TOTAL ECLIPSE: The Evolution (Sin City Heat Series Book 7) (24 page)

After Darrell left Angel’s and Nikki’s, he contemplated what to do with himself next. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was after three. Still early. Needing to keep busy, he went back to his office and caught up on some of the paperwork he’d been putting off doing and tried to block out the argument he and Jerra had gotten into.

A couple of hours had passed when he heard a soft knock on the door that pulled his attention away from a proposal he’d been working on. “Come in.”

Darrell glanced up from his computer when the door opened and saw that it was the young temp who had been sitting in for his secretary. Janelle was on maternity leave and wouldn’t be back for six weeks.

“Hey, Susan, what’s up?” Darrell tried to curb his impatience when she came in and closed the door behind her instead of just telling him what she wanted. “Leave the door open, please.”

“Oh, yes sir.” Susan quickly did as he asked with a slightly embarrassed smile.

“Was there something you needed?”

In her mid-twenties, Susan was more than proficient at her job, but Darrell couldn’t wait for Janelle to get back. Although he made sure his interaction with the young woman was strictly professional and above reproach, he knew she wouldn’t have minded providing him with more than just secretarial services. Lately, she was becoming bolder, finding little ways to make that known. Darrell wasn’t enthused about having to repeat the process again of finding a temporary secretary until Janelle came back, but if push came to shove…

“Well, that’s what I was getting ready to ask you,” she grinned. “I’ll be leaving soon. Is there anything else you’d like me to do?”

“No, I’m fine, thanks. Matter of fact, you can leave now. Have a good weekend.” His smile was tight as he turned his attention back to his work.

“Oh, no I wasn’t hinting around for you to let me leave early,” she said quickly.

“I know, but I’ll be wrappin’ things up myself in a little bit,” he answered without looking up. “Wouldn’t want you to think I’m some kind of slave driver, or somethin’.” The corner of his mouth lifted in an absent smile.

“I don’t think that at all. In fact, I think you’re wonderful to work for. It’s just that…well, since I broke up with my boyfriend recently, I have a lot a free time on my hands.” Susan hesitated before adding, “I, uh, guess you kind of know how that feels. Going through a breakup, I mean.”

Darrell had been more or less tuning her out, but when her words finally penetrated, he looked up slowly. The message in his eyes was far from inviting. “Excuse me?”

Susan blinked nervously when she heard the tone of his voice change. “I’m sorry, I hope you don’t think I’m prying, but I overheard you and Carl discussing your separation when you were in his office last week. I just wanted to let you know I understand what it feels like to go through something like that.” She took a few steps closer to his desk, smoothing her hands down the sides of her clingy dress. “If, um, if you ever need to…talk or…anything…” She let the sentence hang between them suggestively.

Darrell sat back in his chair, his expression thunderous. “Let’s get something straight. First of all, you and your boyfriend breaking up is nothing remotely similar to my situation which, by the way is none of your business.”

Susan immediately realized her mistake. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to suggest–”

“I know exactly what you were trying to
suggest
. Susan, let me be blunt, because quite honestly, I don’t know any other way to be. Janelle hired you to replace her
temporarily
because you came highly recommended. I have no complaints about the work you’ve been doing here. But my personal life? That’s off limits and not up for discussion. Am I making myself clear?”

“I…y-yes, sir. I’m sorry,” she said hurriedly. “I shouldn’t have–”

“No you
shouldn’t
have,” Darrell snapped. “The next time you overstep the boundaries of employer and employee, you’ll be looking for another job. You understand me?” Darrell’s voice was razor sharp as he delivered the verbal reprimand with the cutting sharpness of a leather whip.

Susan nodded rapidly and took several steps back. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry it won’t happen again.”

“Make sure it doesn’t. Matter of fact–” Darrell was seconds away from telling her it was best she not come back after today when his phone rang. He hesitated before snatching up the phone. “Yeah,” he barked.

“Damn, is that the way you greet your callers at work?”

“Who is this?” Darrell snapped, his eyes still on Susan. He wasn’t in the mood for games. In the next instant, the amused chuckle from the other end gave him his answer. “Hawk?”

“Yeah it’s me,” Hawk answered slowly. “What’s wrong with you? Catch you at a bad time, Cousin?”

“Just a sec.” After putting the phone on hold, he glowered at the nervous woman in front of him. Lips tightening, he said reluctantly, “We’ll put this incident behind us…
this
time. But don’t let it happen again, or I’ll terminate you on the spot.”

A look of overwhelming relief crossed her face. “Thank you so much. I can’t afford to lose this job. Again, I’m so sorry.”

“Why don’t you call it a day and we’ll start fresh on Monday.”

