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“Kai and I are serious, Mother. And we have been for quite some time,” I said as convincingly as I could. “If you have a problem with who I choose to love, then you have a problem with me.” The wordlovedidn’t feel as uncomfortable rolling off my tongue as I expected it to.
That doesn’t necessarily mean I loved Kai, I reasoned.
“Fine then,” my father said, kicking his feet. He stalked forward, his glare narrowed on me. “If it’s as serious as you say, invite him to The Annual Banquet.”
My jaw dropped open before I could stop it. The Annual Banquet was a ridiculous convention of old men and women with outdated opinions enjoying games of backgammon and smoking cigars.
“If this Kai of yours is truly a gentleman worthy of you, then he will show up.” My father popped the ‘p’ of the word. “And he will show updressedappropriately.”
“Fine,” I said. “Is that all?”
My father and mother nodded, and I stomped out. The only hard part would be convincing Kai to attend. An annual banquet with old biddies didn’t seem like his scene.
Chapter 38
Kai
The bar was near closing. Hotel guests lingered with those they just met or their dates. The bartender wiped the counter for the fifteenth time, trying to push us out. But Audry ordered another whisky on the rocks. Which prompted Liam to order another.
Audry leaned against me. Something was off about her. I didn’t want to pry, as she looked like she was having fun for once in a long time. Her vanilla shampoo wafted toward me as she moved back to drinking. I wanted to join her and be carefree. But the gnawing sensation in my gut stopped me every time I tried.
The police knew about Audry…at least a woman matching her description. The police, including Maddie, may or may not be dirty. And Samuel…
“Hold his wrists down, boy,” Samuel ordered.
My tiny shaking hands moved over to the man, each step like walking through cement. Dread filled me as I stared at the man, his mouth bloody, his face swollen.
“Do it now!” Samuel shouted. “It is time you boys learn the circular chain of this world. Each action…and each of its reactions.”
Although Liam and Logan were at my side, I was alone as I held the man’s wrists down.
Samuel grabbed the white and blue container, hovering it over the man’s mouth. The sharp scent of antiseptic cut into my nostrils, and my eyes watered on command.
Audry’s hand ran along my thigh, tearing me from the memory. As her wide eyes looked at me, overwhelming fear overtook me. The man on that table would be her, bound, naked, and bleach—if that was still a tool he used—forced into her mouth.
I cleared my throat, shifting in my chair. I needed to figure out something to do. But every facet of my life kept screaming its head off for my attention: the crew, Audry, police, Logan, Liam…the list continued.
Liam’s hand came down on my back. “Chill, man,” he muttered, rising to his feet.
“Why don’t we head over to The Escape?” Audry offered as the bartender officially closed down. No doubt the poor bastard wanted to get back home to his family—his safe, normal family.
Liam scrunched his nose, shooting a look that spoke volumes to me.She shouldn’t leave this hotel, it said.
“It’s getting pretty late,” I said.
Audry’s lips pouted as we sat down on the lobby couches. Even the leather felt too expensive for me.
“Kai and I have a business trip in a few days we need to prepare for,” Liam said, lifting an eyebrow at me.
Our next payment was due already. The job we’d picked up was another bounty, this time on a car. We were run-of-the-mill bounty hunters now—no loyalty to anyone but each other. Whatever job paid well and didn’t involve children or girls, we took. Logan was a beast with it, taking more than either Liam or I. But we let him keep most of the cash we could part with.
“Again? Where to?” Audry asked, a mischievous expression following the border of her lips. This girl was going to find out soon. She was too intelligent not to.
Liam scratched his face, leaning forward. His hair had gotten longer since Laila, giving him a disheveled boy band look. “Just right outside town.” He smiled, toying with her.
“A lumber mill? Perhaps a contractor’s office?” Audry offered, not taking the time to prod for more information.
“This one is more…automotive.” Liam winked at me, his drunk self including me in his stupid little game. Did he want to taunt me? Did he want Audry to know our secrets?
