Page 77 of Sweet Rule
“I-I know.”
“I was supposed to frisk you,” Connie says quietly. Her eyes dart to where I’ve got my pistol strapped. “Please tell me you have something on you.”
“You know I do.” I’ve got my pistol at my back and a knife strapped to my ankle. It’s not much, but it’s more than enough for me to put a bullet between Zeus’ eyes. I pull my phone out and send Taylor and Marco the same message.
Five Minutes.
They know what that means. In five minutes shit will hit the fan. Even if I have to force Zeus into making his move, it’s going to happen. I’m ending it one way or another.
“What about her?” she asks, jerking her chin at Honey.
Honey shifts uncomfortably. “I don’t know how to use a gun.”
Connie sighs and reaches into her coat to pull out a small knife. “At least hold on to this then,” she says, slapping it into Honey’s hand. Honey stares at the knife with big eyes and right when I’m about to reach out and take it from her she nods at Connie and tucks it into the back of her pants.
I open my mouth to tell Connie that Honey doesn’t need the fucking knife. That I’m the only weapon she needs when it comes to her shit father, but we’re in front of the Great Room. The expanse of it opens up in front of us and for once it’s brightly lit. We fall silent and the shift in the air is instant. It feels electrified, like the room might fall down around us at the first loud sound, but still we keep walking. Connie moves in front of us and I don’t miss the extra little swagger in her step. She’s playing this smart, showing Zeus that she’s still on his side, but how long until that act breaks?
What is going to be the signal?
My eyes sweep the room and I see several guards posing as members of Zeus’ little entourage. His normal group of hanger-ons is here, lounging and drinking with smiles, but there’s new faces. Ones that are focused and too sharp-eyed to truly pass off as another club goer enjoying themselves. They’re positioned around the room, some by the exits, a couple milling around on the mezzanine above us. Whatever Zeus is about to do, he wants them to be a surprise. There’s a long dining table off to the side, but it’s empty. Just plates and glasses that look more like they’re for decoration than for any dinner that might happen.
I definitely should have brought more than the one gun.
I meet the stare of the man sitting at the center of it. He’s on the stupid fucking little dais again, lounging in that goddamn throne that I want to smash over his head. He’s watching us with eyes that look just like Honey’s, but these are mean. They’re narrowed and focused as we approach and it’s only when we’re at the foot of the dais that he moves. He sits up and stretches as if he almost fell asleep and gives us a smile.
“Welcome, welcome. I’m so happy you accepted my invitation for dinner tonight. It’s been too long since I’ve seen my girl.” He stands and Honey goes stiff. I squeeze her hand to force her to relax and thankfully she does.
“How are you?” she asks him. Her words are hesitant but she still comes forward when Zeus beckons her. I don’t let her go alone, just a step behind her as she goes up onto the dais to hug the fucker.
“I’m well,” Zeus says and leans back to look down at her. “Marriage suits you. You look…happy.” His eyes hit mine and I reach for Honey as she steps back beside me. I don’t say anything, even though I know he wants me to. I’m fine with waiting to speak until I’ve figured out his play.
Honey gives him a quick nod. “It’s been a restful time.”
“Even with the bit of drama I heard went your way this afternoon?” he asks.
“How did you know about that already?” Honey whispers. She’s talking softly but her words couldn’t be more clear if she were screaming them. That’s how quiet the room is. I don’t hear any of the hanger-ons murmuring or laughing like they were when we entered the room. It’s still and silent with the lights bright overhead.
Everything is out in the open.
“There isn’t a thing that happens in this city that I don’t know about, Honey. Let alone when it comes to your mother.”
Honey’s hand twitches and I feel her move like she might reach for the knife at her back. I grip her hand and keep it where it fucking is. She’s fiery and that’s good for what we might have to do, but now isn’t the time for her to lose her shit. It’s too early.
“You sent her, didn’t you?”
Zeus smiles and shrugs like he isn’t going to answer her.
“Answer her,” I order and his eyes slide to me.
“Always defending your wife. Very husbandly of you, Lawson.”
I grit my teeth. I’ve had enough of this game. “You’re fucking right, I am and I always will. I made a promise when you forced her to marry me and I’m going to honor that until I take my last breath. Now answer her fucking question.”
“I thought we might have a little more time together. Maybe I’d be able to use your connections in the city for my own gain,” he says instead, speaking to me and not Honey. “Because, despite it all, you are a very useful resource. You’re a man at the top of his game, but you know that already, Lawson.” He’s walking away from us, a hand coming to the side of his fucking throne and he circles it, so that it’s between us. He stops with a hand braced on the back of the chair and narrows his eyes.
I meet his eyes. As much as I want Honey to get her answers I’m fucking sick of listening to Zeus’ long winded bullshit. “This game ends now. The game you’re playing with your daughter. With me. It’s over tonight.”
“You are the only man in the city that would ever be an obstacle to me and I find that I hate you more than I want to put you to use, Lawson.”
