Page 33 of Pin-up Girl

“Nah, that’s not what we came for. Although, tempting,” Emmett drawled as he winked at another girl who audibly sighed, “not our purpose tonight.”

Chao straightened, then turned to the girls who had started to arrange themselves along the plush white couches set in an upraised version of stadium seating. With a quick nod, they all stood as one and exited through a separate door on the other side of the room. The girls that hadn’t sat down yet smoothly continued walking until they all disappeared.

When he turned, his expression was no longer sharp and predatory, but desperately brittle.

“I’m not sure why they’d send you here. I’ve done nothing but offer the best service to the members of the club. Come this way, my office is more private.”

This dumb fuck thought we were here to deliver a warning. I pulled out my phone and sent a message to the group chat.

Can we play on his fear?

Both of their phones vibrated at the same time. They checked their phones with quick efficiency, most likely not wanting to take their attention off of their surroundings for more than a few seconds.

Chao led us down a dim hallway. In true Chao fashion, every inch of this place was gleaming opulence. The walls, floors, and even the ceiling were constructed out of the same black marble. The only break in color were the thin rectangular light fixtures glowing on the walls.

This time he didn’t hold the door open for us, moving instead to sit behind his desk. The fucker probably had a gun hidden in the drawer, or an emergency button, or both.

We fanned out, like we’ve done this thousands of times. Even Elise moved to cover the space in front of the door. She was on our side. It was written all over the set of her shoulders, the way she leaned forward just enough to be aggressive, and the slight downturn of her lips. Her disapproval was sharp, and she wasn’t afraid to let her disgust hang out.

Milo clasped his hands behind his back. To anyone looking in on any of the security cameras, he’d have appeared at the height of relaxation, ready for an evening stroll.

“I won’t waste too much of your time, Chao. Infinity has an issue, and it needs to be resolved. Your total cooperation is a necessity for your survival. I don’t have to tell you what will happen if you choose not to assist theorganization, as you so often call it.” Milo took one step forward and stopped, looking down his nose at Chao like he was less than the selects we tossed out of the Shack every morning.

It couldn’t have been further from the truth. Chao was never an official part of Infinity. His family line was short, no college degree, and definitely no alumni in his relations. But he was a self-made man who was tenacious and ruthless enough to hold his own, earning a periphery spot in Infinity.

“And what might that be, young Mr. Kingston?” Like he thought referencing Milo’s age would affect how we handled this situation.

“Something very simple that requires very little from you. There are a few elite members that are trying to cause unwanted, and definitely unnecessary waves. We will need you to record their next session with one of your girls and forward it on to us.”

An old fashion clock on the wall ticked in the following silence.

“What?No, no, no. Absolutely not. I’d be dead before the sun rose if I handed over that kind of evidence. Infinity doesn’t fight amongst themselves.” His face steadily turned an ugly shade of beet red, which was more of a deep magenta with a hint of purple.

“You’re wrong. Every once in a while, a few try to take over the group, steal leadership from the ones that hold it. I don’t have to tell you what my father will do if this request is not honored. He’s asked nothing of you. He’s even cut your mortgage by thirty percent this last year. He’s the one that encourages the patrons to tip more, use your services more. Would you like me to tell my father that you’re ungrateful?” Milo tilted his head, a blank expression on his face, as if he couldn’t care less what the answer was.

He looked every bit the ruthless businessman his father trained him to be. It would irritate him if he knew that, but with his neatly combed hair, expensive slacks and button down, and the fierce air about him, he made an intimidating picture.

Chao dropped his sad attempt at a smile, his too wide mouth drooping down on one side. Even his accent lost some of the cultured smoothness and picked up tones of his first language. “I made an oath that I wouldn’t divulge any information or evidence. I basically signed it in blood! I’m sorry. Even for your father, I cannot break my oath to Infinity. That would mean certain death.” He shook his head nervously, almost to the point of violence. Small droplets of sweat beaded on the edge of his hairline.

Milo sighed like he was really disappointed in Chao’s decision. The thing about Milo was that he was so charismatic, people tripped all over themselves to please him—they couldn’t stand his displeasure. I just hoped Chao felt the same pull.

The air thickened with Chao’s fear, maybe even uncertainty about how far we would go to prove we were serious. He was about to get his answer. Milo prowled toward the desk, slow and deliberate like a tiger stalking his prey through the grass. “Lock the door, Elise.”

She flinched, but covered it up quickly. I doubted Chao even noticed, what with all of his attention plastered to Milo. Her heels clanked against the floor as she locked the door, then the sharp twist of metal blared through the room. This was the moment Pin-up decided she was with us or against us.

The way Milo was taking the conversation, Chao might have given in immediately, erasing the chance for Elise to dirty her hands. Luckily, he was made of sterner stuff than that. I was honestly surprised. I didn’t think Clownface had enough energy to throw at being strong, not after using all his strength to hurt and demean others.

Emmett pushed his hands into his pockets while he strolled behind the desk, his black hair just wavy and unruly enough to give him a devil may care vibe. Then he stopped to the side of Chao, dropping down to his haunches and doing something out of our view. To anyone else, he could have been playing in Chao’s lap.

“We can’t have the cameras on now, can we?” Emmett purred. Chao’s face steadily lost color until the normal, warm yellow tones of his skin were gone, leaving behind a gray husk of himself.

“How did you know those were there?” He gulped.

Howdidhe know they were there? And how to turn them off? Milo must have been equally confused, because his brows were furrowed in an unusual show of confusion. He never gave anything away in front of our enemies, andeveryonewas our enemy.

“I think what Milo was about to say is that we’re supposed to leave you a little reminder of what happens when you refuse an order.” Emmett leaned close as if he were telling Chao a secret.

Milo yanked Chao up by the back of his collar and pressed him up against the wall. Emmett and I took up either side, blocking Clownface in so tightly, any air he breathed tasted of us, the Kings. A ridiculous name attached to us by hopeful social climbers. But in this moment, I wanted us to be remembered as the kings. Maybe not yet, but once we were free of everything Infinity, I wanted these fuckers to remember thekingswere the ones that were always one step ahead. We were the ones that were their downfall.

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