Amber and I got ready for dinner. We had to wear something more appropriate as the restaurant we were going to is very high end.
I curled my hair, applied fresh makeup, and pulled on a tight floor length navy dress. It was off the shoulder and hung to my curves. I pulled on my favorite black stilettos, lace gloves, and pearl necklace, how classy. Amber had not brought anything classy along so we ordered her a classy white dress suit with a black silk dress shirt. I loved the power suit look on women.
We met Joe, James, Miles, and Claire in the lobby. The guys wore black suits while Claire wore a black velvet dress with low heels. She looked stunning. I caught Joe looking at her several times. I thought James might as they had a relationship for awhile, but his eyes never left me.
“Oh, hot damn!” I heard behind me. Jamie looked drop dead gorgeous. She wore a pale blue silk dress with white silk gloves to her elbows. It made her hair look even brighter than it was. God, I think I may hate her.
“Wow, Jamie, you look incredible.” I whispered to her as she kissed both of my cheeks. Hermie stood silently behind her, exchanging nods with James, they never exactly got along. He wore a burgundy suit with a black under shirt. He looked so handsome.
We left the building and walked across the street to the restaurant. It was expensive from its crystal chandeliers, marble floors, top shelf liquor, and caviar. I despised it all, I could really go for street truck food right about now.
Amber grabbed us a complementary drink as we waited to be ushered to the room we would be dinning in.
When walking in I dropped my purse. When I reached down to pick it up, I saw a man’s shoes, making me straighten up. Oh fuck.
“Fallon Hernandez.”
“Helix Halik.” He grabbed my hand pulling it to his lips.
“You are more gorgeous than I have heard.” He planted a kiss on my hand. “I’m glad you are here, Jamie mentioned you were in town, finally.”
I looked over to Jamie who looked nervous, but she kept smiling. Hermie, James, Miles, and Joe all looked nervous as well. Helix whispered in the ear of who I am assuming is one of his employees. That employee then announced that all ‘help’ must join him for dinner in a different room. The guys all shook their heads. Joe finally spoke up, “I will not be leaving Mrs. Hernandez’s side. I will, however, overlook her from the corner, if that pleases sir.” He said dryly.
Helix raised his eyebrows before speaking. “Mrs. Hernandez will be safe with me, bodyguard. This room is for businessmen and women, not the help.” I looked at Joe and shook my head.
“With all do respect, Helix, I will order my men out myself.” I motioned for them to leave before turning back to a grinning Helix.
“I love the way you just command a room, Fallon. My god, you are beautiful. So tell me, how is business these days?” We made small talk about business before drinks came around. Amber was in the corner talking with Justin, Hermie must have invited him. Hermie and Jamie sat in front of the fireplace and talked softly.
“Helix, why are you really here?” I finally asked. He smiled before pulling my hand into his.
“We have business to discuss, gorgeous.” I pierced my lips. “You took something from me, Fallon, and I want a little revenge. That is fair don’t you say?” I cocked my head sideways and pierced my lips again. He smiled, watching my lips. “Felix was the best at what he did, Fallon, Iven his son, is a fucking joke. You took Felix from me, my profits dropped, and Iven keeps harming the whores. He really doesn’t like you.” He was smiling feverishly now.
“How did his shoulder heel?” I smiled sexily at Helix. Helix returned the smile. We made small talk until dinner came. Helix was a very intuitive businessman, he was softer than I thought he would have been. From all the stories I heard, he was a mean bastard, but he was gentle with me.
Helix made me sit by him as we ate. When dessert arrived, he placed his hand on my thigh. I held my breath, jumping at his touch. I ate my dessert quickly before standing.
“Where to, gorgeous?” He asked with a wicked smile.
“To my club, Helix.” I returned his smile before leaving the room, finally able to breathe again.
Joe and James walked quickly over to me in the lobby. James grabbed my back and helped me out the door. I had to change before we left for the club. Joe quickly stepped in front of James so he would let go of me. “Oh, fucking quit you two! I cannot handle this right now! Joe, James is one of my most trusted friends and allies so quit! You walk behind me and fucking stay there! James, Joe is also my security detail, hired by the Hernandez’s’ and he is also here to stay. So, figure out how you two are going to get along and leave me out of it!” I yelled before grabbing Amber’s hand and running across the street.
She whispered how harsh I was as we ran and I mouthed to her that I didn’t care and we laughed. Once we got to our rooms we changed, Amber back into her original outfit and me into a mid-thigh cherry red dress with thin gold straps and gold high heels. I took off my pearls and added a simple gold chain and bracelets. I freshened up my red lipstick and met Amber in the foyer.
She was on the sofa with Justin. He was still as cute as ever with his dirty blonde hair and abs. I was so happy Amber and him were getting along. “Oh shit!” I heard from the doorway. Jamie. “How the hell do you look good in absolutely everything?” she asked, looking stunning in her black leather dress and heels. Hermie looked me up and down, looking away when James saw him.
We left for the club, considering it was less than 5 blocks away, we decided to walk, it would be faster in this city than driving. Amber hooked her arm in mine, and we walked to the club.
When Josh, the bouncer saw me, he smiled big and curtsied to me. “My god, Fallon, long time no see, boss.” He said giving me a handsome wink. He tried pulling me in for a hug, but Joe put a hand on his chest and made him stop. “Oh shit, with the muscle too, I see?” Josh was funny. I gave him a smile before hugging him and kissing his cheek, making Joe clench his teeth.
Once inside, we made our way to the VIP section. Sarah waved at me from the office. I told everyone to grab a drink and that I would be back shortly. Joe did not sit, he followed me to the office. Sarah opened the door and gave me a nervous look. I cocked my head before pushing past her. “Helix, I thought our business could wait until tomorrow.” I gave him a small smile, closing my eyes.
“Business never ends, Fallon.” He said standing up, grabbing my hand and kissing it. “You look absolutely stunning.” he said, eyeing me, hungrily. “Red is a color for you.” He pulled me in, kissing my cheek. I was stiff. “Loosen up around me, gorgeous, it will make our dealings easier. Where is this husband of yours?” he asked, annoyed by my stiffness.
“Maximo is in Mexico, dealing with his business, this is my business, Helix, any of its dealings is done through me.” He laughed, evily.
“You don’t understand how the cartel works, Fallon. You are owned by the Hernandez and Halik Cartel’s, your family has been owned for the last 25 years by the Hernandez Cartel. You may run this business, but the cartel owns it.”
I was annoyed. I pulled my hand out of his. “Helix, I have built my clubs on my own, I built my business from the ground up. How dare you disrespect me in that manner in my own club.” He laughed again, pulling out a cigar.
“Honey why don’t you grab Fallon and me a drink.” He said to Sarah. She left the room. “You, the help, wait outside. Your boss and I have business to discuss.” Joe stood for a moment before one of Helix’s guys grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room.
Helix grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him. He pushed me down onto the sofa before sitting next to me and putting his hand on my bare thigh. “Fallon, you are a strong woman but this is not the line of work for you. I will take over this club and make it prosper.” As he talked, he puffed on his cigar, filling the room with heavy smoke. He laid out his terms and his offer. He finally stopped talking.
“No.” I said before trying to stand up, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back down.
“Then we must come up with different terms. Divorce Maximo and become my wife.”