Dark Room (Society X #1)

by L. P. Dover

  I sit back and wait for her to bury herself. I didn’t like her when Mrs. Jones hired her, but I gave Tonya the benefit of the doubt. Mostly, she’s proved herself a decent employee, until now.

  “She um . . .”

  “I can assure you Mia didn’t do anything.”

  Tonya fidgets with her hands. Honestly, it’s not going to matter what she says because I won’t believe her.

  “I wanted you,” she blurts out. “When I applied for the job, it’s because I had seen you in the bar, but you wouldn’t look at me. So I thought if I saw you every day, you’d notice me.” She pauses and looks at Mrs. Jones, who is frantically writing everything down. “Ms. Hudson thinks we’re having an affair because I led her to believe that.” And there it is.

  “You’re fired, Ms. Brewer. You may collect your belongings, and security will escort you out.” The words are automatic and without feeling. I cannot tolerate behavior like this, especially when it involves Mia. Even if Mia weren’t working here, Tonya would be fired. Insubordination is unacceptable. We’re here to work, not fraternize with our co-workers.

  She tries to say something, but Mrs. Jones is there to run interference, ushering her out of my office. I call security and ask that they send someone up to remove Tonya from the premises. After I hang up, I stand and go over to my door, opening and slamming it for effect. It’s a childish move, but it makes me feel better.

  I need to get this pent up aggression out of my system and the only way I know how is to workout. Thoughts of pounding my fists into a punching bag run rampant through my mind. I pull out my cell phone and shoot off a quick text telling Andrew I’m coming down to the gym.

  Andrew: Not working today. Meet me at the bar. Chick issues.

  I groan when I see his words. It would figure he’d be at the bar, since it’s Friday and it’s the last place I want to be. Mia might even be there, telling him everything that happened. I don’t care if shit with her is going to be awkward, I’m determined to speak with her and clear the air between us.

  The last thing I want to do is hurt her, or stop sleeping with her, which makes me the biggest hypocrite to walk the face of the earth. Why is it okay for me to sleep with a co-worker, but no one else?

  “It’s not,” I blurt out to my empty office. Andrew’s right, I need booze. Maybe then my thoughts will make more sense.

  I leave my office, noticing Mrs. Jones isn’t at her desk. She deserves a raise for having to put up with my shit. One look to the left reminds me Mia isn’t here. She’d left me standing at the elevator, watching as she cried. I should’ve chased her. I should’ve hauled ass down the stairs and met her at the bottom. I don’t know what I would’ve done though, when coming face to face with her. Kiss her? Shake her? Ask her why the fuck she’s a member of Society X?

  I choose to walk to the bar, needing the fresh air to clear my mind, except it only becomes more cluttered due to the honking of horns and congested foot traffic. The moment I step into the bar, my name is sung out and beers are raised in the air. The bartender smiles and nods toward the section where Andrew is, telling me she’ll bring me my beer. It’s pretty sad when you’ve been to the same establishment so many times the bartender has your order memorized.

  “Sup,” Andrew says as I pull the stool out. We slam hands and man hug before I take my seat. As if my life isn’t fucked up enough, flashbacks from when we were kids come rushing back. It was always the three of us, hanging out in their game room, watching movies, or playing video games. Only after Mia would go to bed would Andrew pull out his stash of nudies he’d stolen from his father. Even then, I wondered about what Mia looked like under her clothes. The irony of the situation is not lost on me.

  “Oh you know just an average day in my life, buying defunct companies and firing secretaries who have crushes on me.” I smile at the bartender after she sets my beer down and watch her walk away. I’ve been coming here long enough that she knows I’ll settle up before I leave.

  “You have the life man,” Andrew says as he clinks his beer bottle with mine.

  “Why do you say that?” I pick at the bowl of mixed nuts, tossing a few into my mouth.

  “You’re this big-time business tycoon by day and a ladies’ man by night. I want to be you when I grow up.”

  “No, you don’t,” I say matter-of-factly.

