Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Chapter 17

ASH

Getting my hands dirty in all senses of the word, has never been a problem for me. That's the only way I know I'm getting the work in.

My hands are all black and caked with mud from steeping them inside the earth. It was a total success today, unearthing stone gems from the mines. Seeing those pale rough diamond rocks was something that tripled my elation. Coupled with the fact that hazel eyes is on her way to the restaurant this minute has me stirred like I haven't been in years.

After washing off the grime and dirt from the mines in the small bathroom, I walk to my car and give Moro a call. "Is it done?"

"Yes, boss, I've got info on Guoliang. He's having an incestuous affair with his stepdaughter who is just fourteen."

"In other words, he's raping her." My jaw ticks with anger.

"Exactly! And that's not all. He's got a picture-perfect wife and two kids. If this scandal comes out. . ." He lets it hang.

"Do you have any proof?" I know for a fact that words are empty unless there's solid evidence I can use.

"I've got the girl's voice on record."

"Nice work, Moro." I nod happily. "I'll remember this when he steps out of line. Inform Capo and Rip to be on standby at Parched for the night."

"On it!"

I cut the call, my blood boiling from the info Moro just gave me. The fact that Guoliang is the head of the Chinese mafia gives him no right to force himself on a kid. The fucker needs to take on someone else his size. Someone like me. I despise men who hurt women and children. It shows how weak they are.

I make a resolve to take him down even if it's the last thing I do. I turn to get into my car when my eyes fall on the brown zip-up bag containing my suit in the backseat. I stare in distaste at it. I hate wearing suits, but hey, I have to. I'm meeting with representatives of the Chinese drug syndicates tonight and I need to make an impression. I quickly shed the work clothes I have on and don the black Oscar de la Renta suit.

Once I'm done, I comb my hands through my hair but a stray lock falls onto my forehead. I transfer the diamond stone from my jeans into my suit pocket and settle behind the wheel. At this time of the night, I'm driving against traffic. In no time, I leave the outskirts of LA behind and drive into the main city. Twenty minutes pass and I swing into the drive of Parched for the night. I leave the car running and step out. The valet immediately rushes over to me and drives the car to the underground parking garage.

As I walk towards the entrance, Walter comes out. "She's been situated in the private area, boss."

"Thanks, Walter." I step inside the restaurant and head towards the Blue room like a man on a mission. Two missions actually.

I stand at the door and allow my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. A waiter stands to the side with a white napkin slung across one hand waiting for orders. My eyes zone in on the solitary table in the middle of the room and on the person sitting down.

Hazel eyes.

She's backing the door and doesn't know I'm watching her. Watching how beautiful she looks. There's a reason I specifically picked that dress. Can't wait to see the front. I walk forward slowly, taking my time to drink in the curves of her bare shoulders. I don't know how, but I know she knows I'm here. Her shoulders tense and her legs begin to bounce.

I smile to myself as I stand before her. Our eyes clash. Her plump lips part and her eyes widen.

Is that appreciation I see in those hazel eyes?

I take my time to work my eyes from her face which is bare of all makeup, save for red lipstick that's liberally applied to her lips. I go lower and my breath almost seizes.

Her boobs are just. . . wow. I can't take my eyes off them. I frown when I can't see her tits peeking out.

"My face is up here!" She protests.

I snap my eyes away from her boobs and up to her face before I shrug. "I was enjoying the view."

She stiffens and begins shaking her leg. I've got to calm her down so I place my hand on her lap and lean close to her ear. "We haven't even started anything, yet you're already getting antsy."

She freezes. Turns into a complete popsicle. I release a throaty laugh before sitting across her. I notice the two other empty seats beside me. I know Chung and Ken are in the main restaurant waiting for me. There's a reason I reserved this room. To have a one-on-one time with Hazel eyes first before sending them in.

"So, tell me. . . " I lean closer and trace my finger from her neck down to the low dip in her dress.

"Do you like the dress?"

