Page 45 of Knights Game

The club around us is bustling, but he leans his hip against the bar, looking bored and arrogant.

“Excuse me?”

“Being lied to,” he repeats, placing the glass down and snapping his fingers. The barman immediately looks over, giving us his full attention.

Just like that.

A click.

And wham, all other guests forgotten.

“Balvenie Double Wood 17 and, Layla?”

“Erm.” I clear my throat. “Can I just get some water please?”

“Get her a Balvenie as well, Kane.”

The man nods and starts to work on pouring our drinks, including my water.

“You said you’d just met my cousin, but I know that isn’t entirely true, is it.”

The bartender places his drink down and Levi passes me the glass of water. I thank him and gulp some down.

“And, well, it would seem Luca has taken a bit of a liking to you.” He sips, watching me. The way his eyes burn into my face makes my cheeks flush, and not in a warm and fuzzy way. My heart rate picks up and my stomach churns with hot acid.

“I don’t really understand what you’re talking about, we just met tonight!”

“Ah, you say that, and you say that so quickly, almost defensively. Don’t be scared, Layla, we’re just talking.” He rubs my arm and I pull back. “I know you’ve met before. I’ve seen how he is with you, the chemistry. The obsession. And well, with that obsession comes an opportunity for me. You see, Layla…” He kicks off from the bar, picks up his drink and takes my elbow, navigating me around the dance floor and towards a corner in the shadows. His hand moves from my elbow to rest gently on my lower back. I’m desperate to shake it off, as he leads me to a table that with one look vacates.

I’d like to think I’d be able to walk away, but something in the way he’s placing pressure on me suggests any action apart from doing what he asks would be a mistake.

“…I need you to do something for me.”

“Excuse me?” Dread fills my body; it fuels my blood. It all but consumes me.

“I need you to do something for me. Otherwise, I fear something may happen to the ones you love.”

Every muscle in my body stiffens.

All the while the trumpets of a house track beat around us.

He pulls out the chair and I sit down even though my body is screaming for me to run.

“Ah, yes. There it is. The realisation,” Levi states. “Grandad, Katy. Not many people in your circle, but the ones who are in it are that much more important to you.” He smiles at me, and it gives me the creeps. I reach forward for the whiskey and with shaking hands take a large gulp that makes me wince.

“I’m a businessman, and, well, I’d like to make you an offer, and in return I won’t fucking kill your loved ones.” He sneers, his fingers beginning to dig into my arm.

I feel sick.

I take another sip of whiskey because if I don’t push something down my throat, I may very well vomit.

He leans back, looking down at his nails, and inspects them before his dark cold eyes meet mine. Which are, no doubt wide and wild.

“Offer?” I say, my voice quivering as much as my hands, which are now clammy and fiddle with the hem of my dress.

“Luca seems to care for you.”

I shake my head, because Levi is terrifying, this conversation is terrifying.

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