“Mary-Sue.”
“Exactly. Dancing skill, fighting skill.”
“Remind me again why I let you run my club?”
Jett tipped his head back laughing. Aaron liked seeing Jett smile. The sight was almost cleansing, therapeutic.
“Because she’s your baby, and you trust me with your baby.”
That wasn’t it; that wasn’t it at all. The Junction wasn’t his only club, not that Jett knew it. It was one of four in Aaron’s empire of property. The only club that wasn’t dodgy, the only club that was run by the books, like an actual business, not a hiding place, or a disposable center, or a hangout for the people that worked for him. It was pure, honest, much like the man Aaron was talking to.
The man he let run it for him.
“So I was thinking of a themed night next Friday.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Heaven and Hell.”
“Like Halloween stuff?”
“Kinda.”
Aaron lifted his eyebrow. “You feeling all right? It’s July.”
“I know that, but every club will be doing Halloween in October, all that competition. So I thought I could do a Halloween night now but call it Heaven and Hell.”
“It’s July,” Aaron repeated.
Jett took a step back laughing. He was smiling again, the smile that made his eyes gleam, and Aaron’s stomach fizzle.
“I know, but we pride ourselves on being different, and every other club’s doing a Hawaiian night, or a beach party theme—”
“Both more suited for summer.”
“But I think I can do a better night. Heaven and Hell, we can recycle the Halloween props, get a few new bits. Costumes, cocktails, merchandise.”
“I dunno, Jett—”
“Please, I can make it a success. It will be, I swear it.”
Aaron exhaled through his nostrils. “You’re gonna ask me for extra money, aren’t you?”
Jett pressed his hands together in a begging pose. He pushed out his bottom lip, forced his eyebrows together, and did the puppy-dog look he’d perfected. Money was no issue for Aaron. He had it by the bucket load, but he liked to pretend he was strapped for cash, just to see Jett beg, then relish in the grateful glow when he “gave in”. It was like sex, and he wasn’t ready for it to end. He wanted to know how far he could take it first before the satisfying climax.
He fixed his face into an expression of sorrow. “Look, I’m sorry—”
“Please, please, please. If you want me to get down on my knees and beg I will.”
Aaron’s cock twitched. He was thankful he was seated at the bar, his crotch hidden. He didn’t say anything, which only seemed to make Jett more determined. He rushed out from behind the bar, dropped to his knees, and pressed his hands together. Aaron willed his brain to function, but every drop of blood in his body had shot towards his crotch at the sight of Jett on his knees. Jett begging, bobbing up and down, eyebrows twitching, lips moving to shape the word “please”, over and over. Aaron couldn’t hear him, his pounding pulse drowning out Jett’s voice.
“Okay,” Aaron said shakily, turning away and swallowing hard. “Fine, you’ve worn me down.”
He didn’t turn back to Jett on the floor, too tempted to undo his zipper and shove his cock at his mouth. Jett went back behind the bar and stood in front of Aaron.
“Thank you.”
Jett sighed blissfully, big smile on his face, eyes wide and awed, and Aaron basked in it, only wishing he could see that look more. Maybe with Jett’s face covered in sweat, and his eyes glassy from pleasure.
He wanted to have Jett, in every possible way, and it was getting harder and harder to keep his lust at bay. His mind flashed up images at the most inappropriate moments, Jett splayed out on the bar, bent over one of the tables, or down on his hands and knees in the middle of the dance floor. The hot glimpses made Aaron sweat, but that, Jett on his knees, that had been a different level of torture, and he shuffled, rearranging the bulge in his pants.
“Don’t look so worried.”
“Worried?”
“Yeah, I won’t let you down.”
“You better not. So Heaven and Hell … Angels and Devils.”
“Yep, Good or bad.”
“What are you?”
Jett shrugged. “I like to think I’m a good guy.”
“You are.”
There was no disputing it. Jett radiated friendliness like a deodorant. His smile immediately received a smile in return from anyone that walked into the club.
