Page 19 of Doomed
“You’re a fucking child,” Vane mutters.
“A child who’s about to bag me a very talented artist, while also making sure the deal goes smoothly.” I straightenmy leather jacket, checking my reflection in the mirrored wall behind the bar. “This isn’t about getting laid. It’s... multi-tasking.”
Vane snorts. “Multi-tasking. Right.”
“Some of us can think with both heads at once,” I shoot back with a wink. “It’s called talent.”
I’m already scanning the club, bouncing on the balls of my feet. The energy buzzing through me isn’t just sexual frustration—it’s the thrill of the chase. Bianca’s resistance makes her a prize worth winning.
“She’s not interested in you,” Vane says. “You know that, right?”
“Not yet,” I correct, flashing my most confident smile. “No woman slaps a man she’s not at least a little interested in. That’s passion, brother. And that passion needs a little redirection.”
Vane shakes his head. “One day, someone’s going to teach you what ‘no’ means.”
“When that day comes,” I say, already backing away toward the stairs to Xavier’s office, “I’ll send them your way for lessons in being a buzzkill. It’s what you do best!”
I leave Vane flipping me off and head straight for the stairs leading to Xavier’s office. Taking them two at a time, I’m riding an adrenaline high.
The hallway to X’s office is intimidating—dark, with recessed lighting that casts shadows. The heavy oak door at the end is designed to make people hesitate before knocking.
I don’t knock.
I push the door open with enough force that it bangs against the wall, announcing my presence in the most obnoxious way possible. Xavier looks up from his desk, pen frozen mid-signature. Bianca sits across from him, her back straight, turning to see who stormed in.
“What the hell?” Xavier’s voice is as sharp as a blade. “I’m in the middle of a meeting.”
Bianca’s eyes lock with mine, surprise shifting to annoyance. She’s wearing a black blazer over a simple white top, her dark hair pulled back in a loose bun that somehow makes her look both professional and irresistibly enticing. It makes my fingers twitch with the need to pull it loose to weave the strands through my fist.
“A meeting I should be present for,” I say, strolling in like I own the place, which, in some capacity, I do. “Since I arranged the deal.”
Xavier’s jaw tightens. “You found the artist. I’m handling the business end.”
“And when would I ever miss all the fun parts?” I counter, moving to stand directly behind Bianca’s chair. I place my hands on the back of it, not quite touching her, but close enough that she shifts in her seat.
“Mr. Blackwood was explaining the payment schedule,” Bianca says coolly.
“Call him Xavier,” I say, leaning down. “And I’m Knox, in case you’ve forgotten during the two weeks of you ignoring my texts.”
Bianca’s gaze is as cold as ice as she turns to look at me. “I didn’t reply to your texts because they were unprofessional and completely inappropriate. This is a business arrangement.”
Her voice is clipped, but there’s a slight flush creeping up her neck that tells me she’s not as unaffected as she wants to appear. I’ve gotten under her skin—just not the way I want to yet.
Xavier raises an eyebrow. “Please tell me you didn’t send unsolicited dick pics to our new artist, Knox. We have a reputation to maintain.”
Bianca’s face flames red instantly, and she shifts uncomfortably in her chair, clearly mortified by the turn in conversation.
“No, I haven’t,” I say, maintaining eye contact with Bianca as I lean closer. “But maybe I should. Might get your attention.” I punctuate the suggestion with a deliberate wink.
The color drains from her face, replaced by a flash of anger. “You do that, and I’ll call the police. Surely even here in Ravenwood Hollow, there are laws about sending unsolicited child porn electronically,” she retorts. The fact that she just called me a child is not going unnoticed. She will pay for that little snipe when the time is right.
Xavier’s smile disappears instantly, the temperature in the room dropping several degrees. He sets his pen down with deliberate precision.
“Ms. Hayes,” he says, “I don’t think you understand how things work in this town. Any police called against a Blackwood will do exactly nothing for you. In fact, it might make your situation considerably worse.”
“Chill, X,” I cut in, seeing the fear that flickers across Bianca’s face. “She’s not calling anyone. We’re all friends here.”
Xavier’s eyes narrow at me, a silent warning to back off. He’s the serious one, always has been, never one to appreciate my style of negotiation, especially when it involves a beautiful woman.
