by Aven Jayce
I keep an eye on Mera while Jules continues to make me proud, swimming around us, not making a scene or acting like a jealous kid. She’s listening, but pretending to be a guest and leaving out the drama like she displayed the other morning with my gun. I don’t hear the words ‘barbarous bitch’ or any sounds coming from her mouth. She’s calm and mature, while the rest of the guests are rambunctious, but at least keeping to their own circles.
“You’re a fool to believe Dayne was going to get money from any of us. He had nothing more on his mind other than taking our heads.”
“He came here for you first, shithead. He knew you killed his father, he never thought it was Cove. Get serious. Cove Everton, kill someone? Ha!”
“I already knew that. My death would’ve been enough to get money from Cove and Sophia because they’d be scared shitless without me around. That’s not news.”
She smirks and runs a finger down the middle of my face, stopping under my chin and lifting my head. I swear she’s going to kiss me. Fucking gold digger.
“I’m not next in line.”
“You sure?” She rubs my unresponsive dick. “I do have some drugs in my Datsun. We could have a party tonight and you can show me that you fuck harder, faster, and dirtier than your daddy. Then we could take a shot of K and travel to a far off land together.”
I push her away, repulsed by her contact and words. Fucking hagbag. And poor Jules is watching all of this, her face turning red, lips tight, shaking her head. Hold back, beautiful. Chill for just five more minutes then I’m going to cut this woman’s throat. I just need to get her out of this pool.
Jules swims off as Mera responds to my shove with a burst of laughter, treading water then paddling toward her beer. The bitch cozies up next to me with her back against the wall, sipping from the bottle and laughing like a child.
“Touch me again and your hand will be the first thing I cut off,” I say coolly. “Your death’s going to be much slower than Dayne’s.”
“I’m leaving... and you’re not going to kill me. You have no reason to,” she states with authority. “I only came here to say goodbye and to see if you wanted to have a little fun before I go, after all, you are Paul’s son. If he were still around he’d cheerfully fuck me tonight. But, it doesn’t seem like your cock’s working so I may have to find someone else.”
“My father wasn’t cheerful about anything... and no reason to kill you?” I exhale. “Jesus, there’s a ten-year-old’s back I can’t get out of my head that says differently.”
“Fuck you.” She treads in front of me. “I may not have loved Dayne, but he was still a friend. What I did to Dax wasn’t even close to being tit for tat. You won. You killed him; I was only expressing my anger about the situation. It’s over, move on.”
I grab her neck and drive her against the wall, trying my best to contain my desire to break her neck. She’s lucky to get a quick release before anyone sees. I just wanted her to know I’m not fucking around.
“He was supposed to return with some money, you fuck.” She rubs her neck. “I was married to the guy and we were having a good time until you ruined it. Now I’m alone.”
“I knew it,” I say. “So why didn’t you keep Daxton and ask for a ransom if all you wanted was money?”
She looks at the side of my face and over my shoulder then down my chest, ignoring my question.
“Did Dayne cut you?”
“He did,” I lie.
“But he doesn’t use knives.”
“He grabbed mine.”
She swims in front of me with hopeful eyes, touching the knick over my heart with a gentle hand. “It looks fresh... is he still alive? This can’t be more than a day old.”
I don’t respond.
“What did you do to him?”
“He’s dead,” is all I say.
Her hands fall in disappointment. Like all people who are missing someone from their lives, the hope that they could be out in the world lingers on until you see a body. The body is what makes death real. I didn’t believe my father was dead until I saw him laid out in the morgue. Most of his face and head were blown apart, but his one eye was still intact. I’ll never forget my father’s eyes. No doubt, it was him.
“I can’t kill a child,” she whispers.
“Not many people can, but I would’ve given you money to get him back. That was fucked up on your part not to ask for it.”
“You would’ve killed me and taken your money back anyway. Now that I didn’t get anything from you, I’m safe.”
