Page 68 of Brought By the Storm

“How’s that?” I asked.

“I used one hand to slip him a hundred, and I used the other hand to grope him,” Stefan explained. “Let me just remind you—bald, tattooed daddies are not my type.”

“Thank you,” I offered in response to his sacrifice. I started scanning the club, looking for Eric. The place was packed. It wouldn’t be easy to find him in the crowd, as Eric was a head shorter than most of the clientele.

“Let’s split up,” Stefan suggested. “If I find him first, I’ll text you. You do the same if you locate him.”

“Okay,” I agreed. Stefan cut to the right-side of the club, so I went to the left side. It was the part of the room that was nearest the bar. There were several tables and chairs with a view of the dance floor. After pushing my way through the throngs of people, I found Eric sitting in a corner booth with a young, muscular, striking man of Asian descent. As I moved closer, the man put his hand on Eric’s arm, which Eric pulled away. The man started laughing, putting his hand back on the arm. Eric shot him a look that made it obvious the gesture was unwanted. Nevertheless, the man reached his other hand beneath the table, causing Eric to jump a bit.

I bounded toward their table, pushing annoyed people out of my way. “Get the fuck off him,” I demanded of Eric’s companion.

The music was so loud, I wasn’t sure if they had even heard what I said. The man looked up at me with a questioning glance. “What was that?”

“I said, get your hands off him.”

The guy laughed. “I was here first.”

I looked over at Eric. Close up, I could see his eyes were glazed and his body was wobbling. “How much have you had to drink?”

Eric gave me a confused look. “Carrington?”

“Come, Eric. I’m taking you out of here.”

“Like hell you are,” the companion shot. “Eric and I were getting to know each other, and I’m looking forward to getting to know him even better. So why don’t you run along and find someone more…your own age.”

“How about you run along before I rearrange your face?” I spat.

Eric emitted a drunken giggle, staring at nothing in particular. “Rearrange your face,” he repeated like it was the punchline in a comedy.

The companion did not find it amusing. He stood and I realized he was taller and more muscular than me. “Ass wipe, if you don’t get away from me, what will be rearranged is your gender when I cut off your dick and feed it to the rats outside.”

I saw the next scandal happening within seconds. The headline would read that the president of Yastarus was beaten up by a rival for his male lover in a NYC gay club. My mother would have a coronary. I figured before going there, I should try to dial back the hostility I had created. “Look, I don’t want trouble. Eric is…my boyfriend. He and I had an unfortunate misunderstanding. He’s incapacitated and I wish to get him home.”

The rival smirked. “Aw, sweet. So, I’m supposed to just walk away after investing six drinks into your puppy? Don’t think so. It isn’t like he’s been protesting, and he didn’t tell me he had a boyfriend. So, either you’re full of shit, or he’s not interested in a reconciliation. But since I’m a nice guy, if you apologize, you can join us at my place. I’ll let you watch me fuck his little ass.”

I clenched my fists. Just as I was about to raise my arm, it was restrained and a hand was placed on my left shoulder. “Hi, buddy. Who’s your friend?” Stefan asked.

“What?” I asked, confused.

Eric started snickering, his head lolling a bit. “Popular place.”

“Now who the fuck are you?” my rival asked Stefan.

“He’ll be the guy who helps me rearrange your face.” I smiled.

That had Eric laughing some more. “Rearrange your face.” His hands were resting on the table, and he dropped his face onto them.

“Fuck this,” the guy snarled. “I guess you two girls need to gang up to win a fight. I’ll make Eric my little bitch the next time he comes here, and I’m sure he will. He could do better than an old guy like you.” With that, he pulled Eric’s head up by his hair, and leaned into his face. “Until we meet again, sugar tits.” He forced an obscene kiss on Eric’s mouth whilst pawing one of Eric’s nipples through his cotton pullover. I tried to bolt over to the creep so I could punch him upside the head. Stefan was holding me back, causing my tormentor to bellow a laugh. “Until I can collect the balance, that’s the down payment on what he owes me.”

I flipped out my wallet and threw a hundred-dollar note at him. “Paid off. How about you roll the bill and shove it up your ass?”

The guy barked a laugh, leaving the money on the table. “No thanks. I prefer my debts paid off in other ways.” He turned back to Eric. “I’ll keep an eye out for you.” The man glared at me and Stefan, then brushed by me with enough force to knock me into my friend. I was about to follow him, but Stefan restrained me once more.

“Let it go,” Stefan commanded. “You and Eric won’t be back here, so it’s moot.”

I hoped Eric wouldn’t be back here. I looked over to him, and it was clear to me that he was in an alcoholic fog. He was muttering to himself. “Don’t grab me. Don’t like being grabbed.”

“Jesus!” Mateo’s voice boomed behind me and Stefan. “You found him.” Stefan and Mateo exchanged uneasy glances, then hugged.