Page 39 of Unleash Hades
He sighed, as the referee broke up the match, declaring a winner. For the second time that day, they carted a man out on a stretcher.
“You’ll regret that decision, I promise you,” he said, getting up from his seat.
“Where are you going?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Oh, to see the managers of the Underground.” He ran a hand through his hair, finger combing his black locks back over his ears. “Let them know what a good job they’re doing.”
“You know who runs this?” I sat up, my eyes wide.
“Of course.” He winked at me. “But since you won’t have a drink with me, I suppose I’ll find some other company for tonight.”
He stepped in front of me, heading toward the aisle, obstructing my view of the two fighters in the ring.
“Wait!” I called out, reaching to grab his sleeve. “How do you know them?”
Bellamy put his hands in his trouser pockets, his arms holding his blazer open at his side. He tilted his head and smirked down at me. “Oh? I thought there was nothing I could do to help with your story, Cali.”
He then inspected his nails again. It was an insipid gesture, but he used it often.
“I’m sure my knowledge of the Underground couldn't possibly measure up to yours.” He slowly turned again, and I tried very hard to resist the urge to call out to him.
I tried.
I really, really fucking tried. If I had been a cat, I would have been killed on the spot.
I grabbed him and pulled him to turn around. He looked at me, his eyebrows halfway up to his hairline, as he waited to see what I would say.
But I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to ask.
“Have a drink with me,” Bellamy said, leaning down.
“Darling!” A voice called out.
My spine instantly straightened, a cold shiver roiling up my back, my jaw clenching with sudden panic.
“What on earth are you doing here?” It was Richard.
It was like the floor fell out from beneath me. Did he see me with Hugo? Were there cameras? Did someone tell him I was here…
I swallowed, trying to clear my throat of the searing panic. He wasn’t supposed to be here. He was supposed to be overseas!
I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think.
Bellamy’s eyes darted towards me, then over my shoulder.
He smiled - that reptilian smile that didn’t reach his eyes as he placed an arm on my shoulder, and slowly turned me towards my husband.
“Richard,” greeted Bellamy. “How are you, old man?”
“I’m fine.” Richard looked at Bellamy up and down, his nose scrunching as his gaze landed on the apricot neck piece. “I didn’t know you would be here. And with my wife, no less.”
I opened my mouth to try to speak, but no words came out. Bellamy knew there was something going on with Hugo. Richard couldn’t know. But Bellamy would throw me under the bus if he could. He’d do anything to get ahead…
“Just chasing a story,” Bellamy said, stepping a little forward, almost as if he was getting between me and Richard. “She’s got the story, and I had the contacts. But I think this one might be a bit of a dud.”
“Oh?” Richard said, his eyes darting between me and Bellamy.
The look he gave me could have cut glass. But he couldn't suspect something, could he? Did he know Hugo was here? Did he even remember who Hugo was? He was just one of many Legionnaires who were there when I did a story on Afghanistan. I had never mentioned him otherwise… so maybe he wouldn’t piece anything together.
