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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ZAND

W e were in Minnesota for five days. I couldn’t call the road trip a success. Although death was something I was used to, it wasn’t some badge of honor. There was a time I was surrounded by death. Those were dark days for me. Days I prefer to leave in the past.

We stayed in Bloomington long enough to attend Craig’s funeral and his burial. Craig’s family moved quickly when it came to putting their loved one to rest. There were no hiccups or quarrels that I noticed. There were no silly issues about money, casket color, or floral arrangements. The funeral went smoothly and I’m sure that helped Morgan, which in turn helped my dear Chanel.

The drive back to Chicago was somber. We rode in silence most of the way, and it wasn’t awkward. It seemed appropriate given the situation. There were things I’d seen and kept to myself, observations I made as the person that wasn’t actually distracted by grief. I was there to support Chanel, the woman they all called Coco— the woman I was willing to open my heart to.

I had skills Chanel didn’t know of. One was my keen sense of observation. There was a man at the cemetery lurking around. He didn’t belong there, but I was the only one that noticed him. He was out of place. He was pretending to visit a gravesite, but he seemed far too interested in the mourners at Craig’s final resting place. He could’ve been just a very nosy grave keeper. But that seemed highly doubtful. Sometimes my need to protect the ones I cared for overshadowed my judgment.

When we reached the city limits, I felt Chanel relax back into my leather seats. I could feel she was anxious, tired, and a host of other emotions. Chicago gave her some comfort, and I hadn’t forgotten she was running from her ex— Alonzo Lopez. I’d acquired his last name while having a chat with Mitchell. He didn’t know he was giving me information I didn’t already have, but he was quite talkative. I used that to my advantage, of course.

I unloaded our luggage. While walking toward the building, I glanced down at the flowerpot by the door. I led us into the apartment building. Chanel was moving slowly. I’m sure it was from being cramped up in the car for such a long time.

“I’m exhausted. I’m happy to be back. I can sleep in my own bed.”

“Or mine.” I offered. I felt so intensely connected to her, and I was sure she didn’t know what I was feeling. The feeling was scary, but I embraced my fear. Chanel was mentally and physically exhausted, so I tucked her into my bed. I cuddled up to her and waited until she fell fast asleep.

I’d been away from the club for a week’s time. Chanel tried to convince me to go back to Chicago days ahead of her. There was no way I would leave her alone. I had a connection to her I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t obsession. I’d been obsessed before and it didn’t work out well for me. It didn’t bode well for the lady I was infatuated with also.

What I felt for Chanel was vastly different. It was a unique feeling that I couldn’t put into words. It was a feeling I refused to deny. It was maybe, it couldn’t be, but felt like— love.

Chanel didn’t accompany me to The Castle on our first full night back in town. She had to fall back into her work-home routine. Also, I was well aware that she knew Craig and didn’t really want to be at a nightclub right after burying her friend.

Things instantly had fallen back into a rhythm between us. My sabbatical was over. I had to go back to the club the third night back in town because we had a very famous deejay spinning.

Surprisingly, Chanel came to the club with me. I loved having her by my side. She was the buffer I needed to ward off the women that were bold enough to approach me. Her presence scared away the women I had slept with once. Chanel wasn’t intimidated, by these women. Her confident attitude and bitch resting face was just enough to send the harlots on their way.

I knew I shouldn’t use her as a bodyguard, but her presence calmed me. She put me at ease. She had been working long hours to make up for the days she missed while in Bloomington. I wished she didn’t have to work so hard. If she were mine, she wouldn’t have to work at all. My modest living did not equate to my wealth. I just didn’t flaunt my riches, but I was rather wealthy.

This wasn’t the time to be throwing my fortune around. I wanted her to love me for me. I actually wanted all of her love. I would stop at nothing to get it. She was so poised and polished. Men undressed her with their eyes. I saw it happen too many times, but she never seemed to notice. Or she didn’t let on that she knew how desirable she was.

After welcoming the deejay and introducing Chanel to our celebrity and his entourage, I took her over to a table at the bar in the VIP section. We sat, and I waited for someone to take our drink order. Through a crowd of clubbers dancing, I could see my head of security. Natasha was approaching our table. She was good at her job, so I could see her mind at work. Her instincts were impeccable. Since she’d been in her position, there hadn’t been any serious incidents at The Castle.

In seconds, she was at our table. Natasha leaned down and placed her face at my ear. “Sir, you have an important phone call in your office.” She took a step away from the table and glared at me.

I gave Natasha a pensive look. “Is it?”

“Yes.”

There were only a few people I deemed important enough for me to drop everything and accept calls from them. Chanel was the newest edition to that list, but she was here with me.

“Chanel, I have a call. I need to take it in my office where it’s quiet.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

I leaned over and gave Chanel a kiss on her cheek.

“I’ll be right back.” I stood.

“I’ll be here.” Chanel belted over the loud music.

“Natasha, stay with her.”

Natasha nodded her head once and took the seat I’d left. I hoped she didn’t ask Chanel too many questions. It was her personality to be intrusive.

