleigh.

  Kayleigh spotted me the same time that Shadow spotted Lela. “Oh shit,” he muttered as Kayleigh made her way over. I flicked a glance over at Lela who was tracking her every move, like a predator.

  “Hi Aaron.” Kayleigh’s smile was huge as her hand squeezed my bicep and she stepped into my space. I saw Lela step out from behind the bar. I glanced at Shadow as he made his way over to Lela.

  “Hi, how are you?” I took a step back, she took a step forward. Shit.

  “I’m good, hey I heard about Saturday in the club. That was so awful for you.” Her hand stroked down my arm in sympathy.

  “Hmmm? What’s that now?” My eyes flicked back to Lela’s, whose eyes were narrowed on me.

  “I didn’t realise your friend had a drug problem.” Kayleigh glanced over at Lela and smiled sneeringly at her. Lela’s eyes narrowed further as she moved closer into hearing distance.

  “Who told you she had a drug problem?” I asked Kayleigh.

  “Well ok, it was Kyle, but don’t tell him I said. He didn’t know either.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. How was this girl considered pretty? With her fake blonde hair and her clogged black lashes thick with mascara and her tits hanging out.

  “Kyle? The guy who gave her drugs?” I crossed my arms. Kayleigh had all my attention now.

  Kayleigh’s laugh was forced. “Well, of course she would say that.”

  “Are you really this fucking stupid?” Kayleigh stopped laughing. “First, it’s poor Jay because the girl who got her drink spiked humiliated him. Now it’s poor Kyle, the guy who gave Lela the drugs, then he looks bad when she gets high. Are you really so fucking desperate?” Kayleigh looked around, I admit I had attracted people’s attention. Everyone was watching us now. I didn’t give a fuck.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Kayleigh tried to defend herself. “That bitch lied about Jay. Then her,” she sneered at Lela, who Shadow now seemed to be holding back. “I heard that she was fucking someone in here before leaving with Kyle last week and then getting high and he was only trying to help her. She probably fucked someone for drugs. She’s probably nothing but a drug whore.” Kayleigh looked at her nails as she tossed the accusations around.

  I stepped into Kayleigh’s space, now leaning over her. She looked up at me with wide eyes. I was pretty intimidating. I didn’t give a fuck if she was scared. “Jay’s friend spiked that girl’s drink so Jay could fuck her, because she wouldn’t sleep with him. You know what that is Kayleigh? That’s rape.” I looked Kayleigh up and down in disgust. “He could get sex from you anytime, but he didn’t want a cheap slut. Lela didn’t have sex in here with anyone last week, she was with me before she left. Are you saying I fucked her?” She shook her head frantically. “Lela left here with Kyle, her date, and then they got high. Together.” I took Kayleigh by the arm. I paused as I looked her up and down. “Didn’t Trey fuck you in a bar once?” Her eyes widened in horror as I considered her. I let go of her arm in disgust. “Bent you right over the pool table, didn’t he? In front of everyone? Tell me again Kayleigh, who’s the whore?” I walked her to the door, careful not to touch her again. I looked at Mike. “Keep the trash outside Mike. I don’t want whores in here.”

  I turned from the door, the anger coursing through my veins. Everyone was watching me. I looked at Lela; Shadow stood beside her but was no longer holding her back. Lela’s arms were crossed over her chest; she dipped her head as she looked away from me. I headed to Eddie, my step not faltering. Shadow met me halfway.

  “That was fucking brutal,” he commented softly.

  “She deserved it,” I answered.

  “Did she?” He let out a long breath. “I don’t think anyone deserved that, man.” He looked at me as he glanced at the bar. “You better put a sweetener in Trey’s pay tonight too.”

  I let out a sigh. “Je
sus, fine,” I snapped. They were suddenly all so fucking sensitive.

  I ran through the odds with Eddie, who was wise not to mention anything he may have heard. Actually, before the music started, everyone was very quiet.

  I headed to the back when the first fighters turned up as per usual. My blood was still pumping from Kayleigh. I tuned out the negative thoughts though and focused on what I was good at, which was making money. I had the two guys ready and Shadow knew me well enough to leave me be.

  The night went smoothly, one fight after another coming to an end with no huge upsets; my odds were in my favour, with the pay-outs being favourable but not too favourable. I was in the back counting out the money with Shadow when the lights went out.