I laugh with a hand on each of her shoulders, squeezing firmly. “You’re stuck in a dream if that’s what you believe. Christ’s sake, I know a lot more about you than you think.”
She shakes her head in disbelief.
“Alright bitch.” My nose is against hers as I whisper with a clenched jaw. “You fucked with my sister, my father, and now my nephew. With this fog around us I could hold you underwater until your lungs fill with water and the cops would call it an accidental drowning.”
“No asshat, you can’t. My name is associated with Dayne and your father. You’d be fucked if my body were found in your pool. They’d ask about Dayne and wonder where he was and what I was doing here.” She’s an inch from my lips, about to bite. “You’d be fucked,” she says. “F-U-C-K-E-D. And just like I can’t kill a child, I bet you can’t kill a woman. If I were afraid of you, I wouldn’t be in this pool.”
I release her, about to detonate. “Then I won’t be leaving any trace of your body, just like Dayne’s. The two of you will disappear from the face of this earth forever, never to be seen or heard from again.”
With a headshake, she says faintly, “Bullshit. I keep thinking he’s in your room or somewhere in this hotel.” She turns, gazing at the glowing windows and the men standing around the pool. Looking up and around then back. “You’re a murderer. I knew it the moment Dayne didn’t return. I wanted to punish you, however, there’s a chance you’re lying, right?”
So she did show up to see if he was still alive.
“I don’t lie,” I lie.
Death can throw people into a state of confusion and disbelief. But just as quickly, someone like Mera snaps out of it and focuses on other shit.
“So this is all a facade?” She looks back at my remarkable architectural feat. Massive dark logs with hefty fieldstone emphasize the fireplaces, windows, and balconies, and warm lights from every room light the grounds. It’s a sensational retreat at night. “Your hotel is supposedly elegant. I saw online that you have fresh Mariposa Lilies in every room and a grand restaurant. You’ve built your own haven in the mountains, isolating yourself from everyone and everything... hiding out from the rest of the world.” Her eyes gaze at my suite and then to the opposite end where my sister stayed. “You’ve tried to rebuild your life by creating your own world, but just because you built this place doesn’t mean you’ve changed. You’re still a shithead. If people knew the true you they’d call this place the Jameson Asylum.” She turns with a grin. “How is your mother, by the way? She still alive?”
I grab her arm and pull her closer. “Don’t say a fucking word about my family. And why the hell would I ever want to change? I’m quite fond of myself.”
“Oh, that’s right, I forgot you’re vain, arrogant, egotistical... what a guy. I bet you’re getting a lot of muff out here too... you must be the cream of the crop.” She studies the men around the pool. “Yep, Marcus Wild, son of Paul and Elizabeth, brother of Sophia, and a piece of shit to all who cross your path, you’re the big star in South Lake Tahoe,” she laughs. “Did you think your life in Vegas wouldn’t follow you out here? Who are you hiding from anyway?”
“I’m not hiding from anyone. Just think about the name of my hotel.”
“Not hiding?” She doubts. “Only from yourself. And I’m not surprised you used your own name for your hotel, fucking narcissist.” She swallows another gulp of beer then examines the c
ontents of the bottle, swirling the liquid high in the air. “You drugged this, right?”
“Should’ve.”
“Are you sure you didn’t?”
“Sounds like you wanted me too. Are you looking for a date rape or something sick like that?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” She shrugs.
God, I despise her. My hands twitch in anger as I chug the rest of my beer. “Your comment disgusts me and, unlike you, I don’t drug people to overpower them. I have other ways of doing it. Men who drug women are cowards.”
My head shifts quickly to a guy expelling a catcall toward someone walking into the pool. Jules is back. She wades in and snubs the whistling fool.
“Nice ass,” he says.
My fists clench, but I hold back.
“Hey, baby. What’s your name?”
“Sarah,” she says.
What the fuck is she doing?
“Saaarah!” the guy sings. “Saaarah, come back and show me your titters!”
“Knock it off!” I call out.