I walked across the dancefloor and acknowledged the regular clubgoers that were familiar with me. I made it over to the hallway near the private elevator. I nodded at Jim as he took a step aside to let me pass. He was standing firm in the entryway of the halls that led to the elevator. I rode the elevator up to my office and mentally tried to prepare myself for this impending exchange because this conversation was inevitable. That didn’t mean I wanted to have it. My life was changing, and the past was the past.

I exited the elevator and walked down the hall to my office and sat my rear in the chair behind my desk. I removed a clean, empty glass from the shelf below my desk. Reaching on the same shelf, I grabbed a bottle of red wine. I twisted the cork, leaned back, and tilted the bottle up to my lips. I guzzled the liquid down. I didn’t need the glass. I needed a drink before I took this call.

Removing the cordless phone from the base, I took the call off of hold with a tap of a button. I placed the phone on the desk and put the call on speaker.

Leaning back in my chair. “Hello, this is Alexander.”

“Son.” His voice and cadence hadn’t changed.

“Father.”

“How are you doing in your new city?” His slight Irish accent seeped in and out of his words.

“I’m doing well, living.” I tried to sound casual when this call was completely the opposite of casual.

“I wanted to share the good news.”

“Good news.”

“Your brother has left the country.”

This wasn’t newsworthy, but I played along. “When?”

“I think it’s been a month or so now.”

“Why?” I wasn’t sure I cared, but he could be running from something.

“He said he wants a change of scenery. You know he’s always been a nomad.”

“He has.” But I knew there had to be more to the story.

“I’ve written to you with my sincere apologies.”

“You have.”

“To no avail. No response from my beloved son hurts me deeply.”

“I didn’t have anything to say— father.” I grabbed the wine bottle and took another long swig.

“I don’t want there to be any animosity between us. You were my last child. I hold you near and dear to my heart. One mistake shouldn’t dictate our entire future.”

“I hold no ill will. I’m whole and content. You have introduced me to the finer things in life, and I will forever be grateful.”

“I’ve called for another reason. Teresa is gone. ”

“Gone?”

“Yes, vanished. Oh no, I don’t mean dead. She’s fled. I believe she is looking for you. I wanted to warn you as a courtesy.”

“Thank you. I’m not worried about her. I made it clear to her ages ago, we are over.”

“I warned you about her. You defied me.”

He seriously thought that meant something to me when it didn’t. “You did. You should come up and visit me in the spring. It’s rather cold here now at this time of year.”

“Yes, I accept your invitation. I would like that. Alexander, if I haven’t made it clear, I humbly apologize for my role in the demise of your marriage.”

“I’ve accepted your apology long ago.” Fuck you, father! “I no longer have any feelings or regard for Teresa.”

“A wise decision. Son, I will leave you to your new life in Chicago. Until we speak again.”

I waited for my father to end the call. I sat there and thought about the talk. Time healed. I picked the wrong woman to bring into my family. She was a manipulative snake. It was really my poor judge of character that caused the riff in my family. Regardless, I expected more from the man that gave me life. I was over the past, but still harbored a bit of resentment.

None of it mattered. I had a new life, new friends, and a new woman in my life. My cell phone buzzed, and it was Natasha. I answered on the second buzz.

“Yes.”

“There’s someone trying to enter the club through the side entrance. They want to speak with you.”

“Someone?”

“Yes, a young man. I told Nick not to let him inside the club. He claims to be your brother.”

“My brother.” Shit, could it be him— Harlen? “He’s supposed to be in another country. How did he track me down?”

“I don’t know. I can look into it.”

“No, I will go take care of it. Keep him away from my girl. ”

“Of course, that’s why I told the guys not to let him inside the building.”

“Good thinking. Thank you.” It was good thinking. It would be a major disaster if Harlen saw me with Chanel.

“Call me if you need me.” Natasha said.

“No, no, I’ve got this. Just stay with Chanel.”

“Yes, boss.”

I was already out of my office and stalking down the hall before the call ended. I looked down at my cell and accessed the security footage that was a live feed to the side entrance near the alleyway. While in the elevator, I zoomed in and I saw him. He was standing with his arms crossed and talking to my security officer, Josh.

Harlen was strong, but Josh was like me. There was no way he could push past him. Josh was a brick wall. I reached the ground level and exited the elevator. I rounded a corner that led to the side entrance of The Castle. I stepped by my men and out into the alley. There he was, Harlen Corbin.

At first glance, he was an unassuming common man. He had long dark hair, drawn back into a ponytail with raven-colored eyes and a slender build. I instantly remembered all the damage he done in my life. What was once an unbreakable brotherly bond was now a patch of ash. He was evil. He was a backstabbing bastard, and he was someone I wanted nothing to do with.

“I told you I knew the owner.” He had to get one more round of vitriol out, just because.

“Harlen.”

“Alexander, it’s been a long time.”

Not long enough for me. The way he said my name was more annoying than I recollected. Clearly, he was here to bother me in some form or fashion.

“Let us move away so we can have a private conversation.”

“Of course, that’s exactly what I would like a private conversation with my brother.” Harlen said as he rolled his eyes at my security staff .

