by K, S
Bryan nodded. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell him congratulations went both ways since Darrell owned part of the club, but he decided not to broach that subject yet. It was enough just to have him back home. He stepped back and waved towards a chair.
“Here, sit down. When did you get back into town?”
“Late last night.”
Bryan nodded. “Does Marcus know you’re back?”
Darrell grinned. “Yeah, I went by the hospital when I got in last night and saw that knucklehead. He was a little pissed off at first, but I guess he kinda missed me.”
“We all did, Darrell. No one’s talked to you in almost six months. You could’ve called to let us know you were okay.”
Darrell shifted in the chair. “You act like I didn’t send a coupla letters.”
Bryan’s gaze stabbed him at the obvious misrepresentation. “A postcard with your name scribbled on it is not a letter. We were worried sick. Especially Marcus.”
“I had to get away, Bryan. I had to deal with….” He swallowed hard before continuing. “I had to deal with Roni’s death in my own way. In my own time.”
Bryan nodded. “I understand. Well, buddy, I hope you’re ready to jump back into the swing of things. We have a lot to go over with this deal that’s almost finalized.”
Darrell stared at his friend, grateful he didn’t question him further. Eventually they’d talk, but not now. He had been taking things one day at a time - that was the only way he’d gotten to the point where he could even say Roni’s name. A look of understanding passed between the two men.
“If you still want me to be a part of the business, then I’m ready.”
Bryan smiled. “Your office has been waiting for you since the day you left.” He stood up and came around the desk. “Come on. Let’s go check it out.” He put his arm around Darrell’s shoulder and walked to the door.
“Just tell me you didn’t decorate it.”
“Look smartass, if you had been here, you could’ve done it yourself. And anyway, I’ll have you know I have excellent taste.”
Darrell looked around Bryan’s office and frowned at the heavy wood furnishings and dark muted colors. “Uh. Yeah. In other words, I’ll be hiring someone to redecorate ASAP….’ole man.”
Bryan glowered. “Punk.” They glared for a moment then laughed. “Good to have you back, D.”
Darrell’s heart suddenly felt ten times lighter. “Yeah. It’s good to be back.”
Bryan slowly swirled the amber colored liquid around in his glass before taking a sip. He stared out the window of his office, letting his mind wander over the events that took place earlier today. Darrell had left several hours ago and would be back first thing in the morning to take his rightful place in the business which was now partly his. He was glad to have his friend back where he belonged. He didn’t know if they would ever find out what happened after Darrell left…maybe it was better than way. Maybe a lot of things were best left the way they were.
What he did know was that Luther Thorpe and the man Luther hired to kill Roni were dead. Officially, Thorpe’s death had been ruled a suicide. Rakeem was found not long after, apparently the victim of a random act of violence in a seedy motel room. Deep down, Bryan knew there was more to the story and believed with every fiber in his being that Darrell had had a hand in delivering a swift, fitting justice for those two. He was almost sure of it.
Bryan glanced over at the picture of Roni which sat on his desk beside those of his wife and kids. You should be here, Roni. Right beside us working, laughing…living.
He couldn’t help but think about how all of their lives had been irrevocably changed. The day Roni was shot had been the worst day of his life. He’d never felt so powerless and helpless. Seeing her lying in that hospital bed at death’s door….that sight would always stay in his mind.
Six months later, he still found himself asking the same question: had he done the right thing? At the time, he’d thought it was for the best, but maybe…
Bryan finished off the cognac then quickly came to a decision. Walking over to his desk, he sat the tumbler down and reached for the phone. He only hesitated a moment before dialing the number.
“Yes, its Bryan Hargrove….thank you.” Bryan waited a few seconds then an tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth before he walked back over to the window and stared out at the Vegas skyline.
“Hey sweetie…how are you…?” he said in a gentle voice. “No…don’t try to talk, just listen. You made me promise to let you know…I thought about it long and hard before I decided to call you, but I’m hoping this will somewhat ease your mind so that you can focus your energy on getting stronger: he’s back.”
Six years later…
Darrell sat in his office ripping the club’s alcohol distributors a new asshole. “I don’t give a fuck if your prices have gone up. We signed a contract and agreed that you would give six months’ notice before any increase in pricing. Now as soon as I get the correct invoice, you’ll get your money. End of discussion.”
He frowned as he listened to the man on the other end then leaned back in his chair and smiled. That’s what I thought, muthafucka.
