Thin Ice by K. R. Bankston

phone, unaware of who was on the other end. “Where are you?”
    Bryce immediately became alarmed. This wasn’t someone he wanted to make angry.
    “You said eight baby, it’s only a little after seven,” he replied trying to appease the person on the other end of the line.
    “Are you out spending my money again?” the voice shot back, still angry, assuming a tone Bryce hated to hear, knowing it meant pain for him.
    “I only bought a couple of things,” he replied subdued. “I’m on my way now baby,” he tried again. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” he finished and waited for a response.
    He heard a non-committal grunt.
    “Stop at the liquor store and bring me a bottle of cognac on your way,” the voice told him, starting to sound a bit calmer.
    Bryce slowly let out the breath he’d taken and said he would. They ended the call and he hurried to his car. Why do I keep letting myself be treated this way, he wondered. Bryce Palmer was a good looking man, had a good job, and a great personality. So why was he allowing himself to be constantly abused, he asked himself for what seemed like the tenth time today. He already knew the answer. He was in love and scared, more of the second than the first. Bryce sighed deeply at the revelation and pulled into the liquor store parking lot.
    *****
    Ian was thinking about Kaitlyn, his mind racing as he drove. He was tired of dating silly women with no intellect; tired of investing money without seeing any return. Not one of them had shown an ounce of interest in what he did or helping him to do it. As long he bought them a few clothes, or some cheap jewelry, everything was fine. Ian wanted more, a whole lot more. They were always easy, which he had to admit, was what drew him to them most times; easily manipulated and gullible. A couple of them he’d actually slept with at the club, in his office, without even having to buy them a drink. Stupid wanna-be gold diggers were all they were.
    That time was over for him though; Ian was trying to become even more wealthy and powerful. He needed a woman with brains, one that could help him run his empire and keep things flowing smoothly. From everything he’d seen and learned about her, Kaitlyn was the one. Even though he owned Inferno, and Castles, the club in Alabama, there was always room for more. Once he and Kaitlyn were together, things would definitely change quickly and for the better, Ian thought exiting the interstate and making a left turn.
    *****
    “Baby, I’m here,” Bryce sang out as he arrived letting himself inside the house, liquor in tow.
    “Fix me a drink,” was the command issued in lieu of a greeting.
    “Here you go honey,” Bryce said quietly as he entered the bedroom and handed the drink over.
    He was given the once over, and began to get nervous all over again from the look he received. The slap came out of nowhere and knocked him onto the floor. Bryce sat there quietly, afraid to say anything else to add fuel to the fire.
    “Who the hell is Diego Rodriguez,” Evan growled angrily, towering over the man still cowering before him. “You screwing around with that joker?” he yelled, preparing to hit Bryce again.
    “No, I swear, I didn’t!” Bryce told him emphatically.
    He didn’t want another beating at this man’s hands.
    “He’s just a friend of mine. That’s all I swear,” he told him again beginning to cry softly, praying Evan believed him.
    Evan sipped his drink as he continued to stare at the man on the floor. His anger finally abating he spoke.
    “Come here,” he said gently and Bryce obediently complied. “I’m sorry,” Evan told him lovingly caressing his face. “I just get really jealous thinking of someone else touching you and being with you.”
    Bryce wanted to tell Evan he felt the same way every night when he was with his other, but he knew that would only get him another beat down. Instead he smiled and began to caress his lover’s chest.
    “You know I would