Sweet Venom: A Why Choose Romance

Sebastian followed me home after he saw me grabbing coffee with Tate last Friday. I saw him watching me from across the street. I knew it would only be a matter of time before he figured out what I was up to with Blush. Hell, the place is only a few blocks over from Covet. It wasn’t a coincidence that he just happened to be sitting there. Looking back, his coffee date was probably intentionally planned as well. I didn’t leave the shop that night because I felt scared or threatened. I left because I wasn’t going to let him cow me into believing I’m not worthy of Ellis simply because he saw me having coffee with another man.

After he found me on the pool deck, he threw me into my room, took away my ability to reach the outside world, and locked the door. I spent the last week living off a box of granola bars I just happened to have in my closet and tap water from my bathroom sink.

The first day of confinement was quiet, but it wasn’t anything I wasn’t used to. However, experiencing that type of treatment as an adult threatened to send me into a panic attack. I left home and cut off all ties with my past to never be in this position again. That first day I tried to distract myself so the walls didn’t feel like they were closing in on me. I reorganized my closet, hung up all my clothes, and straightened up my room and the bathroom. On day two, my anxiety spiked, and I lay curled up in a ball in the center of my bed, refusing to believe I was confined to four walls once more. But by that evening, the dynamic changed. I was no longer subjected to silence; my nights were suddenly filled with delicious moans and tantalizing cries as I listened to Sebastian fuck women against the door and on the floor for what felt like hours. Every smack I heard him land on a woman’s ass made my thighs clench.

On the third day, my afternoon was once more spent in solitude. It was during that afternoon, as I thought of more ways to busy my mind and keep my demons at bay, that I discovered what game Sebastian was playing. When I sat in front of my nightstand to straighten it out, I found Pink Petey wasn’t in his case, hidden in the back of my drawer. No, he was lying right on top of my journal, and I know I wouldn’t have left him out like that. He is cleaned after every use and tucked back away. I may not be the best at hanging my clothes or putting my makeup back in its bag, but Petey gets the VIP treatment. That’s when I knew I was being set up.

As I stared at Pink Petey, it dawned on me that I was being watched. Closing the drawer, I got up and went to the bathroom, into the toilet room, specifically to think of my next move. It was clear he was trying to set me up. He wanted to catch me masturbating.

Masturbating alone isn’t a big deal; that wouldn’t bother Ellis but doing it to the sound of his brother fucking outside my door might. Sebastian could spin that story in so many damn ways. But that’s not even the worst of it. What hurt was wanting to. What hurt was wanting to be that girl. What hurts more is feeling like I’m no better off now than when I’d left. Knowing I wanted to be fucked hard by my boyfriend’s brother didn’t sit right with me. However, stumbling upon his plan strengthened my spirit. My days were no longer spent living in the crippling shadows of my past. Instead, they were used to plot my scornful revenge.

When I found the door to my room unlocked this morning, I didn’t expect to find my phone and computer on the kitchen island waiting for me. I have no doubt Sebastian went through them in great detail, trying to dig up any skeletons to get me gone. I don’t like knowing that he could potentially have pieces of me that I don’t share with anyone else, and a part of me can’t help but wonder if he unlocked that door because of something he found on my computer. But I dismissed the thought as soon as it came. I’m not that girl anymore. This week proved it.

Sometimes being alone with your thoughts is the worst place to be, and other times, it’s precisely what you need. Like today, when I get to enact my well-thought-out revenge. Sebastian’s car not being in the garage when I left meant there was a high probability that he would be exactly where I need him to be tonight.

Driving in to Blush, I had to stop and grab McDonald’s. I don’t typically eat fast food. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all about cheat meals, but I’ve found that for myself, I have to eat certain foods that fuel my body and give me the energy and strength I need to show up in the gym every day. But today was about eating all the calories and making up for a week of near starvation.

I could kill Sebastian for what he did to me this week. Locking me in my room: eh, whatever, not that bad. Starving sucked, but still, I could take it. No contact with the outside world when I just started this massive project: major problem. I already have to work harder just to overcome a stigma, and this fucker set me back what feels like ten years by taking away my ability to speak with my contractor. I considered giving in to what he wanted just to see if he’d let me go sooner. I thought if I gave him the show he was hoping for, that door would magically unlock, but the risk was too great. Sebastian has no idea what kind of fire he’s dealing with. If he thought he was going to get a spark, he was wrong. He’s going to get the whole damn flame.

