Broken Beast

He fights a frown.

"I did teach him well," Liam says. "The kid knew what mattered in life," he continues, completely oblivious to Fitzgerald.

"Eating pussy?" Danielle asks.

"Did your girlfriend just say pussy?" Liam asks.

"Why are you asking him? I'm right here." she asks.

"Do kids still say pussy?"

She shrugs. "My brother is gay."

"A different brother?"

"No. The one you remind me of," she says.

"Danielle… I don't know how to feel about it."

"Should we call your therapist?"

"No. I think…" He turns to Briar, as she returns from the host stand. "I need a different intervention."

"I should let you go," Fitzgerald says. "You have a busy night."

"I do," I say.

"Briar, baby. I need a special kind of help," Liam calls.

"Where's my drink?" she asks.

"You want to try this?" he holds up the martini glass.

They're in a different world. An easier one.

Danielle looks to me for direction. "Should we sit?"

"You sit. I'll walk you out, Cole," I say.

"Of course." He sets his half-drank martini on the bar and smiles smugly. He motions after you.

I lead him into the lobby. Call the elevator.

He looks to the inside of the restaurant. Liam, Danielle, and Briar are still at the bar. Danielle is sipping what's left of my martini.

Briar and Liam are arguing over hers.

They look easy. Comfortable.

I told Danielle this was for my brothers. Because they're worried. If I was a better man, it would be the truth.

Instead, I'm here, challenging the asshole who had my brother killed.

Without her proximity, my plan is clearer. Make him hurt. Period. The end.

No distractions of her soft lips or her lush curves.

Fitzgerald follows my gaze. "Do you love her?"

"Yes." It doesn't feel like a lie.

"It's not right, bringing her into this," he says.

"I don't have the faintest—"

"You're not a good liar."

"My love life isn't your concern," I say.

"Of course. It's a coincidence you started dating Ms. Bellamy after everything."

"We have the same taste in art."

"Art, is it?"

"I'm sure it broke your heart, losing The Voyeur. I understand. You don't like when people take things from you. I don't either. Even if it takes everything I have, I make it right."

"It's a beautiful painting."

"Yes. And Danielle adores it. You should see the way she gushes."

"I can imagine."

"Yes, your wife is the same, isn't she? She loves beautiful things."

The elevator dings.

"You'd do anything for her. I understand that, because I'm the same with my family." I hold the door open for him.

"You're in over your head, kid."

"Good night, Cole. Send Celine my regards."

His eyes narrow. "Yes. And let your brother know how sorry I am for your loss."

Fucking asshole.

I step backward.

He smiles, triumphant.

I watch the doors close and the elevator descend.

I try to find some peace.

I join my family at the table.

But I no longer taste victory.

Bash is gone.

Whatever happens, Bash is gone.

How can anything else matter?

Chapter Twenty

Adam

"A busy club is the perfect place to be anonymous," Liam says. "It's so crowded and loud, no one has a clue who you are."

"It's true. Once, I was out with a friend, and I danced with Liam by accident." Briar makes a gag me motion.

"Was he a good dancer?" Danielle asks.

Briar motions okay.

Liam chuckles. "That isn't what she said at the time."

"It didn't even happen! I was telling a tall tale."

"Damn, was that another dream?" He makes a point of giving her a long once-over. "You were wearing something like that."

"Was I?" she asks.

"Oh yeah. You know I love your refusal to wear a suit," he says.

Danielle smiles. "Your outfit is fierce."

"This old thing?" Briar blushes and motions to her sheer blouse and leather skirt. "No. It cost a fortune."

"Whatever I can do to help the see-through blouse cause," Liam says.

"I should sue you for sexual harassment."

"You know you can't."

"You know you're an asshole," she says.

"I do know that." He looks to me. "Adam? Anything to add?"

"She covered it," I say.

He raises a brow all right, but you're not fooling anyone with the aloof shit. "Do you like to dance, Danielle?"

"Who doesn't?" she asks.

"A lot of men feel awkward," he says.

"You're aware of that possibility?" she asks.

"Crazy, I know. Me. Awkward. There's only one time it happens," he says.

"When you can't rise to the occasion?" She blows him a kiss.

He catches it and presses it to his crotch. "No, baby. Happened in college a few times. Did what I do best." He puts his fingers in the shape of a v.

Briar actually grabs his hand. "Do not do what I think you're going to do."

"Well, if you want to volunteer for an explicit demonstration."

She giggles. "Liam." Her voice is pure schoolgirl crush.

"Okay. No demonstration. Because I aim to please my audience. But you understand, Danielle. Whiskey dick. It happens to all of us." He motions for me to join. "Back me up, Adam."

"I know my limits," I say.

"Boring." He shakes his head. "Is there a version of ladies? Whiskey—"