Page 61 of Brutal King

Mistaking her reaction for fear of me, Arran angles his body to shield her. “Who the fuck areyou?”

“Have a seat and I’ll tell you,” I say, making sure my smile remains in place. It would do no good to start off on the wrong foot.

“Better yet, I’ll have you escorted out of my damned club and you can tell my guards who you are.”

I narrow my gaze. “Aren’t you curious as to how I made it through your secure doors and all the way to your table in the first place?” I tut. “Your guards don’t pose a threat to me. So unless you want a massacre, I suggest you sit your ass in that chair so that we can have a discussion like civilized men.”

He scans the club to confirm that no one on his security detail is concerned that there might be an intruder amongst them. When he faces me again, his eyes are dark and filled with fury. I extend my hand to him. He shakes it with a hard-enough squeeze that were I a weak man, I’d buckle.

I return his powerful shake with one of my own, and grin. “Nice to finally meet you, Arran.”

“How did you get in?”

“I have my ways. And just in case you’re considering taking me out, know that I never do anything without an insurance policy.” I glance casually toward Skye, and she trembles visibly. “Devon says hello, by the way.”

“He’s just a secretary,” Arran says.

“One whose life you value.” If he doesn’t, I’ve lost my touch on reading people.

“Where is he?”

I grin wider. Just as I thought. He cares. “He’ll be back at the office, safe and sound, tomorrow morning.”

Arran’s sharp jaw clenches and he tears his hand from mine. My smile turns smug, not on purpose, but simply from knowing I have the advantage here. I wouldn’t have bothered coming if it had been different.

Skye presses in closer to Arran and I shift my attention to her. “And you are?”

She’s stiff as a board, but plays along and accepts my hand in greeting. “Skye.”

“Very nice to meet you, Skye.” I hold onto her hand a little longer than I should. It’s a test. Something to help me determine exactly what she is to Arran.

“Enough!” he hisses. There’s menace and a very clear warning in his tone.

Perfect.

With a laugh, I release her. “Why don’t you two sit and have a chat with me. I promise not to take too much of your time.”

He pauses to consider it for only a moment before realizing there’s no other choice. Pulling out the chair next to him, he motions for Skye to sit.

“Your business is with me,” Arran says when he catches me watching Skye. “Not my date.”

“Is it?”

“It fucking better be.” He places a protective hand over hers. “What do you want?”

I scan my surroundings. “Really nice place you have here, Arran. I must say, I’ve heard wonderful things and have been meaning to visit. I was just waiting for the invitation.”

“Cut the bullshit. What do you want?”

“Wow,” I say with mock dismay. Then I show him the ruby ring on my small finger. “Is this how you treat all your customers?”

He glances at the Maxton House ring, a key given to those invited here, probably wondering how I got it. Lucky for me, Scarlet is as good at thieving as she is at killing.

“You’re not a customer,” he snaps. “You’re an unwelcome fly in my soup. So say what you want and get the fuck out.”

Ouch. Childish insults are fun, but I’m beyond that now. I look to Skye, who’s staring at me wide-eyed and visibly disturbed by my presence.

You took too long, I tell her with my gaze.

---