  “Why not?” Andrew asks before taking a pull off his bottle.

  It’s a loaded question. There are three things holding me back from pursuing Mia and he is one of them. The other two are that she’s my employee, and the whole dark room issue. The club is for anonymous sex, and I can’t get the idea out of my head that she’s been in there with other men. I know it’s a double standard, since I frequent the club too, but I know she’s the only one I’ve been with.

  I may have paid for her membership, but that didn’t make her mine. Even the necklace she bore to get inside was from me, but she could’ve been with another man, or two, or three. It sickens me to think about her with other men, which is how she thinks about me. She assumes I’ve been with other women, no thanks to Tonya.

  I look to Andrew and set down my beer. “Because I’m in love with your sister.” A wave of relief washes over me. I didn’t realize how great it’d feel to actually say those words, and to her brother no less. He’s going to kill me and I’ll deserve it, but at least I got it off my chest.

  Andrew brings his beer bottle to his mouth, tipping his head back and finishing it off. He slams the bottle down on the table and I huff, knowing the lashing is about to begin. And because I live in some sick twisted universe, I sit there, waiting for it to come.

  “Jesus Christ, Parker. It’s about fucking time you admit it,” he says with a bark of laughter, slapping me on the shoulder.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You have been in love with each other since high school. Don’t for a minute think I never noticed the way you look at each other. She used to sit next to you when we’d watch movies. Hell, I always thought you were finger banging her when you shared the blanket.”

  I sit back, shocked at his revelation. The shock soon wears off and I start mentally kicking myself in the ass. If what he’s saying is true, then I’ve lost years with her.

  “Mia got your tongue?” I look at him questioningly and he shakes his head. “She doesn’t know, does she?”

  “No.” I wish she did, then maybe I wouldn’t be in this position. That’s assuming she loves me back.

  Andrew signals for another round, even though my first bottle sits untouched. I used to think that if this day ever arrived, I’d have to be blitzed out of my mind to spill my guts about Mia. I guess that wasn’t the case. All I needed was to see her tears to know I had to do something.

  “You should tell her the truth,” he claims.

  I pick at the label from my bottle. It’s easy to peel as a result of the condensation and comes off in one piece. Back in college, we’d save the labels and beer bottles to use as decorations in our rooms. Stupid frat boy shit.

  “Would you be okay if we dated?”

  “Hell yeah, because then I wouldn’t have to be in the middle of all that sexual tension.”

  “But she’s your sister,” I say, pointing out the freaking obvious.

  Andrew thanks the bartender for our next round and waits for her to leave. He leans closer to me, not that there’s much space between us to begin with. “And you’re my best friend. I know you won’t dick her around. Plus I like my sister so the whole awkward meet-my-new-girlfriend shit is already out of the way.”

  I let his words seep in, realizing I’d been worrying for nothing. Honestly, Mia and I needed the time to grow up. I’m not sure if we dated earlier on we’d still be together. Unfortunately for me, we’re currently in a situation neither of us can talk about. I can’t tell Andrew that I’ve been fucking his sister in a sex club. That would be enough for him to strangle me and take back everything he’s said; and with good reason.

  “What are y
ou still doing here, bro?”

  “What?” I ask. “I thought we were having beers and you’re having chick troubles.”

  He nods and smiles, an indication he’s up to something. “You should be with my sister. Go on and get the hell out of here.” He points to the door and raises his eyebrows, letting me know he’s serious.

  I’m not going to make him tell me twice, even though I know Mia won’t speak with me right now. I do, however, have something I need to take care of before I see her. It’s for my own peace of mind. I toss a twenty on the table and leave two full beers on the table.

  As soon as my feet hit the pavement, I have a bit more pep and a different outlook on things. I call Mia, only to be sent to voicemail. Getting her to talk to me is going to be hard, but she can’t avoid me forever. I’m her boss and we have a meeting on Monday.

  My next call is to Bryce who answers after three rings. “Bryce, I need a favor.”

