Page 35 of Bound by Adoration

I spoke. “David. You mean to tell me you were given a piece of paper this morning saying that all James’ shit goes to Clara?”

He hesitated only a moment. “Yes, Raid. Sir.”

Liam gave me a devilish look then smirked. “In other words, she forged a document and turned it into you. That’s forgery, robbery, and I’m sure I can tack on a few more to it. Care to rescind it?”

“Your father gave it to me before he died. It was in the stack of papers he left,” Clara announced, her eyes flitting between Liam and myself. “And what are you doin’ here anyway? You’re not involved inmyfamily’s business.”

A cold smile fell across my lips. “Liam is my business, you bitch. Keep this goin’, and I’ll be the one who ends you.”

Her saggy face fell more, if that was even possible as she whipped her head around to David. “You heard that, right? He threatened me.” She pointed her boney finger at me. “You need to call the police!”

A chuckle left me with a small bit of unease knowing that Thompson was in town and knowing Ravage wasn’t in full control of the department. But I didn’t let any of that shit show. Fuck her.

“Go ahead. We can share a cell,” I fired back.

“Enough,” Liam said, looking between us then to David. “You believe that shit’s real?”

David’s head shook. “No. If it were, she would’ve given it to me months ago. Plus, the signature at the bottom is a photocopy, not real ink. Legally I can’t accept it.”

“Do you have the papers I told you to create?” Liam asked as Clara’s head appeared to want to explode, clearly pissed at everyone in this room.

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“You allow him to sign those papers, I’m tellin’ your wife of your extracurricular activities,” Clara sneered at David.

Fuck, she had dirt on him. That shit was on him, though. It had nothing to do with Liam. So whatever it was, he needed to get over it and fast.

David’s eyes started shifting back and forth as I asked, “What is it? Strippers? Affairs? Porn addiction? Theft? What?”

Clara smiled, thinking she won. “Oh, Davy here loves to take a turn or two with a few men in town. Don’t ya? Wouldn’t want your wifey to find out, now would ya?”

“Man up,” Liam said before me. “You fucked up. Come clean and deal with the consequences. If you’re into the same sex or fuck, both of them, keepin’ it from your wife is only gonna be a barrier in your marriage. You don’t want that shit to ride you the rest of your life.”

A slow smirk came to my lips as pride in Liam came through. He’d always been smart and quick witted. It was nice to see some things hadn’t changed.

“I can’t, I…” David started to panic with that small threat.

“Look. You tell her or Clara tells her; either way, she knows. So pick your poison,” Liam threw in. “My papers are the ones you were hired to do. This shit she’s done won’t hold up in any court, and you know it.”

I narrowed my gaze. “Bottom line, fucker, you come clean to your wife or Clara does, but what doesn’t happen is her blackmailing you into fucking Liam over. Period. I think you understand if you side with Clara you will be my enemy.” I paused. “To be my enemy is to be a Ravage enemy.”

David closed his eyes, realizing his fate. I didn’t give two shits if his wife found out. The papers needed to be signed the way Liam wanted them. End of discussion.

David made his decision and pulled out a manilla envelope and held it up. “Liam, these are the ones you want to sign.”

Clara made a move to grab it, but I got there first, blocking her as Liam grabbed the envelope.

“Time for you to leave, bitch,” I growled low, and her face this close up showed deep weathered lines. Her skin was the texture of leather. Not to mention the old bat had a damn cigarette hanging out of her mouth this entire time. At least she had one talent. Talking with shit in her mouth.

“I’m not leavin’, and Liam, you’re not signin’ those papers,” Clara argued.

“You wanna play that way? Fine.” Reaching over, I picked up Clara under her armpits and moved to the door.

“Put me down! I’ll have you arrested for assault!” she screamed.

“Good luck with that. You’re trespassing, so meet you in the cell,” I fired back, setting her down and slamming the door in her face. Clicking the lock, she began to bang on the door. Yelling all kinds of insults.

“Damn, Liam. She’s somethin’ else,” I told him.

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