Tak: The A**hole Club Series

by Ivy Harper

  “The guy,” I said with gritted teeth at his obvious motive. “The one who dropped the stage light. Where is he? Were they able to capture him?”

  Looking hesitant, he nodded. “Yeah, they caught him.”

  “Yes,” I said, moving to walk around him. “I bet they need my statement, let’s go quickly and ask them who he is.”

  “No, you’re going to lay down and let the doctor look over you.”

  I waved him off. “I’m fine.”

  He grabbed the hand I’d lifted to wave him off in midair. I winced, looking up at him in confusion. “Tak?”

  “I already told you once, I don’t want to see you endanger yourself because of me, didn’t I?”

  I didn’t have time for his tantrum. “I’m your bodyguard. My job is all about putting myself in danger. How can you ask me to not do my job?”

  “Then I’ll fire you,” he said coolly.

  He’d what?

  My anger grew. I snatched my wrist from his hold.

  “No, you won’t. I won’t quit and I won’t let you fire me,” I declared defiantly.

  He looked down at me in amusement. “And how exactly would you stay hired after I fire you?”

  “Mr. Kole wouldn’t let you fire me for doing my job,” I said as I crossed my arms. Daring him to say I was wrong. “I’m not weak. I’ve been hit before. You can’t really believe this is my first time ending up in a hospital?”

  He lost his look of amusement as his eyes hardened on me, but I would finish what I had to say.

  “I get it. You see me.” I motioned to my body. “And think I need protection, but this body is strong and capable. I can handle a lot more than you think.”

  I softened my voice and reached out, pressing the flat of my hand on his chest. “Let me protect you, please. Let me do my job.”

  He looked away from me, his jaw ticking. “I can take care of myself. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  Stunned, I wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly. “What did you say?”

  He side-eyed me, before turning to face me fully. “I’m not doubting your strength, but that doesn’t mean I want to see you get hurt. I’m not weak.” He scowled, moving my hand off his chest. “I’m not someone who needs another to be put in danger for them.”

  “But it’s my job to protect you.”

  “I know and I know you’re not going to back down on this.” He shook his head. “So, let’s put that on the back burner for now. What I want right now is for you to get back in that bed. If you don’t, I’m warning you…”

  He leaned down until his lips were an inch away and those warm brown eyes stared into mine. “I’ll kiss you if you don’t behave.”

  Flushing, I turned my head, pulling away from him. “You’re playing dirty.” Muttering about spoiled rock stars, I got back into the bed.

  He pouted. “Actually, I’m kind of hurt. I was hoping you’d be a bit more stubborn so I could kiss you.”

  “Asshole,” I whispered, clamping my mouth closed when Chelsea entered with a doctor next to her.

  I endured being poked and prodded under the watchful eyes of both Chelsea and Tak. One would think I was the musician.

  “Has anyone looked Tak over?” I asked.

  Chelsea gave me a nod. “He’s been checked over. They did it before he changed.”

  With that, I was forced the deal with the doctor until he finally gave me a clean bill to leave. Tak and Chelsea tried to get me to stay another night, but I couldn’t. I wanted to get home and see if Dutch had managed to get Bradley’s address for me.

  If Bradley and his partners hadn’t given up on killing Tak, then I couldn’t waste time lazing around in a hospital bed. It was time I got more into this search for answers. I couldn’t let this chance slide by.

  Tak

  * * *

  Back home, I sat in the study I rarely used. I met Chelsea’s worried gaze from where she sat across from me. She’d just gotten off the phone with the police and came to tell me what they reported.

  “Well, what did they say?” I asked.

  Her expression was troubled. “They said he’s no longer in custody. They didn’t even get his motive for trying to kill you out of him. The fucker must have connections because he was able to have his bail set at a measly five thousand and was out before the ink dried on his paperwork.”

  I released an incredulous laugh. “I should have fucking known.”

  “Tak.”

  “No, it’s fine. Hasn’t this city always been like this? Never mind, at least it’s obvious someone with money is behind him. Now there’s the question of how I can get my hands on him and make him disappear for trying to kill me.”

  “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Chelsea said.

  “Whatever makes you feel better,” I replied. “Did you look into what I asked for?”

  She shook her head. “I wasn’t able to find out anything from the hotel. Management said the camera on the floor of your hotel room had been broken and when they asked their staff, no one remembered anything weird from that night.”

  I grimaced. “But there’s also no footage of me arriving at the hotel.”

  “They said they could only assume you entered through the back door since the cameras were broken back there as well. They also mentioned that not only were the back door and the eleventh floor cameras not working, but two of their elevator cameras didn’t work that night either. Apparently, they were to be fixed the next day.”

  I squinted. Something smelled heavily of bullshit and it wasn’t Chelsea’s cloying perfume. The husky sound of my own voice filled the air interrupting my thoughts.

  Hold me down as I scream out. My broken dreams are endless. So, I curse you with my hatred.

  Chelsea smiled tauntingly. “You actually soberly made your own song your ringtone?”

  “You soberly picked out that vomit-colored dress to wear today. You don’t see me judging you for it,” I said right before I answered my phone.

