Page 16 of A Twisted Arrangement

I raise one brow, and he shifts backward before practically fleeing. It would be comical if it hadn’t distracted me from what I’m here for, and Liam’s disappearing through the entrance.

The bouncer looks at me before bowing. “Mr. Everette, to what do we owe this honor?”

I don’t recognize him, but if I had to guess by his attitude, he’s an Unsainted, an unvouched member of the Order who hasn’t gone through the initiation yet.

“I’m here to catch a rat. The man who just walked in. Don’t let him in again.”

“Of course, sir.” He holds the door open, fingers trembling on the handle. “Have a good night.”

There’s no question that I’m going to thoroughly enjoy what happens next.

The club’s packed with scantily clad women wearing only the most expensive designer dresses. The men are all in some variation of business suits screaming loud and clear that they’re a bunch of stock bro assholes who think they’re better than everyone.

I walk deeper into the bar, looking for the man I’m here for. Liam’s standing at a high bar table, his date teetering on a chair, her one arm resting on the table for balance. Fuck, she’s a mess.

I stay hidden against the wall, waiting for my opportunity. It’s dark enough to kill him without being seen, but there are flashes of color, as if the room’s being lit by lightning. I’d have to time it perfectly, or everyone would see me snuff this asshole’s lights out.

Instead, I wait impatiently as he buys this girl drink after drink until she’s slumped over. If I hadn’t already been royally pissed at him, this would’ve done it on its own.

I crack my neck and follow him to the restroom. He stands there, dick in his hand, not noticing I came in. “Liam, is it? I thought I told you I didn’t want to see you again.”

My voice rings out in the tiled room, the music outside dulled by the closed door. He looks over his shoulder, one brow raised. “What the hell is it to you?—-”

He pales, shifting away from me. “I…I’m sorry.”

“I haven’t even told you why I’m here yet.” I step closer and enjoy the way he trembles at my approach. Dick still in hand, clueless of his surroundings, but he’s smart enough to know he’s not safe here. The urge to channel Damon and cut it the fuck off is more tempting than it should be.

He swallows hard and says in a last-ditch effort, “We’re in public. Anyone could come in.”

I smirk and click the dead bolt closed, and horror takes over Liam’s face. I don’t give him time to react, closing the space between us, gripping the hair on the back of his head and slamming his nose into the wall. Blood splatters the white tile when I repeat the motion several more times before hauling him back so he can look at me.

He’s in rough shape. His nose is collapsed, mouth bloody, empty spots where he’s missing teeth. I slam my fist into his gut, not quite satisfied that he’s gotten the message.

Liam’s lips tremble, spit forming at the side as he begs, “Please stop.”

I let go, and he drops to the sticky floor at my feet. “Why would I stop when I haven’t gotten what I came for yet.”

He crab walks back on his hands, tears in his eyes. “Why…what do you want?”

I can’t help myself from screwing with him a little, letting him think there’s hope for him to make it out of this room. “Leave Scarlet Laurent alone. Make a public announcement stating that you are a cheating bastard who doesn’t deserve her and that she called off the engagement because of it.”

He nods, but there’s a gleam of something else, something sinister in his eyes that has the hair at the back of my neck standing up. He thinks if he survives this, he’ll still be able to blackmail her.

He wipes his sleeve over his chin. “She wants to marry me.”

“Does she though? Because a little birdie came to visit me earlier and said that you’re trying to coerce her. That couldn’t be true, right? You wouldn’t stoop so low.”

“Of course not. I don’t have to manipulate some bitch to marry me.”

My boot slams into his chest, and his air wheezes out in a loud whoosh.

“Wrong fucking answer. Try again.”

He’s crumpled over, mouth opening and closing, but no words come out.

I place my hands in my pockets, relaxing like I have all the time in the world. “I found your files, Liam. I’ll admit you did an okay job encrypting them, but in the end, they were easy enough to hack into.”

Startled eyes meet mine, and he begins to shake at the realization I know all about the sick shit he’s been pulling.

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