Page 44 of Keeping Score

“Get the fuck out, Leah. I told you we’re done. You want to go spread your legs for the fucking team and let them run a train? Do it because I don’t fucking care anymore!” he screams. I stare at him in a new light. He’s hurt and I get that, but it doesn’t mean I have to take his shit.

“Fine. Remember you said that shit, because I’m tired of waiting for you to man the hell up and admit to my brother you’re in love with me.” He scoffs then laughs darkly.

“Aww, Goldie, your sweet and innocent act may fool everyone else but not me. You are a lying little cunt who likes to play games. Well, guess what, baby,” he reaches out and tucks a stray strand of hair gently behind my ear, which shocks the hell out of me, “I’m going to ruin you for taking the only family I have ever known from me. I’m going to fuck your world right up and relish in seeing you burn in front of my eyes.” My mouth drops open in horror. How the hell can he be so cruel, when hours ago he held me while I broke down in front of everyone. The door opens. Darius flicks his gaze toward it and rolls his eyes. “Get the fuck out. Your bodyguard is here to save you from me.”

“You’re being a fucking dick!” Beck snaps. Darius turns his dark eyes back to me. I don’t find any trace of the kind attentive lover anywhere in the depths.

“And still she wants me. Fancy that, Becky boy. The girl you’re pining over still wants my cock in her even when I’m a cunt but not yours. That must be a huge blow for the ego.” I gasp as his hurtful words, shaking my head in disgust.

“Fuck you, Darius, you are a real piece of shit–”

“Don’t fucking call me what you call my brother!” he seethes.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t act exactly like him!” I shout before spinning around and storming toward Beck. He steps aside to let me out. I don’t fuck around, I head downstairs even though I know I won’t be able to sleep a wink after that confrontation.

Darius

The second we walk into the hotel lobby where the press release is being held, cameras are shoved in our faces. Troy calls out to us and tries to fight his way through the paps. We manage to push our way through the cameras and follow after Troy as he leads us into a room off to the side. Beck has to force the door closed and lock it so no one can barge in.

“Fucking hell, that was intense,” Crue says as he drops down into one of the vacant chairs around the oval-shaped table.

“We only have twenty minutes before we have to head in, take a seat,” Troy says, the rest of us grab a seat and wait for him to stop shuffling through the files he has and tell us what the fuck to do. “Okay,” he says as he grabs a stack of papers out. “I received a call last night from Victor’s lawyers.”

“About?” Saint butts in.

“They wanted to renegotiate the terms of the contract given the events that unfolded on Friday. I said no and that the press release would still go ahead today.”

“They’re coming, aren’t they?”

“Yes, Corvin, they are already waiting for the conference to begin.” When we all start shouting Troy raises his hand to silence us. “We can come out on top of this.”

“How?” I snap. “I broke his fucking arm and beat the shit out of him. Our stocks are going to drop the moment we go public as the owners of BCD’S.”

“They are going to bury us in legal shit and halt all the plans for us to expand the hotel chain,” Crue interjects.

“We’re fucked,” Beck breaths out as he leans back in his chair.

“Boys!” Troy snaps, gaining all our attention. He smiles cunningly as he slaps his hands atop the table and looks to each of us. “I must admit, I thought you were all finished but then this morning I got another call.”

“From who?” Corvin asks.

“A witness,” he answers.

I frown. “A witness to what exactly?” I ask.

“Gary Hayes telling Victor Hayes that hedidin fact drug and rape Leah. It was all caught on camera and the witness is here to speak today.” I dart my gaze to the guys to see they are just as shocked as I am.

“How does this help us?” Saint asks.

“It would mean that the charges Gary has pressed against Corvin and Darius won’t hold much weight now that there is proof their attack was warranted in the defense of Leah Williams. All we need to do is have both Corvin and Darius make a formal apology before anything is mentioned about the merger. When the merger is announced, Darius will then close out the conference by saying he is heading straight to the localprecinct and will be out on bail within a couple hours.” A whoosh of air escapes me.

“I’ll still have to go to court though?” I ask.

“Not if I have anything to do with it. Now, let’s get this over with and get the hell out of here because I have a mountain of paperwork to finish and new employee contracts to draft for you boys.”

“And this is why we keep you on retainer, Troy,” Crue jokes, earning a scowl from the old man.

I stand from my seat and look out at the crowd of reporters, spotting Gary and Victor in the back with smirks on their faces. It brings me great fucking joy to see Gary sporting a cast on his throwing arm. I fucking hate that I have to say sorry to the son of a bitch and act like I mean it. Troy said I have to sell it or I risk fucking up this whole thing up.

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