Page 84 of Pain and Possession

I nibble at my bottom lip as the tips of his fingers lightly graze my flesh. The dark brown leather straps are warm from his skin as he fastens them tightly to my thigh, "We'll need to adjust the plan. Camilla hasn't shown up all night which means she expects me to make a move." His controlled exterior slips back into place as he takes the dagger from me slipping it in the holster, "We'll need to provoke her. Draw her out and scrap Plan B."

"Why?" I ask, trying to hide the smile on my face as he leans forward lightly kissing my thigh before standing. His hands lingering on my stomach.

"There's no fucking way I'm turning this building into a shooting range with you anywhere near it."

"Okay…” I huff, “let's say you draw her out and she gives it over what then?"

He gives me a strange look, like I've just asked the stupid question. "Everyone dies. Obviously."

I raise my eyebrows, “Obviously?"

He pulls me in for a brief kiss before unlocking and cracking the door. When he's satisfied with what he sees he swings it open pulling me with him as we make our way to the bar where Hock has moved on to the next set of women.

"Broom closet quickie on a mission Noè? How unprofessional of you." He whispers. Making me giggle which earns us both a scowl. Noè motions with his hand, telling the women to go. All of them share an annoyed glance before they comply. Slinking off in search of more witty powerful men to attach themselves to.

"New plan. Olive and I are going to dance-“

"Sounds like a date not a plan." He deadpans taking another drink of clear liquor before I grab the glass from him. Shooting him a warning look which as expected he entirely ignores.

I pause glancing up at Noè, getting where this is heading, "Hopefully it'll irritate Bitchface enough to make an appearance."

"One issue with that, her uncle has been jumpy as fuck all night. His eyes haven't left Noè since he arrived. No way he's letting you get her somewhere alone. So, Plan B."

"Absolutely not. Not with Olive here."

Hock glances over at me, taking a deep breath before nodding, "He's sent away every woman we've directed to distract him. We're running out of options and time." Noè is silent for a moment, clenching and unclenching his fists as if it'll ward off his frustration.

Okay Olive. You wanted to be an equal, here's your chance. Think.

"If the uncle is the issue why not eliminate him flat out?" I ask eyeing them.

"Ah yes, why don't I just shoot their family head in the middle of the ballroom.” Hock mutters before trying to take his drink back from me. His carefree attitude left far behind on a night like tonight. Too much at risk.

Apparently, stress makes Hock bitchy.

"There's no way he would follow us anywhere private. He's an idiot but not nearly enough for a gamble like that to work without raising a few red flags. Also, Camilla would never let him hold on to anything of importance, he's a steppingstone not a solution." Noè shifts, wrapping his arm tighter around me. I follow his gaze to a tall gray- and blonde-haired man slapping the back of another even though his eyes are glued to us. Clearly disinterested in the conversation.

"That's him."

Hock nods. Walking over and placing himself directly in front of me blocking me from sight.

Dear God, not you too.

"It's like watching your little sister get eye fucked by the ice cream guy." His lips curl up in a disgusted grimace. Noè says nothing. Deathly still at my side.

"Half truths. If you want a lie to be believable always sprinkle in a fraction of honesty. We dance, luring her out. You abandon me to take her somewhere alone, handle that end while I handle him. I'm upset you disappeared. Jealous. Alone. It won't be difficult to get him to nurse my bruised ego. I'll lead him somewhere away from the crowd, somewhere Hock is already waiting."

"No." They answer in unison, looking more like brothers than I've ever seen them.

"It's a good plan."

"It's too dangerous doll. He's a fucking pig, the worst kind of pig." Noè grits out. Hock nods in agreement before glaring at me as I hand his drink to a waiter cleaning the bar.

"I used to do this all the time with Laney when we lived on the street. A simple bait. I can do it."

"Olive enough." Noè warns, casting a disapproving glance at Hock who now seems to be wavering on my side, "No."

"He'd take her to his office, no doubt. It's less than a thirty second walk from the ballroom. I can get in there no problem. Most of their men are outside."

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