  The clubs are starting to come to life around me and the bar hopping has begun. Many people are still in their Friday work clothes and will likely be heading home to change.

  “What’s up?”

  I take a deep breath and prepare myself for what I’m about to say. “Listen, I know I said I never wanted to know anything, but I’m in a situation. The woman that I’ve been with in the dark room . . . I need to know if she’s been with anyone else there.”

  “Got the cock itch?” he asks as he laughs.

  If he were standing in front of me, I’d punch him. “No, nothing like that.”

  “You know I can’t talk about it, it’s against the policy. The dark room only exists because it’s able to remain anonymous.”

  “I get it, I do,” I say, looking for traffic as I jaywalk across the street. “I already know her name, but I need to know if she’s been with someone else.”

  “Did you break the rules?”

  Yes. “No, it was nothing like that. We were in the right place at the right time. Shit just fell into place.”

  There’s a nerve-wracking silence until Bryce fills it was something unintelligible.

  I press the phone closer to my ear. “What was that?”

  “She hasn’t been with anyone but you.”

  I can’t help the shit-eating grin that spreads across my face, nor can I prevent the fist pumps I do in the middle of the sidewalk. “Thanks, Bryce.” I hang up and run to my car. I need to get to Mia’s house. Her and I need to talk.

  My body aches, and I’m cold. I try to stretch, but every muscle in my body screams in agony. I look around and see people jogging down the street. I’d come to Mia’s last night to talk to her, and she never came home . . . or she came home and walked over me as I slept on her porch. I’d called her all night until my phone died, then fell asleep at some point, leaning near the front door.

  I stagger to my car, angry and hurt. As I get in, my body sighs, thanking me for the comfort of my heated leather seats. I start the car and plug in my phone, waiting for it to boot up. The apple icon seems to sit there for eons before my screen comes alive. The notification alerts come in like crazy, but the only one I’m looking for is a text or voicemail from Mia.

  Nothing.

  She could be anywhere: work, her parents, Les Belle, or Rachel’s. I can drive around town all day looking for her or I can go home and shower. I can’t go to Les Belle dressed in yesterday’s clothes that are wrinkled and dirty. But I can go by Rachel’s and see if her car is there. She’s at least close and not completely out of my way.

  After a few turns, I find that Mia’s car isn’t in front of Rachel’s, effectively killing any hope I had of finding her today. I was hoping to talk to her before the meeting on Monday. I have to know how she feels about me; to know if I’m pining away for someone I’ll never have.

  I reach for my briefcase to find a piece of gum, only to realize it’s not in my car. I retrace my steps and figure out I never went back to my office after meeting up with Andrew. I take the exit that will put me downtown and drive toward my office, pulling into the parking garage. Hopefully no one will be there today because they don’t need to see their boss looking like a hobo coming down from a bender.

  As soon as I get off the elevator and walk down my hall, Mia’s door opens. She comes storming into the hallway with a look of raw anger on her face. When she sees me, her expression changes to shock, then utter confusion.

  “I’ve been trying to call you,” I murmur cautiously.

  She opens her mouth to speak, but then stops and backs up, her voice just above a whisper. “I left my phone at Les Belle and I don’t have keys to get it. How are you standing here?”

  I tilt my head and look at her. “Did I die last night or something?”

  Mia shakes her head slowly and points toward my office. “If you’re out here, who is in there?” Sounds of hushed laughter and squeals of passion filter out of my office.

  Blood boiling, I thunder toward my office and burst through the door, only to see two people fucking on my desk; my file cabinets open and spread all over the floor. Mia gasps while I stand there, livid and ready to kill.

  I take in the scene in front of me. Tonya is naked and bent over my desk, getting her hair pulled by Zac, who stares at us, but doesn’t stop thrusting into her ass. My eyes need fucking bleach, but that will have to wait because I see nothing but red.

  “You’re fucking dead, shitdick!”

  Tonya scrambles out from under him and her screams echo in the room as I lunge for Zac, slamming his head into my desk. The idiot, who thought he could get dressed before I caught up with him, stumbles and trips over the underwear wrapped around his ankles.

