Drug Lord

by DeRosa, Mila

  He’d set his bar high, and Bryn hoped he reached it. Goodness knows, Sally deserved more than to bust her ass serving drinks for the rest of her life.

  “I think I’d manage.” She crossed one leg over the other as she sat next to Luke on the sofa, leaving Bryn no option but to sit next to Reeves, or else stand. She sat.

  They joked around for a few moments. To Reeves they must have sounded desperate fools. So young, yet his assets far exceeded the norm. Their simple wants may have sounded like grand plans to them, but to him they’d be insignificant.

  “I hate to break up the party, but I was hoping to talk to you before the others arrive. I want you all to understand what this weekend is about, it’s importance not only to me, but to the community.” He paused, took a sip of his drink and then continued. “Tonight will be strictly social. Propositions haven’t been made as of yet—tonight is about kissing their asses, making them feel special in hope they won’t have the heart to say no once I lay the cards out on the table tomorrow.”

  Bryn settled back in her seat. Reeves was dancing around his idea, ducking and weaving as he went, obviously not completely comfortable about sharing his plans with anyone.

  “What I’m sharing with you is confidential. Not a single soul knows any of this, so I trust you’ll keep it to yourselves. Actually, first I have to set a few things straight. Despite what you may have heard in the past, I am not a drug lord. I ran with a bad bunch, I even did some dealings of my own—but that’s history.” He glanced up at her, making eye contact, which he held as he continued is spiel. “The nature of this weekends business is a complete contradiction to who people believe I am, but it’s something I’m extremely passionate about. In support of it I have cleaned out all the shonky dealers, those not willing to leave the drug world behind to make an honest living for themselves, the rest are working businesses all over town, and doing well.” He gestured at their surrounds, proof that he too was reaping the benefits of their well doing.

  “The Club doesn’t tolerate suppliers. It’ll take some time, but I’ve been eliminating the rift-raft at a steady, but not quick enough, pace. It will never be completely clean, those sort of businesses never are, but at least I know the drugs aren’t coming from my hands.” He sucked in a deep breath and smiled as he exhaled. “You all still with me?”

  They nodded, not wanting to disturb his flow.

  “My newest and most exciting business venture is my way of giving back to the community. Giving homeless youth the chance to make something good of themselves instead of opting for a life of sin—one they will never escape from if Baxter has his way.” His eyes locked with Bryn’s again, as if scrutinizing her reaction.

  After the close encounter earlier that day, Reeves words did little to rattle her, so much that she didn’t even flinch at the mention of her father’s name.

  “So how is that going to generate an income for you and your investors?” Bryn frowned. It was a great idea and all, but how he stood to benefit more than just through self-satisfaction, she didn’t know.

  “It’s not really. It might turn out some good staff that I could work into existing businesses, but this one will be a not for profit organization. My way of doing something good for a change.”

  “Well, I didn’t see that one coming.” Sally grinned at him over her glass. “Will you still portray the tough boy persona to save face in the club, or will it be common knowledge you’re a softy.” The admiration in her voice was evident.

  “Nah, he’ll have to keep up the drug lord image, how else will he manage to pull chicks,” Luke chortled.

  Who was more shocked by his comment out of the three, Bryn wasn’t sure. Reeves momentarily looked horrified, but just as quickly began to laugh. “That too is a thing of the past.” There was a seriousness about his tone, but Bryn wasn’t sure if she was hoping to hear that he changed, or if he really did plan to turn his back on his rakish ways.

  “Good on you for going all righteous and stuff, but giving up on those hot babes—man, what’s wrong with you?”

  Sally leaned over and swatted Luke on the arm. “Watch your manners.” She warned, then looked over at Reeves. “Sorry.”

  “Nothing to apologize for. One day you’ll learn it for yourself, Luke. Plastic, carbon copies will only satisfy a man to a certain point—until he meets someone real, and then he’s done.”

