Page 18 of Indecent Villain

KINSLEY

To my surprise,when I open my bedroom door, there is no Jock. Over the past few days, I've become used to seeing him sitting and waiting for me. It isn't early either. In my bare feet, I pad toward the staircase and pause. Down below, I hear a couple of voices that I haven't heard before. That doesn't mean anything, considering I haven't met all the men Tiberius has brought here. Is something going on? My hackles rise when I hearhervoice. Veronica. She certainly rubbed me the wrong way, more so after the things Tiberius and Jock warned me about.

I peer over the balustrade and find myself staring into Tiberius’s striking silver eyes. The man gives me a subtle shake of his head as he and his guests disappear into the office. True to his word, the air vent was covered the same day I got caught listening in. I smile to myself. I know of another place where I can eavesdrop. I'll have to be quiet, though.

After hustling back to my room, I tug on my biker boots. They look good with my purple leggings and black tee. I leave my hair loose and tiptoe downstairs. I glance around but don't see anyone. With a quick inhale, I rush across the hallway and into the dining room. So far, so good. The chair that usually sits in front of the secret panel has been moved to the opposite side of the room, which is good for me. I quickly push the panel, and the door pops open. I slip inside and pull the door closed behind me before I switch on the light.

When I reach the lounge, I ponder grabbing a snack but decide against it. Stealth is the name of the game. I'll be closer to the man who makes me ache at night. The man who makes my body swell with excitement simply by gazing at me. I shake my head to clear my mind as I walk to the office. As I approach, a thought occurs to me: what if Tiberius discovered the secret doorway in the office upstairs? They could be inside right now, having a meeting.

I swallow hard and listen at the door. There is no sound but the rush of blood in my skull. I glance through the keyhole and see no activity. Now or never. I push the door open and step inside. I close it behind me, pressing my back against it. The tall closet at the back is still locked, indicating that Tiberius has not yet gained access. I enter the code, and one side of the door opens. Before I can change my mind, I slip inside and shudder at the eerie atmosphere.

There is no light in the tight stairwell. I feel as if the walls are pressing in on me. There's a musky odor that causes me to screw my nose up. I take a deep breath and carefully climb the stairs, feeling the cold air wrap around me. As I reach the top, I notice a little glimmer of light coming from a crack in the wall. Now I hear voices.

A man with a deep voice is speaking. "—guns. The last shipment Jude sent fell short. They're not happy. I told them Jude was dead and that you had no part in your brother's dealings. They won't accept that. They want what they paid for."

I cover my mouth with a hand as tears pop into my eyes. What was my father doing?

"What the fuck else was Jude up to behind my back?" Tiberius says in a tight and controlled voice.

“Nevertheless, Beckett, you need to do something now,” Veronica says. “I can always ask my father for help.”

“No!” Tiberius snaps. “That won’t be necessary.” He pauses. “You haven’t explained why you are here.”

“I told you. I’m friends with Simon. He asked me to come along.”

Tiberius grunts.

Another man speaks. "Jude wasn't the man you thought he was, Beckett. He changed over the past few years. He wasn't the do-as-he’s-told kind of man like before. He's left us in the shit with some bad assholes. We need help to get them off our backs. Hence, we came to you."

My stomach sinks as I realize the extent of my father's deception. The man's words echo in my mind, making me question everything I thought I knew about him.

"How short?" Tiberius asks after a prolonged silence. "Are they insisting on their complete shipment, or will financial payment suffice?"

"They want what they ordered, but if you make contact, maybe they will agree to an alternative form of goods,” Veronica says.

Desperate to see rather than just hear, I lean against the lattice paneling just in time to see Tiberius nod, his expression opaque. "I'll see what I can do to resolve this situation discreetly," he says, his tone serious. "But be prepared for the worst-case scenario."

The smaller of the other men nods, accepting Tiberius’s solution.

"Jude's daughter, where is she?" another man asks.

“Oh, she’s—” Veronica starts.

Tiberius growls, shutting her up. "Where she is, it is no one's business. Jude kept her out of the family business. She knows nothing."

"It is no secret he has a daughter. They could come after her, thinking she does know something. Maybe the whereabouts of the guns."

Tiberius slams a fist on top of the table. "Then you better make sure that doesn’t happen. They stay away from the girl, or they will have a war with me, which they will not win."

"She has your protection?"

"Fucking right, she does. She is my family. We are done here. Salem will show you out."

"When will we hear from you?" a man asks.

"Soon."

“Beckett, really!” Veronica protests. “They’re not the enemy. You can’t just order them out of your house.”

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