Crescent Moon Bar

 Merri weaved through the crowded bar into the hallway by the restrooms. She texted Claire, [I'm off, can you pick me up?]

[Sure. I am with my brother. Is it okay if he comes out with us?]

[When did he get back from London?]

[I just picked him up at the airport.]

[I will meet you out front.]

Merri tightened the coat around her and looked at the snow beginning to fall. It seems like Ren has been gone for so long. It will be great to see him. Claire's older brother was always gentle and fun to be around. It is good all men aren't like that horrible beast.

 She looked at her soft white hands. Her delicate skin was marred by red fingerprints on her wrist and a bruise on her little finger. I think he would really have broken my fingers if I refused. How can there be such a cruel man? If I couldn't play the piano I think I would lose my soul.

 Upstairs in the Club, Alexi grabbed Bella by the hair and pulled her head back as she tried to kiss him, "I don't like presumptuous women!"

 "But...you...you were kissing... "

 He slapped her face, "Dimitri, send her home."

 Dimitri was the only bodyguard in the room. He was Alexi's most trusted bodyguard and would blend into the surroundings as though he wasn't there. He stepped forward and lifted Bella by the arm off the floor. She was whimpering and holding her swollen cheek. Bella tried to crawl into his lap when he snarled, " Don't contact me again."

 She grasped his pants, "I will be good. Please Alexi...I love you!"

 He scoffed, "Get Lost! I'm sick of looking at your face."

 "Alexi...what do you want? I will tell my father to make sure you get the land you want."

 "Dimitri, what are you waiting for? Get the ugly bitch away from me before I lose my patience."

 The muscular bodyguard grabbed the crying woman off of Alexi's lap, "Miss, let's go."

 "NO! I don't want to! I love you so much!"

 Alexi grabbed her by the throat and his eyes were like an enraged beast, "Do you love me enough to die for me?"

 Her eyes were full of water and bulging out of her head as she gasped for breath. Bella was terrified and he saw the intense fear in her eyes. He loosened his grip on her slender throat, "I didn't think so." 

 As she slumped down Dimitri dragged her out of the room and down the stairs. She looked lifeless as they walked out the front door of the noisy Club.

 Merri ducked behind a group of men entering the Club and watched as Dimitri roughly pushed Bella into the backseat of an expensive looking car. She hid behind a burly man thinking Alexi would be not far behind and she wanted to avoid him. To her surprise the car left with only Bella and the scary looking man.

 Afraid of seeing Alexi she texted Claire [I will be waiting in front of the coffee shop down the street from the Club.]

 As she looked up she saw a bright red sports car pull up to the curb. Ren got out of the passenger seat and hugged Merri, "Girl, you look like you are half frozen! Why didn't you wait inside?"

 Claire leaned over, "Sorry you need to squeeze in, I didn't have time to go get a different car."

 Merri giggled as she looked at the gear shift, "Umm..I can get into the back."

 "Not enough room, Ren's golf clubs and a suitcase are back there."

Ren has known Merri since they were children he didn't hesitate."Why don't you sit on my lap? We aren't going far."

 Merri bushed, "I guess that would be okay."

 Alexi witnessed Merri getting into the Bugatti Veyron while giggling as she sat on a man's lap and his face darkened. He stared at the license plate as the car left and took out his phone, "Check and see who owns a red Bugatti with the license plate #AW7594." 

When they arrived at the Crescent Moon Bar, Claire parked in the back. "Ren, this is a new hot spot. I think you will like it."

Her brother had a thoughtful expression but didn't say anything. He opened the door and Merri slid off his lap. She rubbed her neck, "Too bad it is snowing you could have opened the roof."

 The three of them walked to the entrance and an elegant man in a stylish gray overcoat was leaving, he looked startled, "When did you get back?"

Ren replied, "Earlier this evening. Where is Karin?"

 "I guess you don't know. We had a baby a couple months ago and she is at home. I had to meet some clients for a business dinner."

 Ren patted him on the shoulder, "Hey, congratulations."

 The man took out a business card, "Call me. I would join you for a drink but she has me on a tight leash. She has been cranky lately, I think she misses working at the company."

 Claire was staring at the man with an infatuated gaze and Merri pulled on her coat sleeve and she snapped out of her daze.

Claire chimed in, "Congratulations."

 The man hadn't noticed the little pixie standing behind Ren and he had a complicated expression on his beautiful face. He smiled but his eyes momentarily flashed with sadness. Quickly composing himself he replied,"I will. Thank you. I see my driver, I should go."

 The atmosphere was awkward as the three of them entered the packed bar. Ren rubbed his sister's head. "When are you going to move on? He is married with a child, Cole won't divorce Karin."

 Claire's pretty brown eyes welled up with tears, "I know. He isn't the type of man to shirk responsibility."

 Merri wrapped her arm around Claire's trembling shoulder. Cole Henry was a taboo subject but Merri could tell her friend was in pain. "Does he know about what she did?"