  He didn’t look at them as he spoke, his head turned toward the fire. Bryn followed his gaze, watching as the flame licked at charred logs, listening to the tenderness in his tone—raw, yet genuine in the most vulnerable of ways. There was no doubt he’d met someone special, someone he was willing to change for.

  Car headlights lit up the room as Reeves drivers returned in convoy.

  “Okay, are we ready to schmooze our guests.” Reeves took them in with one swooping glance, all traces of vulnerability gone.

  Chapter 10

  An hour to breathe and get ready for the evening event was exactly what Bryn needed. After slipping her boots off she flopped back on her bed and gazed at the ceiling.

  The near encounter with her father wasn’t the ideal way to kick off the weekend. Rattled and on edge wasn’t the way she liked to go into anything. Reeves provided her a safe place, where she wouldn’t be looking over her shoulder if she dared venture out of her apartment for the duration of the weekend. Being in the mountains, far from Baxter or his mob, provided opportunity to think without being hindered by fear.

  How long she would stick around town she didn’t know, the proposal Reeves offered so far intrigued her. Being his personal assistant would be by far more appealing than waiting tables, but she didn’t want to take on anything she couldn’t see through to the end. His cause was one close to her heart, one she wanted to be a part of, if only—

  The knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Glancing at the clock on her bedside table she saw fifteen minutes had past and she hadn’t even had a shower yet.

  Sliding from the bed, she crossed the room and pulled the door open without asking who was on the other side.

  Sally stood waiting with two glasses of champagne. “Thought you could use one of these whilst you’re getting ready.”

  Bryn reached out to take the offering. “Thank you. It seems wrong to except payment for this weekend. It’s not exactly hard work.” Leaning against the door she took a sip.

  “Reeves wouldn’t have it any other way. What are you wearing tonight? Something cute I hope.”

  Bryn pushed the door open wide to let Sally inside and went to fetch her dress from the wardrobe. “Nothing startling, appropriate more than anything.” Perhaps, it was a little on the short side to be classified as completely appropriate.

  “Oh, yes.” Sally reached out to touch the sleeve. “So soft. Love it.” A look of satisfaction on her face, as she nodded her approval.

  “Oh good, I wasn’t sure what Reeves expected of us. I bought my leather pants and a couple of different tops if you think it’s more fitting for tonight?”

  “Nope. The dress is perfect. Means I can wear something nice too.” She giggled, making her appear young and carefree. “I don’t get to go out much and Reeves knows it. He’s good to me.”

  “So he should be, you do a lot for him.”

  “I do, but he pays me well and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for Luke.” Tears welled in her eyes.

  “Fair enough—he’s not easy to work out. Hard exterior, soft center with more depth than I gave him credit.” Diverting the conversation to analyse the inner workings of Reeves was a good way to stop the tears.

  “So true. It’s been an interesting journey, watching him grow over the years. I’ve known for sometime he was clean, as out of the drug scene as he could be, but the recent changes have been most notable. I don’t want to scare you, but he changed when you came along, when you challenged him—your first night on the job.”

  Bryn took another sip of her champagne. What was she meant to say to that?
>
  “I think he likes you.”

  “Sure, just as he likes the rest of his staff.” Not wanting to encourage where her thoughts were headed, Bryn decided dismissive to be her safest option.

  “Time will tell Miss Bryn, you’re the real he was referring to—you’ll see.”

  Something stirred in the pit of her gut. Fear. Excitement. A bit of both. Whatever it was, it was going to have to wait. She had less than forty minutes to get ready, and tonight wasn’t the night to be slaphappy, they were being paid to do a job and she planned on keeping up her end of the bargain.

  “We should get ready.” She didn’t want to seem rude, but Sally didn’t appear to be in a hurry, yet Bryn needed time to pull of sexy without appearing to have tried.

  “Oh yes, I’ll leave you to it.” Sally darted out the door and disappeared into the next room before Bryn closed the door behind her.