“Whoa, tough guy. Mind your own freakin’ business while I’m doing my thing with the ladies.”
“A real man would beat the shit out of that guy,” Mera says.
“I’m not placing a hand on any of my guests and getting sued. When the time comes, I’ll have him removed. I’ve got a business here and a reputation to uphold. I’m not smacking the guy around.”
“Sarah, wait!” He steps into the pool, glass held high above the water while walking toward her. She gives him the finger only to get a grin in response.
“Sarah, baby. You telling me you wanna finger fuck? Let’s go up to my room.”
“Hey!” I shout. “One more time and your ass will be down your throat.”
“Fuck off. I’m busy, shithead.”
Mera snickers. “I thought you had a reputation to uphold. Dumbass. Hey, Sarah,” she calls out. “Come over here and hang with us. We’ll protect you from Howdy Doody.”
“Clever,” he says. “Like I haven’t been called that before.”
That’s the perfect name for this guy; he looks just like the redheaded puppet.
Jules smiles and swims closer. “Hi,” she says. “I guess that guy’s just like the rest of us out here tonight—drunk off our asses,” she laughs. “Hope he doesn’t cause a fight.” She starts to swim away, but Mera tugs her back.
“Stay here for awhile. I’m Mera and this is Mark.”
“Sarah.” She nods as Mera offers her some beer. “Thanks, I’ll have a few sips.”
I’m fascinated with the show she’s putting on and curious if she has a plan or if she’s just along for the ride. I told her I’d take care of Mera, but a united kill could be the next step in our relationship. Like she said, we both have the power. We’re one. It’s why I asked her down here in the first place, not to kill, but to be a part of it. It would be like taking the plunge into a joint bank account.
“You here alone?” Mera asks.
“Yeah, traveling from California to Vegas. You?”
“I’m going to Vegas too... so what’s your plan when you get there?”
Julia drinks and I can tell she’s trying to think of a response. “I got a job at Peek’s Lounge,” she finally says.
“The strip joint?” Mera gasps. “That place pays well.” She’s intrigued, moving closer to Jules, placing a hand on her leg and smiling pretty at her new friend. And Jules is fucking working her better than I ever could. Shit, leave it to a woman to school another woman. But, how the fuck does she know about...
“Have you been to Peek’s Lounge?” I ask.
Jules takes another long drink before responding. “Yes, for an event called One Night Stained. Lots of cock on stage that night.”
“Sounds like total stud action!” Mera becomes a wide-eyed kid. “Peek’s makes a bundle off their women, but I never knew they had men there too.”
“Yah.” She nods and I can tell she’s making this shit up, and doing a damn good job of it. She’s lucky Mera doesn’t catch on.
“Are they still hiring?” Mera asks.
She nods, placing the beer on the concrete behind us “You can follow me there in the morning if you’d like. I could use the company on the road, especially when I stop for gas and lunch.”
“It’s a date.”
“Good, I love dates.” She smiles, gaining Mera’s trust in less than five minutes, which confirms how lonesome Mera truly is.
“Saaarah!” The drunken shit returns. “Swim over here, baby. Let’s talk about that finger of yours.”
“Busy,” Jules says. I pull her next to me and she wraps her legs around mine while Mera does the same on my opposite side.
“Hey shithead, is that your daughter?” the drunk sneers. “Let her go so she can be with someone her own age, unless you enjoy molesting your kid.”
“You fuck.” I rush forward.
The guy tosses his drink poolside and hurries out, running behind a lounger, yeah, like a wood chair’s gonna protect him. That’s what I thought, pussy. Who’s the tough guy, now?
“Thanks,” Jules says.
“I’ll be right back.” Mera swims off. “Need to pee.”
Jules takes the beer and follows her. “I’m coming too.”
“Wait,” I whisper, hoping she has her Berti. Mera’s a fucking moron, but it’s possible she’s playing right along with our game and knows Jules and I are together.
My eyes are glued on her as she walks through the water with the raised bottle, her head turned, giving me a reassuring smile. Come back to me.
