CHAPTER 34: MESSY

Maximus twisted the throttle of his bike, feeling the smooth hum of the engine beneath him as he weaved through the city streets.

His mind flashing images of what had happened in the past 24 hours. The new Business Domain, the antique shop, the horse carving and Ashen Halo, and most importantly Valerie Sawyer and her family of elites.

It happened so fast and unexpectedly. Although he didn’t appreciate the unpredictability, he still enjoyed the experience a tad bit.

The neon lights reflected off the sleek black hide of his power bike as he rode through downtown, eventually pulling up to Zack’s club.

The place was lively even in the late afternoon, the valet already busy handling expensive cars rolling up one after another.

Maximus didn’t need valet service, though. He parked his bike himself, pulling off his helmet and ruffling his braids as he made his way inside.

Just as he reached for the door, a woman stormed past him, her shoes clanging sharply against the flooring.

Maximus barely had time to understand her presence before she hit against his shoulder with great force, Maximus of course has more density than her causing a small object to slip from her grasp.

"Whoa..." Maximus instinctively leaned down, catching the item before it hit the ground. It was a car key, sleek and expensive looking.

He straightened up, glancing at the woman as she paused, clearly debating whether to turn back for it.

Her posture was rigid, her breath uneven and her clothing looked more like a uniform — a black and red track suit fitting perfectly to her lean frame, hinting at exactly the kind of woman she was.

Physical.

She wasn’t playing a costume game, she was a real runner, someone who belonged on a track than in a place like this.

Maximus extended the car keys towards her. "You dropped this ma’am."

She snatched it from his hand, her gaze flickering to his gaze for the briefest moment.

"Thanks" she muttered, her voice tight with restricted frustration.

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and briskly left the club, disappearing down the steps towards the parking lot.

"That was rude..." Maximus muttered under his breath.

Seconds later, barely having time to process the strange encounter before he heard rushed footsteps from inside the club.

Zack came barreling through the entrance, the first few buttons of his dress shirt were undone, and sweat gliding on his forehead like he had just sprinted across a lawn with the sprayer on.

"Mate!" Zack called after the woman, but neither he nor Maximus were fast enough .

Both men stood there, watching as the woman climbed into a sleek, black vehicle, the engine roaring to life before she sped off, the tires screeching against the pavement.

The car disappeared into the evening traffic in a blink, leaving only the scent of burning rubber and expensive perfume in its tracks.

Maximus tilted his head and furrowed his eyebrows deeply at Zack. "What did you do?"

Zack let out a groan of frustration, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Nothing, well not exactly. It really complicated".

Maximus scoffed. "That’s exactly what guilty people say!"

Zack shot him a glare before sighing, shaking his head as he wiped his forehead with his sleeve. "What the hell do you think of me... Look man, let’s go inside... I’ll explain!"

Maximus glanced once more at where the car has disappeared before shrugging. "Alright... This better not be what I think it is..."

As they stepped inside the club, the bass form the music thrummed through the air, the dim lighting flashing with hues of blue and red, give the space a purple-ish ambience.

The space wasn’t fully packed yet, it was still early, but the VIP lounge was already filled with a few wealthy patrons enjoying their afternoon.

Zack led Maximus toward a private office, signaling one of the waitresses to bring them drinks. As soon as they sat down, Maximus leaned back against the plush leather seat, giving his friend a knowing look.

"Alright..." Maximus said, resting his forearms in the table. "Talk."

Zack groaned again, rubbing his temples. "That woman? Her name is Dressa Morgan and she ... She is trouble I’m afraid so..."

Maximus tilted his head, I intrigued. "Trouble? As in our trouble or just your trouble..."

Zack exhaled sharply. "Trouble as in l, she’s a professional runner. A damn good one at that. She’s got connections, sponsors and the kind of reputation that makes even the most arrogant guys in the running scene shut up and listen. She’s competitive as hell too, hates losing and she’s got a really fucking huge temper to match."

Maximus raised his hand to his chin, raising an eyebrow. "And how is it that you’re affiliated with this woman and why would you piss her off.?"

Zack’s hesitation could only tell Maximus that more bad news was coming.

"Because I bet against her in a race last week. A race I thought she would definitely loose."

Maximus stared at him, the scoffed with a smirked, "that’s it? Why would you bet against a world renowned track runner... Are you that stupid?"

Zack slumped forward onto the desk, "I didn’t think she’d actually win bro! The guy she was facing was supposed to be a beast on the track, he had calves caved from diamonds. I thought it was a sure bet. "

Maximus laughed as amusement started to kick in, "What happened after that? "

Zan ran a hand down his face. "She wiped her running shoes with him. Smoked him in less than a minute. It wasn’t even close. "

Maximus let out a low whistle. "Damn..."

Zack nodded. "Yeah, damn is the right reaction... And guess who had to pay up after running his mouth?"

...

"Let me guess... Your stupid ass? "

Zack exhaled dramatically. "Bingo. And let’s just day, she didn’t appreciate the lack of faith I had in her skills."

Maximus shook his head, "so, what? She came here to rub it in your face? "

"More like to collect what she was owed. "

Maximus lifted an eyebrow. "And how much did you lose?"

Maximus lifted an eyebrow. "And how much did you lose?"

Zack turned his face away. "Alot."

Maximus groaned, his face smiling switching to a mean look with his eyebrows arching and his jaw clenched.

"Talk fool!"

"Okay okay..." Zack held up his hands. "It wasn’t just money. I kinda, may have promised her a favor or two."

"What kind of favor?"

"I don’t know yet, she said she’d check in when the time was right."

"So basically you’ve made yourself a slave to her for the right time. That could literally be anything Zack."

"Yes I am aware! I was hoping she’d just take the money and let it go!"

"Well, sounds like it’s a you problem. I didn’t follow you to bet against a fucking world class track racer!"