“And you?” Jett asked.
He snorted. “I wouldn’t use either to describe myself, but if I had to pick, bad. Really bad.”
“I don’t think you’re bad.”
“That’s because you don’t know me.”
Jett’s grin faded, and he stepped back from the bar. Aaron inwardly cursed. He hadn’t meant to do that, hadn’t meant to end the happiness transmitting from Jett’s face.
“You’ve said yes to the Heaven and Hell night, have agreed to give me money for it, so you can’t be bad all the time.”
“Maybe not all the time, more like 99% of the time.”
Jett’s lips lifted again, back into a smile, but smaller than before.
“You gonna dress up?” Aaron asked.
“Course I will.”
Aaron inwardly whipped himself into check. He had to tread carefully, not make Jett uncomfortable, and he was already on thin ice. That’s what he told himself, but the message was lost somewhere in his brain.
“Some slutty outfit?”
Jett tilted his head. “Slutty? No, I’ll probably just put a halo on or something. I doubt anyone wants to see me in something slutty. Do they even do slutty angel and devil outfits for men?”
“Yeah.”
“I mean—I wanna ask how you know that, but I’m not sure I want to know the answer.”
“Tell you what, I’ll give you some extra funds for props, drinks, free merchandise to give out, whatever, but in return, you’ve got to wear whatever I get you.”
“What?” Jett laughed bowing forward. His cheeks flushed red, and he shook his head.
“That’s the deal.”
“No way.”
“You want your themed night to go ahead, then you’ve got to agree to the deal.”
“But you’re gonna pick something awful.”
Aaron didn’t answer verbally. Instead he raised his eyebrow and pursed his lips. If he had one opportunity to dress Jett up, he wasn’t going to make it awful; he was gonna make him look hot, flaming like the gates of hell.
Jett looked off thoughtfully, then said, “No mankinis.”
“Damn.”
“That’s not funny.”
Aaron grinned. “I promise no mankinis.”
“Then deal, but don’t go taking pictures and sending them out to the staff.”
“I won’t, I’m not like that.”
Any pictures he was going to take, were for his eyes only.
Chapter Two
Life, Aaron’s other life, the one Jett didn’t know about, got hectic. Not only did Aaron have to sort out infighting in his team, but he had to locate a missing shipment of stolen computers, then find dirt on a cop to blackmail him into silence. All were sorted with minimal damages to goods and personnel, and Aaron had kept his identity a secret. No front-page news exposing him as the big boss of the underworld.
All he wanted to do was drink at The Junction and listen to Jett prattle on about nightclubs, the news, celebrity gossip, anything at all, just to hear and see Jett, to escape into his bright eyes and easy smiles.
Aaron made sure he looked good before he went. Brown hair, brown eyes, and the build of a professional boxer. He knew he looked good by the eyes of men and women that lingered on him. Crease-free jacket and shirt, undone top buttons showing a glimpse of hair.
He was looking good.
The club was heaving, much to his annoyance. He pushed his way not-so-politely to the bar. It was
one of four in the nightclub, but the biggest, the one in The VIP room, was the one where Jett usually was. Aaron didn’t mask his disappointment when he noticed Jett wasn’t behind the bar, only some fresh-faced barmen Aaron didn’t bother learning the name of.
He went to check the other bars in case Jett was stuck sorting out a broken barrel or restocking bottles. He passed so many smiling faces, bobbing up and down in time to the music. Men and women were grinding, women and women were holding hands, and men and men were locked in passionate, but not-too-naughty, embraces. It was nice to see, but not while Aaron was hunting down Jett. Everybody in the club was hiding him from view, blocking Aaron’s path, making it more and more difficult for him to be reunited with Jett, his saving grace, and it was making the anxiety in his chest bubble. He needed Jett to feel better, and he needed to know Jett was okay, but Jett wasn’t anywhere.
