Page 89 of Corrupt Me

Now had probably not been the best time to tell him we were being followed, considering our company, but it was too late. I doubted any of these fine gentlemen…uh, street thugs would take kindly to learning someone outside the circle discovered their clubhouse or whatever this was. I no longer was sure I wanted to know the details.

The boss jerked his head at two of his henchmen who jumped silently to do his bidding without hesitation. They burst out the door I’d been dragged through.

Then those tyrannical eyes turned to me and remained zeroed on my face as he left Tristan in the corner, coming to stand before me. Beefcake released me and backed up, leaving me to his boss. Using the back of his hand, the boss ran his knuckles down the side of my face, the two rings on his fingers gliding over my cheek. I refused to flinch, looking him square in the eyes. “You look familiar, sugar. Have we met before? I can’t place your face.”

My chin lifted. “I think I would remember if we had.”

The boss angled his head to the side, glancing at Tristan. “I thought you came alone. That was our agreement.”

Murder shone in my neighbor’s eyes, fury radiating off him. “She’s no one, Angelo. Just a girl I was with when I got the text.”

Despite knowing he downplayed our relationship with calculated purpose, I hated the burn in my stomach. I made a weird agreeing sound, trying to play it cool, but it came out awkward. “I’m just his annoying neighbor.”

Tristan pinched the bridge of his nose, and I knew I fucked up.

Angelo snapped his fingers, his sinister eyes brightening. “You’re the bargaining chip. I never forget a face, especially one as stunning as yours. What are you doing with this Malone?”

“She’s mine.” Tristan’s face was hard, his eyes dark and filled with something I’d never seen in him before. Possession. “That’s all you need to know.”

A special brand of ruthlessness curled on Angelo’s lips. “Well, well, well…this night just got interesting.”

Tristan’s hands balled at his sides. “And if you touch her again, I’ll make this night un-fucking-forgettable.”

Angelo laughed. “Except you’re in no position to issue threats. Have you considered my offer?”

Tristan’s lips twitched like he was being reminded of a bad memory. “The answer’s still no.”

As if to test Tristan’s control, Angelo put his arm around me, tugging me against his chest. “You would make a great addition to my crew, Malone. We both know you would fit right in. It’s like you were born to be part of the Crows.” That explained the black bird tattoo covering Angelo’s forearm.

My insides went cold at being so close to Angelo, the seawater and sandalwood notes of his cologne choking me.

The muscles along Tristan’s neck throbbed. “You know why I’m here.”

“Right. The debt.” Angelo squeezed me, the side of his head lightly tapping mine. “Except now we have a complication.” His arms dropped away from my shoulder, and I glanced sideways at him, noticing the gun he held in his right hand.

The bitter bite of fear sank its teeth into me, making it difficult for me to breathe.

With slow steps, Tristan walked around the Lamborghini, his body taut and ready to strike. “She isn’t a problem. I’ll make sure of it. I’ve never gone back on my word.”

“No,youhaven’t. The question remains…what am I going to do with you, sugar?” I thought he might touch me again, but he seemed to reconsider, Tristan’s threat lingering in the air. Angelo tapped a finger against the side of his gun. “You are turning out to be quite the valuable little treasure. I have the urge to keep you a little longer. Everly, isn’t it?”

What the fuck?“How do you know my name?”

“It’s my business to know things—especially about those who I do business with,” Angelo said.

My gaze shot to Tristan. What was he mixed up in? And how had I gotten myself involved? “I don’t know anything. I don’teven know who you are. Or what you’re doing in this…lovely establishment.”

Angelo laughed again. “You’re funny. I have plenty of clients who would eat you up, sugar.”

I was convinced he meant that literally, a scary thought.

Tristan let out a grumbling breath. “She’s not up for negotiation.”

Angelo placed the tip of the gun’s barrel on my shoulder, trailing the cool metal down my arm. “I think you, better than anyone, would know that everything has a price. Even something we value and treasure.”

My legs trembled, and I didn’t know how long I could stay upright.

Tristan didn’t show an ounce of intimidation, and I couldn’t fathom how he did it. “Maybe in your world. But she isn’t something I’ll compromise on.”

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