Protecting You (The Boston irkpatricks #1)

by S. Donahue

  I’m feeling some kind of way because we just had sex last night. He couldn’t wait twenty-four hours. I ran to the bathroom to fix myself up and catch my breath. I had been going to Brendan’s office to talk to him about some things I have been noticing. Whatever is going on Billy and Roxy are involved. I wasn’t dancing on the stage tonight. Thank God. Billy had me socializing on the floor.

  I fixed my hair and make-up. I wasn’t going to let this thing with Brendan get to me. I walked out onto the floor in my sexy outfit and heels. Billy was nowhere around.

  “Hey Mike, You see Billy around?”

  “He’s in Brendan’s office. There is all kinds of drama going on.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, Brendan suspended Roxy.”

  “Get the fuck out of here.”

  “Yep, Billy went to find out why.”

  Hmm. I can tell him why. Because Brendan uses people and then throws them away. I need to find out what’s going on. Come on, I’m a detective for God’s sake. I walked up to the wall behind Brendan’s office. The door is half open and I hear yelling.

  Billy was asking Brendan why he suspended Roxy. Brendan was yelling saying she grabbed my dick and kissed me. Billy asked Brendan if he was so fucking prude that he had to suspend her. What I heard next melted my heart.

  Brendan said, “I have feelings for someone else not Roxy and she needs to stop trying to come onto me in public. What if my girlfriend sees her? I don’t want to ruin this.” Billy responded by saying that he would talk to Roxy but begged for her job back because she has a kid and needs the money. Brendan gave in but said if she comes on to him one more time she is out. Billy promised it wouldn’t happen again. Then Brendan asked him if he saw me today… meaning Tiffany and Billy proceeded to tell him that I ran into the bathroom.

  Damn… why the fuck did Billy have to let him know I was upset. Billy was on his way out the door. I had to act like I was looking for him.

  “Oh, hey Billy, I was looking for you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I wanted to know what you need me to do. I was just told I was on the floor.”

  “Let me figure out what’s going on and I’ll let you know. You can hang out by the bar,” he said walking away from me. “I have to go find Roxy, sorry.”

  “That’s okay. Thanks.”

  I started to walk away and Brendan came out of his office.

  “Hey, I heard your voice.”

  “Yeah. I was looking for Billy. I better get back.”

  “Okay… wait… Can we talk?” he asked me but he was hesitant. I can see the look in his eye. He knew I was pissed.

  “I suppose,” I said agitated. I started pacing back and forth.

  “Please have a seat.”

  I must have been making him nervous. I still wanted to punch him in the face. All I see in this office is Roxy with her hands down his pants. I sat down on the sofa and he sat across from me. He was running his hands through his hair.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  I just want you to know that you walked in on something totally inappropriate on Roxy’s part. I suspended her but Billy just begged for her job back.

  “Yeah, I wonder why? I was coming here because I came to save you from Roxy. I saw her coming in here. I’m thinking Billy sent her in here to distract you. I didn’t come right away because I was trying to see what he was up to. He was making a drug deal with one of Carmen’s guys that I recognized from last night. When I came in here, I totally didn’t expect to see what I saw. I had no idea what was going on. I was hurt and ran.”

  “Joella, I didn’t mean for you to be hurt by this.”

  “More importantly, I need to find out what’s going on with Billy and Roxy. I have some thoughts and ideas and I’m looking into everyone and everything. I’m hoping to have this squared away by next week. I will find out.”

  “I can’t believe Billy’s doing this.”

  “Sometimes family can be your worst enemy.”

  “Can we talk about us?”

  “There is no us right now. It’s just not in the cards for us at the moment.”

  “You’re lying to yourself and me.”

  “Brendan! I need to go to work.”

  I got up from the sofa and walked by him. He grabbed my hand.

  “Stop running. We do have a lot to talk about. Will you come back to the house?”

  “No Brendan. I’m staying at the hotel and if you thought I was going to sleep with you, you’re wrong. Regardless of the situation, you just had your tongue down a nasty stripper’s throat. If you want me to ever go near that mouth again, you better go burn it with acid.”

  “So, I still have a chance.”

  I walked out without answering.

  Billy was talking to Roxy in a booth. Yeah, like that surprised me. Candy was sitting at the bar talking to Mike.

  When Candy saw me coming she immediately ran up to me. “You okay, Sugga? I saw you run into the bathroom.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

  Billy came over and asked me if I could go on stage tonight and perform because Roxy was too shook up to perform. Oh yeah, I feel bad for her. Let me help her the fuck out. The only reason I’m agreeing to it is because it gives me a better view of the whole club while I’m up on stage.

  “I’m going to get ready,” I said removing myself from the conversation. I saw Billy go back to Brendan’s office and Candy went back to ogling over Mike. I went to change and pick the perfect music.

  About an hour later I was ready to go on stage. Brendan must have known because he was sitting at the end of the bar drinking a lager. He kept his distance this time. Oh, he would get my message.

  The music began to play. Paula Abdul’s Cold Hearted Snake blared from the speakers. I came out with strings holding up my goods. I caught Brendan’s eyes and he looked pissed. I’m guessing it was due to the lyrics of the song.