Aaron took a deep breath, then went up the steps to office at the top. He could see the light was on under the door, and someone was moving about. He and Jett were the only ones with keys, and Aaron’s faltering heart picked up pace. When he opened the door, there was a scream, then a palm smacked him across the face.
He staggered back, then glared at Mary-Sue. She hurried to cover herself with a red gown, then guiltily looked up at him.
“Shit—Boss, I’m sorry.”
Aaron’s cheek stung, but he didn’t react, only glared down Mary-Sue until she gave him an explanation.
“Jett lets me and the other girls get changed in the office.”
“What’s wrong with the toilets?”
“They’re not exactly hygienic, and I feel safer getting dressed up here.”
Aaron nodded, accepting her reason. “Where’s Jett?”
He glanced around the office even though it was obvious Jett wasn’t there. There was a huge mahogany desk, a bookcase covered in various awards and photos, and a couch, covered in underwear for Mary-Sue to wear.
“He’s got a day off.”
“A day off?”
“Yeah, I think he’s due one.”
Aaron’s heart sank in his chest. He scratched the back of his head. “He out with friends or family, or something?”
Mary-Sue laughed. “That’s what he should be doing, but instead he’s gone to dig up your skeletons.”
Aaron took a step back. “What?”
“For the Heaven and Hell night, remember?”
“Yeah,” Aaron laughed lightly. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Some guy the other side of Hampton is selling him these prop skeletons, and he’s gone to get them. He really puts everything into this club.”
“I know he does.”
Mary-Sue lifted her lips into a lopsided smile. She fluttered her sparkly lashes, then laughed to herself.
“What?” Aaron asked.
“Do you know he does? Really? Do you know how much he puts into the club, your club?”
Aaron gestured to the bookcase. “I know. This place has won countless awards. It turns over a good profit. It’s popular with all the celebrities. It’s doing great.”
Mary-Sue nodded. “Yeah, it is. Because of Jett. And how many times have you told him he’s doing a great job?”
Aaron scoffed, shaking his head. “He knows I think he’s great.”
“Jett loves this club. He loves working here, but that’s only half of it. He wants to impress you, make you proud—”
“I am.”
“I’m pretty sure he desires your praise so much he’s actually fallen in love with you and doesn’t even realize it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“He’s made flyers. He’s made cocktails, he’s hired extra staff, has traveled far and wide to get props to make this night a success, and most of it is coming out of his pocket.”
“I said I’d give him some extra funds.”
“He doesn’t want to bother you by asking for more.”
“Stubborn.”
“And not everything can have money thrown at it to make it better. All he actually wants is for you to tell him you’re impressed, that he’s done good—”
“All this proves it,” Aaron said, wagging his finger at the awards.
“He wants you to tell him, not have it engraved in some plaque on a disco ball.”
Aaron didn’t praise his men. They did their job, and they got a cut of the profits. That was all the “well done” they needed. He hadn’t even imagined Jett was waiting for some kind of feedback, some validation, but as he stood there, with his mouth hanging open, and Mary-Sue’s finger wagging at him, he realized Jett was due some.
When he looked at the bookcase of awards, he felt pride drumming in his chest, but he hadn’t thought to tell Jett he felt proud, or impressed, or grateful. He’d thought the awards were validation in themselves.
The Junction didn’t make him a lot of money compared to his darker ventures, but it did make money. It made a lot of money for the honest, hard-working club it was, not millions, but enough that if Aaron ever wanted to cut ties with his criminal empire, he’d be comfortable.
Jett and The Junction were his escape plan if all went to hell.
“I’ve never told him I appreciate him,” Aaron said. “That I appreciate all this.”
“You’re lucky he still works here.”
“What? Is he unhappy?”
“No, he loves it. I just meant he’s had offers.”
“Offers? What offers?”
“Other clubs trying to tempt him away with more money.”
“No one’s taking him from me,” Aaron said darkly.
Mary-Sue frowned at him, looking him up and down.
