Page 28 of Volatile Obsessions

My point is, though, for someone who was so anxious to reclaim what was supposedly his, why wait any longer than necessary to do so? Why waste time on petty moves?

I was tempted to ask, so tempted the question burned hot on my tongue, but I knew the chances of getting an honest answer were slim to none, not when he was still withholding so much from me.

“If you say so,” I conceded, cutting my eyes toward all the commotion on the upper level.

Willow’s friends were having the time of their lives with no Willow in sight. I’d bet money not one of them knew what their dearest friend had to endure in order to make this possible.

“So what’s the next step in your plan?” He questioned, slicing through my silent observation.

I shrugged and turned my attention back on him, draining what remained of my beer. “Tip off the cops, lead them right to her distributors. At least the top three anyway. She’ll find herself quite lost without them considering they purchase the most weight and have the most clientele, right?”

One of Vic’s brows shot up in a perfect arch. “Absolutely. I like that,” he cooed, nodding in approval. “She’s going to go nuclear.”

“Good. That’s the goal, is it not?”

“Yep.”

“Next move is on you, though, mate,” I clarified, pointing the emptied bottle at him. “You have to give her one teensy sliver, make her think you’re doing your job and all that.”

“I will, I will. She’ll be begging for sure by then. Perfect timing if you ask me,” he chortled, the devious glimmer in his eyes practically shining through his Aviators. “Told you I needed your mastermind.”

Sureee.

I could have rolled my damn eyes. Bloody miracle I didn’t, really.

“Oh, and I keep forgetting to mention…” I added, scooting to the edge of my seat. “I’m taking the office.”

Vic looked at me like I’d sprouted five heads. “The hell you are,” he spat, enjoying a good laugh.

By himself.

My lips didn’t even quirk.

“I am. I have to,” I asserted.

“Yeah? And why is that?”

“Because if I don’t, it’ll blow our cover. What is Lux going to think when she finally pieces everything together, storms into Noir Coast, only to find an office that screams Vic Kane?”

Silence.

I could see the cogs working in his head, see it painted all over his face. He knew I had a point.

“Fuck, you’re right,” he sighed, dropping his head back against the cushion.

I smiled in satisfaction and lifted onto my feet as the yacht began approaching the bay. “I know.”

“Whatever, do it.” He waved me off, not noticing I’d already taken off. “I’ll clean it out Monday and you can move your shit in. But as soon as Lux submits, I’m taking it back.”

“You can have it,” I called out over my shoulder, heading right for a frightened Willow at the other end of the boat with a smirk.

The girl was going to have a good time, even if it was just for a few minutes, and she was going to realize she didn’t need Vic to do that.

She just needed the King.

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