  I couldn’t help it. A part of me was jealous when I saw him with Roxy. How dare she touch my Superman. It doesn’t matter. I didn’t see him trying to pry her away.

  I began to get in to the song. I touched my breasts up and down. I pulled off my bra and exposed myself to everyone there. I must say it’s a weird feeling knowing everyone has their eyes on you. I spread my legs and put my hand down my g string. I did a split and pushed my body forward and started crawling on the stage. The guys were going wild. They were also trying to grab me at the same time. I played it off by waving my finger and telling them no. I grinded up on the pole and started rubbing my body up and down. I guess Brendan had enough because I saw him stand up and give motions to DJ Discharge to cut my program. Discharge came on the speakers saying “Let’s give a round of applause for Twisted Teaser.”

  Brendan went in his office. I guess he never saw Carmen sitting at the other end of the bar. If he did he would have never left like that.

  I exited the stage through the back. All the girls were in the front of the club working the floor. I could finally get some peace and quiet in the back. I went to the bathroom and then I retrieved my bag from my locker. I needed to go to the private room for a few minutes. I need to think about things. I haven’t had one moment to do any work, like really do work. I need to pull criminal records and do background checks. I plan on doing all that tonight at the hotel.

  I opened the door to where the rooms are. I hear screaming coming from there. What the hell is that? The door is cracked. Do I open it? What the fuck? I opened it and I’m standing there in complete and utter shock. Billy was taking someone from behind. I can’t see her face because she has it buried in some guys cock. There was an actual threesome going on before my eyes. When the girl looks over at me, it’s Roxy and she is sucking one of Carmen’s guy’s cock. The same one that Billy was making the drug deal with earlier. Billy finally sees me and gets up quickly and grabs me by my arm. He throws me into the wall in the hallway.

  “You better not s
ay a word, bitch. I know you’re fucking Brendan. If I find out you said anything, I’m gonna fucking kill you.”

  “Get your hands off of me and go put some fucking clothes on, you lowlife scum.”

  “You’re getting fired, bitch.”

  “Bring it.”

  I threw his arm away and walked out of the hallway back into the lounge room. I didn’t know what to do at this point. A lot just happened and I clearly can arrest him at this point. I still need to put everything together. There’s more to this story, I know it. I was fucking leaving and going straight to the hotel. I packed my stuff and told Mike that I was leaving.

  “Hey Mike, if anyone asks tell them I went home. I had an emergency.”

  “Good deal, Tiff. See you tomorrow.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Brendan

  I really don’t like the fact that Joella exposed herself like that on stage. I know it is part of the process, but it’s getting harder and harder every day to watch. It didn’t help that Carmen was sitting at the bar staring at her intently. I cut her program short for her own safety. Carmen was not a good guy, by no means. I walked away because if I didn’t I was going to kill him. I may be a nice guy, but don’t piss me off, because I don’t take any shit.

  I’ve been sitting in my office long enough. I need to make sure everything is going okay in the club. My phone starts ringing and distracts me from leaving. It is Patrick.

  “Yo dude, what’s up?” I asked.

  “Nothing man. Listen, last night when I dropped dickhead off, there were two men following us to his house.”

  “You got to be kidding me. I’m sorry for getting you involved. I had no idea.”

  “You didn’t know. I don’t know what he’s into but it can’t be good.”

  “I know that for sure.”

  “Why don’t you just fire him?” Patrick asked me.

  “I’ve been thinking about it, but it may cause me more harm than good depending on what is going on. To top it off, Fenner’s here again tonight.”

  “Definitely drugs where he’s concerned.”

  “Yeah, I’m gonna get to the bottom of this shit. I’ll talk to you later.”

  I need to talk to Joella. She has to forgive me because we need to work together and figure this crazy shit out. I also want to be with her. I went out to the club. I didn’t see her anywhere. Billy was sitting at the bar with Carmen. How convenient?

  “Two night in a row, Fenner! What gives?”

  “That hot little number you have working here.”

  The vein in my temple started throbbing. I knew who he meant and it wasn’t happening, over my dead body. They’d have to fucking kill me first.

  “Oh, which one? We have nine.”

  “Tiffany.”

  “She’s married. Has anyone seen her?”

  Billy got a nervous look on his face. He looked at Carmen. Something’s going on.

  “She left. She said she had an emergency,” Mike chimed in.

  “Gawd was everything okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah. She was fine,” Billy said.

  I turned away from them and went back in my office. I called every hotel near the house until I found Joella at the Hilton. I ran out of my office and told Billy and Mike I had to go. I need to make things right with her. I stopped off at a flower stand and bought a dozen roses. I’m going to make her mine. I sped down the highway to the hotel.

  I threw my car keys and a one hundred dollar bill at the valet guy and went right to the reception area. Megan was working the front desk.

  “Meg, I need to find out Joella Soriano’s room number.”

  “She’s in room 1224, Brendan. I’ll contact her and let her know you’re here.”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “Ooh...”

  “You’re sweet Meg. Say hi to Pete for me.”

  “Call him yourself. He’s been waiting to play you in a game of golf.”

