Page 10 of Web of Lies
"Not really." I shrug. "Two clean shots. One through the arm, the other through the head."
"Wonderful," he says, pulling an envelope from the pocket of his black full-body suit and handing it to me. "Your payment, Mr. Bennett."
"The company says thank you." I snatch the envelope from him, peek inside, and then tuck it into the storage compartment of my bike. Meanwhile, the men gather their gear from the van and head into the building to start work.
I swing my leg over my bike and pull my phone out of my pocket. The screen lights up, and a smile creeps onto my face when I read the notification of a new message from Riley.
Freckles:Tonightstill on?
As if tonight couldn't get any better, I pull up the chat and start typing, my fingers hovering over the screen.
Me: Sure. I'll pick you up in forty-five minutes.
Freckles: Perfect. Don't be late.
Me: Never.
I slip my phone into my pocket and slide my helmet on. Forty-five minutes is enough time for a quick shower to wash away the dirt and grime from the night's events, and to get to her place on time. With the press of the starter button, the engine roars to life beneath me. Twisting the throttle, the bike surges forward, its tires gripping the asphalt.
Chapter 5
Riley
The atmosphere around us pulses with energy. The music is deafening, and the air is thick and humid from the dancing crowd. People twist and sway to the rhythm of the booming techno music. Every flash of light across the room reveals glimpses of faces, hands, and moving bodies.
Kyle stands behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist, keeping me close. His fingers are hooked into the belt loops of my miniskirt as we sway to the beat. Thrusting my hips back, I grind against his half-hard erection pressing into my ass. With a playful smile, I throw my head back onto his shoulder and turn to face him. His attention is on me alone, a smirk playing on his lips as he leans in and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
The pulsating bass vibrates through my body, my heart pounding in rhythm with the beat, and my skin tingling with excitement. The flashing lights, the heat, and the closeness of sweaty bodies swallow me. It's chaos, but the kind that makes me feel alive. Tonight, there's no thinking or worrying—just the music, the moment, and Kyle's touch. It's messy, loud, and wild—exactly what I need. A night of pure fun to forget all the trouble I'm in.
The heat of Kyle's minty breath against my ear sends a shiver down my spine. His booming voice breaks my trance as he talks over the pulsing bass. "Let's grab something to drink." The thought of something cold sliding down my throat hits me hard, drawing my attention to my dry mouth and tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. I lift my head from his shoulder, meet his gaze, and nod.
In the blink of an eye, he releases my waist and laces his fingers with mine. His grip is firm, and his palm feels warm and damp against mine. He pushes through the crowd, shielding me with his body, and guides me toward the stairs that lead up to the bar, tucked away in a quieter part of the club. The music still pounds in the background, but here, we don't have to shout to hear each other.
Kyle guides me to an empty spot at the bar, where I lean against it and rest my weight on my arms. The cool wood of the countertop is pleasantly soothing against my flushed skin. Meanwhile, Kyle stands beside me, one hand on the counter and the other on the small of my back, just above the waistband of my skirt.
"What do you want?" he asks, looking at me as I scan the menu.
"Rum with Coke. Lots of ice," I say, offering him a smile.
He nods and signals to the bartender, who rushes toward us the moment he spots Kyle. Since I started seeing him, I've noticed that he is well-known in this scene. Nearly every bartender and bouncer recognizes him, and they all go out of their way to keep him satisfied. No one ever causes trouble with him, which works in my favor. Partying has never felt this effortless or safe. I'm spoiled not just by Kyle, but by everyone around us. Orders are always quick, and if I want somethingstronger to spice up the night, Kyle will get me the best-quality stuff, like the pack of cocaine hidden in his jacket pocket, which he brought just in case.
The bartender puts our drinks in front of us, and Kyle slides him the cash. I grab my glass, bring the straw to my lips, and take a bigger-than-reasonable sip. My eyes flutter shut as the cold, fizzy Coke rushes down my throat, cooling my overheated body. Then comes the distinct burn of the rum, warm and sharp, spreading through my chest.
"Tastes good?" Kyle asks as he raises his beer to his lips.
At the question, I open my eyes and look up at him, take one more sip, then set my glass down. "Very. I didn't realize how badly I needed it until now." I rise to my toes and place a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks."
"Always, Freckles. If I'm out with you, I have to take good care of you." His free hand lifts, brushing a messy strand of hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear. Heat creeps up my neck at the soft gesture, and when I meet his brown eyes, they're already locked on mine.
Leaning in, I press my lips to his, drawing a grunt from Kyle in response. He slides one arm around my waist and pulls me close as our mouths move together in perfect sync. His lips are warm and slightly sticky from the beer. The bass of the club pulses through the floor beneath our feet, matching the rhythm of my heart as it speeds up.
Eventually, Kyle pulls back, his lips barely touching mine. "You kiss me like you're trying to start something," he mutters, his voice rough.
"Maybe I am," I whisper back, my eyes flicking down to his lips and then back to his. "But maybe I just wanted to thank you properly."
He smirks and tilts his head. "Then I should get you something else and see what else I can get as a thank you." A chucklevibrates in my throat as I bury my fingers in the fabric of his shirt. His hand slides from my back to my ass and grips it firmly as he leans in again, brushing his lips along my jawline. "You look so fucking sexy tonight," he groans. "That tiny top barely covers your tits, that skirt riding up your thighs…"
His hot breath tickles my neck, sending shivers down my spine. "You say that every time we go out." I roll my eyes, even though my skin is buzzing at the compliment and the hunger in his voice.