All I had to do was get through the day. Ten hours. That was it. That was my workday. I would go in and catch up on all that I had missed this week, which included countless shipments and order delays because I wasn’t there to sign off, which no doubt put us behind schedule on a few things. I knew getting caught up and finding the time to put my plans in place for tonight wouldn’t be easy, but I hadn’t planned on Tatum Carroway. Of course, he would have to show up being overly nice, thoughtful, and concerned. I went through my texts. They had already been read, but they were still there nonetheless.

Tate tried to get a hold of me this week. Coincidentally, his last text was sent today of all days and read, ‘If you don’t come out, I’m coming in.’ After the shit week I had, I was like putty in his hands. I tried to push him away, and it worked most of the day, until it didn’t. Ellis and I still aren’t talking, and I can’t decide if that’s because he’s letting me lead or if there’s more to Sebastian’s claims that he is done. Ellis wouldn’t dare be cruel to a woman, but he could very well be leading me along, unsure of how to let me down easy. However, when I texted him this morning telling him I planned on going to war with his brother, he said, ‘Do what you need to do, baby.’ I’ve pondered that response all day.

The fact that he hasn’t come home, knowing that I’m back and his brother is still living at his place, hasn’t been lost on me. I’ve wondered if his extended leave hasn’t been purposeful. I know Ellis is a smart man; while I never came out and said I didn’t care for Sebastian, it was apparent. So I’ve considered that maybe he’s staying away so we can work it out because the man will not choose.

With all the drama surrounding our relationship and Sebastian’s sexual torture, I’ve been wound tight. I needed release, and fuck if an orgasm wasn’t the exact kind of release I needed. But I’ll be damned if my kitty doesn’t always get me into trouble.

I brought Pink Petey with me to let off some steam. I had zero plans of dressing up for Tate. My outfit was every bit a part of my revenge plan for Sebastian. I told Tate to lock up on his way out, but of course, he couldn’t just leave. He would have to be the dutiful big brother and check on me before he left. By the time he slipped into my office, I was too far gone to give a fuck, and I wasn’t lying when I told him I was thinking about him. After he’d lifted me on his shoulders to get my phone earlier, I was done.

I went straight to my office and started getting ready. I wanted nothing more than his head buried between my thighs. He works out more than me, and I’ve spent more than enough time wondering what the tattoos beneath the waistband of his gym shorts look like. The parts of his body I have snagged glances at are covered in intricate designs, all of which I know mean something to him. The man is purposeful to a fault, which is why I’m kicking myself now.

For me, our tryst was just a quick release of built-up sexual frustration, which I know was mutual. I’m not blind. I know when a man is checking me out, and while Tate had been friend-zoned, I know he’d love to be out of it, and for a few stolen moments, he was. Tate is not going to let this go, and that’s not something I’m looking forward to dealing with. I don’t want to hurt him.

Today was a mistake. Today I let Sebastian win. I’m well aware that what I did with Tate is shitty girlfriend behavior, but I’m not sure I still have that title, and if I’m honest, I’m a little pissed that I’ve been back an entire week, and Ellis has yet to make an appearance. Was I reckless? Yes. I wouldn’t blame Ellis for seeing other women while I was gone, especially after how I behaved today. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. When I’m hurting, I act out. But no more. Sebastian’s trying to push me out, and I know now I will have to fight for what I want, and that’s Ellis. Tonight, Sebastian Lykos gets his payback.

Slipping in through the hotel entrance, I plan on getting into the first level of Covet undetected. While Covet is a gentlemen’s club, the first level operates as an upscale bar with an obscene cover charge for entry to help keep its secrets and exclusivity. When I reach the entrance, Levi, the head bouncer, spots me. I expected to be noticed entering the club. My reasoning for not walking right through the front doors was to skate security cams in the event Sebastian has them pulled up in the office.

Before I left, I was helping Ellis manage the girls until he could find a new manager after his old one quit somewhat unexpectedly. She’d just finished her master’s degree and landed a job immediately that took her across the country for work. Needless to say, I know almost everyone on the payroll.

‘Vivi, get over here,’ Levi announces as he comes in for a hug. ‘How’ve you been, girl? It’s been too long.’ Then, pulling out of our embrace, he looks me up and down before adding, ‘Still fine as hell, I see.’

