Mikala's Passion (Pulse Series Book 2) Read online

  “All great things must come to an end sooner or later,” Mikala said, lowering his hand to rest in her lap, she wove her finger into his. “I had a really good time with your Mom and Mel.”

  “Me too,” Mason tightened his grip and they drove the rest of the way in silence.

  ***

  Pulse was quiet and brightly lit; noise from the kitchen was all they heard. The usual sounds of music playing and the din of voices as the club readied for a night of dancing and joviality were eerily missing. As Mason led Mikala to her office, walking cautiously ahead of her, Chase came from the kitchen with a clipboard in hand to greet them.

  “New land speed record?” Chased joked, pulling Mikala into his chest for a hug.

  He smelled of Basil with a hint of garlic and the acidic scent of tomatoes fresh from the vine. “You smell like an Italian restaurant,” she teased.

  “We’ve been trying out the new pizza oven,” Chase happily announced.

  “Pizza oven, holy shit I gotta see this,” Mikala said, running off through the kitchen doors.

  Chase motioned to Mason and they strolled away from the open kitchen door before he spoke, “Weekend was good?” Chase asked.

  “Better than good,” Mason smirked. “Things are definitely looking up.”

  A vision of his hand covered over Mikala’s mouth as she cried out her orgasm and her nails tore into the flesh of his shoulder blades, forced Mason to smile. He could feel the healing scars sting under his shirt and flinched when Chase slapped his hand onto his shoulder.

  “So onto the business at hand,” Chase said, as they continued across the room heading to the stairs. “I’m not sure how or when this guys getting in here, but we need to look at footage from Friday. And there’s something else.” Chase looked to see that they were alone before going on. “The doors aren’t opening tonight, the T&N order never came, seems someone cancelled it.”

  “What order?” Mason asked, confused.

  “T&N is the Liquor distributor, no booze, no business. It’s hard to run a dry dance club.”

  Mason cringed, “Mik’s going to flip.”

  “Why’s Mik going to flip?” Mikala said, climbing the stairs not far behind them.

  “No T&N delivery, the order was cancelled,” Mason said, backing up the stairs since stopping as she got closer wasn’t an option.

  “Who the fuck was the moron that did that!” she yelled. “Get Carl on it, better still, I’ll do it myself.”

  Her feet pivoted on the top step and she raced back down the stairs spouting an obscure rainbow of obscenities in her path. Mason and Chase could practically see the paint peeling from the walls, with the vulgarity gushing from her mouth like vile acid.

  “That woman has a mouth on her,” Chase declared, shaking his head.

  “Fifty bucks says a truck full of booze arrives before midnight.”

  “No way, not even Mik the merciless can make that happen. Bets on!” Chase put out his hand and Mason’s evil laugh had Chase scowling.

  “Do not,” Chase warned, as he opened the doors to the private club and blocked Mason. “And I mean do not, let Mik in here until this gets cleaned, I’ll lock up again on the way out and make the excuse we can’t find the key.”

  “Okaaaay…” Mason said, looking around, whistling as he turned a full circle. “Holy fuck!”

  The newly dry walled walls looked like something from a seedy back ally. ‘Whore’ was sprayed in black spray paint over every surface including the ceiling leaving a foul taste in Mason’s mouth as his eyes took it all in.

  “This is too fucking serious now, far beyond a hate crime. We better call Blackstock in,” Mason said, pulling his phone from his pocket.

  “Already done, he came Saturday, took photos, searched the place, questioned the workers, said to call if anything else happens. Oh, and he wants a copy of all the footage.”

  “Let’s see what the cameras picked up.”

  Several hours later with most of Friday’s footage viewed, Mason sat shaking his head. “Son-of-a-bitch definitely has keys. Can you fucking believe I forgot to change the locks?”

  “How’s he getting past the alarm code?” Chase asked.

  “Haven’t set one up yet,” Mason said, raising his hand to stop Chase’s next question. “So many people have been coming and going, Mik’s staying with me so I didn’t bother. Besides I’d have to change it every day.”

  Chase scowled. “Get one set, tonight!”

