Chapter 9

**Kade**


I finally give up on Claire after three hours. I don’t hear crying, so I’m assuming she’s calmed down.
Or, she killed herself.

“Fuck it.” I whisper to myself and pound on the door. If she did harm herself and I did nothing, I would never forgive myself. I pick the lock and let myself inside. It’s quiet. A little too quiet. I sigh in relief when I see Claire curled up in a ball on her bed. Taking her wrist, I can breathe when I feel a strong pulse. She didn’t hurt herself. So, that’s a big relief.

I’m sorry, sweetheart.

I find myself sliding into her bed and wrapping my arms around her. She whimpers slightly, but then continues to sleep. I know she told me to leave, but I can’t. Claire has been such a good friend to me. She listened to my sob story of how Selina and I fell apart. Fuck. She even lets me use her body to release the tension. Now it’s my turn to repay her.

“I’m sorry, darling.” I say, kissing her temple.

“Kade?” Claire whispers, “I thought I told you to leave.”

She doesn’t sound angry. Sad, but not pissed. So, that’s a good sign, right?

She sighs, “I had a son.”

“Had?”

“Yes,” Claire takes a deep breath, “My ex husband killed him.”

“I’m sorry.”

The apology is sincere.

“I’m sorry I kicked you out, but I didn’t want you to see me this way.”

“Don’t worry about it, we all have to break down once and a while. You did see me break down, so lets call it even.”

I pull her closer and place another kiss to her temple. It’s not intimate. Just a friendly kiss to let her know I’m here for her. That she isn’t alone.

“Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

“I took some time off.”

Aiden has been blowing my phone up. Giovanni too. I’ve ignored the constant calls I know they probably want to talk about why I left. Right now, Claire needs me. My friend needs me.

“Are you going to answer that?”

“They can wait.”

“Aiden?”

“And Giovanni too. Some rich prick probably spilled whiskey on his Armani suit.”

She laughs at my joke.

“Probably.”

For some reason, I feel comfortable with Claire. Like I can be myself around her.

“I should get up. I have to go to work today.” Claire says.

“Call in.”

“I can’t. I need the money.”

“I’ll pay you if you stay home.”

“P-pay me? Don’t be ridiculous, Kade.”

“I’ll pay you to take it easy. Five thousand dollars in your pocket if you let me take you out to dinner.”

Claire twists her body to face me and frowns, “I don’t want your money. You’ve alredy done more than enough.”

“Then, let me buy you dinner.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes, I’ll let you buy me dinner.”

My phone buzzes again, making me groan. “I wish they’d just leave me alone.”

“You should answer it. It could be important.”

I grab my phone and roll my eyes at the text.

Frankie: When are you coming back???
Frankie: Answer the goddamn phone, Kade.
Frankie: Fine, fuck you too.

The next one makes my blood boil.

Frankie: Did you know Selina left the club with Zane?

“Fucking Zane,” I hiss under my breath.

“What’s wrong?”

“Is Selina seeing Zane?”

“Not that I know of. Why?”

“Apparently, they left the club together.”

“I’m sorry, Kade.”

I suck in a breath and close my eyes. The only thing that flashes through my head is Zane and Selina. He’s touching her. She’s touching him. Kissing him. Fucking him in one of those rooms. The very rooms I despise.

“Oh, shit,” I hear Claire whisper.

“What? Tell me.”

“Zane, he’s been coming into the club more than usual. Not for a drink either.”

“Tell me he’s not coming to see her.”

“I’m sorry, but I overheard her talking to Nicole. You know, Alec’s sister. Well, she told her she’s been going to X-Tasy.”

“Zane’s club.”

She nods, “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you, but got a little sidetracked.”

“It’s okay. Thanks for telling me. I’ll be back later, there’s something I need to take care of. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock tonight.”

***

I clench my fists when I see Zane and Selina sitting at a booth. She’s smiling at him as he leans in close. I storm across the club to be stopped by Giovanni and Luca.

Giovanni shakes his head, “Not here, Kade.”

“Get out of my way, old man.”

“I’ll let that one slide. Go home.”

“I’m going to tell you one more time. Get. Out. Of. My. Way.”

“They’re just friends.”

“Really?! Friends don’t let them fuck them.”

Luca cocks his head to the side, “Like you do with Claire?”

I glare at him. He just chuckles softly and shakes his head. I go to move past them, but Giovanni nods. A pair of arms grab me and pull my arms behind my back. I hear Vladimir say, “Walk away, Kade. Don’t make me put these cuffs on you.”

I sigh as I glance in Zane’s direction. I know this isn’t the time to confront him. I hate it, but what else can I do. I’m like a helpless mouse cornered by a cat. I’m the mouse and Giovanni is the hungry cat.

“Fine, I’m calm. Can you let go now?”

“Come with me, Kade. We need to talk.”