Double Standards (Part 1)

Grand Opening

It had been a few weeks since Ela had visited. Of course, by now her and Conner was going hot and heavy. Ela basically moved in with him, however she still wasn't aware of his mafia connections. Laney offered her a job as her assistant, she really needed one with the new resort preparing to open.

London still hadn't made any lead way on figuring out who this new leader was, but they was getting stronger, and he knew he had to do something soon. Then, not to mention Laney's grand opening of the resort was tonight of all night's. His meeting with Emily Michaels was tonight as well. Laney was going to be pissed, but he couldn't miss this meeting.

Laney

I donned a golden dress for my grand opening tonight. I was super exicited about it. I was adding the finishing touches to my makeup when London came in the door. "Hurry and get ready baby". I said kissing his cheek. He gave me a sympathetic look. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Laney, babydoll, I can't make it. I forgot I have this important meeting".
"What?" Laney hissed. "London this is important to me. I need you to be there. Just reschedule the meeting".
"I wish I could, but I can't"
"So your telling me you can't be there for me on my important night. After all those fucking party's you've dragged me to?"
London breathed in. "I'm sorry Laney".
"Your fucking sorry, that's all you have to say for yourself. I'm sick of this London. I needed you tonight".
"Laney calm down, I'll make it up to you".
"No, don't bother. If you choose this meeting over me tonight, it's over". London stormed over to her with ice in his eyes. Grabbing her arm he growled "are you threatening me to leave?"
"No, it's a promise" London gave a wicked laugh. "You can't leave me. I own you, remember that babydoll doll?"
"You don't own me London. I can leave anytime I want".
"Try me babydoll, try me. I'll have Silas pick you up in a few".
Laney jerked her arm free. "Never touch me again".
"What did you say?" London asked on the brink of madness.
"You heard me" Laney yelled with a sob. Jerking her up, he pulled her up into his face "never tell me I can't touch you. When I come home tonight I will show you just how much I will touch you, and just how bad you'll want me to touch you. I'll make you beg. He went to place her back down and didn't realize how much force he used. Laney fell back onto the floor. Shocked at what he just did, he strode away in shame. As he got ready to leave he saw Laney standing, looking out the window at the skyline. He could tell she was crying. Taking a long look he left without saying goodbye. Little did he know this would be the last time he saw her, his babydoll.

Laney made her way to her celebration with a heavy heart. London just ripped her to shreds. It was hard to focus on the event with all the thoughts running through her mind. She was surprised she made it through her speech.

Once the party started to die down, Laney stepped out on the patio for some fresh air.
"Hello beautiful"
Startled she turned around and was greeted by a familiar face. "Remember me, Angelo Russio"
"Oh, yes, of course" He stepped closer and handed her a flute of champagne. "To congratulate you on the success of your resort" Laney accepted the glass and thanked him. "Why do you look so sad my love?" Laney smiled and offered a plausible explanation. "Oh, I'm not. I guess it's the stress from getting my resort up and going".
"Well then love, drink up, you deserve it". Laney smiled and drank her champagne. "May I ask where your gentlemen is tonight?" Angelo knew exactly where he was, but wanted to hear what she'd say. "He had a very important meeting he couldn't get out of tonight"
"So sad, if you was mine, you would come first". Something about the way Angelo said mine sent a shiver up Laney's spine. "I really should get back in to my party". As she started to step away a sudden fuzziness came over her. She felt weak, almost as if she was going to faint. Placing her hand to her forehead she slurred out"I'm not feeling well". Then she sucumbed to the darkness. Two men came from the side emerged from the shadows and carried her off to a waiting car.

London

Through this meeting I couldn't stay focused. Laney was my only thought. I felt like a total jackass for my actions. I couldn't wait to get home and grovel at her feet for forgiveness. To love my babydoll the way she deserved to be loved. "Mr Harper?" Emily said bringing me back. "Sorry, what was that again?" She smiled "could I interest you in a hotel room. Just us two and alittle fun?" That did it and I snapped. "I'm taken by the most beautiful, loving woman ever. This meeting is over. I don't need nor want the deal. I'm going home to my lady now". Emily gave me a ackward smile and said "I'm sure you are". I didn't take the time to ask what she meant, I just jetted. Taking off in my Porsche I glanced at my gear shift and saw Laney's g-string still entwined around the stick, from where we got naughty on our last drive together. I pushed the pedal even harder to get there quicker.

Walking in my apartment I quickly found it empty. Grabbing my phone I hit her number but got nothing. Babydoll must really be mad at me. When she hadn't shown up several hours later, I really started getting worried. Just as I was going out to search my phone buzzed and it was a private number. "Hello".
"Mr. Harper?" Asked someone with a Italian accent. "Yes"
"Seems I have something of importance to you". My heart instantly sank. No, God no. "Yes" I managed to say. "I have a beautiful lady asleep on my bed right now. I believe you call her babydoll, but I think I'll change that to my love". London's eyesight went blurry from rage. "Let me talk to her now"
"I'm afraid I can't do that, she's alittle drugged right now and napping".
"Who is this"
"You met me once several weeks ago. I entertained your lady while you worked. Angelo Russio the new king".

London growled out. "Your dead, you know that right?" Angelo laughed. "I'll be expecting you soon. Now I must go and attend to my love". London growled out "You had best not even look at her". He heard Angelo laugh, then the phone went dead.

London  jumped up and released a gut wrenching roar. He destroyed the apartment with his rage. Stumbling across a photograph of Laney he had taken himself, he calmed down a bit. She was so beautiful that day. They was at a park, sitting on a bench and Laney was trying to convince him she could wiggle her nose. London looked at the window, recalling how he left her tonight, he stumbled to the exact same spot Laney had stood. Looking out across the city, he wondered where Angelo had her tucked away. London saw Laney's handprint on the window and placed his hand over it. "I'm coming babydoll, just be strong for me". Finally, giving in to the pain, he sank to the floor and for the first time on his life his body was racked with sobs. Now he understood completely why loving a woman made you weak and vulnerable.  Gathering his thoughts, he rose to his feet like a warrior and contacted his men for a emergency meeting. He vowed this city wouldn't sleep until his babydoll was back home.