Seeing her outside the classroom only solidified my feelings for her. I wanted her, to feel her soft skin on mine, to hear her heavy breaths as I pounded into her. I needed it. Being with her made everything else not matter even though those things were still there, nagging my brain. Not even my transgressions could get her out of my mind. Other women didn’t compare, and it was as if the universe was out to fuck with my head. I didn’t know how to do it. I didn’t know how to be with someone. I’d been single all of my life. Telling her that was the only thing I could think to do. She was strong-willed and smart, not the kind of woman who would put up with my actions for long.
Letting someone else into my Hell would be wrong and I’d be no better than I was before, but I couldn’t just let her go. I opened up to her and said more to her in a matter of two minutes than I’d ever said to any woman. It had to mean something.
If getting to know the little bit of me I was willing to share would appease her, then I’d gladly give it to her. I just wasn’t sure she would meet me and the thought alone was a blast to my ego.
I was halfway to the exit when I saw John to the right. He was walking toward me with Rachel on his arm.
“I was hoping you hadn’t left yet.”
“And why is that? I can see you’re doing fine with your recruiting,” I replied sarcastically.
John sighed and then laughed. “Really, Mason, you should know me well enough. I don’t need to recruit; they come to me.”
He looked at me with a smug expression and I could only shake my head. He really was an arrogant son of a bitch.
I looked away from him to meet Rachel’s wandering eyes then back. “So, when’s the big day? I haven’t seen anything about a date being set in the papers. I was sure I’d have heard something by now.”
John laughed and Rachel looked over at him confused. “Go powder your nose or whatever it is you women do in the bathroom,” he said to Rachel. “I’ll find you in a little bit.” She furrowed her brow but quietly relinquished her spot and walked away.
I pulled out my phone and quickly texted Carlos to drive around with Emma until I texted him back. I had a feeling it would be a little bit before I was to leave.
John stepped closer to me and looked around the room.
“Enough of the small talk, Mason. I’m glad you came, because there is someone who would like to speak with you.”
“There is no one here I’d take the time out to speak with. I’d rather not even be talking to you,” I countered.
John scoffed. “Now, now, Mason. Is that any way to speak to your father?”
“You haven’t been my father for a long time, John, so cut this shit. What is it you want?”
He was quiet for a moment as he looked around the room. It was almost time for the auction. Every year there were auctions to raise more money for the charity they were hosting.
“Shouldn’t you be getting ready to put on your speech? A speech where you tell people you believe in the protection of women?”
He turned to look at me with a blank expression.
“Did you know I own half the people in this room?” He spoke the words as if it was an everyday conversation. Like it was normal to pay people money to keep your secrets. “Did you also know that two-thirds of these people know you killed your mother?” A slight grin curved his lips.
My face went blank as I stared at him, anger building in my chest. I knew what he was doing. I should have known better. He was playing with me, trying to get me to explode and maybe put on a scene.
I couldn’t allow myself to do that. He knew how to rile me up and he only did it when he wanted something.
“Fuck you, John,” I seethed. “I’ll ask you one more time. What the fuck do you want?”
He shook his head. “It’s not what I want, Mason. It’s what he wants.” He nodded forward and looked over my shoulder.
I turned and followed his line of sight and that was when I noticed him. I hadn’t seen him in years. Rage built in my core as he locked eyes with mine, but it immediately turned into dread.
He approached us with a smile I didn’t return and slapped me on the shoulder as if we were old friends.
“Mason, it’s been a long time.”
Donicko Black was dressed for the occasion and I could only assume John had invited him.
“Not long enough, I’m afraid,” I said in a calm tone.
John and Donicko both laughed.
“It seems like you’ve done well for yourself, Mason. All things considered.”
I widened my stance where I stood, feeling like I’d need to defend myself at any moment.
Donicko was a powerful man, more powerful than John would ever be, and I’d been in his line of sight for a long time.