  “I’ll make sure of it.”

  I have been friends with Pete for a very long time. He lived down the street from me growing up. Megan is his wife. She was also a neighborhood girl. They have been together since we were kids.

  I am pacing back and forth in the hall. The elevator is taking forever. Finally! I got off on the twelfth floor. Why am I so fucking nervous? What if she doesn’t want to see me? Joella’s room was at the end of the hall. I hesitated before I knocked, then I finally got the nerve. My heart was racing. She opened the door.

  “What are you doing here? Are you okay? You brought me roses?”

  “I was worried about you. Mike said you had an emergency.”

  “I’m okay. Some shit went down and I needed to research some stuff. Come in.”

  I entered the room. It was a small room. It had a bed, dining set, refrigerator, television, bathroom and dresser. All your basic essentials.

  “I want to apologize to you for everything that has happened or anything that I have said to you to make you upset. I want you to forgive me and move back in with me.”

  “Oh Brendan… I have to think about it.”

  Well at least she didn’t say no.

  I moved in closer to her. She’s so beautiful. I want to touch every part of her body. I put my hand on her face.

  “Joella, I know you don’t want to rush things, but I want you in my life. I want to drink wine with you, watch movies with you and I want you in my bed so I can make love to you all night long. I’m a lover not a fighter. I want to claim you and make you all mine.”

  “Awww Brendan. I feel like I was just imprinted on, like in the movie Twilight.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I guess I know what our next movie marathon is going to be.”

  “Wait, in order to watch a movie marathon with me you would have to forgive me. So you forgive me?”

  “I forgive you, Superman.”

  “So, I’m no longer Clark Kent. Thank Gawd because I hate being him. He’s boring.”

  I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. “I missed you.”

  “Me, too.”

  “As much as I want you right now, I don’t want to push you into anything.”

  “Brendan, I realized that I’m only hurting myself. I’m not living. Well, I am, but in my past. I want you just as much as you want me. I’ve been fighting it since the first moment I saw you. I gave into it and beat myself up for it. I need you just as much as you need me. I think we can be good for each other.”

  I couldn’t believe she was saying all of this. I feel so happy right now.

  “Come here, gawgeous.” I lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck.

  I kissed her neck gently. I want to go slow with her tonight.

  All of a sudden, there’s a knock at the door.

  “Did you order room service?” I asked her.

  “No, I don’t know who it could be.”

  “I’ll answer it.”

  When I opened the door, there was no one there. I looked around but they were gone. They left a note on the door. I grabbed it and shut the door. I opened the letter.

  “Joella, come here.” She walked over.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Look at this. Someone left a note on the door.”

  It says:

  “I know your true identity now. Mind your own business, you fucking PIG.”

  My brain is reeling right now. I’m going to truly kill someone if they remotely go near her.

  “It’s probably Billy, but I’m going to need to keep this as evidence and have it examined.”

  “You think?”

  “Yeah, he probably followed you here or had someone follow you.”

  “Why?”

  “Sit down.”

  “I can’t. I’m too pissed.”

  If Joella thinks it was Billy, I’m ready to go after him. He’s becoming a pain in my fucking ass.

  “Just sit. I left work tonight because I walked in on Billy and Roxy having a th
reesome with one of Carmen’s guys. I don’t know his name, the one that’s been coming around with him a lot.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? In my place of business?”

  “Yes. So when Billy saw me, he grabbed my arm and threatened me. He said he would kill me if I told you. It’s all on the tape. I wasn’t going to tell you, but I knew you would see the tape eventually.”

  I stood up and threw the water bottle on the table. “I’m gonna fucking kill that asshole, you do realize this.”

  “No. I’m going to handle it the right way. Sit down, there’s more. Sit!! I don’t need you destroying the hotel room.”

  I sat down. I don’t know how much more I could take. It pains me to see Billy this way. We are family but he has to be stopped. “Go ahead, continue.”

  “I came back here to log into my work system and dig up some info. Apparently Billy and Roxy were arrested together seven years ago for drug possession. She was pregnant.”

  “Yeah, she has a seven year old daughter. I know that much.”

  “Well, bail was posted.”

  “Okay?”

  “By Connor Kirkpatrick.”

  “What the fuck. I know he would definitely bail Billy out but why Roxy?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m waiting on more information: her background check and information on her daughter. This is all normal procedure. I have to piece it all together. Right now, we have to act like nothing’s wrong. I’ll go to work tomorrow, like normal.”

  “I feel like you’re in danger.”

  “I’m not. I do this all the time. I’ m aware of my surroundings.”

  “Well, I’m going to be extra precautions.” I was not going to let any of those guys near her.

  “Let’s get out of here and go home,” she said.

  “I like the sound of that.”

  Now I’m going to be a paranoid mess. Not for me, but for her safety. Just when I was starting to believe we had a chance, this could tear us apart.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Joella

  I needed a glass of wine after this night. Brendan and I changed into our PJ’s when we got home from the hotel. We jumped in bed like two teenagers and just relaxed. I made him watch Twilight as promised.

  “You’re lucky I like you. I don’t usually watch chick flicks.”