Him & I

DAMIEN

The familiar ache in the back of my head brings back flashes from the night before.

I had some business to deal with at Club Luminous with that imbecile Marcus Filton, but truth be told I couldn’t remember what it was we were dealing with after a few scotches on the rocks were passed around.

I’m a committed man when it comes to my work, but it’s men like Filton who make my temper reach its limit.

He is arrogant and thinks that his money can solve all his problems, but his arrogance is going to come back and bite him in the ass hard.

People become so consumed with the feeling of power money can provide but once that power and luck runs out they are left defenseless with nothing to hide behind, like a baby lamb abandoned in a pack of wolves.

I was sitting in my regular VIP booth watching all the drunken antics around the club when a new added weight could be felt on my thighs.

I looked up at the mystery woman who had found herself perched on my lap, and I wasn’t necessarily blown away with what I was looking at.

She looked like your regular party girl: dyed blond hair and blue eyes, which, if I looked close enough, were probably contact lenses.

Her figure was average and looked like at least four other women in the room, but who was I to deprive a young woman like herself from her needs.

Now it is 7 a.m. on a Tuesday morning with another sharing my bed with half her body draped over my back. This isn’t exactly new for me but it’s always a hassle when it comes to sending them on their way.

Some decide that they’re something more and try to stick around long enough for breakfast while others are just plain batshit crazy and refuse to believe that it was a one-time thing.

Shoving her body off me as quick as I possibly could, probably rougher than I should have, I headed into the connected bathroom in the spare room to take a quick shower and get ready for the full day that I could already feel was going to happen.

After my quick shower, scrubbing the smell of alcohol and sex from my skin, and scrubbing my teeth clean, washing out the last of the taste from my mouth using my mouthwash just to reassure that there are no traces of the night before, I wrapped a towel round my waist and headed for the closet.

When I stepped out of my bathroom though I noticed that I wasn’t alone. Why can’t women just do the smart thing and make my morning easier by listening to me?

“What are you still doing here?” Now I know what you’re probably thinking, and yes, I do respect women, but only those who respect themselves.

Women like these who willingly go home with a random stranger just because he stood out from the rest shouldn’t get offended when being kicked out the next morning.

I am all for women wanting to have a good time but at least let the person buy you a drink first instead of jumping into their bed at the first opportunity.

“Hey, baby, last night was really good. Want me to cook you breakfast?” Rolling my eyes, I knew what I needed to do and the hassle it would cause after I said the next classic line.

“No offense, Abbie, but I don’t even remember last night. You were just a one-night thing, and I would rather that you didn’t make breakfast and leave before I come back out of that closet.”

Not even sparing her a glance, I turned around and made use of my time in throwing on a pair of black jeans and a white shirt but still put on some respectable shoes just so it looked like I put some effort into my appearance this morning.

Returning to the room, I couldn’t see any sign of her being here, so I took that as my chance to leave and head to my busy day at work that awaits me.

Walking to my four-car garage I decided to choose my all-time favorite drive; it’s a matte black Audi R8 Spyder and is the only love in my life.

The engine purred in greeting, and I welcomed the feeling of the soft hum of the engine before pulling out onto the road and starting my day.

Not even ten minutes into the drive, I got pulled out of my concentration by an obnoxious ring from my phone.

Glancing down at the screen I saw a message from Sophie.

I already knew it was going to be about the woman she probably saw leaving the spare room this morning. I can’t complain though. I love how she looks after me and wants what’s best for me, but I’m a grown man I can make my own choices.

Ten minutes later, I was parking my car at the side of the road, preparing myself for the lecture that’s about to be brutally served from Sophie.

It’s not that I’m scared to speak to her about it, it’s just that she always says the same thing.

“Damien, when are you going to stop sleeping around and find a nice young lady to settle down with? I can introduce you to someone if you like. I think you would really like this one. Plus, I want some babies crawling around the house before my time is up!”

Sophie was always a tad bit dramatic, but I loved her regardless. As the door to the café opened a ringing noise propelled through the building ready to alert any member of staff that there was a guest.

“Would you mind serving these people while I finish up out back, sweetie?” I heard my aunt yell from, I assume, the kitchen.

She was always back there either rearranging the shelves or perfecting a new recipe she came up with.

“Of course, Sophie, already on it.” That voice was music to my ears; it wasn’t too harsh, it was soft and airy and filled me with this new kind of warmth deep in my chest.

As soon as the angel’s voice disappeared, a woman walked out from the side storage room looking as angelic as her voice sounded.

She was stunning. I have seen plenty of women in my time but none of them was like the masterpiece in front of me. She protruded innocence and kindness with an overflowing essence.

I couldn’t describe the feeling that was running through my whole body; it was like a thousand sparks of electricity were flowing in my bloodstream and I couldn’t stop it, but in a strange messed-up way I knew I didn’t want to.

The slight movement in her left leg gave away that she was beginning to approach me.

