Page 56 of His Obsession

Dorothy tugged Toby’s arm to move him away towards the door. She was a nasty coward, couldn’t even defend herself, and her boy-toy didn’t stand up for her either—what a pair. Alek pinched the bridge of his nose, and Jake sat back, smiling.Interesting. Jake enjoyed her lack of filter. Another thing I didn’t see coming. I threw my clean napkin on the table and downed the rest of my wine.

“Well, that was entertaining.” I stood from my chair, and Alek stood with me, dumping a couple of hundred-dollar bills on the table.

“Ready for the club?” Alek asked louder than was necessary. It was his turn to get my evil eye. That asshole said it on purpose, knowing full well that Lucy would want to go, and that was what happened. No sooner did I think it did she speak up.

“I’m always up for the club. I can call ahead and get us a VIP seat.” She clapped her hands together and dug out her phone from her clutch.

“No need. I’ve already done it.” Alek took hold of my elbow, and we followed Lucy and Jake outside.

Lucy wasn't supposed to go with us to the club. I didn’t want her to be there; it would cripple my plan and jeopardize Lucy. I gritted my teeth and dragged my feet on our way to the car. I think he did this on purpose. It would only make sense. I knew Alek couldn’t stand Lucy, so if he brought up clubbing in front of her, he knew she would want to go.

My heart pounded like a thousand elephants stomping on the Savannah. Had he figured it out? Was he bringing her, hoping it’d change my mind?

The drive to the club was unpleasant and silent. My stomach stayed clenched in permanent turmoil. I had so many things I wanted to say, but not a word would leave my lips.

The time was drawing near. My nerves were sharp as lightning, zinging across my skin, and it upset my stomach. As we walked through the doors, Alek put his hand on my lower back, leading me through the crowd and over to a VIP section. I had always seen those areas, but Lucy never allowed me to go in them. Jake sat apart, fumbling on his phone, his tattooed fingers roaming over the screen.

“Where is Lucy?” I sat next to him so he could hear me.Tell me she changed her mind.

“She said she was going to use the restroom,” he said, disinterested in the conversation.

Impeccable timing. “You are a douche-bag! What are you doing with Lucy? I don’t want her involved with you or anything to do with you guys. Stop seeing her, now!” I said through clenched teeth, poking my finger in his chest. How could they both do this to me? Not Lucy, she was innocent in all of this. How could Alek allow it? Why would Jake bring her into it? He knew how I felt, didn’t he? I’m confident I made it clear when I left my home and stayed with Alek to protect her.

Jake tilted his head and gave me a death glare. If looks could kill, I’d have daggers penetrating my chest and blood gushing from every orifice. His signature move. You knew he was going to give it to you.

Jake took hold of my finger and bent it back, causing me to wince in pain. “Liz, you know better. You may have the boss wrapped around this lovely little finger, but I won’t tolerate being spoken to with disrespect. I’m not afraid to take the punishment for teaching you a lesson,” he threatened, releasing his hold on my finger. I shook the pain from my hand.

I stood, clenching my teeth, and pushed the blood out of my tight fists. “I’d like to see you try!” I issued the challenge before thinking. I knew I didn’t stand a chance against him, no matter how much I’d practiced.

“Take your bratty attitude elsewhere, Liz.” He dismissed me with the flick of his wrist and returned to his phone, tapping away.

I turned on my heel, keeping my eye on Alek. He sat with his arms on the back of the U-shaped booth, grinning with no intention of righting this wrong with Lucy. He knew the conversation that transpired. He may not have heard it, but he understood it. I rolled my eyes and stomped off the platform towards the bar.

Before I took my second step down, he seized my arm, stopping me in my tracks. Alek towered over me, pressing his lips to my ear, gripping my body against his.

“I have my men all over this club, don’t do anything stupid.” His hard eyes were cold and raw, his warning low and hostile.

I pulled a saccharine sweet smile, palmed the letter I had penned earlier in the day, and stuck it undetected into his pocket. "I wouldn't dare."

“Remember, I’m here to protect you, I’m not your enemy.” His eyes softened, almost begging for understanding. He pressed his warm, tender lips to my cheek and gradually released my arm.

“Thank you.” It was exactly what I’d hoped for. I turned my head and leaned against his lips, savoring his taste with my tongue. I strolled away from him with a smile, putting extra sway in my hips, hoping he’d keep a closer eye on me now.

A man working the bar appeared eerily familiar. It was hard to catch a clear image of his face with the strobe lights flashing and the lasers going wild. I waved him down, getting his attention. He poured me a shot of tequila, and I charged it to the VIP seat—his face still obscure. Trying to find details in the flashing lights was like seeing Jason Voorhees’ face through the holes in his hockey mask.

Lucy slapped me on the back as I took my drink, spilling it all over my face and soaking the bar.

Fucking wonderful.

“Dude, your man is sex personified. I hope he fucked you senseless,” she said, yelling so loud I swear everyone at the bar could hear her. Seeing everyone’s heads turned our direction verified my fear.

“Oh, yeah, I hit that hard,” I said, pacifying her while dabbing the napkin, trying not to wipe away my foundation.

The bartender came over with another drink in his hand and placed it in front of me. “She didn’t order this,” Lucy said as I wiped the sticky liquor from the bar with my napkin.

“A man over there did,” he clarified. I glanced up, following his pointed finger to the direction I was sitting moments ago.

Lucy and I both saw Alek and Jake talking to Randall in what showed signs of a tense conversation. Seeing them stand in their triangle group triggered a memory I had since forgotten. When I went to the garage after my interview, I saw them having a disagreement. That felt like forever ago.