I found the bottle and was making my way toward the exit when I heard a slam. I walked faster and saw that the storage door had shut.
“Oh, please don’t be locked.” I got to the door, and sure enough, it was locked. Placing the bottle down, I reached for my cell phone. I’d text Atlas to let me out. Probably the fucking wind because the back door was left open.
I just started texting when the door opened.
“Oh, thank…” My words froze when I saw Liberio standing there and when I backed up, I hit something, or someone.
“Well, hey there, Toby. Long time no see.” Vick cackled in my ear.
I was about to scream, but he wrapped his hand around my mouth. I kicked but only knocked the bottle down.
“Help me, Liberio,” Vick said and Liberio picked up the bottle and hit me over the head. Then there was nothing.
Chapter Forty-Three
Atlas
“What did you do?” I came out of the office to see Max wiping his crotch.
“Shane slipped and dropped the vodka, no big. Toby went to get another, and Shane’s grabbing the dustpan and broom.”
“Okay.”
“Maybe check on Toby, he’s been back there for like, ten minutes. I organized that storage room for quick in and out.”
“Sure,” I said.
I went down the hallway and noticed the storage door was shut. Toby probably locked himself in. Chuckling, I opened the door and stopped cold. Glass and moisture were all over the floor.
“Toby?” There was no answer so I carefully crept inside, pulling my cell phone out at the same time. I hit the button for Ciro.
“Yeah.”
“Storage room, now.” I disconnected.
I searched the entire room, and there was no sign of Toby. By the time Ciro got there, I knew he wasn’t here.
“Something happened,” I said to Ciro as he looked at the glass on the ground.
“I’ll call TJ.” He stepped out and I started checking the closets, anywhere he may be hiding or God forbid, stuffed. Each passing second we couldn’t find him, an echoing throb of despair threatened to cripple me.
“He has him!” Shane yelled as he came running from outside. He was shaking a piece of paper. “I went outside to dump the glass in the bins since we’d already tossed the garbage. This was taped to your car. I thought it was a ticket and was gonna bring it in for you but, here, look.” He thrust it at me, and I opened it.
Maybe the games are fun after all.
“Where would he take him?” I asked as I crumpled the paper in my fist.
“His building is condemned; I can go check, though,” Ciro offered. “TJ’s on her way.”
“Wang?” Ledger’s voice cracked when he said it. Thinking that Toby was with Wang Zhao and Vick Keller was an unthinkable thing.
“Where would Wang be?” Shane’s face pinked, his bottom lip trembled. “He’s been through so much already. Why can’t Vick leave him the fuck alone?”
“Hey.” Ledger spun Shane around, so they were facing each other. “We take care of our own. We’ll find him.” When Shane lunged into Ledger’s arms and sobbed, there was no hiding the shock on his face, but he hugged Shane back and let him cry.
“Ciro, check out Vick’s. Where’s Wang known to go?” I asked anyone who’d know.
“He owns a large area, Atlas.” Max pulled out his phone. “This place though, wasn’t it on the news like a month ago when they talked about a huge mob presence with the Zhao family?”
Paradise Pavilion was a high-class restaurant specializing in traditional Chinese cuisine. I’d gone there once for a dinner meeting and knew where it was.
“Right. You think he’s there?”
Max shrugged. “If he’s not, whoever’s there would be able to get a message to him. Even if Toby isn’t there, I’m sure Wang wants to find Vick.”
It was a good thought.
“Okay, I called in all my eyes and ears in the city,” TJ said as she entered the club. “I agree Paradise Pavilion is a good place to start.”
Ciro returned shaking his head. “No one’s at Vick’s.”
Pulling my keys from my pocket, I started toward the door. “Whoever’s coming, let’s move.”
No one stayed behind.
Even though it was way past business hours, when my car and Ciro’s pulled up to the restaurant, two men met us at the door.
“Mr. Zhao has been expecting you, Mr. Durand,” one of the men said. I thought for sure they’d frisk us, but they never did, just opened the door for us to enter.
