Page 40 of Strangers No More
Mr. Adalyn:Fine. Meet me at this address. I’ll be there in forty-five minutes.
I looked at the address and realized it was to a sports bar downtown called Big Shots. I couldn’t help but smile because that was actually a good idea. Jerome wouldn’t suspect a thing when he dropped me off and wouldn’t have a reason to call Mr. L on me.
I stood up and gave myself a once over in the mirror. I had pulled my Boho braids into a high bun and wore a pair of small gold hoops with a matching necklace. My black tank top was tucked into my high waisted Levi’s, showing off my thick curves. I completed the outfit with a black and red flannel and all black Steve Madden shoes. I was comfortable and cute. Not that I was trying to be cute for Mr. Adalyn, but if he were to flirt with me, I wouldn’t turn down his efforts.
I sent Jerome a text message requesting a ride. He said he’d be there in less than five minutes. I wanted to respond that he didn’t have to rush, but at the same time, I didn’t want to be late. Besides, his ass should have already been outside since I had told him earlier that I was going back out tonight. After stuffing mykey card into my crossbody bag and putting my phone into my pocket, I headed out the door.
I pressed the elevator button a few times before shaking out my hands. My nerves were getting to me and butterflies were swimming in my stomach. I know I had just met with Mr. Adalyn a few hours ago but knowing I was meeting Seojun, a cold blooded killer, was causing my heart to race. I had no clue what was in store for me when I met up with the pair.
The elevator doors opened, and I absentmindedly stepped in. Thoughts of my freedom was just within my reach, but I couldn’t help but to think about those consequences. What if the man I was being sold to comes after me and my family? What if this was a trap and Mr. Adalyn is already working with Mr. L? I shook my head. I doubt that was the case. I mean if it were, Mr. L would have been outside waiting on me. Then again, what if this was a trap but it was Mr. Adalyn’s way to getting rid of me. I was in his home when that phone was found, and I still had the evidence on me. He and Seojun could be working together to get rid of me since I am the only one who knew what they had done.
My palms began to sweat as the elevator got closer to the lobby floor. A part of me wanted to turn around and go right back to my room, but what good would that do me? At this point I had two options, deal with Mr. L and be sold or risk my life with trusting Mr. Adalyn. If I were to accept my fate with Mr. L than I was letting down future men and women. He would still be out on the streets manipulating them and I could never, in good conscience, allow another human to be put in the same type of situation that I was currently in. I closed my eyes and sighed. I may be taking a huge risk with Mr. Adalyn, but at least I would’ve tried to get rid of Mr. L.
The ding of the elevator had me opening my eyes. I stepped into the lobby just to see Bruno leaning over the receptionist desk flirting with the woman on duty. What the hell was he doing here and what happened to Jerome?
“Aren't you supposed to be on some special assignment and where’s Jerome?” I asked, stepping up to him.
Bruno stood up straight and seductively smiled at the receptionist before turning his attention to me.
“First off, don’t worry about my business and secondly, Jerome was only needed to get you to your little appointment earlier and to this hotel. With that said, where the hell are you trying to go this evening?”
“To the bar. Is that a problem? I just want a damn drink.”
“Remember what I said earlier. Play any games and that’s your ass.”
I smacked my lips. I knew what he was cable of and he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt me. He didn’t have to remind me every thirty seconds. “Can we just go? I’ve heard that song already today.”
He stretched out his hand, instructing me to walk in front of him. I rolled my eyes and stomped toward the front door. Stepping up to the car, I reached for the door handle and tried to open the door but heard the locks click into place.
“That’s still my job.”
“Congratulations! Want a damn cookie for memorizing your job description?”
I bit down on my bottom lip and instantly regretted opening my mouth. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I took a step back but Bruno had already broke the distance between us. He gripped my wrist and yanked me closer to him before his dark brown eyes stared down into mine.
“So, I guess my little chat with you today wasn’t effective enough.”
My eyebrows furrowed. I opened my mouth to speak, but he shook his head, his hand squeezing tighter around my wrist.
“I let your ass slide for a long time, but I’m tired of the shit. Watch who the fuck you’re talking to, Addison.”
“Let go of me!” I said through gritted teeth.
“You know, sometimes all you bitches need is for someone to go upside your head one good time for y’all to get some act right. I suggest you be nice to me or I’ll do far worse than choke your dumb ass like earlier.”
My jaws tightened as I glared up at him. Bruno lifted an eyebrow, challenging me to prove him wrong, but I wasn’t a dummy. I broke our eye contact, causing him to chuckle a ‘that’s what I thought’ before yanking the car door open. I made a mental note to add him to the list of people that needed to get fucked up.
Chapter 22
Seojun
Isat in the back corner booth of Big Shots bar and grill and took another sip of my tequila. It was Saturday night, and the place was crowded per usual. Big Shots had nothing on Jill’s when it came to cheap drinks and good food, but it was a good back up bar. Jill’s was mostly for the regulars while Big Shots was in the heart of downtown Philly and was swimming with tourists and college students. The music was a mixture of RnB and Rap and a few pop songs here and there. Since it was Saturday, karaoke was in full effect.
I watched as a tall petite woman with honey brown skin and wavey black hair sang Rihanna’s “Sex with Me”. Her eyes landed on mine and the sway in her hips became more seductive. I huffed out a chuckle before leaning back in my seat. She was beautiful, but I was in no mood to entertain tonight. My mind was focusedon how I wanted to get rid of the scum I had tied up in the warehouse. The main thing that I didn’t know would happen yet is if I was getting rid of one body or two.
A round of applause erupted around the room as the woman on stage finished the song. She ignored the other men trying to get her attention as she made her way towards my booth. I groaned.
“What are you sipping on, handsome?” she asked, sliding in next to me.