“Be careful,” I say.
“There’s safety in numbers!” Mera calls out as she turns her nose up at the drunken asshole and walks into my hotel.
I know Jules understands my reference is to Mera and not the drunk.
“Sarah, your tits rock. Come hang... hang with my long schlong and me. Let me squeeze it between ‘em.”
That bastard. If he takes one more step...
“What do you say? Can I get a titty sandwich? I’ll pay ya. Ten bucks.”
“Get your hand off me.” Jules frowns, glaring at his firm grip on her arm. She clenches a fist in preparation to strike.
“Don’t hit him,” I yell, calling security on my watch as I’m speeding through the water. “Pool area, now,” I order. “If two of you are here tonight, I need you both out here.”
“I’ve got a king suite and a king schlong that needs some lovin’. Let’s party, baby.” He starts to draw her inside, yanking her arm and gripping her neck. She pulls back, struggling to get away.
“Fucker! You’re dead!” I shout.
A group of men by the door cheer, spurring him on. “Remember to follow the law!” one laughs. “Use a condom even if she says no.”
I’m finally out and Joe, my security guard, is also on the scene, arriving a moment before I pound the shit out of the prick.
Jules is released and the drunk raises his hands, denying anything’s wrong. She takes her sweatshirt and runs inside, heading toward the women’s restroom.
“Hey, I’m just having a little fun, that’s all.”
Joe nods and looks at me. “What’s the problem, Mr. Jameson?”
“Escort this idiot to his room so he can get his bags then lead him to the front desk to check out. I want him removed immediately. Write in the report that he was drunk, acting in an disorderly manner, touched a woman inappropriately, and is being obnoxious to guests.”
“Shit, you own this place? Hey, bro, I didn’t mean any harm. Seriously. I’ll chill.”
I ignore his request and slip into my robe, watching security escort him inside while the other guys around the pool scatter.
My nostrils flare. My walk is quick. My face peeved, knuckles white, blood pumping, breath rapid... the knife from my pocket in hand, maddened by this little shit. This isn’t over.
I call security again. “Joe, tell m
e when he’s checking out. I want to know as soon as he’s off my premises.”
“Will do, sir.”
Damn it.
I pound my door on the way inside my suite. “Piece of shit asscock,” I fume, taking a shot of whiskey before I dress in a pair of jeans and my hoodie. “Don’t fuck with me... don’t fuck with my woman.”
I call Jules. No answer. Text her. No answer. I pace.
“Jesus, princess. What are you doing? Be safe.”
My heart tells me she’s okay. Maybe she’ll go back to the pool with Mera. Or she’ll take her to the bar and get her drunk. It’s okay. It’s all good. I have to keep telling myself that while I deal with this fucker, I need to believe we’re a hell of a lot more dangerous to Mera than she is to us.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I grab my truck keys and race to my garage, starting the engine and pulling onto my private drive where I wait. I’m not letting this asshole go just so he can screw with some other women tomorrow or the next day.
A call comes in from security. “Mr. Jameson, he’s at the desk now.”
“Is it just him?”
“Yeah. He seems to be here alone, hold on.”
I hear a conversation in the background, one-sided... sounds like the guy is talking on his cell. Joe gets back on the line and informs me he’s talking to someone about driving to Reno for the night then heading to Vegas tomorrow afternoon.
“He’s going off about having to drive when he’s drunk,” Joe says.
“Well, he’s not staying here.”
“I don’t blame you. Is the woman okay?”
“He didn’t hurt her, but he could’ve.”
“Alright, he’s headed out your front door now. Good riddance.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
It’s always better to handle things on your own so the cops don’t have to be called to chaperon the unruly guests away.
I drive to the main road and turn around, parking on the side and at the end of my long hotel drive, waiting for his lights to shine in the darkness.
Oh, fuck yes... a text from Jules. She’s okay.
I love our life together.
“Me too,” I whisper.
Don’t be Super Woman tonight. I text her back.
