chapter 20

Craig POV

I gather my things. I didn't tell Jayne but I booked myself a room at the

hotel across the street from the two of them. I plan to make things

right. Lila came back this morning as nothing happened. She thinks I

don't know she is trying to expose me and the auction. I offered to give

her everything but now I just want to get this behind me and shut

everything down.

The three women were auctioned off last night but unfortunately one

of the women was not ready. Draco bought her and now he is pissed

off. I made a deal with him to make sure to get her primed and ready

for him. The things that include do not make me feel good about

myself. I have to have her ready soon and get her out of the house

before Tatina is back home. I need her here with me.

I will play nice with Lila just until we take care of this little problem. As

soon as all this is taken care of Lila is gone. I can take Tatina and maybe

we could go somewhere else. We could move far away from all of this

and give her a good life.

If Tatina ever finds out what I have done she might hate me. It might be

better if I am just honest with her. I should tell her everything from the

beginning to the end. I wonder if she will still care for me then? I am

assuming she cares for me now. She let me make love to her. I was her

first that has to count for something with her.

I walk out the door to my car. I am not even going to tell them I am

leaving. They can handle things today without me. I dare not tell them

where I am going or when I will be back. Maybe everything will be

handled when I return. I can take care of Draco and shut everything

down.

That poor girl. Maybe I should not leave it to Lila. Maybe I should

handle it. I know what will be required to get her ready. For today and

tonight, I want to give Tatina all of my attention.

I get in my car and start it. Just a short little drive to Tatina.

“Hey, where are you going?” Lila says.

I look at her without rolling down the window, but I do not answer. I

put the car in gear and begin to slowly drive out of the driveway.

“Hey. Craig!” She screams.

Fuck! I stop the car and roll down the window.

"What?" I ask.

“Where are you going? We have to settle up with Draco,” she says.

“Where I am going is none of your business for one. For two you work

for me bitch. For three I know what you did. Now I have to go. I will be

back when I get back bitch,” I tell her.

“Listen asshole, I will take care of it. I will text you if there are problems,”

she says.

I roll up the window and drive away. She knows where I am going but it

is not any of her concern. I want all of this over before I bring Tatina

home. I need to make sure Jayne doesn't know. If she does I need to

explain to her why and how I am going to fix all of this.

The short drive to the quarter is relaxing. I take my exit and drive under

the overpass. I roll down my window to take in the jazz playing. Just a

few more minutes until I am at my hotel and Tatina.

I pull into the Valet and wait for the scruffy-looking valet to come to get

my car. He takes his time with the car in front of me. He finally walks

up to my window to give me my ticket. I grab my bag and exit my car.

I walk through the glass door to the small lobby. I forgot how small the

lobby was in this hotel. I approach the desk expecting to wait. The

gentleman sees me and waves me forward.

“Mr. Madillion, sir I have your suite ready,” the young clerk says.

I walk up to the desk. “Thank you,” I say.

“I put you on the top floor. Unless you would like a suite on the lower

floor. The view is outstanding on the higher floors. I gave you the room

facing the river,” he says.

He hands me a set of keys to my room. I take the keys.

“Thank you,” I say.

A bellhop comes to help me with my bags. “Not needed I only have the

one,” I say.

I take my bags and go to the elevator. I need to get settled quickly and

text Jayne. I hit the button for the 28th floor. I hate elevators. It moves

swiftly up and dings when I get to my floor.

I step out and walk down the hall to room 2819. I tap my key on the

door and open it. I walk through the sitting area to the bedroom and

place my bag on the bed. I open the curtains and take in the view. I pull

out my phone and text Jayne.

*I am here. Where do you want me to meet you two?*

I place my phone on the desk to wait for her to text me back. I look out

at the river while I wait. It doesn’t take her long to text back.

*We are on bourbon at the restaurant waiting for you*

I text her back *I am on my way. You are at the cookery?*

She texts back *yes. See you soon*

I put my phone in my pocket and grab my hotel key.

I quickly exit the hotel to get to the cookery to see Jayne and Tatina. I

cannot wait to see Tatina again. I hurry down the street. The music is in

the air. I don't know why I quit coming into the city. I always loved to

come here with Julie.

The cookery is only a five-minute walk from my hotel. I have not

decided if I am going to tell Tatina I am staying close by or not. Maybe I

should. Maybe she would stay a night with me.

I reach the cookery. I walk past the host when I see Tatina and Jayne

sitting in the corner. Tatina gets out of her seat and hugs me. Jayne

does not. Something is off with her.

"Hey Jayne,” I say.

“Hey yourself,” she says

“Tatina, you look wonderful,” I say.

“Thanks,” she says.

“Have you ordered anything yet,” I ask?

“Yes and we ordered for you too,” Jayne says.

“Good, what are our plans for the night?” I ask.

The two shift around looking at each other oddly. © We have not

decided anything yet. Anything interesting going on with you?” Jayne

says.

She knows. I wonder how much Tatina knows.

“I don't want to intrude on the time you two how with each other. I

know it means a lot to Tatina. I just really wanted to see her,” I say.

“Well, I took some time off work to spend it with Tatina. I put in my

notice today,” Jayne says.

I wave the waitress over. “ Gin and Tonic please,” I say.

“Something wrong Craig,” Jayne asks.

Tatina moves closer to me. “No everything is fine,” I say. It is not fine. I

am going to make it okay. But right now I am in a mess and I think

Jayne knows.