  Carrying her glass to the bathroom, she set it down on the vanity whilst she had a shower. The spa would have to wait for later, or even the next morning, if she could drag herself out of bed early enough to make it worth her while.

  The heat felt good against her skin, the pressure of the water a massage across her shoulders, tense from the stressful events earlier that day. Safe and secure as she was, tucked up in a cabin in the mountains, she was more at ease than she had been for years.

  It’d be too easy to get caught up in a lifestyle like the one Reeves had grown accustomed to. Not even twelve hours in and she was pretty comfortable herself.

  As with the rest of the luxury provided, the towels were thick and soft, and smelled like lavender fields warm from the sun. Disappointed she couldn’t take her time to enjoy what was on offer for just a few days, she rushed through the process of getting ready until it came to applying her make up. Out of practice, she took care so as not to make a mess.

  Once she was ready, Bryn sculled what was left of the champagne in her glass, slipped her shoes on before heading out the door and into the hallway at the same time as Reeves exited his room.

  He released a low whistle. “Look at you.” The expression on his face was proof he liked what he saw. “Stunning.”

  “Thanks.” She didn’t often suffer from shyness, but there was something about the way he looked at her, mixed with the bubbles she’d just knocked back, that enhanced her reaction to his appreciation.

  “Shall we?” He gestured toward the staircase, walked a few paces and waited for her to descend alongside him, elbow out as he waited for her to tuck her hand around his arm. The warm flutters were back, and she clenched to her core. The Prince was back and, at this rate, he’d be charming the pants off of her in no time.

  She felt the warmth in her cheeks as her thoughts shifted to inappropriate—not the time or the place, but unavoidable given how close he was to her. The heat of his body radiated and was warm against hers.

  Although Bryn had only met his guests briefly, she liked them and could see why he enjoyed working with them. Young and vibrant, yet not so perky they’d become overbearing, they all seemed enthusiastic about the idea he had not yet proposed to them.

  “I’m not going to pester you to take the position, but I would love to hear which way you’re leaning after this evening. I don’t want you to appear a waitress tonight, so no fancy moves. I see you being a part of this project, so tonight is about playing host, not serving guests.”

  She nodded, curious as to what Sally and Luke’s role would be, but she didn’t dare ask. That was not her business. She was there to do as she was told, not to fight everyone else’s cause. Sally would be furious at her if she interfered with Reeves’ plans for the evening. So she remained quiet.

  “If you are even remotely interested—” He paused, glanced down at her and smiled. “I’m getting ahead of myself. We’ll see how you feel in a few hours.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see.”

  “Look at you two.” Sally emerged from the poolroom, stopping in the doorway as soon as she glanced up and saw them making their descent. “Like something out of a magazine I think.” She grinned as Lara, the pretty blonde investor stepped up behind her.

  “Yep, perfect—in need of a marketing plan? I think you just found your angle.”

  Sally craned her neck to look at her. “Not a bad idea.”

  Reeves laughed. “Honestly, you two, always chasing the tabloids.”

  “Media sluts, you know what we’re like,” Lara teased. “If you don’t want her by your side in the photographs, I’m happy to have her on my team.”

  “Ha. You wish.” Reeves and Lara bantered like siblings.

  As they neared, Lara stepped back and Sally followed, allowing Reeves and Bryn to enter. The room was abundant with platters of food, already poured glasses of champagne and jugs of various cocktails. They were in for a big night—perhaps that spa was going to have to wait until the next time she visited—if there was a next time.

  “Drinks?” Sally walked over to the table, picked up two glasses and handed them one each. “Lara, can I get you another drink?” Sally just flowed. Not only in the way she took care of them within one minute of entering the room, but the way she distributed the drinks.

  Lara opted for a cocktail, which Sally poured and dressed with a glazed cherry and umbrella within another minute.

  Perfect timing as Luke walked in with the other three guests. He was quite the charmer, schmoozing the women as Reeves requested, laughing and joking like long lost friends. Even Colin seemed entertained by their banter.

