“We’ve got rules here, fucker.”
“It’s a whorehouse. There are no rules. These bitches fuck for money. I can get better service on the fucking streets.”
Caleb smiled. “Then go out to the streets.”
“I want my money.”
“You damaged one of my girls. Henry, get me a knife.” Caleb didn’t let the man go.
“What the fuck you going to do? Is this to scare me?”
Laughing, Caleb shook his head. “No, it’s not to scare you. It’s to send a message.”
“What message?”
The knife landed in his hand. Staring at the man in front of him, Caleb felt a sense of peace as he looked at the bastard who’d scared one of the women he’d sworn to protect.
Sliding the blade across his face, Caleb struck. “No man touches one of my girls and gets away with it.”
He worked the blade from the man’s cheek, up his head then across. The screams from the women could be heard in the background as he went to work. After he was finished with the knife, he dropped the blade and slammed his fist into the guy’s ribs. Over and over, Caleb stuck to his reputation of being a hard assed man. He wasn’t going to let anyone think they could poach on his territory. The girls in Ecstasy were his, and no one got a chance to touch or look at them without abiding by the rules. These girls were all his, and he’d protect them for as long as they needed it. Henry didn’t stop him.
When his message had gotten across, he turned toward his man. “Get rid of the body and make sure those bitches know to keep their fucking mouths shut.” His hands were shaking, and he was covered in blood from the sudden attack.
“They know not to say anything,” Henry said.
“Why didn’t you take care of this?” Caleb unbuttoned his shirt. Blood stained the cuffs and the main breast of his shirt.
“To remind you of who you are.”
He paused and looked at his friend. “What?”
“You’re forgetting where you come from. We’re not the kind of men to make a joke out of something like this. Donna, she seems like a nice woman, but we’re not nice men. Think about that before you allow yourself the chance to be with her.”
“I’ll fuck whoever I want.”
“When it interferes with our job, it becomes my business.” Henry moved toward one of the wardrobes and pulled out a shirt. “Put this on.”
Caleb knew he wasn’t going to end it. At least, he wasn’t going to end it until he’d gotten a taste of her.
****
Taking a sip of her drink, Donna glanced around the club enjoying the beat of the music as it pulsed. The energy in the air was addictive, and she loved watching people dance. She’d enjoyed being in Caleb’s arms a lot more than she liked. He knew how to hold her and to lead her into a dance that made her not want to stop. She’d been disappointed when he brought her to her seat.
“Donna, do you know what you’re doing?” Lydia asked.
Donna looked toward her friend, seeing the worry on her face. “It’s just a date.”
“No, it’s more than that. You didn’t see the way you two were dancing.”
“Lydia, stop,” Darren said. “You don’t have to talk about this.”
Donna glanced toward Darren seeing the concern of his face.#p#分页标题#e#
“No, I will talk about it. She’s never been on a single date, and all of a sudden this guy comes out of nowhere and pretty much tells her to date him. He’s creepy, and I don’t agree with it.”
“It’s okay, Lydia. You said I should go out dating more.”
“Grow the fuck up, Donna. He’s forcing you to be here.”
She stared down at her lap and wished her friend wouldn’t make any more of a scene.
“Donna,” Caleb said, drawing all of their attention back to him.
Jerking in her seat, she turned to see him standing, in a different shirt, staring at her. The shirt he’d worn before had white buttons whereas the one he was wearing now had black buttons and looked wrinkled.
“Hey.”
“Would you like to go home?” he asked.
She looked back to her friends. Darren was whispering in Lydia’s ear.
The last conversation hadn’t made her want to stay in the club.
“Yes, if you don’t mind.” She put her soda down on the table and smiled at her friend. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
“Look, I’m sorry.”
Holding her hand up, Donna tried to push her concern away.
“Don’t worry about it. I know you care.” She leaned down to hug her friend before standing up. “Take care of her.”