The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 30

Marcus stared at the computer screen. Blinking he sighed glancing at the dock. He had been reading the same line for a half hour. Shaking his head he tried to clear it but it was just as muddled as before. No matter what he did he simply couldn't focus. His conversation with his mother kept repeating in his head. The Mixer was an annual event where New York's most influential people gathered. Though it was an informal meeting many used it to forge new business ties and promote new ventures. It would be a good opportunity to show everyone his changed character but...going with Elizabeth would only solidify her claim that they were a couple. And he certainly didn't want to spend the night in her company.

In his mind's eye he could see himself attending with a very different woman by his side. Running a hand through his hair he tried to shove that image away. What the hell was he thinking? Taking the hacky sack out of his pocket he squeezed it hoping the repetitive action would give him some peace but his thoughts continued to spiral.

On one hand he had his mother and Elizabeth and on the other his mystery woman and possibly four children. He had zero faith in his abilities as a father. Sure, he had fun with the DaLair kids but that made him more like an uncle. It was a far cry from being an actual father. And yet he couldn't fight the desire to be closer and get to know them more. What should he do?

Glancing at the clock again he realized how late it had gotten. How long had he been sitting there spacing out? Another half hour and Madame Butterfly would be taking the stage assuming her performances were always at the same time. Marcus frowned realizing he really didn't know. He might have already missed it. The thought made his stomach drop.

A feeling of unease was creeping into him. He found he couldn't sit still. Marcus stood and paced in front of the office window trying to work out the uncomfortable feeling settling in on him. Pausing again at his desk he checked the clock to see another five minutes had passed.

"Fuck it!" he snapped shutting down his computer and grabbing his coat.

Fighting his sense of anger and impending doom he hurried to his car. He intended to drive home but was not surprised when he found himself down a familiar lonely street and pulled up to the secure parking lot. Swiping his card the gate opened and he drove in. Marcus sat in his car fighting with himself before eventually he gave in and headed for the nondescript door serving as the building's rear entrance. Following the motions Leonard had showed him Marcus gained entry to the small waiting room beyond. "Hello Doctor Pierce."

He turned to see the teller waiting at the window and looked at her in confusion before remembering that was the name he had chosen for his anonymous account. She smiled sliding a tray forward. Automatically he took out his phone turning it off before placing it down. With a nod she took it back to the lockers, locking it up and bringing him the key as well as offering one of their complementary masks.

So prepared he stepped out to be greeted by a young hostess, "Hello, Doctor Pierce. Where would you like to be seated?"

Marcus hesitated. This was only his second time here and the first time he used his own pseudonym. How did she know who he was? Somehow the woman in the teller window must have alerted her. The server was wearing what looked to be an earbud. Perhaps that was how.

"Ah, one of those private booths will be fine," Marcus finally answered.

"Of course."

She didn't seem the least bit perturbed though a private booth was a waste for a single person. Perhaps it was because he was a VIP or maybe she expected he had company arriving later. It didn't matter either way, he supposed.

He glanced at the stage to see a singer in a tight dress. With a grimace he looked away and tried to tune her out. He wasn't interested in her. There was only one singer he wanted to see. Marcus frowned wondering when her performance was going to start. Perhaps his hostess could tell him.

He was ready to ask when he suddenly saw her. Madame Butterfly emerged following the MC and Marcus scowled knowing it meant he had missed the first performance because he was too busy arguing with himself.

Marcus paused noting the deep frown on her face. Normally she maintained a schooled, neutral expression but now she wasn't even trying to hide her displeasure. His guide paused when she realized he wasn't following. "Doctor Pierce?"

Marcus paid her no mind wanting to see where Madame Butterfly was being led across the crowded floor to a table in the center. There four masked men were being rather boisterous, two of them already had a lady in their laps. As she approached one of the four patted his knee with a smirk. Marcus's stomach dropped and his hands curled into fists.

***

Regina couldn't keep her disgust completely out of her expression though her hands finally stopped shaking. Ahead of her the MC tried to hide it but she could tell he was nervous by how stiffly he walked. A pace behind their security escort was just as anxious. They all knew it was going to be a bad night from the moment the bidding began.

Sodapop was a regular though he seldom came on Saturdays. He preferred wilder nights. When he attended on Lounge Lizard Night he tried to turn it into nothing but a night of debauchery and beer. And now she had to deal with him. Reaching the table she forced a grim smile as he patted his knee.

"Looks like all the chairs are taken baby, but I have a seat right here for you."

Regina didn't flinch. Reaching behind her she snagged a chair from the neighboring table and slid it close before sitting. With a stiff smile she replied, "There's always room for another chair."

Though she couldn't see it the MC gave the security guard a nervous glance. From the moment this customer entered the bidding he had a sinking feeling. Yet without another bidder willing to go up against him there was little the club could do to intervene. "I didn't just pay forty thousand dollars for you to pull up a chair," the masked man sneered.

"No. You paid forty thousand for a drink," Regina answered. "It's only money, right?"

"Why you..." lurching to his feet he grasped her arm and pulled her up, "maybe I should teach you a lesson on how to pleasure a man, bitch."

Before even the security escort made their move another figure thrust between the pair. Ripping the other's grasp from her arm her masked rescuer didn't hesitate to take the first swing: his fist connecting to the other's cheek.

Regina stumbled back in utter shock as the men fell back onto the table scattering glasses and bottles. The table creaked before it splintered. They rolled off onto the alcohol-soaked floor breaking a chair as they fell. Neither of the men seemed the least bit concerned as they traded swings. Her rescuer pummeled the other without pause.

"No means no! Asshole!"

Regina's mouth dropped realizing who her rescuer was even before the MC and security pulled them apart. She tore her gaze away from the bloodied and ruined face of her accoster to see more security personnel descending on the scene. Even with back-up coming the men tried to go after each other again.

The club's security weren't armed with guns, only tazers and pepper spray which was usually more than sufficient. Regina couldn't remember the last time either was necessary to defuse a situation but it was far too crowded and innocent bystanders might be caught in the middle. What was more she really didn't want to see Marcus get hurt, not after trying to help her.

Hesitating a moment she suddenly pushed forward getting in between the fighters and into Marcus's line of sight. At first he didn't seem to see her. Slapping his cheek finally snapped his attention to her. Without a word she grabbed his hand and pulled him away. At first he seemed to hesitate but eventually his footsteps followed her as she tugged him off the floor and into a private corner where she could draw a curtain.

"What do you think you were doing?" Regina turned to him. "You can't start a brawl in a bar!"