“Thank you,” she nodded and scurried to the door.

Darrell waited until she left his office before connecting the call. “Sorry about that. What’s up? How are you?”

“I’m good. How are you and the family?”

Darrell sighed and rubbed his forehead as he thought about Jerra, but only said, “They’re fine, thanks.”

“Good to hear it. Look, I don’t have but a few minutes, I’m already late for a meeting, but I’ve been intending to call you. I’m planning on opening another club soon, this time in Miami. I want to call it
Club Paradise
.”

“Okay.” Darrell leaned back in his chair and propped his size fourteen boots up on the desk. “An extension of the other three. Miami is a great location.”

“It is. Being that you used to own the other three, I’d like to pick your brain a bit and get your opinion about a few things.”

Darrell frowned.  That wasn’t what he’d been expecting. “What things?”

“Not trying to be vague here, Cousin, but I really don’t have time to go into it over the phone. I’m flying into Vegas tomorrow evening. If you’re not busy, we can get together and talk, maybe visit
Club Ecstasy
while I’m there. That way I can show you what changes I plan on implementing for the club in Miami. That cool with you?”

Darrell thought about the bleak weekend he had ahead of him. He hadn’t been looking forward to it at all. Marcus was working a double at the hospital, and he was sure Dom would be staying home to enjoy some alone time with Keisha since the kids wouldn’t be there. Carl was out of town on business and he didn’t feel like putting on a fake façade if he called anyone else, so he’d resigned himself to his own company. But that also meant he would have time to think and he didn’t want to do that. Hawk’s call was actually right on time.

“Yeah, that’s more than cool,” Darrell told him.

Hawk had been rushing about while talking to Darrell on speaker, but paused when he heard the strange tone in Darrell’s voice. “Everything alright, man? Anything you want to talk about?”

Darrell hesitated then shook his head. “Nah. Just need something to occupy my mind right now.”

Deciding not to push the issue for now, Hawk let it go. “Okay. Soon as I get there and check into the hotel, I’ll give you a buzz.”

Darrell laughed and shook his head at Hawk’s energy. “No need for that. I’ll pick you up and you can stay with me.”

“Great. Sounds like a plan. See ya’ then.”

CHAPTER 27

After Darrell hung up the phone with Hawk, he had to admit that he felt a little better. He and Hawk may have started off of the wrong foot, but after the dinner in New York, Darrell felt as if he’d gotten to know all of his cousins a little better.

For instance, Lucas sort of reminded him of Angel. Quiet, deadly, but fiercely loyal to his family. The way he’d deftly deactivated the situation between Darrell and Hawk and taken control showed Darrell the others looked at him as the unofficial leader of the group, the heir apparent to the Pattel throne.

King was somewhat of an enigma. He wasn’t born a Pattel, but there was no doubt he was one of them. He always seemed to be on edge. Even though there had been Pattel soldiers sitting one table over from theirs at the restaurant, King constantly kept watch, glancing around, always on the alert. He was a man Darrell would want to have for him rather than against him if it ever came down to that.

And Hawk? Darrell was beginning to learn that there was more to the youngest Pattel than met the eye. He gave off an air of being a spoiled, carefree playboy, but Darrell was convinced it was an act that he deliberately stepped into when it suited him, a camouflage of sorts that allowed him to scope out people and situations without them being aware they were being observed. As the evening had worn on and Darrell listened, Hawk had reminded him a little bit of Marcus. He was brilliant. His mind always seemed to be ten paces ahead of everyone else’s. By the time the rest of them came to a conclusion about a particular subject, Hawk had reached it miles before and sat back waiting on everyone else to catch up.

Darrell’s stomach growled noisily, reminding him how hungry he was. Standing, he turned his computer off. At least his most pressing decision about what he was going to do next was taken care of. Maybe he’d slide by
O’Ryan’s
for a few hours, get a bite to eat and watch the game before heading home and getting shit-faced drunk. It wasn’t something he did very often but it was preferable to sitting around thinking about Jerra.

The two of them were growing further and further apart. He could feel it but didn’t know what to do to fix it…or where to even start. They were so disconnected and that was something he wasn’t used to. Matter of fact, it scared the hell out of him to think about what that could eventually mean for their marriage if something didn’t change soon.

The next afternoon, Darrell picked Hawk up from the airport, ribbing him all the way to the condo about having to take a commercial flight because Joseph had use of the private jet. They went back and forth trading good-natured insults before making casual conversation and catching up. Darrell mentioned he was staying at his condo for a while and left it at that. Hawk just nodded and didn’t ask any questions. Once Darrell unlocked the door to his place, he gave Hawk a quick tour and showed him the bedroom where he’d be staying.