  “Dick,” she muttered as she stood up and walked out.

  “Hello?”

  Kole’s voice entered my ears. “I heard from Chelsea what happened.”

  “You also heard that fucker actually got out on bail, right?”

  “I’ll get our people to look into it,” he said, sounding colder than usual.

  “Kole had always been protective of his artists. Most people saw him as the opposite of me. He wasn’t reckless or likely to go back on his word. If someone wanted to stretch it, they could call him kind, but when it came to protecting his musicians, he could be as ruthless as Rhet.

  “Finally. I can see you actually doing your job.”

  “Tak.”

  I grimaced. “Don’t, I’m fine. You should be thanking your new hire. She’s the reason my head wasn’t smashed in.”

  There was a beat of silence before Kole asked, “So… I’m starting to believe I may owe you an apology. What happened in Vegas?”

  “I don’t know, I keep telling you,” I say in frustration. “There’s a big fucking gap in my memory.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll beef up your security some more.”

  “The fuck you will. Jazz is enough, she’s been doing her job.”

  “Are you actually saying something nice about your bodyguard?”

  “That doesn’t mean I won’t try to sleep with her. I have every intention of fucking her out of her job.” Just imagining Jazz under me, screaming as I pounded her into a wall, bed, or maybe even the pool, sent zings straight to my dick.

  “I’m going to ask that you not talk like that to me or anyone else. I have enough problems without having to deal with a sexual harassment charge being filed against you.”

  Immediately my dick deflated. “I take offense to that. I’ve only ever had beautiful consensual sexual encounters. Maybe if you acted like me the number of interns you go through wouldn’t be so high. Speaking of which, is the one with the perky breast still there?”

  �
��Goodbye, Tak.”

  Before I could tell him goodbye, he hung up on me. I laughed. The fucker was so sensitive about his harem of interns.

  My smile dropped when I thought about what Chelsea said. Something didn’t sound right. It looks like I had no other choice but to reach out to Pit or Deacon to get this situation looked into.

  The only problem with that was I didn’t want to call them. No matter how much I knew I should, I needed some more time to think it over.

  And I wasn’t completely sure if the dumbass who’d tried to smash my head in was related to what happened in Vegas. He could have been one of millions of people who hated me for being Tak Jensei. I released a humorless laugh at that thought.

  No one could hate me as much as I hated myself.

  Chapter 26

  Blue Pill

  Jazz

  * * *

  “Do we really have to do this?” I asked for like the third time.

  Chelsea stopped typing as she looked at me. We sat in Tak’s living room across from each other. “Every time an employee is injured, we have to write a report and since you’re an onsite worker it needs to be done immediately.”

  I squeezed the pillow in my lap. “I understand, but was it really okay to let Tak go alone to the premiere tonight after what happened today?”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t send him alone. The security team loaned us a few guys who can play his babysitters until you’re feeling better.”

  “I’m feeling better now,” I insisted as I tapped my forehead. “Not a trace of dizziness.”

  “Well, Tak said he’d feel safer if you rested tonight.”

  I frowned. “I don’t think he trusts me to do my job.”

  “That isn’t true,” she said. She didn’t look at me as her fingers continued to fly over her phone. “In fact, it’s because he trusts you, he’s not comfortable with putting you in danger.” Coming from Chelsea it sounded far less like fake flattery.

  “Isn’t that kind of my job?”

  “Right, which is why I feel the need to warn you once more.” She paused her typing and met my stare with a calm one of her own. “You cannot get in any sort of relationship with him. It would automatically terminate your employment here.”

  I immediately thought about the few kisses we’d shared. I knew I couldn’t have sex with him and those kisses had definitely already crossed a line. I couldn’t allow anymore forms of intimacy between us.

  “I understand that all too well. I have not once entertained becoming something more than a comrade and friend to him,” I said.

  “Good to know. It’s easy to spin some sort of romantic dream when dealing with Tak and his interest.”

  “Trust me, I’m not the type to build castles out of moonbeams. I’m well aware of the rules of the world. I can’t become irreplaceable in his life. My beginning and end have to be seamless.”

  I had come here to help Tak, but I had never once thought of becoming a permanent fixture in his life.

  “End?” she repeated, her tone curious. “Are you thinking about quitting?”

  Catching myself, I laughed. “No, not anytime soon. Besides, I wouldn’t make it that easy for him.”

  “Don’t.”

  I couldn’t stop the sadness I felt at the inevitability of my leaving his side one day.

  Tak

  * * *

  I’d recently become very fond of balconies. It was the best place to hide away from unwanted company. At least it used to be. After the past few days, I was starting to think I had a bad fate when it came to them.

  I looked down at the crowd of stars below in the ballroom. Every one of them falling all over themselves to get to know the producers and directors who were smiling. The band had been invited to the premiere of the movie we’d done the soundtrack for.

  “Kole finally let you out.” I didn’t bother to turn to look at Omar. Of course, here he was to ruin my night. “I thought you’d be on lockdown forever.”

  “Is this number twenty-six or seven? I can’t keep up,” I asked as I turned away from the crowd below.