  We both went still. “Put the money in the safe,” I ordered quietly. Shadow’s flashlight on his phone flicked on, he made quick work of clearing the tabletop we had been using. I shrugged out of my jacket and reached under the table, pulling out two knives from where I kept them taped to the underside.

  I didn’t like using weapons, but I wasn’t a hero either. I could hear the others calling out to each other to see if they were ok. I knew Trey carried a knife in his boot. He couldn’t fight well but he knew how to use the knife. He would be beside Lela or making his way to her at least. Mike and his brother both used brass knuckles. The girls would find a corner and stay there.

  It could of course be a power cut, but there was a separate generator and I wasn’t a big believer in coincidences. No, whoever put the lights out was coming for me. I looked at Shadow. With a nod he turned off his phone’s flashlight and we made our way to the front of the unit.

  Trey and Mike had set up the standby lights. There were four in the respective corners of the main area. They didn’t lend much light, but it was enough to make out where everyone was. My eyes scanned the room quickly. Lela was still behind the bar area, her jacket held in front of her, eyes wide. Trey was beside her, his hand on her elbow. She saw me come into the room, but I didn’t make eye contact with her.

  Just then the door to the unit swung open and five guys with ski masks poured into the room. Ski masks – were they kidding me? As they took position, I noted that three were massive and I briefly wondered if I could take more than one at a time. One of them I had no doubt was Kyle, I recognised his stance, you didn’t watch as many people fight in the ring as I did and not know the way they held themselves. That meant the guy with him was his usual buddy but I couldn’t remember his name. It didn’t matter, it meant they were Malcolm’s guys. I just needed to know if Malcolm knew they were here.

  “What do you want Kyle?” I asked as I straightened in front of him. He jerked in surprise and then with a laugh, removed his mask. He glared at me as his friend cautioned him for being stupid. Dave. That was his name.

  “Well I owe you for the other night, but that’s not why I am here.” He cast a sneer in Lela’s direction and Trey took a step protectively in front of her.

  “I asked you a question and I don’t have a lot of patience,” I snapped.

  “You’re an arrogant prick.” Kyle spat at me. I pulled out my smokes. “Boss wants you.”

  “Boss can wait.” I lit up. “Anyway, he told me this already, on Saturday.” I blew my smoke into Kyle’s face.

  “Not Malcolm, Tommy.” My eyes flicked to the other three guys. This made more sense. Malcolm wasn’t into displays of power like this.

  “Didn’t know you worked for Two-Bit.” I took another drag.

  “Yeah you know shit.” One of the guys went over to Lela, Trey moved and was quickly pushed aside. The ape took hold of Lela and she gasped but all credit to her, she said nothing. “You’re to come with me, quietly, or we take her instead. Tommy has a new mix he wants to try on her, since she took to Saturday’s batch so well.” What the fuck did that mean?

  “Fine.” I took another drag of my smoke. I saw Shadow quickly glance at me. “I’ll get my jacket.” I turned away.

  “What?”

  I turned back to Kyle. “Did I stutter?”

  “You’re just going to come with us?” he asked me incredulously. I stepped into his space so quick – delivering a swift upper cut to his jaw – that he went down with one punch. This time I did kick him savagely in the side. I heard the satisfactory crack of his ribs. I smoothed my hair back. I took another inhale of my smoke.

  “Well, I’m not going with you,” I muttered to the still form. “That you under there Dave?” I asked, looking at the closest guy who was just staring at Kyle on the floor. He took off his mask. He was pale and shaking.

  “I’ll get my jacket, tell your friends to get him out of my place.” I went back for my jacket. I put my two knives back. Tommy wouldn’t appreciate me bringing knives into his bar.

  “Are you fucking insane?” Shadow whispered to me as I put my jacket on.

  “Tommy will not appreciate the theatrics of this evening. That bullshit was all Kyle. Make sure they all get home ok, I’ll be fine. Stay with her?”

  He nodded as I clasped his shoulder as I passed him.

  Lela was hurrying up to me as I was heading out. She flung her arms around me and I held her close. I kissed the top of her head. “You’ll be fine. Shadow will see you home and stay with you for a little while ok?” She clung tighter. “Lela, I have to go.” I disentangled myself and headed past her.