  “Aye, aye captain,” Mason saluted, earning himself a manly punch to his bicep.

  “This isn’t funny, asshole,” Chase chastized.

  “You don’t think I fucking know that? This isn’t a game for me either, this is fucking terrifying. Mik’s in danger!”

  Mikala touched her hand to Mason’s shoulder causing him to jump to his feet. “Take it easy! What’s got you so jumpy?” she asked.

  “Caught me off guard, I was concentrating,” Mason said, quickly changing the subject. “Any news on the liquor front?”

  “They’re sending what they can in a few hours. The remainder of the order will be here by lunch tomorrow. I had to set up a password for future orders, remind me to tell Carl what it is,” she instructed Chase.

  Mason held out a hand, waiting while Chase pulled a fifty from his wallet slapping it into his palm. “Nice doing business with you,” he sneered.

  Mikala glared at the pair knowing it had to be another one of their childish bets, not the first and certainly not the last with this pair.

  “Did you boys see anything?” Mikala nodded towards the six screens hanging on the wall in a room hidden behind her office. No one knew it was there except the three of them. A bookcase opened like a door concealing its existence.

  “We think he has a key…no, we know he has a key,” Mason said, and Mikala let out a gasp. “Do you keep a spare around?”

  “Behind the bar, hanging on the side of the till,” she said. “But I haven’t noticed if it’s there in I don’t how long.”

  Chase checked it out and shook his head, “Not anymore.”

  “I’ll get a call into my locksmith before we leave. We’ll set up a code for the alarm system too. What do you want it to be, at least eight letters?” he looked at Mikala.

  “Bite my ass.” Mikala said, laughing at the affronted look on Mason’s face. “That’s what I want it to be. B.I.T.E.M.Y.A.S.S,” she spelled out each letter.

  “You got it.” Mason happily input each letter and gave it a test. “The system likes it,” he chuckled. “Bite my ass it is.”

  “Sit for a second,” Mason pushed out the chair next to him patting the seat. “Listen to me carefully and no flying off the handle, alright?”

  “No flying, okay,” she assured, skeptically.

  “When we leave here later, you’re not coming back,” Mason said, grabbing her wrist when her brows darted toward the ceiling and her mouth dropped open. “Hear me out! It’s not safe for you to be here anymore and until we catch this asshole, you’re not coming within a mile of this place.”

  “And you’re not going to keep me away, this is my business, my livelihood, you are not going to dictate where I go and don’t go. I’m not scared of this creep.”

  “No? Well you should be.”

  “That’s what you think, no man is going stand in the way of what I want.”

  “As brave as that sounds, sugar, I’m standing in your way.”

  “Like fuck you are.”

  He tightened his hold on her wrist and dragged her out of the room, past the dance floor and up the stairs. He stood fiddling with the lock and opened the door, shoving her into the room.

  She stood gaping around and swallowed back a lump in her throat urging the feeling of vomiting out of her mind. She walked to the center of the room and wrapped her arms over her chest.

  “Still not scared,” she said, turning to face Mason. “But I sure am pissed, look what that bastard did to the walls, do you have any idea how hard it is to cove
r up black?”

  A smile slowly spread across Mason’s face. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind and kissed his lips to her ear, his hold tightened as he spoke, “I love this tough ass thing you have happening here,” he whispered, “but it won’t change my mind.”

  Mikala struggled to get free but he held her tight as she fought him like a wildcat. “Mason, you can’t do this, you can’t keep me away.”

  “I can and I will.”

  ***

  With a defiant frown written across her beautiful face, Mason laughed watching as she plunked her ass onto her pink chair crossing her arms and legs like a punished school child. Just as he was about to explain the arrangement again, trying to get her to understand it was for her own good, the doors intercom rang and Mason ran to answer it.

  He picked up the handset turning to see Mikala’s reaction. She was unmoved as she stared at the floor. “Yeah…come up.”

  Mason unlatched the bar lock on the back of the door and slid it open. He kept a close eye on Mikala with a smirk as he put out his hand to a camouflage clad giant who made Mason look small. He threw a large duffle bag on the ground. Mikala watched from the corner of her eye as the pair came over and stood at her feet.

