Darkness

28. Cain

Twenty-Eight

Cain

Walking into the flower shop, I shake my head. “Mr. Yang, you’re being very brave,” I say in Chinese, as I walk over to Autumn, kissing her then patting Miles and Declan's shoulder so they can move out of the way of protecting Autumn. “How can I help you?” I pick up the snow globe off the workstation and shake it. “How is Rowan?” Maybe this is a way for me to make him slip and tell me something.

“Mr. Cain, are you ready to talk? There is only one thing I want.” He watches Miles and Declan. Declan walks around him to pull Katy away, and the three of them stand behind me. I make Autumn stay next to me, to show Yang, I’m not scared of what he has planned.

“What you want, I’m not giving.” I move away from Autumn, and Declan takes my place next to her. “Mr. Yang, how was England? I hear it rains a lot there this time of year.”

“It was sunny, London is a beautiful city. You never know who you might meet there.” Yang places his hands into his pocket, not taking his eyes off Autumn. Note to my, teach her to have a better poker face. Her expression is screaming how scared she is right now.“I hear the police department is good there. It's dangerous for you to be going to the police with your family business.” I lean on the cashier counter, with my hands in my pocket. “Are you planning another trip?”

“She will see him again, because I’m the one who’s giving her to him.” Now he takes a step closer to me. “You don’t want anything to happen to her, do you?”

“Touch her and I’ll kill your son before you even have time to ask about him again-”

“No!” He shouts which makes Autumn jump, her grip on Declan's arm tightens. “You touch-”

“No.” I push myself off the counter. “You touch her, I’ll come for your son-” I glance outside when I see someone walking closer to the shop. “-and the one who's walking up here now, he can see what The Pit is like. You have a move Mr. Yang, make it.” He thinks I want to play games, I don’t. Let’s get to the finish line and end this now. The only way he gets his son out is through a fight with me, but he’s not asking for it. So there has to be a fucking game plan, and I want him to move the pieces.

“ I don’t want her dead, but having some fun will be good. Watch your back, Mr. Cain, we wouldn’t want anything to happen to her would we?” Yang looks over at Autumn, then walks out of the shop, and I turn to the door watching him get into his car.

Autumn is his game plan. Hurting her doesn’t make sense, because his son would be dead before nightfall if he touched Autumn. He doesn’t want to kill her, but he’s warned me to watch my back.

“Is he coming for you or Autumn?” Declan asks, it’s the question I’m asking myself at the moment. “Cain?”

I turn around to face all of them, and I avoid Autumn’s eyes burning into me and look at Miles and Declan. “For me. I just don’t know how.”

“You think he’ll try to kill you?” Miles asks.

“That’s what I would do.” I tell them the truth, if I wanted something from someone, I would play with their lives, not with the ones they love.

“What?” Autumn stands in my line of sight now. “Are you not scared he might kill you?” It’s the first time I’ve heard her yell at me, where her voice cracks with anger.

“I’m not scared of dying, what scares me is you dying. I would happily die today if it meant saving you.” I never thought I would find someone after Tess. Now I’m scared every day. The fear of losing her hurts so bad. I don’t think I would survive it again.

“Cain, I love you. You might not be scared of dying, but I fear losing you.” Autumn stands in front of me, her hands on my chest, and she whispers, “Whatever you have planned, fight and live for me.”

This was one reason I didn’t want to have a woman in my life. Now I have to think about what my next move will be, before I did what I wanted and didn’t care what would happen. Now, I look at this beautiful woman almost begging me to live, if not for me, but for her.

“I don’t plan on dying by the hands of Yang, that I can promise you.” I lean down and give her a small kiss.

“Promise me, you’ll live,” she whispers against my lips.

“Promise.” My promise isn’t a lie, but it’s hard to keep that promise when I have families looking for me all the time. “Do you have orders for the rest of the day?” I ask her, I don't really want her to stay at the shop, but again I’m not letting her ruin her business and stop living.

“I do, and a meeting with the gothic wedding couple who should be here in the next thirty minutes.” Autumn looks over at Katy, and I know she’s going to have to tell her what the hell just happened.

