Page 10 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

Some kids were able to jump and immediately take flight while others struggled. I had to assist a few of them. Before we made it upstairs, I grabbed the winnings from the table and continued my trek. I looked around the busy laundromat then focused back on the girl who looked older than the rest of the kids that were just rescued.

I kneeled in front of her. “Take this burner phone and call the police. Let them know you all were rescued. Afterward, take this money and split it between each other. You all are strong and brave children. Tell the police everything about your guardians that you all can remember so you can make it home safely. Okay?”

She nodded as her tears fell down her face. “I can do it. Thank you, Mister.”

I gave her a small smile before I hastily made my exit.

Usually, I slept like a baby after I’d removed scum from this world, but I had no such luck. I couldn’t sleep or focus at work right now. It was all because I needed to see Erie. She was all I thought about this past week. It was high time I went to see about the woman I desired. I locked up my store then walked across the street to her storefront. She was closed, and all the lights were out except one. Erie sat in a booth seat with a single hanging light over her head.

Music clearly played because the lights to her old jukebox lit up, and her head moved side to side in rhythm to whatever song played. I was nervous. The nerves crept up like a thief in the night. I raised my hand to knock on the glass but quickly lowered it. My thoughts got the best of me. Did Erie want to be bothered? Would she allow me in? Did she even think about me the way I wondered about her?

The only way to find out was to knock. So before my nerves could get the best of me, I knocked on the glass door. Her eyes snapped to the door, and the smile she once held dissolved when we locked eyes. Erie didn’t look happy to see me at all, yet she put down her E-reader and walked away from her booth.

As her curvy figure stopped in front of the door, I could see the hesitation in her body and unsure look on her face. Erie released a deep sigh then opened the door to her store. She motioned for me to enter, and I did. When the door was locked, she strolled away from me and took her seat in her booth.

Both of us stared at each other. I released a deep breath. From her stern yet passionate eyes, she wanted an explanation and no bullshit. Welp, I was here to give her some of the real.

“If you came here just to stare at me, then you can leave. I have no more patience for your hot and cold treatment. I may be young, but I will not be mistreated or mishandled by anyone,” Erie affirmed. Her eyes bore into mine, solidifying she meant every word.

Erie had every right to feel the way she did. I did mistreat her. I was rude and mean, but all of that was about to change.Here goes nothing.

Six

Erie

A week had passed, and there was no sign of Janeiro. I tried not letting it bother me, but it did because our energy together was amazing. He’d really hurt my feelings. I felt it was for no reason, but I suspected there was something deeper going on with him. The feeling was there from the moment we met. Janeiro had unresolved issues with his past, and I wasn’t in the therapy business. There was no time to sulk over Janeiro. I had business to handle.

It was Friday night, and one of the dopest hairstylists in Chicago by the name ofHair by Beecelebrated her ’90s theme birthday bash in my lounge. She had a full house of guests, and it was more exposure for me. My lounge manager, Olivia, and I combed through every detail about a hundred times in order to make sure her party jumped off without a hitch.

My security team used a wand to pat everyone down that entered. DJ Smooches had the crowd lit with her ’90s playlist she mixed. Raquel mixed drinks like she had eight arms. She was one of the baddest bartenders that ever lived if you asked me. I was very business savvy. That was why I had her on my team.

Raquel had a natural talent for mixing and creating drinks. She was worth every penny in her salary.

“Boss lady, can I get you something?” she questioned flirtatiously. Raquel was such a flirt.

“Normally, I would say no, but tonight, what the hell? Can you make me an amaretto sour with some peach juice instead of lemon juice?” I inquired.

“Of course. Coming right up.” She quickly prepared my drink and adorned it with a few cherries and pineapple rings.

I wrapped my lips around the thin black straw, and my mouth was immediately filled with hints of citrus and mint.

“Damn, girl. That’s a hit.” I snapped my fingers proudly.

“Thank you. I try.” Raquel smirked at me.

I chuckled, but as I savored my drink, an idea came to mind.

“I got a business proposal for you, and I believe it will be very lucrative for the both of us. Give me to next week to iron out the details, and we can sit down and talk.”

Raquel wiped down the bar.

“Alright, toots. Let me know.” She blew me a kiss.

“Aye. You better stop it before Cookie pop up on yo’ ass again.” I laughed loudly.

She laughed and shook her head. “That crazy bitch and I are no more. At first, I thought her possessive ways were cute. As time went on, I realized that bitch had a serious problem. I had to cut ties. That crazy bitch popped up on me and my mom’s lunch date and accused me of searching the senior club for pussy,” she admitted.

I couldn’t help the laughter that exploded from me. My drink slightly dripped down my hand because that senior club line caught me off guard. I gained my composure after a few seconds and shook my head.

---