  Colin was the most reserved of all the investors. Bryn had him pinned as having a financial background. Serious and calculating, he didn’t make a move without thinking it through first. He was like a well-oiled machine—idea, process, respond. Not that she was knocking it, his methods had obviously worked for him in the past or else he wouldn’t be standing in Reeves room of opportunity.

  Before Sally could beat her to it, Bryn picked up a glass of champagne. “Champagne anyone, or something else?” She added, knowing they weren’t limited by choice.

  “Yes please,” Leah and Elise chorused.

  “Scotch and dry for me, please.” Colin didn’t strike her as a bubbles type of guy.

  “I’ll fix the scotch.” Sally jumped in to help, as Bryn passed glasses to the ladies.

  “Coke, Luke?”

  “Yes, thanks.” He didn’t refer to her as Mom, which came as no surprise to Bryn. Teen boys weren’t thrilled to hang out with their mom’s, even if in a work environment.

  With drinks in hand, Bryn moved over to the table stocked with food and picked up a platter of sliced cheeses and an assortment of cold meats, and began offering. Reeves caught her eye and winked. At least he seemed pleased with her performance, even if minor. He certainly was getting the raw end of the deal this weekend. Thousands of dollars for something he probably could’ve handled on his own.

  The evening would’ve been too intimate with just the five of them, so perhaps having staff to flesh out the room was more the point than the need for service.

  Chatter remained casual. Mostly Bryn listened as she was too far removed from the topics they covered and people they spoke about. When questions were directed her way she answered, offering as little personal information as possible. The excuse of not being in town for long was used numerous times.

  Colin was the first to dig deeper. “So, Bryn, tell me again where you are from, I forgot?”

  “Nothing wrong with your memory, Colin, I never stated any area in particular.” As she took a sip of champagne, she worked on a simple, but solid backstory. “I grew up not far from Highfliers, but I moved away when I was a child.

  “Where did you study?”

  “Nabiac.” Condensing a life on the run to one suburb wasn’t so hard as she anticipated. “It’s quite remote, so most of my study was conducted on line.” Not a complete lie.

  “Fair enough. What area did you study?” He was as relentless as a dog after a bone.

  “Commerce and
marketing.” She glanced over at Reeves, their eyes met and he raised his eyebrows, obviously surprised. It seemed he was more interested in listening to her conversation than Leah and Elise’s exchange about the Vogue fashion show they’d attended in Milan.

  “Interesting.” Colin swirled the last of his drink with melting ice and took a swig.

  “Can I fix you another.” Bryn smiled and nodded toward his glass.

  “That would be lovely, thank you.” Curiosity satisfied, Colin seemed as eager for the conversation to end as she was.

  As she headed over to the bar, she overheard Reeves excuse himself, and felt his presence move in behind her. He leaned against the bar as she fixed Colin’s drink.

  “You never told me you had a degree.”

  “You never asked.” Mysterious worked in her favor, especially with Reeves. Every time he learned something new about her, he seemed more intrigued and attentive.

  “What other surprises have you got stored away in that closed bookcase of yours?”

  “Bookcase?”

  “Yes, bookcase. You’re a woman of too many tales to be confined to the one book, I see a series, perhaps even many of them.”

  “Is that right?”

  “That’s right. You’ll learn of my passion for reading—I’d like to hear the audio version of your stories.” He grinned, obviously pleased with himself for carrying out his reference to books to get his point across.

  Appealing wasn’t enough to sum him up, especially when he was away from the crowds at the club and stresses of too much paperwork. Caught up in the moment, tucked up and away from reality, it would be far too easy to forget the real Reeves—notorious womanizer, former drug lord, arch-rival of her father and, currently, her safe haven.

  “My stories aren’t up for public broadcast.”

  “Oh, there will be nothing public about them. Private and intimate suits me perfectly.” His voice took on a husky tone.