Risky Business |2|

Desmond stared at the phone for a minute before shaking it off and putting his plate in the sink. He didn’t have time to play games, not when he had a meeting at his most profitable club in less than forty-five minutes.

It didn’t take him long to get ready, either. He took a quick shower and after he was dried off, he threw on a pair of nicely fitted jeans and a wife beater. Since it was raining, he threw on his Norface jacket and a pair of black Jordan’s.

He grabbed his keys, wallet, and a roll of money, before rushing out of the door.

It was going on ten when he arrived at the club. He was looking for one man in particular, they called him Onix. Why? Desmond didn’t know, nor did he care. He just needed to meet with the guy about his money.

A group of girls, trashy—not Desmond’s type—walked pass smiling at Desmond and waving. He smirked and continued toward the V.I.P section, no doubt they were pissed.

“Name?” The bouncer asked.

“What?” Desmond asked. “You blind or something?”

“Don’t know. Am I?” He asked.

“You must be, son.” Desmond continued and tried to walk pass but was stopped. “You got five seconds to get your fucking hands off me, slim. And I can’t count so consider it two seconds!”

“Whoa! What’s all this out here” Onix said, appearing out of nowhere.

“Sir,” The bouncer said. “We got a lil show off out here, should I kick him out?”

“Kick him out? No! He owns the place!”

“That’s five seconds!” Desmond said, irritated.

The bouncer let go, fast. “My bad, I didn’t know.”

“Know next time.” Desmond said walking past him.

Onix and Desmond headed to the back of the V.I.P area where he had the place set up with drinks and weed—Dez wasn’t in the mood to be buttered up though, especially by a grown ass man—this was about money!

“Drink?” Onix asked, just like Dez knew he would.

“No.”

“Well, alright.” Onix said, pouring himself a drink.

Onix was older than Desmond, but not smarter, nor wiser—Just older. You can’t be old in the drug game and expect the younger crowd to still respect you simply because “Back in the day” you were on top, or at least almost. Onix was just another guy Jodi worked with when he was alive. Just another guy Jodi used, never betrayed, but used to make himself richer. Onix was oblivious, even in Jodi’s death, to the fact that he was nothing more than just a pond on the chessboard—worthless.

“Let’s talk business, Onix.”

Onix nodded. “Yes, let’s”

“You co managed this place with my father for, let’s say, fifteen years? Give or take.” Desmond said. “It’s not even logical to continue to try to hold the place, for what? Everything was in my fathers’ name. He paid you while he was alive, but he’s dead. There’s nothing I can do about that… and I’m not sure I’m willing to keep giving half of the profit to you. I barely know you.”

Onix nodded his head again. “Son,” Onix started. “This place was built from the dirt to the glory… with my help.”

“And you’re trying to blame me for your misfortune of not conducting the proper paperwork when it was needed? I mean, you didn’t really think my father would be here forever to hand you big checks, did you? I think we both know what kind of business he was into… and we both know it’s a dangerous one.”

Onix sighed.

Desmond looked him over and for the first time noticed just how old this man really was. The black hair that once covered his head, as seen in old pictures, was now completely gray. He didn’t look too old in the face, but those eyes held his true age. The wrinkles around them were almost impossible to ignore, even when he was sitting in front of Desmond with a huge Rolex on and a chain around his neck with nothing but diamonds.

“Yes… I think we both know, that.” Onix said, finally putting down the glass with the liquor in it. “So what’s your proposition?”

“There isn’t a proposition, Onix.” Desmond said with nothing but confidence in his words. “This is a take it or leave it opportunity for you, either way, you’re no the co manager for this place anymore.”

“Waiting.” Onix said.

“I’m giving you twenty thousand dollars,” He stated. “I think that’s more than fair.”

“What?!”

“You’ll be able to open a business somewhere else, or do whatever you want.” Desmond continued, ignoring Onix’s outburst. “Doesn’t matter to me. I’ve already hired a new staff, so when you leave, take that old ass bouncer with you. I’m out.” Desmond stood and made his way to the door.

“Desmond! You can’t just rip this club out from under my feet! I made it what it is! You can’t do it! I won’t let you!”

“Just did, Onix. Look at the bright side, you’re too old to be around all this loud music anyway, I mean, all these half naked girls running around might give you a heart attack. I’m just looking out for you, man.”

Desmond chuckled as he made an exit out of the club. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was 10:42 P.M.

Luckily, it had stopped raining.

He planned to go ride around for a little bit and be back to the club by 11:30. He swiftly got into his car and started the ignition; he looked into his rear view mirror and took a sharp intake of breath.

Damn. Who the hell is she? Desmond thought.

The white dress that stopped mid thigh on her perfect frame, showed not too much, but just enough. Her jet-black hair stopped just above her shoulders, but it was in a set of curls so he couldn’t exactly tell how long her hair was, he just knew it was long, and that style on her was sexy.

She was posted up on the hood of a black convertible, and it looked like she was waiting for something—someone. By the anxious, yet irritated look on her face, it was obvious.

The lights from the club were gleaming on her face and it made her lip gloss look that much shinier. He had to know who she was, he knew everyone in the streets of Richmond, somehow, and she had slipped past him.

He felt like an idiot staring at her for so long, a stalker even. That’s the only reason he got out of the car so quickly and made his way over to her.

“Excuse me.” Desmond said when he was within her reach.

She looked over at him with those honey-brown eyes. “Yes?” She asked. Why the hell did she have to captivate him like this? First the body, then the face—Which was perfect enough without the pretty eyes, but leave it to her to have them—then that voice! She was beginning to piss Desmond off, and he didn’t like it.

He glanced down at his watch before answering her. “It’s almost eleven o’clock, and with all the shit going on around here, someone so beautiful shouldn’t be out here all alone.”

She blinked her eyes and looked around slowly, before her eyes landed on back on Desmond. “Well, it doesn’t seem to be anything life threatening going on tonight.” She smiled slightly, Desmond cursed mentally at it being so sexy. “Unless you’re the boogey man and you’ve come to get me, I think I’m fine.”

He stared at her a moment, and couldn’t help but to ask. “Why don’t I know you?”

She looked confused at his question. “What? Are you the type of guy who is so sure he knows everyone simply because he intimidates the people around him into telling him what he wants to know?”

“No. But I do know a lot of people.”

She smirked. “You shouldn’t brag about who you, know.”

“You shouldn’t insinuate that just because I know a lot of people that I’m intimidating.” Desmond shot back.

“You’re right…” She pushed herself off of the car and began walking toward the club. “Shame on me.” She called over her shoulder.

Desmond stood there trying to collect himself. What the hell? He thought to himself. Get it together!

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Hey guys! So at this point, what do you think of Desmond? A little cold hearted? Sexy swagg? Hmm... I wanna know. And what about this mystery girl that has him trippin?! LOL. COMMENTS make me smile! =D