  He glared at me the minute I turned around to look at him. Standing next to him wasn’t one of the gross amounts of lovers he had, but his actual longtime fiancée.

  “Ah, it’s number one.” I gave a slight bow of the head. “Hello, Risa.”

  She gave me a smile, but the warmth wasn’t there. Not that I expected it. I’d stopped caring about her feelings when it became clear she was fine with pulling others into her and Omar’s dramatic as fuck relationship.

  I could abide many things, but disloyalty wasn’t one of them. Two people made vows to each other and if they didn’t intend to keep them, they should keep it basic. Instead, Risa had dragged Ark into her petty lovers game with Omar.

  Giving the idiot hope only to turn around and act like she’d never wagged her tail in his direction. Every time I saw her, I automatically thanked God I kept my relationships simple.

  Fuck’em and leave’em.

  “It looks like you haven’t changed much, Tak, and here I thought a near death experience would change you.” Her voice was soft, but the scathing tone was clear as day. She brushed her raven-colored hair back.

  “You thought wrong. I decided I’d give a big fuck you to the angels for bringing me back and be as bad as I can be. Nothing worse than being too good.” I turned my ugly smile on Omar. “But I’m sure with your cheating habits Hell would welcome you with open arms.”

  “Tak,” he growled, taking a step forward.

  A part of me wanted him to put his hands on me. If he took one more fucking step, I could cause a scene and leave this stupid event and go home. I wasn’t going to examine too closely why I’d rather be home than here. I squinted, more than ready for a fight.

  “No.” Risa stepped in front of him, blocking Omar from reaching me. “He’s not worth it.”

  I laughed at that because if that came from anyone else it would have caused a very, very small feeling of pain. Luckily, I knew her dirty secret. She fucked Ark while she and Omar were taking a break.

  “Right, I don’t think you’re the one who should talk about worth,” I said to her back. “I know it’s hard to choose sometimes, but I can’t say you picked well.”

  I shrugged, ignoring the way her back tensed. “Ark, the sweetheart or the cheating Omar, who can’t stay loyal to a single woman to save his life. Hmm, so many choices.”

  I walked past them.

  “What the fuck are you trying to say?” He placed a restraining hand on my shoulder. Smiling, I placed my hand over his.

  “Do you really want to know?” Please, fucking want to so we can fight and I can go the fuck home.

  “Omar, let him go,” Risa said, walking up to his side and placing a hand on his arm. “He’s trying to piss you off on purpose.”

  “Oh shit, look at little Risa using her head,” I taunted knowing she was trying to stop me from revealing her little secret.

  “Fuck.” Omar pushed me away and glared at me. “One of these days I’ll punch that damn ass-eating smirk off your face.”

  I brushed the invisible dust off my shoulder and straightened my suit jacket. “You had your chance, but your girl stopped you. Don’t get pissed at me because you can’t deal with your own shit,” I said as I walked around them and headed downstairs.

  “Son of a bitch.” It felt like my head was being crushed. The bright lights and the smell of perfume was getting to me.

  I was sick of this feeling. The world was too real and so much was happening. I felt like I was drowning under the number of eyes on me.

  My breathing grew harsh as I searched for something, anything to relieve the tension running through me. I walked over to the bar and pulled out a little plastic bag from my pocket. It held a few blue pills from Richie I still hadn’t used.

  I wondered how long it had been since I’d had the hard shit. It was time to break the drought. This night was over and quite frankly, I was over playing a go
od boy.

  Two pills and a shot and suddenly the world felt a whole lot better. The colors dimmed and the music roared to life.

  Jazz

  * * *

  After saying good night to Chelsea, I texted Dutch back a quick thank you for sending me Bradley’s address and asked him to look into the guy who’d been arrested. After I got comfortable in bed, I wasn’t sure how much time had passed before I heard it. A loud masculine yell.

  I got up, breathing harshly. I grabbed my cell and pulled the side table drawer open and grabbed the gun that I kept there. I usually kept it locked away in its case, but with the incident at the studio, I felt the need to have it out and ready to use. Tak’s enemies could try to attack him in his own home one night.

  Crossing my arms, I then turned on the light on my cell phone and rested it over the top of my gun. I only uncrossed them to open the door and took up the same pose once more. I turned the light to the right and left to ensure there was no one attempting to hide in the hall.

  Another yell caused me to run down the corridor. Stopping at the opening into the living room, I backed up and pressed my back against the wall, slowly shifting to the edge. I leaned forward. My hold on my phone loosened and my shoulders slumped as shock invaded my mind.

  Tak stood in the center of the room, his hands pressed to his head. He shook it frantically back and forth.

  “Shut up, shut up,” he yelled. “Stop it.” He pleaded to no one.

  My heart broke as I watched him. It took me a minute to realize he held a gun in his hand. Fear quickly took the place of the shock. I turned my gun on safety and laid it down on the floor as well as my phone.

  I paused as he turned, lashing out with the gun, smacking it into one of the intricate glass statues that sat on one of the three high pedestals in the living room. The figure wobbled before it tilted over and slammed onto the ground, shattering into pieces. He stared at it, a stark look of loss taking over his features.