by Allyn Lesley
Much later, he heard his phone chime with an incoming text message.
“Come out later tonight. Stacey and I are making your ugly ass an uncle.”
He faced the woman who was twisting him up. Noah doubted Avi was ready for his truth, or maybe he wasn’t ready to tell it. She’d leave him just like her father had.
“She looks like she’s having a ball,” Cass said.
“They’re all having good time,” Ro said.
“Yeah,” Noah agreed, reaching for his whiskey sour.
In front of them, all the women danced with abandon, circling Stacey, whose happiness was infectious even from where he sat. The women had tried to cajole the men from the upstairs VIP section to the main dance floor. Of course that was not happening, so they were downstairs being watched by well-placed bodyguards. Noah and his friends were in an office in the back of the VIP lounge, watching them on a closed circuit television.
“So, while we’re all here, we have business to attend to,” Cass said.
Ro and Gavin groaned.
“Can’t we have a night off? I mean, in honor of Ro and Stacey becoming parents and all?” Gavin asked.
“Night off when we’re dead, boys,” Noah said, his attention on the screen showing multiple views of the club.
“I’m close to getting a few meetings. A connect is trying to get me in with the Alosis and Fontanas,” Ro said. “You want to be there for that, Noah?”
“Only if you think my presence is necessary. Otherwise, this is your show.”
“Cool,” Ro responded, leaning back in his chair.
“Are we sure we want to cross that bridge?” Cass inquired. “We’ve always said we would keep to ourselves.”
They’d all come to a non-verbalized understanding about the mafia. Throughout the years, Noah and his business reputation had spread, and a lot of people wanted to make money with Accipiere. He’d developed associations, at his comfort level, with a few families. They had made it clear that whenever Noah was ready to advance their relationships, there’d be a place for him at the table. His words to Harry came back to him: no one was a saint in this thing.
“I’m hearing through the grapevines they’re both buying up semi-automatics, machine guns, the whole works.” Ro’s statement ended Noah’s musings. “Something must be coming down the pike.”
“A war?” Gavin asked, glancing up from his cell.
“Or they just like to keep a reserve,” Cass offered.
Just like that, the true Noah Adams—the one who was a ruthless tactician and a decisive leader—resurfaced. “That’s not our concern. Get the meetings and show them what we can offer. If they say no, walk away,” Noah said from his place behind his desk. “But go with the one who offers the most. What’s going on with Ido, Gavin? Time is ticking.”
“I may have a lead.” Gavin put his cell in his pocket.
“About fucking time,” Noah said.
“I’m heading to Queens tomorrow afternoon,” Gavin informed the group.
“What the hell is in Queens?” Ro asked with a scowl on his lips.
“I’ll find out and let you know.”
Noah nodded at the turn of events. “I want Ido taken care of. I don’t have time to play his games. Now what’s up with Wheeler?”
Gavin groaned. “I told him to meet me here tonight. He thinks he’s being inducted into the crew.”
Ro laughed. “Damn. That Princeton education taught you to lie like that?”
The men chuckled.
“Fuck off,” Gavin growled at Ro. “Hey, I forgot to tell you that Bronx has been set up in Swerve.”
Things were falling into place: he and Avi were good, new partnerships were on the horizon, and profits would be increasing soon enough. All that was left was Ido and Poindexter. Noah rubbed his hands together, glad he was one step closer to plucking those thorns out of his side for good.
“Keep an eye on them. If I like what they bring in, they’ll come here to Envy,” Noah said.
Gavin stood with a grimace. “Wheeler’s here.”
“By all means, go get the man of the hour.” Noah’s head cocked to the side, but his pose was relaxed.
Gavin left the office without another word.
“You need me?” Ro asked with a wide smile, cracking his neck.
If he knew his friend, he just wanted a front seat at the man’s impending doom. “No.” He smiled when Ro’s face fell in disappointment.
“Let’s leave Noe to deal with his rival,” Cass said, heading toward the door with Ro right behind.
“More like a quashed fly.” Noah grinned.