I gently grabbed his forearm, even though gentle was exactly the opposite of how I felt in the moment. I led him down the alley and into utter darkness. I let him go just to turn to him and ask a question.

“Why are you here?” I tried to keep my tone even.

“You know why I’m here.”

I didn’t know why that was precisely why I asked the question. But he was the type who played silly games. Games that I was in no mood to play. “Enlighten me.”

“I miss you.” He purred.

“I doubt you’re capable of such emotions.”

“Please, Zand, it’s been a long time.”

“Not long enough.” In my humble opinion.

“I’ve come all this way, and this is how you want this to go between us?”

“I want you to go, Harlen. That is all I want.”

“You can’t mean that.”

“I can, and I do.”

“After all, we’ve been through.” He pleaded.

“We only share lies. You are a liar. Nothing has changed, I’m sure of it. You don’t believe there is anything wrong with your actions.”

He took a step forward and rested his palms on my shoulders. His touch repulsed me. I swiftly removed his treacherous paws.

“Time heals wounds. I want my brother back with me. I want us. Time is a construct that means absolutely nothing to us. We are family.”

His words were laughable. But for this man, I couldn’t even muster up a chuckle. The audacity to come back to this country with these feeble pleas. His nerve knew no bounds.

Looking at him now, I couldn’t even remember the brother I used to love above all else. I had forgiven my father for his indiscretions. I would never forgive Harlen. What we had will always be tarnished and trashed because of his deceitfulness, jealousy, and greed.

“Alexander, I am very sorry. I beg you to give me one more chance. I can prove to you I am the brother you once loved. We are family. Family is forever. I still believe you love me.”

But I didn’t love him. We weren’t blood brothers. We didn’t share the same mother or any familiar blood. He was adopted without my consent. I didn’t want him or ask for him. I tried to love him as a real brother, but that was impossible. I knew better.

Harlen was vindictive. He did things to hurt me. Chanel would be in jeopardy if I allowed that clown back into my life. I preferred to just part ways with my adopted brother.

“I’m not sorry. I no longer want anything to do with you. I prefer that our paths never cross. These are not words I say to you to be cruel. I say these words because they’re true.”

“Alexander, I don’t believe you.” There was a slight quiver in his voice. I didn’t care.

“Please believe me. You are dead to me. You have been dead to me. Seeing you in the flesh doesn’t change your death.”

“This is not you. This is not who you are. I made one mistake just one. You have to give me another chance.”

“You have got to be joking. This wasn’t just one mistake. You fucked every single woman I dated, and that wasn’t enough, so you fucked my wife.”

“I have a problem, an impulse problem.”

“I don’t care about your problems.”

“I’m sorry. I, I would do anything. Tell me, and I will do it. Brother, I love you. Alexander, give me one more chance. We are family. If you only give me a chance, I can prove to you I am trustworthy.”

His words seem like they were coming from someone speaking another language. Did he really think he could betray me? Did he really think he could just show up out of the blue, wave a magic wand, and repair are fractured relationship? Maybe he was crazy enough to think I would jump at the chance to be a part of a family that didn’t act like a family.

“Harlen, leave my city.”

“Your city.” He smirked with lips so thin they were barely noticeable.

“There will be no reconciliation. I’m done with you. If you persist, I will turn father against you. You know I can do it.”

“But you wouldn’t.” He scoffed. I had evidence against him and this was the first time I threatened to use it.

“But I will. You are no longer part of my family. Go off and make your own family.”

“I can’t believe you’re saying this to me. Who are you? What have you turned into?”

“Please spare me the theatrics. You’re not welcomed. Leave now or I will have you thrown out.”

“I’m already outside in a filthy alley with the garbage and the rats.”

“Exactly where you should feel at home. Nonetheless, you know what I mean. I can ruin you. I can make you disappear. You know that I can. You’ve seen what I can do. Don’t make me do it to you. I spared your life once. I won’t do it again. You have used your get out of jail free card. There will be no other. Leave.”

Without bothering to turn back, I walked away from him, leaving him alone in the dark alleyway. I hoped he would heed my warning. I was only going to give it to him once. I would not let him come into my new life and disrupt my world. I knew how easy it would be to take his life. He didn’t know everything about me. He didn’t know the life I led before he came into it. He only knew they changed me, the me that was a better man. He knew the brother that he could use and take advantage of. That guy was a facade. Now I was back to being the original, the version of me that’s not to be fucked with.

I approached the side entrance. “Make sure I never see him again. He isn’t welcomed inside or anywhere near my establishment.” I stated to Nick and Josh .

“Sure boss.”

I turned back, and he was standing just a few feet away, just as I’d left him.

“Remove him from the premises. Use whatever force you deem necessary. He is no fighter. Treat him like trash. Just get rid of him.” With a slight wave of my hand, I stepped inside the threshold of The Castle.

“Will do.” Josh stated as he stalked down the alley towards the man I refused to call my brother any longer. He was nothing to me now that I deemed him my sworn enemy. He had been nothing to me and seeing him again hadn’t changed that at all.

This chapter of my life was closed for good. I hadn’t killed anyone in a long time and I didn’t want to take a life, but my patience had run out.