I swat his chest before saying, ‘Stop it, Levi. You know the rules.’ His job is to ensure the safety of both patrons and workers. However, it’s expected that he doesn’t let his attention wander. Ellis has fired bouncers for checking out the women. He says it’s in poor taste, and I have to agree, but I can’t fault Levi. I’m technically not an employee, and he and I became friends as I helped address concerns and issues the girls had as it related to how things were being managed.

Overall, there were not too many issues. Ellis honestly thought of everything when he started this place, but a few girls wanted more bouncers frequenting the hallway outside of the rooms on the VIP floor, and that’s how I got close to Levi.

Throwing his hands up, his face gets serious and maybe even a little worried, and that’s when I say, ‘You know I’m just fucking with you.’ Replaying my words in my head, my tone may not have conveyed the sarcasm. I’m too strung out on making sure my plan lands its mark tonight, but Levi and the rest of the staff are very much a part of this plan, so I need to get my act together to not raise any suspicions.

To save face, I ask, ‘How is Kara? Ready to pop?’

See, this is another reason I know Levi meant no harm with his comment. The man is happily married to his high school sweetheart with baby number two on the way.

‘She’s doing great. The baby is due next month. She thinks it’s a boy this time since nothing has been the same with this pregnancy. I told her she better hope it’s a boy because if it’s not, we’re going again.’

I roll my eyes at his antics. What is with men and wanting to have boys so bad? I have never put much thought into having children myself, but I can’t imagine caring either way what the gender is. As long as it’s a happy, healthy child, who cares? But I digress. Subtly, I attempt to redirect the conversation to my own selfish needs and ask, ‘Is Sebastian in tonight?’

‘Yeah, I believe he’s up in his office. You want me to let him know you are on your way up?’

Yes! I can feel it in my bones. This is going to be epic. ‘No, I have a surprise for him, so I’d very much appreciate it if you didn’t mention that you saw me.’

He rubs his chin, thinking it over for a second before narrowing his eyes and saying, ‘Sure, but I swear if you get me in trouble—’

I cut him off before he can finish. “I wouldn’t dream of getting you in trouble. It’s all good. I promise.’ While I may have just lied my ass off in a bad way, one that I’m sure could implicate him, I’ll do right by him and hire him on at my gym if Sebastian takes things too far with the staff tonight. Hell, by the end of the night, I might have my entire fucking gym staffed.

Levi nods for the other bouncer to lift the stanchion so I can pass through. I smile sweetly as I pass, not wanting to get dragged into further small talk. I need to meet up with Lana. I told her I would be in tonight and needed a huge favor. I’m supposed to meet her in the girls’ locker room in ten minutes. Before entering the main part of the bar, I fix my little black beret with a short veil that I added to my outfit and angle it to ensure that my face is partially covered for the cameras. Luckily, it’s Friday night, so the lower level is jam-packed, making me harder to detect.

As I reach the elevators, I quickly close the doors behind me so that no one has the chance to ride up with me and further deter me from my mission. When the doors open to the VIP lounge, I’m grateful for the dim lighting. You don’t have to be seen on this floor unless you want to be.

The VIP floor is designed with low-lighting sconces that direct light upwards and downwards, illuminating the walls in deep shades of indigo. Throughout the room, tables are adorned with candles that emit a soft glow, creating an illusion of seclusion for guests. There is a bar situated at the center of the room. The bar’s lighting imitates the blue tones of the walls, but it is illuminated from below. As a result, you only get a good look at people when they are near. This floor is very much a modern take on the speakeasy vibe.

The women on the VIP floor sign up for a certain level of service, which is listed on a tablet that patrons can scroll through and make their selections. For all intents and purposes, they are on the menu. Their profile shows their picture and a list of services they are willing to provide. They can remove or add options at any time, as well as refuse a customer altogether for any reason, no questions asked. When you select a woman, they are notified that they have been chosen for a particular service. It’s then their choice to move forward or not. The girls can refuse any member for any reason without fear of retribution. Depending on the offense and if the female found it worthy to note, the patron gets a mark against their name in the system. If or when a member accrues three warnings, they’re out.

