Sample Sunday - Árēs
HEY BOOK WHORES,
We’re approaching the release date of Árēs. I’m excited for you all to get this story. In the meantime, check out this sample!
Chapter One
Ares Mitchell
Trespassing…
Today wasn’t a good day.
I’d been in a mood since rolling out of bed and being at the club--my brother and I owned in Houston--around a bunch of fucking people added to the bad taste in my mouth.
Walking through the main entrance, I had every intention of ignoring the staff on duty before we opened. But my twin, Eros, stood behind the bar helping the bartenders stock for the night and caught sight of my mean mug.
He tapped his ear and I nodded, agreeing to put the earbud in we used to communicate more efficiently throughout the night once I reached my office.
The Element was a two story club, the bottom level decorated with my particular tastes in mind, while the top level was designed with my brothers.
Eros was a lover boy and his section of our club represented that, right down to the LED lights, mauve and purple trim on the black furnishings, and the large vertical screen showcasing an ever-changing collage of sexual images.
As for me, I preferred something a little different.
With an old school yet modern feel, the space was a mixture of deep blue, red, and gold tones that accented the black furnishing.
Because the lower level was the first thing partygoers would see there was an array of string lights hanging from the ceiling, looping throughout to give an outside feel in the dimmed space.
The entire left wall stored our premium liquors, stacked on crystal-like shelves, and served on an onyx plated bar top. Across from the bar sat, a large, elevated stage for musical guests and hosts alike.
Scattered throughout were VIP sections on platforms roped off from general seating and the dance floor.
The one design my brother and I shared were abstract oil paintings from local Black artists. We tried our best to support as many as possible, especially within our business.
I moved up the escalator to the top floor and headed for my office.
After entering, I snatched my ear piece off the charger and inserted it.
I powered up my desktop and pulled the club’s monitoring system up before powering the earbud on.
“What’s up with the mood?” Eros asked upon hearing the beep indicating I was on.
Ignoring him for a brief second, I clicked through the camera feeds to be sure each was working properly.
“I’m always in a mood,” I finally said, earning a grunt from my brother.
“Not like this you aren’t.”
Only Eros could read me in that way and he wasn’t wrong. Today was different and I couldn’t pinpoint why I’d started the day feeling uncomfortable.
Something wasn’t right or maybe I’d just woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
“I’m coming up—”
“Nah,” I cut in, leaving the cameras up on the outside feed. “I’m good, just need to shake it off.”
He was silent for far too long and the knock at my door that followed meant he’d ignored my request to be alone.
Fucking Eros.
He burst in after politely making himself known, a frown marring the face we shared.
As identical twins, we felt each other’s energy from miles away.
He was my best friend and confidant, but how could I confide when I wasn’t sure what the problem was?
“Talk to me,” he said, dropping down on the sofa.
I glanced at him and shrugged.
“Not sure what my deal is,” I admitted. “Been feeling weird since I got up. The gym didn’t help either.”
He hummed and stretched his arms across the top of the sofa, regarding me closely.
“The gym always helps.”
“Exactly,” I agreed, clicking through emails. “And when it didn’t, I got more pissed off.”
I could feel Eros’ eyes on me but kept my attention on the few host requests submitted over the last week. We had a general manager who handled bookings, but when I was bored I went in and handpicked a few to accept personally.
“I can handle both levels tonight,” he offered, always stepping up for me without needing to be asked. “We open in two hours and I don’t want you scaring off patrons with that ugly mug.”
With my gaze focused on the computer, I tossed a pen in his direction.
“Fuck you, Eros,” I joked, feeling a little lighter with him around to talk to. “We have the same mug.”
He chuckled and stood, moving toward the door in a few strides.
“Let me know if you want to take me up on the offer. I don’t mind.”
I shook my head and looked up.
“Nah, I’m good. I need to be here working tonight.”
Though, I hadn’t told him, I almost felt like I had to be here. Like something was going to happen that would need my attention, something that would answer why I was in such a fucked up mood.
I stood at the balcony later that night, watching the crowd move about below, while there was an equal amount of people dancing and drinking behind me.
The atmosphere at the Element never ceased to amaze me; it had the ability to consume your entire being until all you felt was the music and the buzz of a goodtime.
What my brother and I built together was special.
The love we received from our city made the blood, sweat and tears worth it.