I didn’t say anything, unwilling to accidentally offend or regret my words. I followed one of the men, aware the other was flanking our large group. He brought us all the way to the back, where there was a large table filled with food.
The red and gold walls that were adorned with drawings of birds I didn’t recognize gave the place a unique elegance. The man who sat at the head of the table, however, was the epitome of lethal.
“Mr. Durand,” Wang said as he sat comfortably in his chair. His dark hair was slicked back, and eyes the color of obsidian glared at me. His shirt was blood red and the only color his attire had. On either side of him were four men and two more behind him. I had no doubt if I turned around, my entire group would be surrounded.
“Mr. Zhao, I apologize for interrupting you at this late hour. But I’m hoping you could be of some assistance.”
He smirked, but it wasn’t cute or endearing. It was terrifying. “You lost something, I assume.” Wang gestured to one of his men. “Jin, please bring in our guests.”
“Toby’s here?” I asked taking a step forward, only to be stopped with a hand on my shoulder.
“It would be wise you stay where you are until the conclusion of our meeting.” Wang quirked a brow.
The double doors to the kitchen opened. Toby, with his hands tied and mouth gagged, was being led out by Wang’s man, Jin. Behind him, not tied or gagged, were Vick and Liberio. If they weren’t tied up, this couldn’t be good. In my mind, I kept seeing Joker the day he died. Me on the other side of the room, helpless…useless. I couldn’t be those things for Toby.
“Mr. Durand, do you know my business associate, Mr. Keller?”
“Unfortunately.”
Wang laughed. “Yes, he is a bother sometimes, we can agree.”
Vick glared at Wang for the briefest of moments—no question, he didn’t want to get on Wang’s bad side.
“Mr. Keller has spun me quite the tale. He says you meddled in my affairs and because of that, I’m out over five million dollars and a lot of cocaine. Tell me, Mr. Durand, is this true?”
I was glad my friends weren’t speaking or moving. They were a silent support, and I knew if I fucked this up, they would pay for my mistakes.
“Mr. Zhao. As you know, I’ve run a club for many years here in Haven Hart. I cause no trouble and don’t seek it out. Mr. Keller, on the other hand, has repeatedly tried to dismantle my business and if I was a betting man, I’d put money on the fact that he’s trying to set me up, so you’ll get rid of me.”
Wang nodded. “I do agree Mr. Keller would be very happy if I rid you from this earth.”
Toby was struggling, trying to speak. I shook my head at him. “He blew up his own business to get the insurance money and run. If he was so innocent, why’d he feel the need to run?” I’d be fucked if Wang asked me for any proof, so I had to hope I sounded convincing.
Wang’s eyes widened and his glare turned to Vick. “So, not gas or electrical, then?”
“Don’t listen to him, Zhao, he’s trying to save his own ass.” Vick’s face was red with rage.
“Except he’s telling the truth,” Tracey spoke up. “Mr. Zhao, we’ve spoken, I told you I’d stay out of your way when dealing with Mr. Keller. However, I can’t ignore it if you harm Atlas, Toby, or any of these people here. They’re innocent. Vick here’s gotten himself into a bad situation and is doing what snakes do and trying to slither away.”
&nbs
p; “Yes, Detective Wilding, a pleasure to see you again.”
It was quiet for a few minutes while Wang stared down at his tea. I wished I could tumble around in his head and know what he was thinking.
“Okay, then. It’s quite clear what needs to happen here.” He looked up, right into my eyes, his expression placid.
“There’s one man who’s gotten too big for this city. One man above all others that needs to go. I’m sorry, Mr. Durand.”
I barely had time to process what he was saying when a single shot was fired.
Chapter Forty-Four
Toby
The spray of blood spattered across my face, and instinctively I jerked away. A loud crash made me yelp, and the man who was holding me pulled me away from the falling body.
Liberio. I stared as a pool of crimson spread around his head…his head with a rather large bullet wound through it.