“Well, get your fly swatter out, because here he comes,” Cass announced before reaching the door.
“You’re a fucking sadist, Noah Adams. To deny a man to witness comedy at its finest.” Ro tsked, getting to his feet.
“Cass, move some of those chairs around for me.”
Ro belly-laughed while Cass did as Noah asked. “This is why I want to stay. Damn. I don’t get to have any fun.”
Once his friend had strategically moved some chairs around, Noah pointed at the door. “Now, both of you, leave.” He snickered while Cass consoled Ro. When he was alone, Noah touched a few buttons on the keypad, and instead of the dance floor below, he was now seeing the lighted hallway leading to his office. He turned up the volume dial and leaned back in his chair just when he saw Gavin walking ahead of Wheeler.
“Go ahead. Knock.” Gavin was nonchalant, leaning on the doorpost.
“You-you’re not coming with me?” Jayson asked, straightening his shirt collar.
Noah grinned at his discomfort and stammering.
“I’ll be in the lounge so we can have a drink together when you’re done.” Gavin clapped the man on his shoulder and Wheeler’s knees buckled under the action.
“But I thought you ran things,” Jayson said, his voice cracking.
“No. The boss, Mr. Adams, is expecting you and knows all about you. You’re as good as in.” Gavin left the nervous-looking man at Noah’s door.
The pep talk Noah saw Jayson mumble to himself was amusing, but his amusement was fleeting when Noah remembered what they’d learned about Wheeler. Even though he heard the knocks, he enjoyed making him wait. Noah saw him peer up and down the corridor before raising his hand to the door again.
“Hello. Is anyone here? I have a meeting with Mr. Adams.”
Noah muted the equipment and turned off the overhead light. “Enter.” He flicked the silver dial, which turned on the desk lamp.
By the time the man stepped inside, Noah’s back was ramrod straight and he wore an impenetrable mask. The mysterious atmosphere created by the low light was purposeful, and Noah hoped the man was rethinking coming in any farther. He liked how cautiously Jayson entered the murky space. Just when Noah believed Wheeler would run away with his tail tucked between his wimpy legs, he saw the man’s shadow straighten and walk with confidence into the office.
“Close the door,” Noah called out. The other man did as directed. “Now stop.”
He stood motionless in an instant.
At least the idiot takes directions well.
And just to fuck with him some more, Noah asked, “Who are you?”
“I-I’m Jayson Wheeler. Mr. Adams is expecting me.”
“What is it that you do?”
“Oh, you know, some of this and some of that?” He laughed.
The man’s chortle went unaccompanied by a like sound from Noah. A low noise alerted Noah that the other man was moving about.
“Ar-are you Mr. Adams?”
Noah was having too good a time. He eased his tense muscles then slumped down in the chair. “What exactly is this ‘some of this, some of that’ bullshit you just fed me?”
“I supply Gavin with Sour Diesel.” The bravado Jayson attempted to exhibit was shattered when Noah heard the shake in his voice. “Y-you know, Sour D. Um, weed.”
“Have a seat.”
Jayson bumped int
o the chairs, yelping in pain, but trying his best to hide the sounds. “Thank you.” A few more noises came from in front of Noah until he figured Poindexter found a way to navigate in the dark.
“So if Gavin is your contact, what the fuck are you doing in my office?” Noah asked, steepling his fingers.
“He told me I-I’m being inducted.”
Noah grabbed the remote that controlled the room’s lighting and touched a button. The overhead light came on, blinding Jayson, who shielded a hand over his face.
“You’re here because of me.”
His hand dropped from his eyes. “Oh, shit,” he mumbled.
Noah cracked his knuckles.
Wheeler swallowed.
“I heard you like to drink. Drink ‘til you’re drunk?”
“Listen, man...”
Noah’s thick eyebrow arched upward.
“I mean, Mr. Adams. I don’t know what you heard—”
“Heard you get real chatty when you’re drunk too.”
“I don’t...” He gulped. “I’ve never said anything to anyone.”