Even with that, I felt antsy.
The urge to retreat hit hard and I decided to give in.
“I need a break,” I spoke into my earpiece as I walked away from the balcony. “Give me twenty and I’ll be back.”
“Take your time,” Eros said, ready to man the night alone.
We didn’t necessarily need to be here but it had become a staple in both our routines to see a few nights through whether on the floor or not.
Our staff was more than capable of handling themselves and the club goers.
In the safety of a quiet place to think, I took deep breaths, trying my best to clear the fog from my head.
What the fuck is wrong with you, Ares?
It wasn’t until I calmed down that I noticed something weird happening on the security feed I left up.
I watched a tall, slender figure glance both ways before ducking into the alleyway beside the club. Intrigued, I followed her movements--peering through the security cameras from behind my desk--as she used the binoculars around her neck. Eventually, she noticed the cameras and looked into one—revealing a pair of dark brown irises that stole my breath.
Who was this woman, and what was she doing lurking around my club?
Needing the answer to my question, I left my office and headed to the back entrance only my brother and I used. As I stepped into the alley, she turned to face me, pushing a few long locs off her shoulder.
“You know this is private property, right?” I asked, closing the distance between us.
She stood her ground, unlike anything I’d ever seen before, her gaze holding mine defiantly.
“I’m trying to see the stars,” she said, waving me off as if she weren’t trespassing on my property.
Her response wasn’t one I’d been expecting and instead of running her away, I wanted to know more.
“From the alley?” I asked, perusing her lanky stature.
She had to be no more than five-foot-ten and all legs.
“Are you done?”
I took my time meeting her death stare.
“Nah…” I twirled my finger. “Turn around for me.”
She was dressed in a pair of baggy sweats that wouldn’t show anything even if she was carrying a little ass back there. But the crop top with the waist beads sitting against her toned abdomen was sexy was as fuck.
Damn.
My entire mood shifted.
“You clearly aren’t the nice brother,” she quipped. “Ares, right?”
I almost laughed.
It didn’t surprise me that she knew my name or that I was considered the mean twin.
Not only had my brother always been known as the nice one but our father was the mayor of Houston. We were known in almost every space, good and bad.
And while women loved being in my presence, it was only ever an attempt to wear me down.
I was a conquest to most.
A goal to accomplish.
Every girl wanted to be the person who locked me down or got me to smile.
The problem was I didn’t want a girl, I wanted a fucking woman.
And this one… she could possibly fit the bill.
“Since you know my name, it’s only right I get yours.”
She rolled her eyes but there was little smile threatening to curl her lips.
Go ahead and smile for me, I thought.
“Nyx,” she finally said, looking around. “My name is Nyx.”
For a moment, I was taken aback.
That wasn’t just any kind of name, at least not to someone whose name was also attached to Greek mythology. While mine was a representation of the God of war, she was the personification of the night. The goddess of night and darkness to be exact.
My equal in more ways than one.
“Nice to meet you, Goddess,” I murmured, feeling the urge to retreat until she fucking smiled, giving me exactly what I’d been hoping for.
And damn was she beautiful.
It lit her whole face up, bringing more awareness to her dark skin.
“Nice to meet you god of war.”
I chuckled.
Ares wasn’t a popular God in Greek mythology. He represented what so many people hated about war, death and destruction.
Shaking away thoughts of fictional people, I pointed to her binoculars.
“This is the worst spot to see the stars.”
She shrugged.
“I figured but I never assume without concrete evidence.”
“Yet, you labeled me the mean brother without actually knowing me,” I quipped before I could stop myself.
“Because you were being an asshole.”
“I answered your question is what I did. You simply didn’t like the response.”
She smiled again and I wanted to keep it there for some stupid reason.
You know what…” she nodded. “You’re right, I didn’t like your answer but now you’re growing on me.”
I started to back away before I said something that would change her mind about that.
“Gotta go Nyx…”
Pausing my backward pursuit, I lifted an eyebrow.
“Campbell,” she answered, picking up on what I wanted.
“Gotta go, Nyx Campbell.”
She waved.
“See you around, Ares Mitchell.”
I turned on that note.
She wouldn’t be seeing me around.
Are you ready?? If so, head over to checkout a Sample from Eros written by Stephanie Nicole Norris.