“Alright….yeah. Sounds good, Josh. Lata.” He hung up the phone and shook his head. “Go and run that racket on somebody else ‘cause I ain’t the one,” he muttered to himself as he looked over the expensive pricing the company had faxed over. Throwing it on his desk, he pushed the intercom to call his secretary.
“Yes, Darrell?” she answered.
“Angie, I need you to find Jake and send him to my office, please.” Jake had been the business manager at Club Ecstasy for the last three years. Day to day operation of the club ran like a well-oiled machine under his guidance.
“He’s in his office waiting on a customer. She should be here any minute now, but I’ll let Joanna know that you want to see him as soon as he’s free.”
“Oh! That’s right. That bachelorette party Men of Fantasy are performing at in a couple of weeks.”
“Yes.”
“Okay, well never mind. I’ll see him later. Thanks Ang.”
Darrell turned to his computer and starting catching up on some emails. In the six years he and Bryan had been partners, business had flourished. They made a good team and had fallen into an easy routine that worked for them. Bryan mostly took care of the behind the scenes business aspect while Darrell oversaw the clubs themselves. Bryan said Darrell was more in touch with the younger generation and brought a fresh perspective which kept the club constantly packed to capacity. He was more than happy to let him take over.
Men of Fantasy were more popular than ever. They hardly ever did bachelorette parties anymore, but were performing at this one as a favor to Jake. The client was friends with a frat brother of his who asked Jake if the guys would perform, which they agreed to with no problem.
Darrell, nor Marcus, had danced in years. However, Darrell made sure to keep his body in tip top shape. After all, he was the public face for the business. If he required that the guys look good, he wasn’t going to demand any less of himself. He looked at his watch. He was getting ready to head to the gym in about an hour.
As he finished the last email, he leaned over and reached for the phone, but immediately got sidetracked when his eyes went to the security monitor mounted on the wall. His hand stilled when a woman being escorted inside the building caught and held his attention. Darrell reached for the remote and magnified the screen.
“Who in the fuck is that….” he murmured to himself. He sat back in his chair and slowly twisted from side to side as he eyes narrowed on the woman being led to the elevator. Pushing a button, he panned in from a different camera and got a back view.
Damn. Very nice…
Although he knew he’d never met her before, something about her seemed….familiar. She wore her hair straight back in an almost severe bun, but it accented her high cheeks and the bone structure of her face.
And a very attrac
tive face it is, he thought. A twinge of excitement ran through his body that he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He’d been with different women over the years, but only to satisfy his physical needs. He rarely saw the same woman for any significant amount of time because after a while, they inevitably became clingy and he couldn’t stand that. At that point, they had to go.
As the woman stepped off the elevator and headed to Jake’s office, Darrell leaned forward to get a better look. His eyes quickly ran over her shape, but she entered Jake’s office before he was able to see much. He wanted a closer look.
Darrell pushed the intercom. “Angela. What’s the client’s name who has an appointment with Jake?”
“One moment….” Angela was extremely efficient. Darrell had no doubt she’d know the woman’s identity. “Her name is Jerra St. James.”
“Thanks.”
Darrell sat there for a moment, repeating the name in his head. Jerra St. James…
An unusual name for what appeared to be an unusual woman. He hadn’t felt this kind of interest in a woman since...
Not finishing the thought, he stood up and walked to Jake’s office. After all, he needed to meet the woman he planned on spending the night with tonight. Knocking on Jake’s door, Darrell walked right in without waiting to be invited. He nodded once towards Jake before his attention was drawn to the woman sitting at the table opposite him.
His eyes were immediately riveted on Jerra St. James’ face, and he felt a sizzling jolt of electricity when he realized the attraction he’d felt wasn’t just a trick of the cameras. Darrell flashed the smile that had made him popular with half the female population in Vegas. He ignored the knowing twinkle in Jake’s eyes and waited for the expected reaction from the woman.
However, Jerra looked him over once, then immediately dismissed him before bringing her attention back to the contract. Darrell couldn’t quite hide his surprise.
Okayyy. Maybe she doesn’t like men, he thought. As quickly as the thought surfaced, he dismissed it when he realizing how egotistical it sounded. Seeing Jake opening his mouth to make introductions, Darrell subtly shook his head.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d met a woman who made him work for it. This one both intrigued and challenged him - and no one liked a challenge better than Darrell Jamar Monroe. He would see her again. And when he did - it was gon’ be on. He left out of Jake’s office with a smile on his face.
Hope you’re ready Jerra St. James. Cause ready or not, here I come.