“So the Crawford family are what?” Katy asks, waiting for someone to answer her, and all eyes land on me.

“A simple American family, who do some things on the side. The less you know the better.” I’m the one who answers, and Katy crosses her arms which makes Miles and Declan laugh.

“You’ve pissed her off,” Miles jokes.

“I piss off a lot of people, one more won’t hurt me.” I turn to Autumn. “Do I not get to see this ten thousand dollar bag?” I ask her, and she tilts her head slightly to look at me with a smile. “I mean it’s got to be made of gold.” I need to get her mind away from Yang, and what he has planned, to something else.

“Oh, did she buy Chanel?” Miles asks.

“I have no idea.” I turn back to Autumn. “Are you happy with it?” I ask her, and her smile answers my question.

“So happy, I don’t want to use it-”

“What?” I ask, she’s spent that much money on a fucking bag and won’t even use it.

“I don’t want to ruin it.” She stops talking when I laugh.

“I’m sure you can buy a new bag.” I reach for my coffee and take a sip, then put it back down because it’s cold.

“You know you’re talking about ten grand like it’s nothing-” Autumn starts again about the money she's spent.

“To him it is nothing,” Declan chimes in on the conversation. I don’t know what he’s talking about, they have enough money from the clinic and the other job they do, to buy all the crap they want too, maybe not as much as me, but still enough.

I turn to the boys. “You two go get some fresh coffees, and one tea. Then you can go, I’ll stay here.” I turn to Autumn who’s back at the workstation getting her flowers together. Looks like I’m not seeing this bag, or anything else she’s bought this morning.

She’s scared, and a part of me doesn’t blame her. If keeping herself busy helps her relax a little, then I’ll let her work at the shop all night.

For the next few weeks, things might get a little crazy and I don’t know how things are going to play out, or what’s going to hit me. But the only thing I need to do is keep her safe.

Two days, and nothing from Yang. I know he's watching me, there is something in the air warning me. Autumn has been with me or one of the boys constantly. She hasn’t left our side. Hayden told me yesterday that she’s been looking over her shoulder, even though I’ve told her Rowan is still in England, and there’s been no movement from him.

Yes, I’ve been lying to her, but I don't need her worrying about him. He hasn’t been to work for two days now. From what I can see he is still there, but I never got a notification when Yang went to England either, so he could be here in the States and I don’t know. That’s what scares me the most. I don’t have my finger on the pulse. I don’t know exactly where he is.

I look up at the door when I hear Autumn laughing with Mason and Declan. I’ve asked the two of them to be around her for a while, until I know what the fucker, Yang, is doing.

Autumn walks over to me and gives me a kiss, then sits on the couch next to Mason. I’m lucky she doesn’t hate any of them. I think she has a soft spot for Hayden because I rely on him a lot more than the others, and Declan because of the training I’m doing with him. He’s tired, or hurting at the end of the day and she keeps telling me he's a baby, which I ignore. She has no idea what I’ve put these boys through.

“How was work?” I ask her, and glance over at Declan looking out at the club. He’s only been once or twice with the others, maybe now is the time he will ask to be here more.

“Busy, got a funeral at the end of next week, and a few anniversary orders came through. You know my coffee, flower set idea?” She sounds happy which is a good thing. “Well, people love it. Today I had twelve orders to deliver. Thankfully these two were in the shop and they could deliver them for-” She stops when I put my hand up.

“They left the shop?” I ask, I know she’s happy and excited her idea is working, but they’re there to protect her, not do deliveries and leave her alone in the shop.

“One of us was always at the shop, it was that or she delivered them herself.” Declan finally turns around to face me. “She’s safer in the shop, than out there.” I lean back in my chair, and give Declan a nod agreeing with him. She is safer in the shop because I can watch her in there, too.

“So the window display is working?” I turn back to Autumn.

“Yes, and your amazing brothers said they would tell their friends, and post on social media. It’s going to get busy.” She sounds so excited about it, but it also means she will be getting busy and will need another member of staff.

Prefect. I might just have the right person to help too. Lileah, she keeps asking her parents if she can get a job, and they keep saying no. This might work out well for both of us.

“Mr. Upgrade,” Autumn says to Lincoln as he walks through the door, and I already know it’s not good news.