“That’s not what I heard. Heard you were talking big. That you had information. Heard you were coming for me.” Noah pointed at himself.
Wheeler pushed his glasses up his nose. “I...”
“Stop fucking stuttering.” Noah’s fist pounded on the desk.
“O-okay.” He paused.
When he didn’t say anything, Noah helped him out, saying, “You were at Lester’s...”
“H-how’d you know?” His eyes widened. At Noah’s silence, he rushed out, “Yeah. I-I was at Lester’s a few weeks ago. I got a little tipsy, but I swear on my mother I never said anything to anyone.”
“At least have the fucking balls to look me in the eyes like a man,” Noah barked out. When their eyes connected, Noah went on, “This time, how about the truth?”
He fidgeted in his seat, dropping his gaze again. “I was low on cash. A friend of a friend mentioned a way to make some.”
“What did this friend of a friend say you had to do?”
“Answer a few questions about some product. I had to meet with a guy, Darrell or something.” Wheeler snapped his fingers. “Darius. He was asking me about smack, what sells where. But I don’t mess with that shit.”
Noah pursed his lips and contemplated Wheeler’s confession. The man still wasn’t being honest. He followed his gut. “So how did my name come up?”
Wheeler’s mouth flopped open.
“Yeah. Just like I figured. Lie to me again and I’m putting a bullet through your lying mouth.”
He gulped again. “The man thought I sold on the corners. I-I may have bragged just a little. Mentioned this club’s name...”
“And?”
“Hey, man. I mean, Mr. Adams. I was still just a little pissed from our little run-in. But now I’m cool.” He threw his hands up in surrender.
“Tell me what you told this Darius.”
“I fed the man a bunch of nothing. Just made stuff up. How would I know you were really Club Envy’s owner?” Wheeler used the back of his hand to swipe away the moisture gathering on his forehead. “I remembered seeing you that one night. You remember? When you told me and Avi to come upstairs. I swear I just made all of it up. I used the name I overheard a few people calling you at Sofie’s birthday and just made up that you owned this club. I-I never knew you really owned it. I swear.”
Noah’s position hadn’t changed and was in stark contrast to the sweating, fumbling man sitting before him. Then Noah chuckled, throwing back his head in glee. “That has to be the funniest shit I’ve ever heard.” Noah sobered, but his shoulders continued to shake a little. “A lie that really turns out to be the truth. Priceless.”
Wheeler rubbed his palms on his jeans.
“Relax. You told the entire truth, right?”
“Ye-yes,” he croaked out. “There’s nothing left, sir.”
“Then you’re good.” Noah hit a buzzer. “Gavin, come on in with those drinks.”
“Drinks?” Wheeler wondered, eyes bright and sitting taller in his seat.
“Yes.”
“I-I’m in? I’m really in, Mr. Adams?”
A soft knock interrupted them. Gavin walked in carrying a tray with three glasses, one was dark in color.
Wheeler stood, excitement radiating from him. “Holder, I’m in, man. I’m in.” He rushed toward Noah. “Thanks for this chance, sir. You won’t regret it.” Jayson frowned when Noah didn’t shake his hand, but his empty fingers gripped the tumbler Gavin shoved into them.
“Cuba Libre. You’re favorite, right?”
He nodded, taking the drink and immediately taking a long pull from the glass.
Gavin and Noah grabbed their drinks. Jayson guzzled his while Noah and Gavin took leisurely sips from their glasses.
“Do you remember what this Darius person looks like?” Noah wondered after a while.
“Um. Is it hot in here to you?” Wheeler looked around at the others.
“No,” Noah said.
“I’m cool,” Gavin replied.
“So what did he look like?” Noah asked again.
Wheeler tugged on his shirt collar. “Huh?”
“Darius,” Noah reminded him, taking another sip from his whiskey sour.
“Oh, yeah. Um, h-he was my height, tan skin, goatee. He had a limp.” Wheeler coughed. “Looks Middle Eastern.”
Noah concentrated on the bottom of his glass, swirling the liquid around.
