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.