  “Call the cops, Mia. Looks like we have a couple of trespassers. And don’t let her leave.” I walk toward Zac who is trying to get dressed, but the concussion he is likely sporting isn’t helping his awareness much. He stands with his pants barely on and swings. It’s easy to dodge and I jab back, popping him in the nose. His head snaps back as he covers his face, crying out in pain.

  “Want more, mother fucker?” I’m seething, and so pumped up I barely feel the pain in my hand from breaking his nose.

  He looks at me, with blood dripping down his face and swings again, stepping toward me. I let him hit his mark, which according to Mia’s gasp was the wrong thing to do. I barely flinch as his fist connects with my jaw. I know I’ll have a bruise tomorrow, but it’s going to be worth it knowing I kicked this loser’s ass.

  I knock Zac in the side of the head, sending his blood splattering all over my dress shirt. “What the fuck are you doing in my office?”

  “Fuck you,” he growls, lunging toward me once again. It’s like he wants me to kick his ass.

  I meet him halfway and tackle him into the wall, pounding my fist into this stomach and ribs. Tight hands grip my forearms, pulling me off Zac and slamming me into the wall. I surrender, putting my hands up.

  “Hold still, buddy.” It’s security.

  “Yes, sir,” I answer, my eyes meeting Mia’s.

  She looks shocked and I just hoped she’s not scared of me now. I should’ve known better, but seeing that piece of shit in my office, fucking that whore, sent my rage through the roof.

  The police and medics show up and chaos ensues.

  “Care to tell me what happened?” I’m handed a towel to clean up with by one of the officers.

  “Sure. And thanks,” I say as I hold up the towel. “She was fired yesterday.” I point to Tonya, who is sitting in the corner with a coat on. “I came into look for my briefcase and my co-worker came out of her office as I arrived. She pointed out the noises coming from my office and when I opened the door, I witnessed these two in the act.”

  “And you decided to beat him up?”

  I shake my head. “No. I did that because he was trying to steal from me.” I gesture to the mess behind him. “He’s not a friend and has no reason to be in my office after hours. Neither one of them do.”

  “Don’t move,” he says.
r />   “I don’t plan on it,” I mutter back. Sliding down the wall, I hold my head in my hands and close my eyes.

  “I’d like to ask you some questions, Ms. Hudson. Do you mind if we step out into the lobby?” The officer gestures to the doorway.

  I nod. “Of course, officer.” I begin to follow him, but Parker gently grabs my elbow before I can leave, his gaze raw.

  “I’m sorry, Mia. I never wanted you to see me like that.”

  Lifting my hand, I carefully place it on his cheek. “It’s okay. We’ll talk as soon as I’m done out there.”

  The policeman waits for me in the lobby and motions for me to sit down in one of the chairs. He’s tall with a shaved head and blond goatee, probably not much older than me. When I sit, he follows suit and takes the chair across from me, his pen poised and ready to go.

  “Ms. Hudson, I’m Officer Danny Mitchell. Do you know the young lady and man in Mr. Ward’s office?”

  “Yes,” I answer. “Tonya Brewer works for Ward Enterprises, or at least she used to. I didn’t know Mr. Ward had fired her until just a few minutes ago. And the man is Zac Haggart, a lawyer and my ex-boyfriend.”

  His eyes go wide. “Interesting. And why do you think they chose Mr. Ward’s office to ransack?”

  I shrug. “I’m not exactly sure. Mr. Ward and Mr. Haggart have never seen eye to eye.”

  “So they know each other personally?” he asks.

  “Yes.”

  Tonya and Zac are escorted out of the room, while the medics and Parker follow behind them. When the last cop comes out, he’s carrying a large purse, and opens it, pulling out a set of files. “Is this your purse?” he asks, focusing on me.

  I shake my head. “No.”

  “Is it yours, Ms. Brewer?” he then asks. Lips trembling, she lowers her head and doesn’t say a thing.