𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝟏𝟖+

32. rage

GABRIEL DALTON

✥

Zane calls me into his office before the club opens tonight. We sit around his dark, wooden desk shifting through paperwork for a new idea that he's looking to invest in. I'm practically his sidekick to the business now and it's keeping Lonzo happy, so it's a win-win.

Every day Dark Suite becomes more and more popular. The word of its entertaining and vibrant atmosphere has spread like wildfire and now Zane is trying his hardest to keep up with all the demands. That's where I come in.

Zane is an incredible business man. I have no idea how he holds his mentality so calm when terrible situations arise. He keeps his face neutral even when he's told the worst news, things that he can't change. If that were me, I'd be removing my gun from my waistband and emptying the entire thing.

That's why I don't own a club.

"Right," Zane clears his throat and closes the stacked papers in front of him. "I'll call a meeting for next week and clear this deal. I can't wait any longer."

I hum in response. "Your call."

His dark eyes flick from the desk to the wall, he swirls around a single black ring on his index finger. "Poppy's been having a couple of off days this week."

"What do you mean?"

Zane gazes at me and tilts his head slowly, his office turning silent for a few moments. "She hasn't spoken to you?"

I shake my head once. "Only over text. We've both been busy." My back straightens and I lean forward, pressing my elbows onto my knees. "What do you mean off days? What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know what's wrong exactly," he holds my stare. "But I can just tell something isn't right. She's been really quiet, keeping her head down, rushing out as soon as she can."

"Might be after the injury on her ankle," I comment as Zane nods in agreement. Although on the other hand, she seemed fine when I took her away to visit my father. It was our dinner out that night that took a turn, her sadness on the plane home. Everything she admitted. "Shit."

Zane leans forward to pour us both a glass of his finest whiskey. "What?"

Poppy said that she needed to be home on time, right before she confessed that she's been owing someone favours. I stare at the wall for a moment and let my finger run over my lips.

I've been so busy that I barely recognised the situation. From the texts that she was sending me, I presumed everything was fine but I should know better. She loves to cover her true emotions more than anyone I've ever met.

"Nothing," I muster, not wanting to go into detail with Zane. "Maybe she's just having a bad week."

Zane slides over a crystal glass and as soon as it meets my fingers I raise it to my lips. "Cheers," he raises his glass in my direction. I do the same. "Oh, we're going to need this tonight."

Then we both knock back the bronze coloured liquid. It hits the back of my throat in the best way possible. Sure it burns a couple of hairs but fuck, it tastes so damn good. "Would you mind going through these papers and checking through for any errors?" Zane asks as he stands up and straightens out the sleeves on his suit. "I've got to sort something downstairs on the door."

I lick my lips and place down the glass. "Sure."

✥

As the night of the club event continues, Zane has been out of his office for hours. I've been stuck behind his desk checking through all his paperwork. A small knock at the door startles me away from the words that are beginning to merge. I glance up, grateful to give my eyes a break.