“This place is boss, I’m tellin’ ya’, Cous’.” Following Darrell back to the living room, Hawk looked around, obviously impressed. “The entire building is a masterpiece.”

“Thanks, man,” Darrell said, giving Hawk a beer.

“I’m almost positive you didn’t have any problems selling these units,” he said, staring out of the floor to ceiling sliding doors. “I mean, look at that view. Bet it’s gorgeous at night.”

“Can’t beat it.”

“Sweet. By the way, you should hear the way Lucas and Renzo go on and on about that resort your company built in California.” Hawk looked at Darrell with admiration and respect gleaming in his eyes. “They’re finally making plans to go next month.”

Darrell laughed. “I know. Every time I talk to Lorenzo, he always manages to bring the conversation around to it.”

“Yeah, those two are true golf fanatics, but it’s not my thing. Not enough action.” A picture of D.J. and Darrell sitting on an end table caught Hawk’s attention. He walked over to it and picked it up. “This your lil’ man, huh?”

“Yeah, that’s him. My pride and joy.”

“I see why. Wouldn’t mind meeting him one day. Handsome lil’ dude. ”

“Thanks, man.”

Placing the picture back on the table he took a sip of the beer Darrell had given him then asked, “So how long you been crashing here?”

Darrell glanced at Hawk before sitting and gesturing for Hawk to have a seat in one of the chairs. “About a month, I guess. Around the same time I came to New York.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

Darrell shrugged. “It is what it is.”

“You think you and your wife will be able to patch things up?”

“I’m workin’ on it. Got a lot of things I need to deal with first, but bottom line is, I love my wife. No other choice but to make things work.”

“I hear that, man. Best of luck to you.”

“So what’s really up with you and ADA Randolph?” Darrell grinned.

Hawk looked at Darrell in surprise. “What do mean?”

Darrell laughed. “Come on, boy, why you bullshittin’? I saw the way you kept staring at her during dinner. When she left with dude, I thought you were going to bust a vein or somethin’.”

“Yeah, that asshole was lucky Lo came over when he did, buckin’ up to me like he’d lost his got damn mind,” Hawk chuckled.

“I don’t know what plan you and Angel have cooked up, and like I said, I don’t wanna know, but whatever it is, you and Raven got serious chemistry. That’s something you can’t fake.”

Hawk studied Darrell for a few moments before nodding slowly. “Yeah, I guess we do, but I have ‘chemistry’ with a lot of women. Nothing that a couple of nights of hot, sweaty sex won’t cure.”

“Keep tellin’ yourself that. You and Renzo both. I’ve been there. Sometimes it’s easier to just give in than to fight it or stay in denial.”

Hawk’s expression turned pensive as he stared at the bottle in his hand. “Yeah, but can you see a Pattel with someone like Raven?”

“Worked for Angel. He and Nikki have a great marriage.”

“That’s different. For one thing, Nikki wasn’t determined to nail Angelo’s ass to the wall.” He frowned and shook his head, dismissing everything that Darrell just said. “Nah, I’m doing what I have to in order to protect my family and our freedom, know what I mean?”

“I can respect that. Must be a hard position to be in, wanting a woman who has the power to destroy you. So what’s the plan, destroy her first?”

Hawk’s eyes grew intense as they rested on Darrell. “Do I have any other choice?”

Darrell hesitated as if he wanted to say something but shrugged instead.

Hawk cocked his head and lifted his chin. “Go on, what?”

“Alright. I’m not pretending to be a saint. Far from it. I’ve done some things that would get me serious time if they ever came to light. Some were done out of necessity, some out of a sense of revenge, but it’s not a way of life for me. I think about Angel sometimes and wonder the same thing I do about your family: Doesn’t it get old living like that?”

“To be honest, I’ve never thought about anything else because this is just the way things are and have always been. Everyone has their role, their area of expertise that interests them, so to speak. I deal more with entertainment, which includes, restaurants, clubs, the music industry. Lorenzo oversees the legal side, makes sure every
i
is dotted and every
t
is crossed so that we don’t get caught up. Lucas is the CEO of our corporate businesses, one of the smartest dudes I know, and King’s the number cruncher, makes sure the books are balanced and the money is right. As far as the…questionable side of our operation, we know no other life than this.”

“You don’t think about what will happen if your luck runs out one day and it all blows up in your face?”

Hawk shook his head. “It’s not going to.”

“How do you know that, man? That ain’t a business you grow old in and simply retire.”

“We make our own luck. No one can control what happens, right? Hell, life itself is a risk.” Hawk sat back and propped his elbow on the back of the couch while regarding Darrell. He tilted his head to the side. “You ever think that in spite of everything you went through, maybe you were the lucky one?”