  “Mik, meet Landon Kyle,” he said, snapping his fingers in her face to draw her eyes up. She was not impressed with the gesture but he knew it would work, and it did. “Your body guard.”

  “I don’t need a fucking body guard,” she said, giving Landon a double take.

  “Nice to meet you, Miss Santino,” Landon said, standing straight as a board with one hand clasped to the wrist of his other.

  Landon spoke with a relaxed gentle tone that took her totally by surprise. She had expected a booming commanding voice, full of threatening authority, but his voice put her right at ease. Her eyes traced over him from his shiny black army grade boots, to the camouflage ball cap he quickly removed to reveal spikey black hair. He had pretty, caramel colored eyes. Landon, by his sheer size alone, was impressive and Mikala found herself grinning when she thought of him and all his sexiness following her around like a dutiful watch dog.

  A scowl from Mason made her laugh as she rose to her feet holding out a hand, Landon looked from her hand, to her face and then over to Mason.

  “You’re good, she won’t bite…too hard,” Mason said, laughing. Her tiny hand disappeared within Landon’s huge palm.

  “Why am I agreeing to this?” Mikala asked, pointing her finger to Landon’s chest as he remained in place at her feet.

  “Give us five?” Mason asked Landon, who immediately moved to the loft door standing like he was guarding the Queen herself. “Sugar, it’s either Landon at your side and you can move freely or it’s Landon outside that door and your ass stays put. I’d say the choice is pretty clear.”

  “Why can’t I just stay with you?” she pleaded, adding a pouty lip for dramatics.

  “Sugar, I’d love nothing more, but I have a job to do. In addition to taking care of you and Pulse, I have clients that count on me to make sure their businesses and families are safe and secure. Landon’s a good guy. I’d trust him with my life, therefore I trust him with yours. He’ll be your shadow twenty four seven. Where you go he goes, so play nice.”

  Mason called Landon over and Mikala smiled stroking her hand across Landon’s chest. “Okay, I can play nice. I can handle a hottie following me around all day,” she said, glaring at Mason as she shouldered past, “will he be sharing my bed too?”

  Mason shook his head at Mikala’s open flirting as she attempted to get a rise out of him. He and Landon shared an enigmatic laugh.

  “You gonna tell her or will I?” Landon asked.

  “Let her hang herself. You never know, this could be fun,” Mason said, as he watched her sauntering up the steps to the hideaway swinging her hips suggestively. “Stay close, don’t give her too much rope and remember she’s your future boss.”

  “Got it,” Landon assured him. “Thanks again, you have no idea how much I need a fresh start.”

  “Don’t mention it, man. I’m here for you. The room off the front entrance is yours, make yourself at home. I’m going out for a while. I’ll let Mik know.”

  Landon snatched up his duffle bag and went into the room Mason pointed out without closing the door, and started unpacking.

  Mikala was lying on the bed with her feet crossed and her hands pillowed under her head when Mason reached the top step and met her sad eyes. “Sugar, it won’t be for long. I promise.”

  “I feel like a prisoner, this is so unfair.”

  “I know,” Mason climbed onto the bed and straddled her hips. Leaning on his elbows, he played with the ends of her hair kissing her gently. “I have to go out. Why don’t you go downstairs and get to know Landon better?”

  “I guess.” She sulked as he got to his feet and helped her to hers. “Aren’t you worried about leaving me all alone with a handsome man?”

  “Not at all.” He smiled, sweeping her hair over her shoulder, “not at all.”

  Pulse was busy as the usual lunchtime crowd came back on scene, the new pizza oven drawing in interest by passersby.

  “Beer and pizza, you can’t lose,” Eden said, as she took a seat across from Mikala who seemed buried up to her eyeballs in paperwork.

  “Fingers crossed,” Mikala said. “These bills are really piling up.” She shoved them to the side and waved to Carl.

  “Girls, what can I get for you?” Carl asked, setting cocktail coasters on the table.

  “Perrier with lime,” Eden said.

  “Orange juice for me please, Carl.” Mikala smiled.