The girls on this floor walk around in black booty shorts, four-inch heels, and a sheer white scarf that covers their breasts. They may as well be topless, but that’s the point. Technically, none of this is legal. Women can’t walk around topless for a uniform, but they aren’t. You also can’t legally accept money for sexual acts, but again they’re not. A membership to Covet gets you in the door and covers the cost of drinks, food, and looking, but anything else has a price. The girls get a flat rate for working this floor, but the services listed on the tablet come at an extra cost not covered by the membership fee. Yet another way to skate the technicalities of what’s being paid for. As for the rest, whatever happens between two consenting adults behind closed doors is their business.

When I reach the women’s locker room, a sense of victory starts to settle over me, and I haven’t even won yet, but because I haven’t been caught either, I know I will be victorious. I spot Lana putting on her wig as I enter. ‘Lana!’ I screech as I hurry over to give her a big hug.

‘Oh my god, Vivi. When you texted that you were coming in today, I half thought you were fucking with me. I can’t believe you’re here. How have you been?’

She hugs me back with just as much enthusiasm. I love Lana. Before becoming a manager for the women, she was a bartender here at the club. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in human resources, and I actually think she intends to stay on here after she gets it. Contrary to popular belief, most of the women at this club are extremely intelligent, educated women who don’t mind using their god-given gifts to get ahead. They are not, in fact, brainless idiots looking for a rich man to solve all their problems. It’s technically in the rules that dating is strictly prohibited. The girls could lose their job, while patrons would lose their memberships and be blacklisted.

Covet shares their blacklisted individuals with similar clubs across the US to ensure that problematic members don’t go elsewhere and cause the same issues or jeopardize the safety of any other individuals. With what is offered here, there is a fine line between decent and indecent. I know Ellis is strict compared to other clubs, and it’s one of the things I admire about him. He sticks to his beliefs and morals even when others don’t agree. It’s vital in this business to not bend. When you start to make exceptions, lines get blurred, and before you know it, they are crossed.

‘Girl, I missed you so much. I’m so sorry I went MIA. I just needed some time away to figure out my shit.’ Lana knows more than some of my closest girlfriends about some of the struggles I was going through as it relates to my relationship with Ellis. Sometimes talking to someone who doesn’t know your backstory is easier. You don’t feel like you’re letting them down, you don’t have anything to prove, and they take your words at face value with no preconceived connotations about how things should or shouldn’t be because of your background. It’s refreshing.

‘I’m just glad your back. I’m sure the girls will be happy to see you too. I’ll tell you what, stepping out of your shadow has been a challenging feat. I know I’m not chopped liver, but they adored you.’

‘Lana, your modesty is one of the things I love about you. You are completely oblivious to how incredible you are.’

Taking a step back, I sit on the long, tufted ottoman that runs the center of the room with a heavy conscious. Seeing Levi and Lana has my next moves weighing heavy on my heart. I know I’m about to kick the hornet’s nest and it has me questioning the cost of revenge.

‘Why the long face, Vivi? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so glum.’

I let my lungs deflate with resolve. I’ve been planning this moment all week. I’ve thought through the cost, and ultimately, it’s worth it to put assholes like Sebastian in their place. ‘I have a huge favor to ask, Lana.’

She comes over and sits next to me. ‘Anything, Vivi. I got your back. You know this.’

I‘ve been behind the bar serving drinks for ten minutes, and honestly, I’m surprised I’ve made it this long without a scene. It’s been about as long since all of the girls left. I’m starting to wonder if Sebastian doesn’t have one bent over his desk in the office, distracting him from what’s happening on the floor. While having relations with the staff is strictly prohibited, I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s the complete opposite of Ellis. Where Ellis plays by the rules, Sebastian was born to break them.

Before I asked Lana to let all the girls off for the evening, I had them make their final round and top off everyone’s glasses. I didn’t want there to be a mass exodus. I wanted the shoe to drop slowly, inconspicuously, until it couldn’t be ignored. Getting all the girls to cooperate and buy in was no cheap task. I paid everyone’s salary for the night, including girls with private rooms lined up, plus a tip to make it worth the risk. My pocketbook is hurting right now. I basically put every last dollar I had into Blush, and what I spent tonight was needed to get me through until I could start turning profits, but I’m not concerned. I’ll figure it out.