“What the hell!” Vick shouted.
“What the hell indeed, Mr. Keller. This wall, that is now nothing but a bag of bones, was your biggest and best defense. A threat to me, and judging by what I’ve heard, quite the tormentor of anyone who wronged you.” Wang’s entire attention was on Vick, and I watched Atlas as he stared at me. Fear, worry, and longing shone in his honey eyes, and I wanted to leap over the table and jump into his arms. Arms I always felt safe in.
“What about him?” Vick pointed to Atlas. “He has five other people with him. How is that not threatening?”
Wang stood and was in front of Vick so fast, hand around his neck before I even realized he’d moved.
“How dare you speak to me in such a manner, Mr. Keller. I will not tolerate it. You’ve done well by me for many years, but the first sign of deceit and you turn into a whimpering, spiteful man. It’s unbecoming.”
My only hope was that Wang would kill Vick and let us all go. Being so far from the others, I couldn’t help but think I would meet the same fate as Liberio. And with that horrible thought, I closed my eyes and focused on good things. Poppy’s laugh, the feel of Atlas’s lips, hands, and skin, the smell of coffee in the early morning outside Quirks and Perks, the vibration music makes through my body when I’m at Joker’s Sin, all the themed nights at the club, Shane’s horrible jokes. Over and over again I replayed those memories. If I was going to die here today, I’d die not seeing it coming but instead being lost in my happiness.
“Mr. St. Claire?” The sound of Wang’s voice so close to me forced me to squeeze my eyes tighter.
“Toby,” Atlas said louder and instinctively I opened my eyes, but it wasn’t Atlas in front of me, it was Wang.
“Why are you closing your eyes?” Wang removed the gag so I could answer.
“I wanted to die remembering the things I loved.”
Judging by his expression, the answer must’ve surprised him. “And what do you love, Mr. St. Claire?”
Such an invasive question but what did it matter at this point? “My sister, my friends…” My throat began to clog, and I felt the tears run down my cheeks. “Coffee, music.” I couldn’t stop the way my voice cracked or the sob that broke free. “Atlas. I love him so much.”
“I see.” Wang didn’t appear to be phased by my falling apart or anything, really. He peered over his shoulder. I followed his line of sight to where Atlas stood, stoic, but there was no missing the redness in his eyes.
“You love Mr. St. Claire, Mr. Durand?”
“I do.” He didn’t hesitate, and that just made me cry harder.
“This is motherfucking bullshit. What does two fags loving each other have to do with anything?” Vick shouted, and with a nod of Wang’s head, Vick was flying through the air and slammed against the table covered with food.
“I’ve had quite enough of your disrespect, Mr. Keller. You came into my place of business, told me you had brought me the man who helped steal my drugs and my money. What I see before me is a man, Atlas Durand, who is wealthy in his own practices and has never dipped into the pools you have.” Wang turned to me. “Then Toby St. Claire who, and take no offense, Mr. St. Claire, wouldn’t harm a fly or risk getting a parking ticket. Then we have you.”
Wang’s man lifted Vick off the table, food and porcelain scattered to the floor, and I took a step back.
“In the last month alone, you abused your own worker, you tried to damage Mr. Durand’s business countless times, blew up your own business for insurance money, and stole my drugs.”
“Mr. Zhao, I swear I didn’t…”
“Silence!” Wang shouted and damn, the man had a loud voice. “Your actions tell a story, Mr. Keller, and the fact that you were going to run while Mr. Durand just had a reopening is very illuminating. Don’t you think, Jin?” He turned to a man a few feet from him.
“I do, sir.”
“Mr. Keller, I regret to inform you, I no longer require your business. Your existence is bothersome, and you’re causing ripples where none are wanted. Jin here will escort you out. Good night.”
What? He was just going to let him leave? That would never stop Vick; he’d come right back.
“Please, Mr. Zhao, I swear I didn’t do this, I’m innocent.”