 "Obviously not. I was the only one there at the time. Now that he has a child I will take that secret to my grave. I can't let a child bear the sins of his mother." Occasionally she would consider telling Cole but would always hang up when she heard his voice on the phone. This was the first time she had seen him since he got married to that poisonous woman.

 Merri responded, "This is terrible to say, but I really wonder if the baby is his. The timing was too suspicious, don't you think?"

 Claire clutched her small fists at her side, "If it is true she tricked him into marrying her... I won't let her go!"

 "Well it is only my suspicion. I have no evidence and like you said, what about the baby?"

 Claire wrinkled her forehead, "Dammit! I need a drink!"

 They found a table towards the back and Claire waved her short arm in the air to get the cocktail waitress's attention, "Over here! Three shots of tequila and three Heinekens

"..."

 When they got their drinks Merri bit on the lime then raised her shot glass, "Welcome home Ren!"

 The three of them downed the fiery liquid and Merri took a sip of beer, "Ahh...I needed that!"

 After several rounds of shots and beers Merri couldn't hold it in anymore, "I'm going to the restroom."

 Merri was glassy eyed as she wove her way through the crowded bar. The restroom was at the end of a long hallway and Merri leaned on the wall halfway down. She closed her eyes wishing she hadn't waited until she was about to burst...so far..

 After resting for a moment she continued to the restroom and when she sat on the toilet she sighed, "Ahhh.." After she finished she pulled up her panties then went to the sink to wash her hands. 

When she left the bathroom she frowned, why is it so dark? Suddenly a large hand was over her mouth and she smelled a familiar masculine scent. 

 She struggled and the man pushed her up against the wall. His hand covered her eyes as he forcefully kissed her. She tried to push him away but his body was pressed on hers and he didn't budge. He continued to pillage her small mouth savoring her sweet taste. 

 After deepening the kiss and sucking her tongue Alexi was breathing heavily and his cock was hard as he rubbed against her. He licked her lips glistening with saliva then whispered in a hoarse voice. "You taste like tequila."

 The Crescent Moon Bar belonged to a man named Sydney and Alexi, they used it as a front to launder money. He came tonight becuase there was a small delivery of arms. He was shocked when he came to check the newly developed weapons and saw Merri at a table littered with empty bottles. 

Walking past their table on his way to the back stairs,he witnessed Merri sucking on a lime then linking arms with a man as she gulped down a shot.

 Earlier after Nadia bitched him out so he decided not to bother the little mouse anymore. Since Nadia was Ivan's sister he gave her some respect, he had known her since they were children. All three of them grew up in an orphanage in the countryside outside of Moscow.

 But now the little mouse delivered herself to his door and he decided to play with her for one more night. Alexi was very annoyed by her intimate behavior with the man and instructed the bartender to drug Merri. 

 The last shot of tequila was laced with a hallucinogenic aphrodisiac. Under its influence Merri was clinging onto Alexi and rubbing her slender body on him. She was wearing a light gray chiffon dress that was now stuck to her slim figure because of the layer of sweat on her body. 

Nikolai Rushkin walked over to the table where Claire and her brother were sitting. His height was well over six feet tall so he leaned down. "The lady who was with you said to tell you she was taking a taxi home. She wasn't feeling well."

Claire stood up and wobbled, "What! Where is she?"

 Nikolai steadied Claire by holding her arm. He glanced at her tiny body, even wearing high heels she barely came up to his chest. He lifted an eyebrow staring at the table full of empty beer bottles and shot glasses.

He gave Ren an accusing look and Ren played with a beer bottle. I am just along for the ride. I have never been able to control these two girls when they start drinking.

Alexi still had to deal with the delivery so he lifted Merri into his arms and walked up the backstairs to his office. Fluttering her eyelashes she looked up at him in a daze then kissed his lips.

He had a faint smile, "Behave."

 Pouting she rubbed her face on his chest and purred, "Husband, I want you to fuck me." 

 He was stunned, "What did you just say?"

 She slid her hand under his opened black silk shirt and touched his bare skin. Rubbing her hand across his chest she softly said, "I am so wet.."

 He lifted her chin and his eyes were dark and unfathomable. His body stiffened and his voice was harsh "What did you call me?"

 She gazed at him, her misty amber eyes filled with undisguised affection, "Husband..are you angry with me?"

 Alexi carried her into the side room in his office and threw her on the bed. He took long strides to the outer office then angrily took out his phone. He called Nikolai. "Get your ass up to my office."

 Nikolai broke out into a cold sweat and rushed upstairs. When he entered the office he was met with a flying kick to the chest. He flew backwards and coughed up blood. Although they were partners and friends he followed Alexi's instructions because of their past.

Alexi stomped over and grabbed him by the throat, "What the fuck did you give that woman?"

 "I did what you said. The bartender mixed the the new drug, Halcion into her drink. Amir Maloufsaid it is like a roofie."

"The little thing is hallucinating. She thinks I am her fucking husband!"

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