“Autumn,” he gives her a small smile.

“Who?” I already know someone in The Pit is causing trouble. He looks around the room, before turning to face me.

“Logan’s dad.”

Now that makes me laugh. The man can’t fight, so whatever he wants he won’t be getting. Not sure what type of trouble he can cause.

“And what does he want?” I ask.

“He wants to talk to your mom. I’ve told him it’s not happening, but he said it’s important.” Lincoln hands me a piece of paper, and I lean over the desk to pick it up.

Only want to say sorry.

“No. Tell him the only people he will see are the ones down there, and he only dies when I want him dead.” I rip the paper up. I’m not going to tell Logan or mom about it. They don’t need to know.

“And, someone wants a shower, what do you want them to do?” Lincoln asks.

“Who?”

“Jasper. His skin is looking fucked up, probably because he’s not showered since you put him in there.” I smile because the bastard is suffering, and I have so much more planned for him. The fun hasn’t even started yet.

“Two minutes, and cold water.” I hear Mason laughing to the side, which makes me turn to him.

“Wouldn’t it be more fun to beat him up a few times a week?” Mason asks, he would like to fight every day if he could.

“You think I want to be down there every week, fuck no.” I close my eyes, and listen to Lincoln telling me about tomorrow's parties quickly, then he leaves, because he knows I don’t care.

“Cain, is the sixth floor still open?” Mason asks, and I shake my head. Mainly because he knows it’s open, so he is only asking because he wants to go up there.

“It is, you want to go up there?” I ask him, looking over at Autumn listening to this conversation.

“Yes, and I’ll take Declan too.It’s his last year of high school, let’s get him ready to have some fun.” I look at my watch to check the time.

“I’m feeling nice, you can go. Let them know I said it’s fine.” I sit back up and finish the paperwork I have to get through.

“Seriously?” Mason asks with a shocked tone.

“Autumn-Rose has come back unharmed, and happy. Go before I change my mind.” I don’t think I’ve seen Mason get up so quick, and I hear him tell Declan that he will call Hayden and Miles.

“See, you do have a soft spot.” I don’t say anything, I don't need people knowing I can be nice. “Do I get to see the sixth floor?” Autumn asks as she walks over to me.

“What do you think is on the sixth floor.?” I ask her, she’s asked a few times now, there must be something going on in her head about what happens on that floor.

“With how excited Mason is with you saying yes, it’s got to involve sex. Spending time with them,I’ve realized they all seem a little— I’m trying to think of the word— unhinged and like what crazy stuff.” Autumn sits on the edge of my desk, and I place my hands on her thighs.

“You want to see the fifth floor?” I ask her, it’s not the same as the sixth, but it might give her an idea of what could be on the next floor.

“Are you coming with me?”

“You're not walking around this club without me, or Lincoln.” I switch my computer off, roll down my shirt sleeves, and grab my jacket. “You’ll enjoy it.” I wink, sometimes people don’t know that watching something sexy makes you feel the same way. It can turn you on to a point you never thought you would be able to achieve. The sixth floor will make you feel like that too, but the fifth will be a good warmup for Autumn.

Walking up the stairs, I look at the bottom three floors. It's always a good view when every booth is full, and the dance floor has no space to move. Reaching the door, I nod at the bouncer.

“Who fucked up, boss?” he jokes.

“Has someone fucked up and I don’t know about it?” I ask him, and he opens the door for us. Autumn stands behind me, smiling at the man.

“No sir, you only ever come up to this floor if someone messes up.” He smiles back at Autumn and says hello.

“Someone wants to know what happens on the fifth floor,” I nod to Autumn.

“Well, enjoy the show Miss White.” He fully opens the door, and I take Autumn's hand in mine as I walk in.

“How does he know my name?”

“I put your name on the list for this floor, and the sixth. Don’t get too excited, it’s on the list to never let you in, and to call me.” I stop talking when she moves in closer to me, and looks around.