Wang chuckled darkly. “You are far from innocent, Mr. Keller.” With a curt nod to one of his men, Vick was dragged out, kicking and very loudly screaming.
I wanted to ask if Wang was serious, if he was really going to just let Vick go. He had to know Vick wasn’t a man to be trusted. But Wang spoke before I could.
“Mr. Keller will no longer be an issue for either of us. He will no longer be an issue for anyone ever again; I’m sure you understand my meaning.” I watched as he moved closer to Atlas, and fear prickled up my spine. “I’ve never had issue with you, Mr. Durand. As a matter of fact, your club brings many people to Haven Hart. That’s very good for my business.”
If looks could incinerate, Atlas’s glare would set him ablaze.
“You don’t approve.” Wang chuckled. “I do not care if you do or don’t. But I have no issue with you or your lover here.” He gestured to me, and then the binds tying my hands together were severed.
“However, I do not wish to cross paths again. I’m not sure what exactly happened to my drugs, and I may be a fool to think you are innocent in the situation, but I will give you this pass. Do you accept it?”
Atlas’s nostrils flared, and I knew he wanted to punch Wang but instead he calmly said, “I do.”
“Very good. You may all go. Have a good night.”
With that, Wang walked around Atlas and our friends and left the restaurant. One of Wang’s men dragged Liberio’s body through the kitchen—Mental note, never eat here—and another guy gave me a nudge, telling me to move. Not having to be told twice, I ran to Atlas, and when I got there, he gathered me in a fierce hug, his lips slammed into mine, and whispers of I love you were said between kisses.
“Take me home, Atlas.”
“I’ll take you anywhere, Toby.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
Atlas
“I don’t understand, why did they have their bachelor party so far from their wedding date?” Toby asked as we sat in the middle of a lavish garden, in mid-October, watching the senator’s son Sam and his fiancé, Jeremy, exchanging vows.
“I think it had something to do with spreading it out. I don’t know and don’t care. I’m more shocked they invited us.” And I was. After the shit show that happened with my club and them not really knowing me well, to get an invite to their wedding was amazing.
I was going to decline, but between Toby and Poppy, they wouldn’t let me. And so I only agreed as long as Toby attended as my plus-one.
“It’s so gorgeous. I can smell autumn in the air, the colors are stunning, and they’re lucky it’s not raining.”
They were being married outside Haven Hart only for security reasons, the senator had said. But there was a lot going on in Haven Hart, and it wasn’t so safe—something the senator might want to fix before re-election.
“That was lovely.” Toby wiped a tear and I smiled. I loved this man more every single day.
For the last six months, he’d been by my side with the club, making it even better than it already was. When I said I had a problem staying in my penthouse after the break-in, even after Ciro went in and removed every bug and fixed my sensors, he helped me find a new place. One I asked him to move into with me. With Desi and Poppy living together in a house outside the city, it was silly to have him all alone in that shitty apartment. So, when he said yes, I was thrilled.
Wang was right when he said Vick would no longer be a problem for us. A couple of months later, a very decomposed body was found in a shipping crate. TJ later told us it matched Vick’s DNA. It had been quiet—well, as quiet as anything could be, and I’d loved every second.
We were sitting together, finishing our meal, when the song that started it all began to play. That night, when I took Toby in my arms in front of everyone at Joker’s Sin and danced with him, was the beginning of something I didn’t even know would be anything.
Toby looked at me with smiling eyes and held out his hand. “They’re playing our song.”
“They sure are.”
We made our way to the dance floor, and like that night, I lifted him in my arms and danced with him. I didn’t think I’d ever felt love like I did when I was with Toby, but here in my arms was everything…my everything.
When the song ended we turned, and Sam and Jeremy stood there with matching smiles.
“You two are gorgeous together,” Sam said. “I don’t believe we had the chance to meet. I’m Sam Ramos, and this is my husband, Jeremy Ramos.” They both chuckled at the introduction.
My Whole World Page 18