She swats my hand aside as it makes its descent and snaps. "It's nice, except for the open back. One would think you wanted me to exhibit my body." Her eyes flash with anger.

I shrug. "Of course! Although, it's a shame you've hidden some parts from my sight." My eyes dip to her boobs once more.

I catch her wince before she exhales a loud breath and speaks in a sharp tone. "Why am I here?"

I ignore her and focus on the bouncing of her legs. They've become more erratic. They're also very distracting. I can't have her act like a wild card while the Chinese drug syndicate reps are here. A light bulb goes off in my head so I call the waiter and tell him to bring a glass of juice. I know she won't take anything strong. At least not yet. The waiter comes back just in time with a glass of orange juice and puts it in front of her.

"Drink it!" I cock a brow to see if she'll disobey me. "As to your earlier question, you're here as my date. I'm meeting some clients in the next five minutes." I slide back the cuff of my shirt and take a look at the time. Ten minutes have passed since I got here. Ten minutes later than the time for the meeting I set. Time to wrap things up. "Go on. Drink. It will help you relax."

She lifts the glass tentatively to her lips and sniffs. With her eyes latched on me, she takes a sip, and then another one until the glass is half empty. Then she sets it down on the table in front of her. It takes counting to thirty for me to notice the effects. It starts subtly. Her legs which were crossed on top of each other, loosen, and she reclines against the chair. Her lids droop and her lips part slightly, making her look fuckable.

It takes all of my willpower not to put her across the table and fuck her hard. I feel myself tightening up in my pants and I quickly call the waiter to send the men in. By the time the two of them walk in, Alicia is a picture of calmness. We exchange greetings once they're seated and get straight into business.

It doesn't take much time to settle on a price for the variety of drugs they'll be supplying me. I request half a shipment of heroin and cocaine, for starters. I'm so deep in conversation with them, I don't see the chair opposite me is empty. Hazel eyes is nowhere to be seen.

My eyes scan the room, only to see her in a corner, swaying to the slow song playing. Her arms are wrapped around her body and I'm drawn to her full hips which are displayed inside the clinging gown she's wearing. Her hair has been let loose from the high pile on top of her head. Now, it falls to her waist in waves. My cock jerks as her sensuous body sways.

She's a fucking siren.

The tablet of ecstasy I slipped into her orange juice when she wasn't looking was totally worth it.

Tonight, I will take what's mine. . .

My phone rings, breaking me out of my reverie. I excuse myself from the room to take the call. It's Koldis, telling me he and Lobos are around. I tell them to stick around and wait for any eventualities. Hopefully, there won't be any. I cut the call and step back into the room but what I see makes my blood boil.

One of the men has his hand around Hazel eyes. She's squirming and trying to get away from him but he only laughs and tugs her closer. The anger that consumes me makes me see red.

He doesn't see it coming.

Like flash, I'm before him in an instant, ripping his hand away from hazel eyes, and bending it back in an unnatural position. Even when a scream tears from his lips I don't let up, I keep going until I hear a pop.

From the corner of my eyes, I see the other man standing, ready to charge. This is definitely going to get ugly. Still keeping a hold on the other guy's hand, I bend and tug my knife out from the leg of my pants and aim it at the other man's chest. It hits him square in the heart and a look of utter surprise clouds his face. His mouth opens like a fish and his eyes round into o's, right before his knees buckle and he slumps to the ground.

There's a reason I carry a knife around. It comes in handy at times like this. The other guy lets out another scream, drawing my attention back to him. His hand is hanging at a weird angle. I release it and grab a hold of his face and bash it against the nearest wall. He too goes down hard. By the time I look up, the door busts open and Koldis and Lobos are standing there looking like they're frozen into place.

"Clean this mess up!" I tell them and walk towards hazel eyes who backs away from me with wide eyes. "Come now, kitten, I'm not going to hurt you."

She lets me take her in my arms and hold her trembling body. I regret she had to see me this way but it couldn't be helped. I'll never hurt her, but this incident should also serve as a warning if she tries to step out of line.