Page 26 of Bound By Blood

Carly didn’t bother to meet Irma’s welcome expression. Did she think Carly would join in? Read the room, bitch. “Can we talk?”

He lifted one eyebrow perfectly, and damn it if it didn’t turn her on. “Can it wait? I’m a little busy at the moment.”

“It’s important,” Carly snarled. “Unless you want your date to know about our dirty little secrets?” A wicked grin had taken over Carly’s face, knowing he’d fold.

Landon’s eyes narrowed. “Irma, go get yourself another drink. I’ll come get you when we’re done here.”

Irma pouted. “But-“

Landon looked over at her. “Irma, fuck off,” he growled.

Victory danced in Carly’s heart.

With a huff of annoyance, Irma unlatched herself from Landon, stood and straightened her tight dress, and slammed her shoulder against Carly’s as she walked past.

As if he didn’t have a care in the world, Landon leaned back against the couch, looking bored for all the world. “What do you want, Carly?”

Carly crossed her arms defensively. Like hell would his cold attitude deter her. “I thought you didn’t date.”

Landon chuckled darkly, his arms now resting against the back of the couch. In doing so, his shirt pulled tight around his chest and arms, showing off his upper body muscles. Carly kept herself from looking. “I don’t.”

“Really,” Carly spitted. “Didn’t look that way to me.”

“I’m just going to fuck her.” He lifted a shoulder. “There’s a big difference.”

“Right. How classy of you.”

Landon grumbled under his breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. His eyes closed. “Is there something you needed, Carly, or did you just come here to ruin my night?”

“Sounds pretty fucking tempting since, you know, you cut me out of your life.”

He met her eyes then, flicking them up to stare at her from under his lashes. His hand released his nose and he dropped it to his lap. She noticed some kind of soft emotion cross his face, but he sighed again after wiping it away as quickly as it came. “You didn’t give me a choice.” His voice had lowered, but she could tell his anger had dissipated with each word he spoke. “I told you. I wasn’t going to sit by and watch you get yourself killed. It’s better for both of us if you just stay away. Why can’t you do that?”

“How can you expect me to?” she asked between gritted teeth. Did he honestly expect her to stop? Did he honestly think he could get away with this shit? He clearly didn’t know who he was dealing with.

He rose to his feet when she made it clear that she wasn’t going to back down. He went to move past her, but he stopped right next to her, lowered his head, and inhaled her scent. “I meant what I said. Take care of yourself, Carly.” His voice was strained, hands balled into fists at his sides. Was he trying to keep from touching her? She was so angry that the thought didn’t dissipate. He was dismissing her again. Again! As if she was nothing but a fly on the wall.

She turned as he continued to walk, moving out of the VIP section and skirting around the people on the dance floor. Some of them moved out of his way, surely knowing a predator was in their midst on pure instinct. Or perhaps they knew who he was and didn’t want to mess with him. Either way, he quickly made his way out of the main part of the club and to a hallway marked by a glowing exit sign above its entrance.

Seething in anger, she stormed off the platform after him. She barely noticed Lily in the crowd, who was now watching her with a dumbfounded expression. Lily stopped her with a hand on her elbow before Carly could pass her to follow Landon. “What’s going on, Carly?”

“Not now, Lily.”

“Carly . . .”

Carly looked at her friend then because her tone sounded concerned. “I’ll – Just give me a few minutes, okay?”

Lily peered at her with a soft expression, eyes searching Carly’s face, but she eventually let go of her arm. Carly strode toward the hallway where Landon had disappeared, moving between groups of people as she did. The hallway was dark, but it led to bathrooms on either side and a room that said, “employees only.” But there, at the end of the hall, was a door that led outside. That door was currently closing.

She grumbled under her breath as she stomped toward it and then shoved it open with her shoulder. Cool air greeted her, curling around her exposed calves and ankles. The door shut behind her before she spotted Landon pacing, his hands in his hair.

Carly squared her shoulders. “You don’t get to just walk away.”

“Watch me.”

“What is wrong with you? Why can’t you have a conversation with me?”

He stopped pacing and turned to face her. “Because conversations with you are pointless. You don’t talk. You fucking argue, and I am in no mood to argue with you right now.”