“Janae there are somethings I need to tell you that happened after I left the club. I don’t mind telling you in front of everyone because they were a witness to it and Mike being your husband, I know the two of you hold no secrets from each other. Plus, after hearing this, he might not want you hanging out with me anymore.”
Nina inhales deep before recounting the events that have transpired. At one point, Janae scooted to the edge of the couch to hear better. When she was done, Janae’s leg was bouncing up and down. She had a murderous look on her face, that had Mike going over and sitting next to her, trying to calm her down.
“You mean to tell me, that asshole tried to have you killed because you choose to be with Balthazar,” Janae hisses. “Who does that? He sounds like a sore loser to me, but to go to the extreme of sending men with guns, that’s some crazy shit!”
Nina hangs her head, side eyeing me. “Well, it wasn’t just because of that.”
“What else could it have been,” Nina questions.
“Ummm, Trent’s in the Italian Mafia and his family has bad history with Zar’s,” Nina sighs.
Janae cuts her eyes at me, then points and says, “Balthazar not even Italian, so...” She blinks putting two and two together. “Aww, hell nah! You mean to tell me you’re mixed up in some Godfather type shit too? What the hell, Nina?!”
“Trust me it wasn’t by my design, someone just happened to show up at the wrong place at the wrong time,” she says, glancing over at me. She’ll pay for that little remark later.
“So, now what? Are you Balthazar’s ace in the hole to get back at Trent,” Janae quips, gawking at me?
Now it was my time to jump in. “You got it all wrong, Janae. I would never put Nina in that type of position. I care too much for her. My job is to love and protect her. Trent is a dead man walking for what he’s done.”
Nina’s mouth drops when she hears the love and protect part. I meant that shit. I would go up against the Devil himself to keep her safe and by the looks of things, that’s exactly who I’m dealing with.
Janae stands, going over to Nina, then taking Nina’s hands in hers. “Nina, is this where you want to be because we can leave right now. You know our house is tight like a Brink’s armored truck. Just say the word, and we’ll leave.”
Red hot heat courses through me, at the thought of Nina leaving me. If I have to, I’ll kick Janae and Mike, even though he’s a chill guy, out of my house. Just as I’m about to protest, Nina answers her.
“I’m staying with Zar, Janae. I know it sounds crazy but I choose to stay.”
Janae searcher her eyes, then cuts them at me. “Fine, but Zar I’m tell you, if something happens to her, you’re going to have to deal with me. You think Trent is giving you a hard time, wait until you have me on your ass!”
“I got you, Janae,” I agree.
“She means it, Zar,” Nina states.
I chuckle. “Oh, I know she does. I remember how she used to handle the drunks at the club. Believe me, I don’t want to get on Janae’s bad side.”
We sat around talking about the shit at the cabin. I was surprised when Mike offered some of his state of the art security items, he never divulged when I hired him, to rig out my properties. Mike is a totally different person when dealing with him on a personal level. He told us of his time in the military and I must say it was very impressive. Mike has skills I would love to have on my team, but I still needed to feel him out. Some of the men who were in his Black Ops unit now work for him at his security company. Personally, I think there are some other things going on besides setting up security systems.
When everyone started griping about being hungry, I ordered authentic Greek food from a restaurant located in town. Hendrix and Frankie drove down to the guardhouse when Andy the night guard called to say the food had arrived.
As everyone was getting their fill of Tzatziti (yogurt, cucumber, and garlic dip), Chicken& Veggie Pan Roast, Pesto Zoodles withChicken, Tomatoes & Pine Nuts, Berry, Grilled Steak with Roasted Asparagus & Brown Rice, Caprese Entree Salad with Whole-Grain Pita, and Baklava, Janae’s phone went off with a crazy ring tone.
She wipes her mouth and hands before picking the phone up. “This is Janae,” she greets. Her eyes grow wide as she listens to the person on the other line. Everyone stares at her as she shakes her head and says, “We’re on our way.” Janae lowers the phone, then sadly looks over to Nina. “There was a fire at the club.”
“What,” Nina yells, jumping to her feet.
“I don’t know the specifics but Katie said she tried to call you and didn’t get an answer, so she called me. The fire department is still battling the blaze. We need to get there right away,” Janae informs, then running over to hug her friend.
“This shit has Trent’s name written all over it,” I growl. “Let’s go!” Pulling Nina from Janae, I clutch her hand in mine, rushing to the front door with everyone else in tow. This was the last straw! It was time for me to show Trent what it’s like to stomp with the big dogs.
By the time we arrived at Mystique, it was completely destroyed. The only thing left was smoldering embers, and part of the lettering for the club’s name. On the way there, I called some of my men to post up around The Elite just in case Trent tried to do the same to it. Nina was so distraught, I had to hold her tight as she tried to run towards her dream that has now gone up in smoke. Fire Lieutenant Richards came over and told us, he believed the fire was a result of arson. From the pattern of the fire and an empty gas can found not too far behind the club, that was his assumption but they wouldn’t have a definite cause until the Fire Inspector concluded his investigation. I took his card when he tried to hand it to Nina. Richards stressed to Nina to make sure to call her insurance company to file a claim before shaking my hand, then returning to the fire truck.
“Why,” she sobbed, crumbing in my arms.
I felt her anguish in each cry. Trent was punishing Nina because she chooses to be with me. The son of a bitch!
“It’s going to be alright, baby. We can rebuild it,” I whispered, trying to give her some comfort.
Her wails suddenly stopped as she went stiff in my arms. I thought she passed out, but when slowly peered up at me, the look in her eyes sent a shiver down my spine.