Page 62 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

“Is the other situation still under control?” I ask Kayne cryptically.

He nods stoically.

“Good. Alistair, stay in the party room and keep up appearances. It’s just another typical night. Got it?”

“Of course.” My uncle always has my back.

“Kayne, come with me. I think I’m going to need some extra muscle.”

The four of us separate, each going our designated ways.

“Are you going to clue me in to what’s going on?” Kayne stalks beside me.

“Yes.” I stop in front a large antique vase displayed on a shelf in the hallway leading to Kayne’s office. I reach in and retrieve two sheathed hunting knives. One I hand to Kayne, the other I stash on London.

“You stay right behind me, understand?” I slip the blade into her leather corset, right between her breasts. Her eyes are as wide as satellites as she watches me.

“You keep weapons in your antiques?” she asks dryly.

“Yes.” I look directly at her face. There is so much she doesn’t know about me. About this house. One day I hope to tell her everything, but tonight my secrets will stay buried within these walls.

“I am going to try and bargain for you. A smart businessman never walks away from a lucrative deal. But if it doesn’t work, I’m willing to turn to violence.” I lean in so only she can hear. “For you, I will kill.”

London stands petrified before me. I don’t know how that statement affected her, but I hope she understands its depths. I hope she understands how much I fucking care. About her. About us. About what we could potentially have. How I will do anything to keep her by my side. “If I go like this behind my back,” I curl my finger in a give me motion, “hand me the knife. Don’t hesitate. Understand?”

She nods vacantly.

“Say it. Say you understand.”

“I understand.” Her voice is hoarse.

“Good.” I glance at Kayne, and he thrusts his chin in agreement. In acceptance. As a brother in arms. Alistair may be related to me by blood, but Kayne is related by loyalty.

Behind Kayne’s massive mahogany office door are two men, both immaculately dressed, and both with cold, calculating eyes. I survey them one at a time, pegging London’s father immediately. He has her dark blue eyes and straight thin nose. He’s much smaller in person, though. Five-seven at best. I’ve seen images of him on TV, and his real life persona does not live up. His egotism must make up for all the things he’slacking.

When Kayne strides by Easton, he makes him look like a dwarf, which I find highly satisfying.

The other man I assume is Silas. He’s older as well, with thin, oily hair, a crater face, and a wannabe gangster pinstripe suit.

The thought of him ever having his greasy hands on London disgusts me.

“I see you found my property.” Easton gets right down to it.

“Let’s get one thing straight. She’s no one’s property,” I correct him condescendingly.

“That’s where you’re wrong, son. I’ve owned her since the day she was born. And her little disappearing act cost me a shitload of money.” He stares London down.

“How much?” I question haughtily. “Let’s even it up right now. I’ll write you a check, and you can go on your merry way.”

Easton laughs obnoxiously.

“I’m sure she was profitable for your little business, but that workhorse has a lot of good years left. I’m not selling.” He takes a step forward, and the tension skyrockets in the room. “Let me make this real clear,” Easton addresses me coolly. “I’m leaving, with her, tonight. No discussions. No negotiations.” Napoleon’s got some balls. “Now, either we can do this the easy way, and you hand her over, or the bloody way, and I can just take her. Either or, I’m collecting what’s mine.”

I guard London as Easton dishes out his ultimatums. It all sounds likeblah blah-blah blah blah blah-blah blahto me.

He can threaten all he likes. Pull a gun, throw a knife. Bottom line, the only way he’s leaving here with London is if he’s in a body bag. Which is somewhere I am more than happy to put him.

“I’m not yours,” London suddenly growls.

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