I snapped out of my daze and looked at the green-eyed angel as she took precise steps toward me, looking like she was gliding more than walking, only adding on to the aura she released.

The closer she got the more I began to take her in. She couldn’t have been very tall, probably around five-four with curves in all the right places.

I hadn’t even spoken to this woman yet, but I was completely and utterly consumed by her.

The smaller the distance got between us the more I noticed she was wincing slightly every time she moved her torso.

I continued to check her over looking for any more indication of her being injured but found none apart from the faint bruising around the rim of her wrist poking out her apron.

“How may I help you this morning, sir?”

I soon realized that I was once again hypnotized by the walking goddess, and with a small shake of my head I released all the thoughts of the beauty in front of me and focused on why I was here in the first place.

“I’m here to see Sophie. Would you mind getting her for me please?” She quickly nodded her head and I watched as the brown-haired woman sauntered toward the kitchen and disappeared around the back out of view.

For some reason I felt like I just lost something that I needed inside, but I brushed off the feeling.

Not even five seconds later Sophie came running out of the back looking like the biggest mess I’ve ever seen.

“Sophie, you got a bit of something right here.” I made a hand movement as if I was brushing my face to emphasize the point that she wasn’t looking her best.

“Shut up, boy, you are going to kill me one of these days if you keep bringing home these skanks from your little rendezvous at the club. I mean really, Damien, I do not want to see a half-dressed female coming down the stairs first thing in the morning while I’m trying to eat my breakfast. It’s nauseating.”

I knew she was right but it’s who I am. In my line of work it is extremely hard to find and commit to one woman who will stand by my side while running my “business.”

It isn’t like I don’t want to find myself a loving woman to stand by my side who I can proudly show off to the world and shower with all the love and affection I could possess.

It’s just difficult bringing someone into this life because once they know they must sign a contract of silence. Breaking this is immediate death for betrayal to the Mafia and myself. How could I ever expect a woman to make that kind of commitment?

“Yes, Sophie, I’ll try and make sure that you don’t see them in the mornings, but I can’t guarantee that you will never have to see one. Anyway, who was that I was speaking to earlier?”

Her facial expression changed to one of a smile instead of the frown she had while previously lecturing me.

“That is Sienna-Rose Watson. She’s been working here for a while now, but she has another part-time job elsewhere. She is quite shy but hardworking. Why? Spotted something you like, Damien?”

Indeed, I had, but I knew that I would have to find out more about her first before I even considered getting involved with her.

Maybe the injuries had something to do with her shyness and the fact that she works two jobs. This girl was a mystery and I wanted to be the one to crack the code to her heart.

I didn’t bother entertaining my aunt with an answer and began walking away yelling a brief goodbye before leaving the building.

I got back into my car and began my drive to the gang house, deciding that the best person to get me information would be Cole; he has been my best friend since we can both remember.

I pulled up his contact and began dialing the number. On the second ring he picked up. “Diablo.” I know he is my best friend but during work hours he is expected to call me by my work name.

“Get me all the information possible on Sienna-Rose Watson, and bring it to my office ASAP.”

I ended the phone call and focused on getting to work on time to finish off my paperwork before going back to the club tonight to finish any business missed from the meeting last night.

Pulling up to the building where most of my responsibilities lie, I quickly began thinking of Sienna-Rose. What could that girl possibly be hiding?

I made my way into the elevator and pressed the top floor button. The top floor was allocated only to me, plus my other half when I find her. I walked to the last door on the right and entered the all-too-familiar office.

“Diablo, we got the information you requested.” I was shocked that Cole had already found the information and was waiting on me; it seemed a bit odd.

“There wasn’t much information. We dug up all we could, but her profile seemed to be locked and we couldn’t hack it either. She’s either a seriously guarded person or she’s involved with the wrong kind of people.”

I knew what he was saying was true but from the brief meeting we had she didn’t seem like the type of person to be in trouble, but then again you should never judge a person on their appearance.

“Thanks, Cole.” I opened the file, and it was basic information: Sienna-Rose Watson, nineteen years of age, five foot four inches, street address Dretton Avenue, child of Wilson Watson and Alexandra Watson.

He was right; this isn’t the normal background information that would have been available to our servers. Sienna just became an even bigger mystery for me and a part of me wanted to solve it even more. I knew I wanted her, but I couldn’t figure out why.

“Cole, get the guys together. We are going to Club Luminous. I need to finish up business and then a distraction. Be ready by six.”

He exited my room, I presumed to tell the boys about tonight. As I sat there in the silence, I couldn’t help but stare at the case file in front of me.

I knew there was something missing; no one is this well guarded for no reason and I can promise that I will figure it out.

She is pulchritudinous and she is perfect for me. I know this feeling isn’t normal, but she is everything I ever wanted in a woman; she is hardworking yet reserved. I need to know more about her.

She will be mine.

Eventually.