I’m just pouring a whiskey double and making small talk with Mr. Mercer, one of the regulars who frequented the club back when I was here, when a hand squeezes my shoulder hard. I press my lips together firmly to keep from groaning out my discomfort, and then I feel his hot breath on my neck before he says, ‘What the fuck do you think you’re doing here?’

It takes me great effort not to snap back and match the ire in his tone, but I hold my tongue while I internally smile from ear to ear. My mere presence has affected him so much that he hasn’t yet caught onto the bigger picture of what’s going on here. Sliding Mr. Mercer’s glass across the marble bar top, I school my expression and pour sweet honey into my tone when I say, ‘Well, someone has to serve the drinks.’

His eyes hold mine for a beat before my words click, and he quickly scans the floor. I watch as rage slowly starts to take over his stupidly handsome face. That’s right, fucker! Payback. Payback is a bitch.

‘What did you do?’

He grabs my arm hard, his nails biting into my skin as he pulls me to the back of the bar. ‘You’re going to pay for this, vipera.’

Before I even have a chance to question what he’s doing, he pulls the fire alarm under the bar top and ushers me back toward the hallway where the office is located at the far end. While my fun was short-lived, watching his face as I evened the score was worth every second. I won’t be bullied into submission. With that last thought, I pull my arm out of his grip.

‘I’m not an object, Sebastian. You can’t force me to come with you against my will.’

‘The fuck I can’t.’

He grabs me by the back of the neck and pushes me forward, and that’s when I fight back. I stop dead in my tracks and stab my stiletto into his foot, hard. His grip on me momentarily loosens, allowing me the opportunity to escape. I’m not scared of Sebastian, but fuck if I’m letting him lock me up again. My heartbeat inherently skyrockets as I run down the hallway, my body buzzing from the thrill of the chase. I knew he’d be mad, but this—this is next-level.

Just as I pull the door to the stairs open, he slams it shut, crushing me against the knob which is jutting into my stomach. Then, pulling my hair away from my face as my hands are pinned, he snarls, ‘You created the fire. You don’t get to run away because you got burned.’

‘Fuck off, Sebastian, and let me go. You had it coming.’

‘Sorry, vipera, that’s no longer an option. You see, I let you go this morning, and look what you did.’

His weight shifts as he moves to pull my wrists from my front to my back. I don’t make it easy, using all my strength to firmly pin them at my front. I refuse to give him an advantage. ‘Stop fighting me. I can take you by your hands or pull you by your hair, kicking and screaming. You choose.’

I relent momentarily, letting him believe I’m agreeing to his terms, only to elbow him in the ribs and throw my head back into his jaw.

‘You fucking bitch.’

This time, I take off running the opposite way, determined to make it to Ellis’s office. His office is a fortress. With the push of a button, no one is coming through that door unless I let them in. I’m only hoping my fingerprint is still saved in the door’s biometrics. Since he didn’t take me off the penthouse, I’m fairly confident he didn’t remove me here. I don’t even allow myself to glance in Sebastian’s direction for fear that losing a second could cost me opening that door.

My thumb hits the scanner, and immediately the door opens. Thank god. I quickly squeeze in, not wanting to swing it open more than needed and risk him catching it and slamming it behind me. As soon as I’m in, I fly across the room to the button I know is located right under Ellis’s desk to seal the room from the inside. Dropping to my knees, my fingers shakily find the switch, and just as they run over its cool smoothness, I press it, and the lights flicker off. Shit.

I can still hear the distant sound of the fire alarms blaring in the hallway, and because I’ve never actually pushed the button, I’m left to wonder if the lights shutting off is part of the process. Regardless, being plunged into complete darkness is creepy as hell.

I start feeling around the top of the desk, looking for anything that could put out light. That’s when I remember Ellis keeps tablets for the VIP floor in the shelving unit behind his desk. Since I’m already on my knees, I crawl the short distance behind me until I feel the cabinets and pull one open. As I run my hands over the contents, I feel paper, folders, pens, and a printer. Damn it. I scoot over and open the next door, and my hands immediately land on a tablet. Yes.

With the tablet in hand, I stand up to illuminate the office and contemplate my next move. I was planning on calling Ellis, but I’m unsure if the landline will work now that the lights are out. As I hit the home key to wake up the tablet, I hold it out in front of me to light the way, only to be met with the most sinister set of eyes I’ve ever seen.

‘Looking for something?’