Page 55 of Líadan's Code

Catching a glimpse of an older man, I grasp onto it with both hands. “Jordan is coming now, look,” I mention, nodding toward where he’s walking. His sun-kissed hair is a beacon when the light hits it, regardless of how dim it is.

One of Layla’s men forces my father to step back, though he brushes off the insult. “Your men are so protective,” Daddy sneers. “I’m surprised your uncle lets you spread your legs for so many people.”

He times his words to be overheard by Jordan, who simply raises his brow. “If you’re insinuating my niece is a whore, then she’s been called worse things than that by her own father. Layla loves hard, and who she chooses to share her body with is absolutely none of your concern. Don’t you have better things to do than attempt to bait me?”

Ah, let the games begin. It’s only going to get worse from here.

Chapter Thirteen

Jordan

I’m incredibly tense watching as Layla calmly banters with the enemy. She looks like a dangerous doll right now, dressed in the outfit Seán clearly picked out for her. It’s creepy that he chose a dress that’s full of tulle and fluff for an event like today. It’s very reminiscent of leading a lamb to the slaughter, and my blood begins to boil at the reminder that he did the same to his own daughter.

All around, there are men and women who keep their evil gazes on us, while they participate in the party favors provided to them in the form of beautiful women. This is just the beginning, as Seán has promised them a songbird for their collections.

My niece.

Thankfully, while I took the long way to my seat, I caught sight of Lennon and her men positioned in the audience and around the club. She managed to get up slowly, pulling me into a side hallway to speak to me.

“I see you’re safe,” she says, looking over her shoulder. Her dress is formal, and she appears to fit in perfectly with the crowd.

“Outside of a few bumps and bruises, I’m fine,” I grunt. “Things are… complicated with Seán and his daughter. Does Layla know he’s planning to double cross her?”

“Yeah,” Lenny says. “Derek and Orion are watching out for her, and Greg pulled all the details together with his secret ways. Do you need an extraction after this is all over?”

Shaking my head, I give her a small smile. “I’m afraid I’m staying, love. Líadan is going to need help after all of this is over.”

“She’s pretty,” Lenny teases me, winking.

“She’s a package deal with her boyfriend,” I confess. “I did a little matchmaking for Layla. I saw that she wasn’t trying to kill them…”

“You’re my favorite uncle,” Lennon says with a chuckle. “Layla is figuring things out with them all, and Tyler has enjoyed showing them that they’re idiots.”

“I think I like him best,” I confess with a shrug. “We ran into an issue with the label, and it felt a little like fate. Now, don’t let her get too in her feelings about this, okay?”

Realizing this is goodbye, she takes a deep breath as she nods. Squeezing her hand, I slip out of our hiding spot, leaving her to find her way back to Roark in the crowd.

Not everyone is engaging in public sex, and those who don't look bored with the whole thing. Lenny is one of those people, now leaning in to speak to Roark as if she’s unaffected by the depravity surrounding her.

One man is laid out on a table in the middle of the room while sucking someone’s cock and another female fucks his tight ass with a toy. If this was another time and place, and I knew this was someone who wanted to be here, my cock would be rock hard. Unfortunately, I can see his drug induced glazed stare from here.

It looks like acting runs in the family.

“You can see the family resemblance, can’t you, daughter?” Seán grunts. “The only reason both of them aren’t dead yet is because I also like them.”

The warning is clear, but I just gaze back at him, unimpressed. Whatever is going to happen, won’t until he shows his cards. He’s having too much fun with his food to do that yet.

Líadan gazes between Layla and I in surprise by how much we look alike. I guess it’s easier to see when we’re in the same room than a grainy video.

“Please threaten to kill me again,” Layla growls, baring her teeth. “I don’t have the patience to deal with small-minded people tonight.”

Ignoring them before I can let their posturing stress me out, I focus on all the potential places Layla could have weapons on her person. I saw Seán checking her for weapons as I walked over here, but he didn’t find anything, which means her weapons are hidden in the complicated hairstyle she’s wearing.

Thank fuck for Lennon and her many tricks.

Seán wants Tyler, Layla’s boyfriend to stay with us while she goes up to perform. I can tell that he’s attempting to leverage his safety into my niece's continued obedience.

Forcing myself to breathe, I watch as Layla walks on stage with her bandmates, hoping she doesn’t run into trouble.

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