  “Talk about boring. Sure wouldn’t know I’m a bartender with you two around.” Carl joked, catching sight of Landon sitting a few seats away with his arms crossed over his chest. “Shall I see if the incredible hulk wants something?”

  Eden turned to see who Carl was talking about and whistled. “You must mean incredible hunk, Carl. Who’s that?”

  “Shhh…yes Carl, get him whatever he wants on the house,” Mikala instructed. “That’s Landon. He’s my new best friend Mason got for me.”

  “A body guard eh? Could be worse, he could be ugly, or worse yet a woman,” Eden laughed, “he’s hot!”

  They watched as Carl walked over and leaned on the table’s edge, spending longer than the usual few seconds it took to take an order. Landon smiled and Carl placed a coaster on the table beside him.

  “He’s got a pretty smile.” Mikala pointed out.

  Eden’s eyes narrowed as she sat back and admired him. “And eyes for Carl,”

  “What?” Mikala’s brow shot up. “Get the fuck outta here.”

  “I’m telling you, he’s got his sights set on Carl.”

  Perceptibly sensing their stare, Landon’s head turned in their direction and he gave them a nod. “Everything good, Miss Santino?” he asked.

  “Yep, it’s all good.” Mikala replied, scrutinizing Landon as Carl brought their drinks and Landon’s eyes shadowed his every move.

  Mikala was sure Eden had lost her mind thinking Landon was interested in Carl, but noted he was in fact transfixed on the man. Landon was the exact opposite of every stereotypical idea of a gay man out there. There was nothing effeminate about him, absolutely nothing. Not that she cared one way or the other. He could do worse than Carl. It was just a bit of a shocker. Mikala had often wondered about Carl’s love life, but never had the nerve to ask why she never saw him with a woman and why he never spoke of dating anyone. Suddenly her dirty little depraved mind was dreaming up images of Landon draped over Carl, humping him for all he was worth, she flicked her brow when the idea seemed exciting to her and smiled.

  “Your drinks ladies,” Carl set them down, and then walked over to Landon with a can of soda and a glass of ice. He hooted at something Landon said and the girls watched as he flipped over the coaster scribbling something on the backside, then handed it to Landon with a grin. As he walked away Landon viewed what
was written on the coaster and bit into his bottom lip with a smile.

  “Now tell me I’m full of shit!” Eden said with a laugh, holding up her glass waiting for Mikala to join her in a toast. “To my five-star-gay-dar, I should have placed a bet on that one.”

  “Carl’s gay? He never said he’s gay,” Mikala said, with no intention of sharing a toast.

  “One hundred percent, and if you don’t believe me you’re as delusional as he is.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Mikala asked, intrigued.

  “I don’t think Carl is willing to admit it,” Eden lowered her volume. “Or he’s not ready to come out.”

  “I think until he’s ready to come out, as you put it, we back off and respect his privacy.” Mikala directed, after a snort from Eden. “Not that I’d deny him a relationship with whomever he chooses, it’s simply none of our business.”

  Mikala would talk to Carl later and get the lowdown after Eden the matchmaker left, for now it was time to change the subject.

  “Chase thinks the club will be ready to reopen in two weeks.” she said.

  “That’s good news. Does that mean the apartment will be done too?” Eden asked, rising from her seat and walking over to the bar to retrieve a menu.

  “You tell me, Chase won’t let me see it. I have no idea what it looks like. All I’ve seen is the pink tub and two by fours.”

  Eden pursed her lips together, looking up at the ceiling. Mikala knew she was designing the apartment with Chase but they were staying close lipped, and after several unsuccessful attempts to sneak up there and nose around, her curiosity was getting the best of her.

  “How about I have one of the boys make us a pizza and we take it upstairs, while we discuss any changes I might like to make?” Mikala gave Eden a cheesy grin.

  “Chase would kill me. Besides, I don’t have time today I only have enough time to finish this drink then I have to run.”

  “I will remember this bitch!” Mikala said, as Eden finished her drink and stood to leave.

  Eden gave Mikala a roguish wink and walked over to where Landon was sitting, he stood and she said something, he smiled and they shook hands.