Again it’s a circle with the middle looking down to the lower floors, the sixth floor is the only one that you can’t look down. All black interior, black walls and the lights are softly colored in different shades. Poles are hanging from the ceiling, and all have dancers on them, and each booth has a stripper pole. The thing with this floor is that you can touch the dancers. You can dance with them, kiss them, feel them up, the only thing you can’t do is fuck them. But if you touch them, then they can touch you. There’s triple the security here. You get only one chance up here. Fuck up, and you can’t come back.

“This is amazing.” She looks at the woman walking around with no top on. “You thought of this?” She walks to the side, but doesn’t let go of my hand. Every booth is full. “Is this like a pay by the hour thing? Otherwise I don’t see anyone leaving. This has got to be expensive.” Great, she's rambling, while looking at different staff members walking around without clothes on. “Sex?” She turns to me.

“No. Touching, yes.” She smiles. Then looks around some more, walking over to the rail she looks at the floors below.

“So do all your staff have to look a certain way? Or do you mix it up? And who hired them? What was the interview-”

I slam my lips onto hers to shut her up, when she rambles, she can go on for hours if I let her. Pulling away from her, her eyes are locked with mine. “You’re not even letting me answer. Would you like a booth?” I ask her, and her beautiful lips curl into a bigger smile. “Man or woman stripper?” I ask her. I only have eyes for one woman, and it’s not like I will look at them, anyway.

I can’t even remember the last time I came to this floor to watch any of the staff. Now I used to be on the sixth floor, quite a few times just to get away from the demons in my head.

“I would love a booth, and a woman. I have a sexy man who will get naked for me,” she laughs, and I shake my head at her. She looks at me. “What? You're not getting naked for me?”

“You keep talking like that, I’ll take you now.” I walk over to the bar and find my empty booth. I made this one for me, if I ever wanted to come up here. Now the boys use it, I let them use it whenever they want.

“A drink and a strip show first,” she slides into the booth, and I tell the woman behind the bar what we want and which dancer. Sitting next to Autumn, I kiss the side of her neck.

“You know if I take you to the sixth floor, you have to do one thing up there.” She turns to face me, and her expression makes me laugh. “You have to do a striptease for me.”

“On a pole, I’ll fall flat on my face.” Her reply makes me laugh. Thanking the waiter for our drinks, I sit back, as the dancer steps up onto the table and spins around the pole. Autumn watches with a smile.

“And no not on a pole, but you will strip for me,” I tell her as she leans in closer to me, watching the woman as she slowly strips out of her clothes.

Not looking at the dancer, I watch Autumn enjoying the show, and also glancing around at what’s happening in the other booths. There is a lot for her to be looking at, and I’m going to sit back and let her enjoy the show.

It’s been a long night, Autumn loved the fifth floor to the point she agreed to do a striptease for me. I told her she could go up to the fifth floor every night if she promised me things like this.

The door opens to the apartment, and Autumn continues to talk about how much she enjoyed the evening. I smile as she looks at me, while telling me how much she loves the club, and can’t believe someone could have thought of the idea.

I can’t stop smiling at her excitement from the night, she’s telling me every detail as if I’ve never seen it before. The reason I’m smiling is because it’s the first time I’ve got to hear about my club from someone else’s point of view. The guys are here, but they only care about the women working here, so hearing what she’s loved makes me happy.

She walks over to the couch, as I throw my jacket onto the kitchen counter then make my way over to her. That’s when my body takes over as I see the red dot on Autumn’s chest. I hear the window shatter as I reach Autumn and push her to the side, a sharp searing pain in my side. I ignore the pain. I have to protect Autumn.

“Cain!” Autumn shouts.

“Stay down!” I shout at her, when another bullet hits my chest. Fuck that burns. I cough. and when I see the blood coming out of my mouth, I know what Yang has done. I feel the blood soaking my shirt. Fuck. “Pho… cell…Lin…Lincoln.” I try hard to get the words out.

Autumn's eyes are wide and filled with terror. “Cain-”

“No, stay…do…down,” I cough out more blood. “Poisi…posio…” I can’t get out the words.

Yang’s fucking poisoned the bullets, this is something he talked about, I remember him talking about it in The Pit.

My vision blurs, and the darkness begins to creep in from the edges, but I need to make sure Autumn is safe. Fight this Cain. I shout to myself.