“Maybe.”

“I’m gonna tell you something. You don’t think I’d love to have what you got one day? A wife, a kid, home in the ‘burbs.”

“Who says you can’t?”

“My last name, that’s what. Just the reality of things.”

The two of them were quiet for a while, each lost in their own individual reflections of their lives until Darrell asked, “So what exactly did you want my input about with the new club?”

Hawk took a deep breath and redirected his thoughts to the matter at hand. “Well, the thing that’s so unique about
Ecstasy, Fantasy
, and
Bliss
is that they’re similar, yet different in their own way. I’m sure you know what I mean.”

Darrell nodded. “I do. That was done purposely to reflect the vibe of the cities they’re in. Atlanta, Vegas, and New York are some of the most popular party cities in the U.S. With you adding Miami to the mix, you’re gonna be golden, son.”

“Exactly.” Hawk smiled and nodded, glad that he and Darrell were on the same page. “Those three clubs bring in more revenue than any others we own, and that’s saying a lot. I’m looking to keep the momentum going with
Paradise
, bring some of that South Beach flava–”

“While still keeping it in line with the original formula that’s proven to be such a success for all these years.” Darrell smoothly finished Hawk’s train of thought.

“Yes.” Hawk’s smile widened. “I want
Paradise
to be over the fucking top, lavish enough to attract wealthy VIPs, celebrities, athletes, entertainers… The atmosphere is just different in Miami.”

“Most definitely. Miami’s known for its energy, glitz, and glam, we already know that. I think you should make it a point to cater to the area’s eclectic tastes when it comes to music, beverage choices, things like that. Speaking of music, what do you think about live shows by well-known artists for special occasions? That would put it over the top and a step ahead for sure, especially with your contacts. Is the venue large enough?”

Hawk nodded thoughtfully. “Hell yeah. I like that. The building is huge, multi-levels with a rotating VIP.”

Darrell’s face reflected his growing excitement as did Hawk’s. “That’s some hot shit.”

The two of them sat forward, bouncing ideas off each other, ushering conceptions into existence, outlining what Hawk’s plan of action should be. Darrell’s phone rang twice, but seeing that it was Jerra, he did what he’d been doing all day when she called, sent it to voicemail before returning his attention to Hawk.

A couple of hours passed before they realized it. Since they’d worked up an appetite, Darrell suggested they go grab a bite before going to
Club Ecstasy
, so after showering and getting dressed, they headed out to do just that.

Halfway through the meal, Jerra called. Again. Hawk glanced at Darrell’s phone. “Somebody’s been trying hard to get in touch with you. Sure you don’t need to answer?”

Darrell looked away without answering, then with a deep sigh, snatched the phone up and connected the call. “Yeah.”

Silence met his cool greeting before Jerra managed to find her voice. Her tone was hesitant, as if shocked he’d actually answered the phone. “Darrell?”

“Yep.”

“I’ve been trying to call you since yesterday. Why haven’t you answered, or at least called me back?”

“Like I told you when I left your office, there’s nothing to talk about.”

“There’s a lot to talk about. Darrell–”

“Where are you?” Darrell suddenly asked with a scowl when he heard music and laughter in the background. Of course he knew, but he intentionally did it to remind her of just why he was pissed off in the first place.

“I’m, um, at the…the party.”

“Mmhm. Well, tell ya’ what, I’m actually being rude to my dinner guest, so I’m gonna hang up and get back to what I was doing, and let you get back to your party.” Darrell could almost see her mind racing as his words sunk in.

“Oh. Uh, okay. Tell Marcus or Dom I said hello.”

Darrell smirked. He’d bet anything that she’d talked to Aleesha and knew Marcus was working a double shift tonight, and since Dominick and Keisha didn’t have the kids, there was no way Dom was wasting a rare free night and opportunity to be alone with his wife on him.

“When I see them, I will.”

“Oh,” she said again. Then as if she couldn’t help herself, she asked, “Who are you having dinner with?”

“It’s not important. Besides, like you told me earlier, I don’t owe you any explanations. Have a good night, Jerra.”

Darrell hung up in the middle of her calling his name. Picking up his fork, he proceeded to polish off his steak and wash it down with a glass of the expensive wine they’d ordered. Feeling Hawk’s eyes boring into him, he finally looked up from his plate. “What?”

“Nothing, man. You’re evil, that’s all. Just plain evil.”

A slow smile spread across Darrell’s face. “Yeah, guess I am. ”

“Nice to know you consider me a ‘dinner guest’, though.”

“Fuck you, Hawk,” he laughed, wiping his mouth with his napkin before throwing it down on the table. “Ready?”