The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 18

The club lost its charm after its diva retired for the night. Leonard tried to keep their night going but it was obvious Marcus had lost interest. After one last round they took their leave using the same door they entered. There they found the same tiny room with the teller window. The same masked brunette waited on the other side. Marcus wondered if she was the only one who worked behind the glass. Since the club was all about discretion it made sense they would limit how many employees knew the true faces of their clients. They dropped their masks into a return bin and Leonard handed his key to the waiting attendant. She smiled retrieving their phones and bid them good night.

Marcus hesitated as Leonard preceded him out. A sudden thought brought him to a halt. Tonight had been Leonard's treat but if Marcus wanted to attend without him he needed his own way into the club. Letting the door close between them Marcus turned back to the teller window. The attendant looked at him curiously.

"Exactly how does one become a member...VIP...or whatever?"

"If you want to set up a member account I'll need a picture ID and phone number. You'll also get a tab and parking pass so you'll need to provide a credit card. You'll also have to come up with a name for the account." "An ID?"

"For verification purposes. No one will be able to look up your information accept the Masque's owner."

Marcus hesitated a moment before taking out his wallet, "Fine. Let's do that."

The attendant made no comment as she accepted his driver's license and entered his information into her computer. To her credit she didn't react to his name but then she had already seen his face. Since she knew his face showing his driver's license wasn't any more of a risk. Since the club prided itself on discretion it was safe enough to allow this much so he willing gave up his phone number as well.

"And what would you like your name to be?"

Marcus hesitated as his mind went blank. Exactly what kind of name should he choose? Leonard based his on a television show he liked but Marcus didn't watch much television. The few shows he recalled watching as a kid were with his grandfather: McHale's Navy, Hogan's Heroes, M*A*S*H, the A-Team. It probably wasn't a surprise that M*A*S*H had been his grandfather's favorite since it was about army doctors and his grandfather had served as a medic himself.

Marcus frowned while the attendant patiently waited. Finally he said, "Hawkeye Pierce."

She blinked seemingly surprised by his choice but made no comment as she entered in the name. Apparently no one else had taken it and he breathed a sigh of relief. As she entered the name she muttered to herself, "Birds of a feather, I suppose." "What?" Marcus asked.

She merely shook her head saying, "And a credit card for the Tab?"

Marcus handed over his private debit card. His grandfather had presented it to him once he turned eighteen. It was his private bank account and no one else had access to it. No doubt his grandfather intended for him to be responsible and prove how mature he was; however, Marcus had used the generous allowance to fuel his alcohol-induced haze and almost nightly debauchery instead.

This time he would make the most of its unlimited depths. It was high time he put it to good use. He would do whatever it took to get closer to his mystery lady.

"Would you like us to disguise the charges? I can set it to make it look as if it came from a health spa or gym for an extra fee." "Not necessary."

"All right."

She pulled a plain white card from a drawer and swiped it through a reader of some sort before handing him all three cards, "This is your parking keycard. It's a ten-dollar parking fee but it covers your entire stay and grants you private access." "Right."

"Don't lose it. It's a fifty dollar fee to replace it."

"Fair enough," Marcus put all the cards away into his wallet. That was actually less painful than he feared. "Thanks."

"Come again," she smiled. "The more you spend the more benefits you can access."

"I'll keep that in mind."

She clicked a button buzzing the door open again and allowing him to exit. Stepping outside he found Leonard waiting by the car with an amused expression. Marcus felt his face warm but he said nothing as they climbed into his vehicle. "Get what you needed?" Leonard asked.

Marcus grunted refusing to answer though it didn't seem necessary. Leonard had already set up a similar account so he knew how long it would take to do so. He probably guessed exactly what Marcus was up to.

"Well, I hope you won't regret it," Leonard said with a shrug.

"Did you have anywhere you wanted to go?" Marcus asked.

"Nah. Just drop me off at home. I have to be up early tomorrow." "Oh? Why is that?"

"I'm getting married."

They were lucky they were at a light or Marcus was certain he would have driven off the road. He looked at his friend, eyes wide in surprise. For years both of them had played the part of rich playboys making fun of those who settled down. Neither of them ever voiced the desire to follow those examples. Though Marcus now found himself jealous of Julius, Silas, Lucas and Nicolas he didn't think Leonard shared his sentiments.

They had been together all night and Leonard had acted like his usual self. Not once did he even hint that this night was his last as a free man. Then again, it had been a rather quiet night compared to some they had shared, certainly not what Marcus would have expected Leonard's stag night to be. Perhaps his friend was maturing a little?

"You're getting married?"

"Yeah. Our parents have been friends for a long time and our fathers have been trying to merge their interests for awhile."

"What's she like?"

"Quiet," Leonard shrugged. "She's like a little mouse. She's got such a plain, thin body she looks like a toothpick that could snap in a strong wind."

"And you like her?"

"She'll make a good, obedient housewife. If I don't break her during sex I'll get her to pop out a few kids to make our parents happy."

"And that's it? You don't want anything more?"

Leonard laughed, "If I want more I'll go to the club. It's a good thing I discovered the Masque, eh? Oh, I just remembered I didn't get you a welcome home gift." "That's fine I wasn't..."

"No, just wait," Leonard dug in his pocket before holding out his hand.

Reluctantly Marcus accepted the offering to see it was a pair of condoms. Really?

Leonard chuckled reading the look on his face, "For old time's sake. Besides it's not like I'll need them."

Marcus frowned. He supposed he shouldn't have expected any different from Leonard. Though his friend didn't seem at all distressed about how his life was shaping up it wasn't the life Marcus wanted. He wanted more, so much more. But was it possible?

If he could hold his dream woman again he felt certain he would know the truth. He just needed to make that happen and the sooner the better.