Page 12 of Rushed

Keenan

Watching Rush leave gives me an opportunity to look at everything objectively. Stuffing his card in my clutch, I take advantage of the two-way glass looking out over the sea of undulating bodies below. Cassy and Chanel have disappeared, but the lower floor is still a pool of overindulgence. But my need to join in is gone.

I leave Rush’s office and make my way down through the dangerous temptations within the club before walking to the entrance. I enjoy the scenes taking place, but I know it’s time to get going, before I make a rash decision that can’t be undone.

Rush was right, he definitely has an issue at the front door. There are police, reporters, and plenty of spectators. The line along the building's edge is still long, with a higher degree of insanity than the interior of the club. I see Mick and his goons off to the left with a man that looks incredibly familiar, but I can’t place him. Not having the patience to think about the familiar man right now, I make a quick right down the street and grab the first taxi I see. After tonight’s escapade with Mick, I figure it would be better to be inside a taxi than on the street. The last thing I need is for Mick to find me, finishing off his sick and twisted fantasy of us together.

Once I’m sitting in the taxi, I look at the neat black card. One side is glossy black, with a single phone number written in white. The back is where Rush had written his address,8th and 72nd Street. Look for the black door with a white star on it. Buzzer 22.

Nice penmanship, at least. Cryptic, but nice.

It doesn’t take long to get back to the hotel. As we pull up, Troy is standing at the door to welcome me back.

“Holy fuck, Keenan! What the hell happened?” Troy gasps as he pays the taxi driver for me and follows as I quickly walk off. I don’t want to get into the particulars, but I doubt I’ll be able to avoid it.

“You went to the club, didn’t you?”

“Oh, I went to the club. You could have warned me about your brother,” I sneer as I push my way into the lobby with him on my heels.

“There’s no way that was from him. Rush has strict morals. He’d never hit a woman.” He’s shocked, and damn well determined to confirm it wasn’t his brother.

“No. Rush didn’t do this, but he put the ass who did on the carpet. The fuck stick thought he deserved my attention and Rush disagreed.” I walk through the lobby to the bank of elevators, holding up my tattered dress and covering my face as much as I can as Troy rushes along beside me.

Changing the subject, he asks, “So, what did you think? Did you like anything?”

Yep. It’s about six-foot-five with broad shoulders, and a cannon for a dick. “Nope. Nothing popped up.” No innuendo there at all.

“Really? Nothing? No flashes…nada?”

“No, Troy. Not a one.” Not a lie, just not all truth. The elevator doors open, and as an elderly couple enters on the left, we both hop in before the car ascends.

“Sorry, Kee. I know you’d hoped for more.” Troy presses the button for my floor, smirking, showing his dimples. “But I gotta ask, how did you find out that we’re brothers? Rush doesn’t really participate in the club patrons so it doesn’t come up. He’s not the social type.” I can tell he’s not going to let it go until he gets the full story.

I don’t feel very chatty at the moment with grandparents in the confines of our very public/private conversation, but I entertain him a bit. “He rushed in and took care of the issue. He was a knight on a white steed, coming to my rescue.”

“Really?” he says, chuckling to himself. “Most don’t see him as the savior. He’s normally the destructive one.” I think there’s more to that comment than he lets on, but I let it go. I have a feeling Rush has always been the white knight to his little brother.

The elevator stops at twelve, and the elderly couple give the two of us dirty looks before exiting hand in hand. As the doors close, the car begins its trip to my floor. Troy huffs and leans against the glass wall.

“You know, I only told him you needed to come by. I didn’t expect the two of you to meet.” He pauses, breathing out a heavy breath as his shoulders slump. “I don’t know what happened, but know that you can tell me anything, doll. And I know this may seem weird, but don’t hurt him.”

Barking out a laugh, I lick my lip and groan. “Oh, please. How can I hurt him? I can’t imagine him letting anyone even do such a thing. I met him, Troy. Trust me, there was nothing going on. He saved my ass from a really stupid situation, that’s all.” Yeah who are you lying to?

“Fine. When you need me, let me know.” He’s clearly not accepting my response. “By the way, nice dress.”

The doors open and I exit. When I turn to say good night, Troy already has his hand on the button, ready to send the carriage back to the ground floor with a very disappointed look on his face. I wonder, how did I piss off both brothers in one night?

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