“Do you mind if I sit down?”
“Go ahead.” Noah tracked the man’s slow gait.
“Should be any minute now,” Gavin muttered for Noah’s hearing.
“I-I don’t feel so good.”
The tumbler crashed to the floor.
Noah sat on the edge of his desk.
“Holder...” Wheeler clutched at his neck then his body started to spasm.
“What did you use?”
“Strychnine,” Gavin said.
Wheeler’s body shook, his body arching.
Noah walked over to the dying man. “Now you know to keep my name out of your mouth.” Rigor mortis was starting to set into Wheeler’s limbs. “I’m going downstairs.”
“Congratulations,” Avi and Sophie yelled at the same time.
“Here’s to Stacey and Ro,” Cass said.
“Here. Here.” Beth clapped.
Noah popped the champagne cork, bubbles spilling out, and causing rounds of giggles from the women. They were in another section of the club, where it was quieter and the space was intimate.
Ro cleared his throat and got to this feet. With a glass in hand, he raised it high. “To the woman who’s making me a father. Stacey, I love you, and our kid will be one sexy mother—”
“Watch your mouth,” Stacey was quick to say, conjuring up the infamous line from Shaft.
The table laughed at the couple’s antics.
Avi picked up her flute, but before bringing it to her lips, she said to Noah, “The last time I was in your club, jealousy was eating me alive.”
Her honesty was refreshing. He decided to share too. “Me and you both.” She snorted like she didn’t believe him. Noah turned her to face him, fingering a loose curl. “You looked so sexy, over there. Took all I had in me not to haul you out of here.” Then he scowled, remembering she wasn’t alone. And that too-short of a dress she wore.
She frowned, but he used his finger to pull up a corner of her lip, which made her grin.
“I was pissed you left with that blonde.”
And I was pissed you lied and told me ‘not interested’. But he figured she wouldn’t like to hear that truth.
“Dance with me,” Avi whispered.
He leaned back onto the chair, overhearing bits of his friends’ conversations and their laughter.
“Come dance with me,” she repeated.
“I’m not a dancing kind of man, Avi.”
She angled her body toward him; her perfume tickled his nose.
“Please?”
He could think of another kind of rhythm he’d liked to set, but tonight was the first time he could breathe and just hang out with his friends without scheming and plotting. She shifted, pulling his gaze to her cleavage.
“You really want me to dance, don’t you?”
Her tinkling laughter reminded him of the night they had met, and how her movements had taunted him.
“You have no idea.”
Noah allowed Avi to lead him to a spot by the wall. He leaned against it, enjoying Avi’s sensual dance movements in front of him to the low music playing overhead. Spinning her around, he lowered his head. Noah’s nose skimmed the bend of her neck, inhaling her and the perfume she wore. His hands worked their way over her curves that were on full display in her dress. Her hands slipped from his shoulder down his back, settling on his waist. The bulge stopped her roaming fingers.
“You have a gun.” She scrutinized his face.
To distract her, he nipped at her slender neck. “You know I own a gun.”
“But—”
He moved his hard cock into her lower stomach. “You’re focusing on the wrong bulge.” A curse slipped between his lips when she ground herself into him. “Let’s get out of here.”
“One more dance,” she begged, her hand over the front of his pants.
An hour later, they still hadn’t left, even though they had rejoined Noah’s friends.
“Let’s go, babe,” Ro said when Stacey yawned, pulling his wife to stand.
“We’re right behind you,” Noah said. “For all those forced dances, I plan on fucking you until you can’t walk straight.”
Avi stood then turned back with a wink. “Is that a promise?”
Had she not hurried toward Ro and Stacey, he probably would have dragged her to the nearest office. Noah said his goodbyes before catching up with Avi. His hands found her tempting hips as they continued down the stairs. Before going outside, they picked up their coats. A security personnel swung the door wide, and everyone could feel the arctic temperature. As they waited on the sidewalk, Avi nestled into her thick coat.
“It’s freezing,” she said, shivering.
