Page 133 of Filthy Elites

“Keep it,” he says.

“You didn’t want me to have it,” I remind him.

He nods. “Still don’t,” he agrees. “But it’ll make you feel safe, won’t it?”

I don’t respond right away. My eyes find the floor. His knuckle nudges my chin until I’m forced to look back up at him and meet his eyes. “It’s okay to be afraid,” he tells me. “What you went through was a traumatic experience. The gun makes you feel like you can protect yourself, and I know that’s why you asked for it.”

“I asked for it because I thought I was going to be in a little bit more danger than just stuffed into a room for a few hours while you go play superhero and hunt down your drug dealer,” I deadpan.

He arches a brow and I curse.

“…yeah okay, and because it makes me feel like I can protect myself.”

He smirks and cups my cheek. “Then it’s okay,” he says. “Keep it.” He leans forward and brushes his mouth over mine, once, twice, and a final third time before pulling back.

“But I should tell you, sweetheart,” he says just before he releases me. “I’m no one’s superhero.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say with an eye roll. “You’re a fucking badass.”

“Don’t you forget it,” he replies.

“Go kill something,” I mutter, turning away from him as I head towards the lounge against the far wall—set up in much the same way as the private lounges in Club Outsider are. I wonder if club owners all shop at the same furniture store.

“Oh, I will,” I hear him say as he heads past his friend to the door. “I will.”

Those words, though simple and—on their own—non-threatening make something wicked and evil unfurl inside of me.I hope so,I think.I really fucking hope he does. A man like Patrick Kennedy deserves death.

TWENTY-ONE

Haley

The lightsat the top of the building are visible from the balcony room, and for a long time after Viks leaves me alone with Troy, I stand there watching the dance floor below fill with people. I recognize a lot of the clientele from Club Outsider, but even more than that, I recognize a lot of my classmates.

They dance and drink and grind against one another in a massive mosh-pit type setting. Alcohol flows freely and despite Viks warning me not to drink, I finish off the champagne flute he’d handed me before and leave the empty glass on one of the many tables in the room as I watch the sight before me.

I’m growing increasingly bored, my eyes flicking to Troy as he stands against the wall like a silent statue. Finally, I can’t take it anymore.

“He’ll be fine,” I say. “Won’t he?”

At first, Troy doesn’t respond and then he nods. “Viks is a strong man. He’ll take care of the situation.”

I blow out a breath. “I wish he didn’t have to worry about me,” I confess. I’m not sure if I expect an answer, but I can’t stand being in here without talking any longer. The speakers are pumping music after what looked like the owner of the club—yet another one of Viks’ friends that I recognize from Club Outsider—made his little opening speech, but the sound doesn’t overwhelm us where we are here. It’s still easy enough to talk at a normal level.

“He’ll protect you,” Troy says.

I shoot him a look. “I don’t need his protection,” I snap. “It’s not my goal to be some man’s princess and let him do everything for me.”

Troy arches a brow but doesn’t respond. I blow out a breath and hook my arms over the railing and rest my head against them. No sooner have I thought that it’s going to be a long night than someone knocks on the door of the room.

I release the railing and turn around just as Troy withdraws his gun and hides it behind his back. My heart jumps into my throat and my palms grow sweaty as he moves to the door and peeks outside before turning the knob.

“I’m sorry, sir,” he says as he cracks the door. “This room has been reserved.”

“Haley?” a familiar voice calls over him. “Let me in.”

Troy looks back as I leave the railing and cross the room. He scowls at me and shakes his head, but I ignore him and push him back to see who it is. “What are you doing here, Josh?” I demand with a frown.

“It’s a club,” he says with a shrug. “Everyone came tonight. I saw you on the railing.”

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