The night wore on, but the deep base from the club never slowed. People writhed against each other on the dance floor. Hands roaming unchecked, fueled by alcohol and unbridled desire. Hunter watched from the loft’s two-way mirror. It was almost two in the morning and the door had been officially closed, the club filled to capacity leaving the lucky ones to party the remainder of the night away. He’d come up to the security loft to take a break and a well-deserved rest, but he’d walked into an argument between
Sunny and the head of security. Fred had been in the middle of remaining him out when Hunter walked in. After Hunter briefed the man, he had left with a promise to finish “this” later. Hunter had stayed silent for a few minutes, but couldn’t help pushing for information. “It’s nothing bother…he asked for a favor and is pissed it’s taking longer than he wants. That’s all…nothing. Just Fred being Fred.” Sunny had answered easily, almost too easily. Quiet engulfed them. Normally this would not have been strange, but Hunter felt uneasy. Sunny’s response was quick, too quick and it had been getting worse with time.
The knot in Hunter’s stomach grew. The awareness of looming trouble pricked along his nerve endings. It was just like coming home to the eerie quiet before his father exploded in violence. Even though he knew it was coming, Hunter didn’t know how to stop it. “Brother, trouble’s circling you…do me a favor and duck for once.” Hunter spoke quietly while continuing to watch the crowd below. Silence lingered, but he still felt the other man draw nearer.
“It’s what I’m best at…hiding from trouble.” Sunny tried for light, but it fell flat. They both knew how dangerous games could be, how quickly the tables could turn. Hunter rolled his shoulders hoping to ease the building tension. Sunny bumped into his brother’s shoulder, “It’s all good, I’m in control and have eyes on everyone involved. Trust me brother.” A minute to question Sunny’s motives was not something that Hunter had. They had a job to do and neither of them could afford to lose it.
They made for quite a sight; Hunter and Santino. Light and dark, good and evil…the two men had been called all that and more. Together they strode around the perimeter of the crowded club constantly watching; one to avoid trouble and the other to insight it. Hunter wanted to laugh at the thought.
They settled at the far end of the west bar, signaling for bottles of water. Santino sitting on a barstool stretching out his long 6’3” frame; a golden angel watching the crowd. “Do you ever wonder what they see?” He asked. It took Hunter a minute to realize that he was speaking to him. At an even 6 feet, Hunter was wide in the shoulders, his bulk made people give him a wide birth.
“See? What the hell?” He tore his gaze from the crowd and looked squarely at Sunny. What people saw? What the hell did he care? Both men wore the same as all the other security; black…jeans and tees. Neither could afford to be stylish, so they sported cleanly buzzed heads; which they gave to each other. Hunter didn’t understand but he had the feeling that there was something going on with Sunny he didn’t and couldn’t understand. “Brother sometimes you are just plain stupid,” Sunny answered, the bite of sarcasm in his voice, “Do you think that these asshats see us as smart or powerful? They see us as skin and muscle…people to fuck and be fucked by.”
Hunter stood tall, his body rigged with anger. He didn’t care what these people saw or thought. Too many years had been wasted caring about others, now he lived life the way he wanted…the Hell with anyone who didn’t like it. “Honestly brother….I could give a shit.” Without a glance he walked away. Years had passed and still the awful taste of being judged and belittled lingered in his mouth. Hunter Jameson had promised himself years ago that he would never allow that to rule him again…never. He would never give anyone the power over him, not even Santino. He focused on the crowd again with a new intensity. The old rage threatening to boil over and consume him with each passing minute.
What he needed was something to focus on, even better yet…someone to focus on. His intense dark brown stare searched the crowd. It was Friday night and there was surely someone who was willing to help him. At this point it didn’t matter; all he wanted was someone soft and small. It was a weakness, Hunter loved small women…the smaller the better. There must be something to his need to overpower women, all in good and dirty fun of course. Too blonde, too tall, too heavy, too…perfect. Like a beacon for his dirty thoughts; Maria stood staring back at him.
The sexy, smart-mouthed Latina had been a mistake from the start or so he liked to believe. But even after their few times together he still felt the lick of heat run down his spine. Maria was like gasoline to his match. They burned hot and fast, exploding with intensity. His brain told him to run, but old habits die hard and tonight when all he wanted was to forget, she was the perfect drug. Silently he stalked her way, she never budged…never blinked an eye. “Four am, you should go home and get some rest…you’ll need it.” Hunter’s deep voice growled through the noise of the club.
He could see the shiver that ran through her. This was about power and Hunter liked her reaction to him. She would try to hide it later, but here when she was unguarded he savored his ability to ignite her. Their gazes locked and neither said anything. There was nothing to say after all, she would agree to his demands or he’d refuse her. It was a game and in letting him have the upper hand, they both won.
Maria didn’t go easy though; she enjoyed the tension but loved her power even more. Looking like sin incarnate; Maria smiled. A nod was the only reaction that Hunter got, a single nod as she turned away and went home as she was told.
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