The Rise of the Red Queen

18

Andrew woke me up in the morning and got me dressed in blue jeans and a yellow sweater with a winking face on it with knee high socks. He took me downstairs to the almost full dining table for breakfast. Darius was missing again. All of them tried to ask if I wanted breakfast and tried to feed me to no success as I just stared at Darius's empty seat. Even after breakfast time was over and I was set on my feet I still stared at his empty spot. Twenty minutes passed before Andrew and Gabriel came back looking for me after cleaning up. When they still received no response from me Gabriel left as Andrew continued trying for a response. Two sets of footsteps came back to see Andrew still unsuccessful. "Cub?" Jasper called out stepping in front of me blocking my view of the empty chair. My eyes snapped to his as I asked, "Where is he?" "He's at one of the clubs cub but he didn't specify which one he'd be at." Jasper answered with a look of concern. "I'm going to see him. I'll stop in Dada Lion's office to get some guards." I said before I turned and walked away from the dining room without waiting for a response. I slipped on my sneakers in the elevator before barging into Mark's office. "What is it doll?" Mark questioned from the lounge area in his office where three other people sat with their backs to me. I spoke quietly in a timid tone saying "Wanna see Papi need guys to take me." "Alright doll. Esteban, go get Theodore he'll sort it out. Doll, either wait next door or go with Esteban." Mark directed. "Thank you Dada," I said following Esteban out.

Theodore was in the joint kitchen waiting for us with Javier. "We are ready to go princess." Javier said picking up a set of keys from the counter. Theodore was the one who led us to the car and sat in the back with me as Javier drove to the old club. Walking into the club with three very vanilla guards would have been more entertaining if it was open but for now the lightly staffed club was quiet. "Guys go have a seat and make yourself comfy. Once Papi comes just look away and don't interfere." I stated eying Theodore specifically. "What do you mean?" Javier questioned. "I'm a princess who's been starved of attention from Papi and now I am at the place he is most dominant. What could I possibly mean?" I asked in response as I walked away before calling over my shoulder, "Thanks for the lighter Esteban." Approaching the bar I took the opportunity of the bartender going to the store room as I went behind it before grabbing a opened bottle of vodka. I walked to the bouncer room seeing Josh was the only one here  which made my smile widen. "Hey Josh, is Papi here?" I questioned. "He should be in his office," Josh said looking at me in surprise. "Thanks!" I called to him making sure he saw the partial bottle of vodka in my hand knowing he would call my dominant alerting him of my bad behavior just for having it.

Back in the main bar area I lightly poured the vodka on the floor spelling 'Papi' in cursive before lighting it on fire. A bit drastic, yes, but it will guarantee his attention and he won't walk away without me facing any repercussions. I threw the lighter back at Esteban who easily caught it before putting the vodka back on the bar. As Josh came out of the bouncers room yelling into the phone how I just set the floor on fire. I watched the flames pouting as they went out. I went to grab the vodka again leaning across the bar top to reach it only to feel a hard smack across my butt causing me to jerk upright. "Brat get upstairs to my office now." Darius instructed me in a seething voice. Not bothering to look back I high tailed it up to his office. I walked over to his desk sitting down and waited for him. The stunt wouldn't cause any damage beyond the need for the floor to be mopped knowing only the ethanol found in the alcohol burned leaving a layer of liquid to protect the floor.

The door opened revealing Darius. "Angel what do you want?" He questioned pinching the bridge of his nose. "Attention. Communication. Love. Discipline. Structure. Strength. Stability.  Passion. Compassion. Balance. Respect. Trust. Control. Freedom. Peace. Take your pick really." I said with a shrug of my shoulders while standing up before continuing, "Or you, in other words. Papi I'm putting everything behind us. One by one I've redone the foundation of us all. The surprising thing is that you're last. I thought after getting trashed at your new club you would be there with the discipline and structure but you can't seem to get past my eating habits. Admittedly on my part I had no clue it was your club until Tyler was ready to kick us out. Three days I asked for attention and you've been gone almost the entire time. Why?" I questioned standing right in front of him.