Page 27 of Matteo

As I drove away, I began to make a mental check list of what I’d need to keep me awake.

Chapter 10

Rain

The parking lot of the Seattle Hellfire club already packed. Shiny cars seemed to sparkle under the light littering each row and section.

I’d chosen to wear black high heeled boots the reached over my knees and the tightest black dress that clung to my body showing off my every curve.

Kenji had always loved the curves of my body but as the stilettos clicked against the concrete beneath my feet I found myself wishing that I’d worn something less clingy.

After all, his sister had just died.

Cassie…

Her name rolled around in my head like beads in a maraca. The feelings were still so fresh and raw. I should have been home and in bed weeping.

The truth was, I was hoping to score more of the coke we’d be partying on. It had made everything go so extremely numb that I didn’t know what else to do.

I didn’t have to feel as if I was sniffing my troubles away.

The dark and haunting music from inside the club called to me as the bouncer allowed me inside. His teeth were white and shiny as he flashed me a smile and I entered into hell.

Kenji would be in the offices.

He didn’t partake in the debauchery that was happening around me.

The second I stepped to the hostess stand, I saw three males partaking in an orgy. The hostess approached the stand, a smile on her face. Her pin made of gold and fire opal glittered under the dim light, practically glowing.

“Good evening and welcome to hell…”

I’ve been in hell…

“I’m here to see Kenji Ito,” I replied.

“Hmm…” She began to scan the list.

“Is there a problem?” The snap of my voice surprised even me.

Slowly, her eyes met mine. “No…”

“Then can you let me pass?”

“Just a moment,” she began to scan the list in front of her once more.

Annoyed, I whipped out my cell phone and began searching for his name. He was there behind the calls from Nora and my parent and my siblings. Each of them had called, wanting to know what was going on, how they could help.

“Ma’am…ma’am you shouldn’t have your phone out…”

I cut my eye at her and raised my phone listening to it ring. Turning my back, I waited for her to

“Again, ma’am,” the hostess began to raise her voice and I turned ignoring her. “You’re going to have to leave, ma’am.”

The phone just rang and rang until finally I felt someone snatching the phone and pushing me up against a wall. It was then I found myself staring up into the eyes of my ex-lover. His brown eyes were cold and hard as he stared down at me.

I wouldn’t look away. It was a turn-on for Kenji to intimidate a woman, he wanted them cowering in fear before them.

It was the reason we could never work out.