Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I feel like I’m clinking glasses with royalty as the Titanic is starting to sink underneath us. Or like we’re on the brink of a massive, ground-shattering earthquake, yet everyone else is acting like we’re untouchable.
When I see Niko stand up and stride toward the paned glass doors that lead to the back deck, my senses heighten.
And then I see the stranger in cufflinks stand up, too.
Looking at Niko.
Following him outside.
I need air.
I need air.
Just fucking say it, just talk, just speak—
“Going to get some air,” I finally manage to say out loud, standing up and gripping the back of my chair as I stand.
Sevan’s already gotten up and crossed the elegant ballroom, snaking his way through caterers and groups of people walking around, tailing the stranger.
“We’re only just getting started,” Roman says, cutting me a glance that I’m sure is supposed to make me sit the fuck back down.
“I’ll be back soon,” I tell him, breaking eye contact before taking off across the ballroom.
I keep my sights locked on the back of Sev’s body, following him like he’s a beacon in the dark, my heart pounding like I’m about to jump from a tall building.
Don’t do this for me, I’m begging on the inside.
If Niko gets hurt, I’ll feel like it’s my fault.
If Sevan gets hurt… I’ll know it’s my fault.
I need all of this to end.
And if I’m the one who gets hurt in the process, then at least I’ll escape the guilt that pools on my conscience like toxic sludge.
I push through the doors that lead outside.
The air is balmy and smells like spring, fresh grass and floral scent perfuming the air. The moon is low, and the back deck of the ballroom is lit with lanterns along the outer railing. There’s a small outdoor bar set up at the far side, but the deck is virtually empty right now, as the dinner just began inside.
“What the hell are you doing?” I hear Sevan shout as he approaches the stranger behind Niko.
Both of them turn to look back, under the canopy of the trees flanking the deck.
“I need to have a little talk with Niko,” the guy says. “A private talk.”
“After what I heard you say at that party, you’re not getting anywhere near Niko.”
“Who the fuck are you?” I roar as I approach them.
“Great. One of Knox’s legitimate sons wants to come stick his nose in this, too?” the guy says. “Does the name Cal Thorne ring a bell to you, or are you so self-absorbed you can’t remember me, either?”
Thorne.
Dad did mention someone he called Thorne, only a couple of times.
Thorne reaches into his jacket pocket and I see a flash of metal reflecting the light from the lamp post nearby.
My heart skips a beat as cold fear floods my veins.
He has a knife.
“I didn’t recognize you with the shaved head,” Niko says. “But I remember you. You were a dick to my mother every time you and that lawyer met up with her. Can’t imagine what the fuck you want with me.”
“Your dear old dad had promised me money that I never got to have,” Thorne says. “And I know you got a nice, cushy payout when Knox died.”
“He doesn’t owe you a penny,” Sevan says.
I see the gleam of the metal again as Thorne twirls the knife in his hand.
“That depends who you ask,” Thorne says.
“Why go to him?” I call out.
Sev turns to cut me a warning glance. “Stay away from him, Wes.”
“Why him, and not me?” I say louder, crossing the stone deck.
“Because you and your father have had half of the CEOs in the country bribed for years. Certainly every CEO at this dinner. You are a spoiled kid with resources. Niko, on the other hand…”
It’s like the ground is shaking beneath me.
That earthquake, causing a tectonic shift.
Sev’s expression drops into confusion, just for a split second, as he looks back at me. “That bribery claim can’t be true,” he whispers.
“We need to talk about that,” I tell him.
“Give me the money I fucking deserve, or the Crimson administration finds out everything,” Thorne says. “I don’t just have receipts. I have videos. Phone calls. Onyx House will be dead overnight.”
“You won’t do that,” I say. “If you expose what Dad did, you’ll have to answer for it, too. You were involved, weren’t you?”
Thorne glares at me. “I’ll go down with all of you. And it’ll be fucking worth it.”
He suddenly flicks the knife open and gets his arm around Niko’s neck from behind, holding him like a hostage with the blade at his throat.
My heart drops.
Sev leaps into action, gripping at Thorne’s arm.
No.
No.
Not because of me.
No one can get hurt because of me.
“The money is yours,” I call out.
It makes me sick to say it. But if this goes any further, everything will be worse.