Part 3 (1/2)

Running his fingers through his hair, he forced himself to pay attention. The news they'd been able to gather wasn't great. Rebecca remained safe inside her home. The doctor's visits were being monitored with extra care along with the people who called at her house. His call to James at club Ravage had been held with caution. The other owner agreed to keep in touch with regards to the Black situation. Apparently Lloyd Black's son had been banned after getting too heavy with a sub.

Stephen was tired of dealing with the c.r.a.p at the club. Why couldn't he go back to having a drink while he watched the singers on stage?

You wouldn't have Ursula if it went back to normal. You hated your life until she entered your world.

When they left to go to the club, Stephen was thankful for the reprieve. He drove himself wanting to get home alone. Relying on a driver to take him everywhere was starting to wear thin.

They all entered through the front. The new doorman greeted them. Stephen hadn't learnt his name yet. He kept his jacket on, going straight through to his main desk to check on business. There were a few checks he needed to cash and bills that needed to be paid. He phoned through the usual payments for electricity and food. When the bills were sorted, he checked through the rotas and then set in motion their pay-checks before he left. His father had told him to make sure the club was kept in pristine condition at all times. He might not feel like his father about women, but he would certainly adhere to his wishes.

He'd seen so many couples pa.s.s through the doors who looked exactly as his father described them. Possessive.

”Son, they want a place where they know their women will be left alone. To be around like-minded men who feel the same way about their women.”

”But don't all men love their women like that?”

”We all deal with things differently, Stephen. One day you'll meet a woman and know what I mean.”

Stephen recalled one of the many conversations he'd had with his father. His biggest regret was not giving his father what he wanted the most, grandchildren. No woman had been worth taking home to his parents.

He switched the light off, then locked the door. Cadeon and the others were in the bar room. A different singer was up on stage entertaining. Stephen didn't recognise her. Lucas must have employed her. He noticed all the men were drinking coffee, and a gla.s.s of whiskey was waiting for him. Stephen stopped at the bar to order a coffee before sitting down with the rest of the men. They stared at his coffee then at him.

”What?” he asked.

”She's changing you, and you don't even know it,” Tate said.

”I don't know what you're talking about.” He sipped the coffee ignoring their stares. Ursula had never complained about his drinking. She'd told him on many occasions that he didn't need to waste his life in the bottom of a bottle. He was going to cut down before she entered his life. Stephen refused to believe she was responsible for the change inside him. He checked the time on his watch, surprised to see it was past ten.

He wondered what Ursula was doing. Would she be sleeping by her jerk-a.s.s boyfriend?

Stop thinking this s.h.i.+t. She's not yours.

I don't want her to be mine.

No? Then why are you thinking about her?

”Hey, Stephen. When are you taking a woman to Ravage to share?” Sean asked.

He glared at all of them. The thought of another man touching Ursula sent the blood pounding through his veins. No man would touch her except him.

She isn't yours.

But she's going to be.

At the last thought, the demon inside him began to calm down. He couldn't describe what was happening. Seeing her with someone else would set him off. He knew it.

”You know, Ursula is one hot woman. Did you see the size of her t.i.ts?” Tate said.

Stephen clenched his hands around the cup holding his coffee. None of them were allowed to look at her body.

”I bet she'd be one wild ride in the bedroom. She must have a nice, tight p.u.s.s.y. She doesn't look like the kind of woman to let too many men close.”

The anger went to boiling point inside him. His whole body was shaking. They would not talk about Ursula like that. Didn't they have any respect? He noticed Cadeon hadn't spoken. Cadeon's stare was p.i.s.sing Stephen off.

”I can imagine sinking my d.i.c.k into her-”

Stephen's cup shattered on the table top, and he lunged for Tate. Sean and Lucas stopped him with their hands on his arms holding him back. Cadeon moved closer.

”Do you feel the burn? The gut-clenching agony of thinking of another man touching her? Do you feel the need to claim her to make sure no man can mistake who she belongs to?” Cadeon asked.

Stephen was breathing hard to try to control himself. Staring at Tate he saw the other man smirk.

”No offense, Stephen. Ursula is hot, but I love Rebecca. I don't want your woman. We were trying to show you how you felt.”

”I don't feel like that. I don't like you talking s.h.i.+t about her.” He denied everything coursing through him. For so long he'd believed he didn't feel any part of the possession the other men at the club felt. The sound of his phone ringing interrupted his thoughts. ”I've got to get that.”

Lucas and Sean let him go, slowly. He would have loved to clock them one. Instead, he grabbed his phone, flicking it open. He didn't recognise the number.

”h.e.l.lo,” he said.

”Stephen, is that you?” Ursula asked.

”What's the matter?” He knew if she was calling it couldn't be good.

”Do you remember your offer?”

”Yes.”

Yelling came over the line followed by an unmistakable shout from Ursula screaming to be left alone.

”Would you come and get me? Paul took the next step, and I don't know how long the lock is going to keep on the door.”

”I'm on my way. I know where you live. You don't need to tell me your address.”

”Hurry. And don't phone the police. I don't want them to know.”

”They might be alerted already if he's causing enough problems,” Stephen said.

”I know, but if they haven't been alerted then please don't. I don't want that kind of attention. Please, hurry and stop p.i.s.sing about.” She clicked off, making him laugh even though he shouldn't. ”I've got to go.”

”What's going on?” Sean asked.

”Ursula's in trouble. I'm going to go help her.”

”I'll come with you,” Sean and Lucas said together.

”I've got to get home,” Cadeon said.