“I only meant, whatever they offer, I can offer him more.”
“Right,” Mary-Sue said, but she still seemed unsettled by his dark tone.
Aaron needed to change the subject, and fast. “Has the Heaven and Hell night sold out?”
“Yeah, and there’s some celebrities coming.”
“Celebrities?”
She clapped her hands together excitedly. “Bella Quin.”
“Who?”
“Where’ve you been, under a rock? She’s a singer, number one in the charts right now. She’s bringing her friends. Kara Adelle—she’s a model—and Erica Nolan. She’s one of the professionals on Dancing for Gold.”
“Right…”
“You have no idea what that is, do you?”
“Absolutely no idea.”
Aaron’s world couldn’t be any more different from Mary-Sue’s and Jett’s. He didn’t know of celebrities, and he didn’t care. They meant nothing to him.
“And Marlon Steel,” Mary-Sue added.
Aaron scrunched his face. He was sure he’d heard the name before, sure he’d heard Jett say it. Months ago, Jett had told him with wide eyes, that Marlon Steel had been in the club. He’d been impressed, excited, and Aaron hadn’t liked it.
“He’s an actor.”
“Oh right, he was in some TV series, right?”
“Only the best TV series of all time,” Mary-Sue said, “And he’s got the hots for Jett. He’s bringing his brother along. He’s an actor, too, not as big, but starred in that cop show … what’s it called—”
“Wait,” Aaron said. “Go back a bit, you said he had the hots for Jett?”
“Not had, he has the hots for Jett. He came in months ago, asked him out on a date, but Jett couldn’t go.”
“Jett turned him down?”
“Not in so many words. It was around Valentine’s Day, and he was getting stuff together for the Love-Bird night. He was too busy, but said he’d go out on a date once Marlon got back from filming the fourth season.”
Aaron rocked back on his heels, doing his best to digest all Mary-Sue had told him. In one way, it was cause of a celebration. Jett must’ve been attracted to men, something Aaron hadn’t been certain of, but in another, more soul-crushing way, Jett was considering dating some actor, some celebrity, some hot guy, as Aaron concluded from Mary-Sue�
�s wide eyes and lolling tongue.
“Marlon Steel,” he mumbled. “Is he a player? An asshole?”
“No, he’s renounced for being one of the nicest guys in the industry.”
“Fuck.”
“What’s the matter, Boss? It’s great that he’s coming here.”
“He’s coming here to get in Jett’s pants.”
“You’re not jealous … are you?”
Aaron didn’t comment. He was angry, irritated, jealous, but above all, he felt threatened. Someone was going to come between him and his fantasy fuck.
Mary-Sue’s eyes grew wider, and a soft gasp left her lips. “You are.”
Aaron rolled his eyes. “Someone deserves a gold star.”
“You’re into Jett. For how long?”
“Don’t you have some routine to be doing downstairs?”
“Well yeah, I’m ten minutes late, but this is more important.”
“More important than doing your job, the one I pay you for?”
“Yes. You’re into Jett. Why the hell haven’t you done anything about it?”
“Excuse me?”
Mary-Sue threw her hands up. “You’ve never asked him out. He’s been working here three years, has liked you since he started, but you never hinted you were interested. Always so mysterious, only coming in once a week, never telling us what else you do, or where you go. We just assumed you’d got a partner, were married or something.”
Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not married.”
“Good, that’s good. Not married, and you’re into Jett.”
“Can you stop saying that?”
“Sorry.”
“I think it’s time you go downstairs.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Mary-Sue shimmied out of her gown, revealing the underwear she’d picked out of her selection. The gold material shimmered, and she’d covered her chest with glitter and body paint, matching her huge sparkling eyelashes. Her black hair was scraped back in a high bun on the top of her hair showing off her slender neck.
“Did I make the right choice?”
“You look great. I would say knock ‘em dead, but that would be bad for business.”
Billion Dollar Love: Manlove Edition Page 14