  One of the bigger guys waited inside the door. He had taken his ski mask off too. I didn’t recognise him. He was older than us, probably mid-thirties but built. His eyes were wandering over the set up.

  “You ever interested, I have a few guys in mind who could give you a good fight,” I said as we went through the doors.

  “Yeah, I heard you run clean fights. No weapons?” he asked.

  “Nah, you can’t beat them with what God gave you, there’s no point.” I walked to my truck. “You to come with me?” I asked as I got in.

  “Yeah, that ok?” He waited at the door.

  “Sure, both going the same way after all.” His grin was quick before he hid it. The drive was relatively quiet.

  “Sorry about the shit earlier,” he said just as we pulled up outside the bar.

  “Kyle’s a prick,” I answered.

  “Name’s Les. Tommy said you would be no bother, sorry I didn’t listen.” He jumped out of the Raptor and made his way across the street.

  The bar was relatively busy for the time of night, still a few normal customers in mixing with Tommy’s crowd. I went up to the table and slid in beside him.

  “Kyle came in unconscious,” Tommy started.

  “He came into my work with his friends wearing ski masks, shut my power off.” I shrugged. “That kinda shit deserves a punch.” Tommy laughed.

  “I didn’t know that part, you have my apologies.” He took a drink.

  “What do you want? I have another two weeks,” I said softly. I watched Johnny get briefed by my new friend Les. He was listening to Les, but his eyes were on me the whole time.

  “I’m not very patient.” Tommy sat back in the booth.

  “I can pay you some now if that’s what you want.” I kept my attention on Johnny. Truth was I had the money, the fight last Saturday had seen me all right, I just didn’t want to pay too early. Pay too early and they would want more. Want something else.

  “No. I want more.”

  My eyes snapped to Tommy. “More what? Money?” I laughed. “Aren’t you already getting more with three hundred?” Son of a bitch. I hated being right all the time.

  “I know, you think I am unreasonable,” he said.

  I snorted; I couldn’t help it. Keep it cool Aaron. I warned myself.

  “I hear big things about these fights you run,” Tommy said as he leaned back in his seat.

  “I’ve had a long night, can you hurry this up?” I looked at my watch for emphasis.

  “Your balls are made of brass, I’ll give you that.” Tommy chuckled beside me. “I want in on the fights.”

  “No.”r />
  He turned his head to fully look at me. I met his stare. “What do you mean – no?”

  “Easy, I mean no. I’m already paying for something that I had absolutely nothing to do with, which we both know is complete bullshit.” I lit up a cigarette. “But… I’m doing it because I’m a good guy.” Tommy grunted and I grinned at him. “My fights are my fights. There is no cut for anyone else. You want in on it, set up on your own.”

  “Malcolm is sniffing around I hear.” Tommy watched me closely.

  “I wouldn’t listen to Kyle.” I took a drag of my smoke. “Especially since he was at my place on Saturday with Malcolm.” I shrugged. “If this is a drugs thing, you know I don’t get involved. You and Malcolm sort it out. If you want to start up your own circuit, go ahead. I’m not competition.” I stood up.

  “I didn’t say you could go.” Tommy watched me from his seat.

  “This is bullshit. I don’t really owe you anything, but I’m paying for a stupid mistake of a young girl being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Instead of focusing on that, you should have focused on who actually bought your coke at an undercut price.” I put out my smoke. “Hell, maybe you already did. I don’t know. What I do know is, I’m paying your price. That’s it. There is no other business. This shit,” I gestured between us, “stops.” Johnny joined him at the table and sat down. “And you? Turning up at my work? For what?”

  Tommy turned slightly to Johnny. So, he hadn’t known that either. Interesting. There seemed to be a lot Tommy didn’t know.

  Johnny shrugged. “Just keeping an eye on an investment.”

  “Bullshit.” I scoffed at him. “I’ll see you in two weeks. Until then stay the fuck away from me and keep that fucking idiot away from me too.” I jerked my head towards Kyle. “Or broken ribs are the least of his problems.” I walked out. Tommy laughing behind me didn’t help my nerves or my temper.

  I got back into my truck and drove home, my heart hammering the whole time. I wasn’t entirely sure I had gotten away with that. I did know I was furious. This is why I hadn’t wanted them to know Alicia had been involved. I didn’t care so much about paying, especially now that I had her safe. I cared that once they thought they had their hooks in you, they thought they owned you.