Playette

“Benny sent me,” I tell him.

“Figured as much.”

A girl walks behind him. I’m shocked to see the sheer amount of bruises covering her body, then there’s another. My eyes go wide and he smirks. The bastard.

“They…” he trails off.

I look at his hand and notice he doesn’t have the symbol tattoo.

So, why was… no. I shake my head.

Those girls are up and walking around, not looking like they were just beaten. Right?

“Now unless you want to join…” he trails off again, but the innuendo speaks for itself.

I look up at his eyes, if eyes could tell stories his would tell a thousand.

Danger, proceed with caution…

You want me? This will be the price you pay…

Oh, hell, no.

So, I take a step back, I already have one devil to deal with and I simply don’t need another one.

“Goodnight, Isadora Marine. My best bet is you run before he figures out who you are.” Fucking hell, that smile, it’s manic, like full Hollywood creepy movie scary.

“Y-you k-kn…” I don’t finish but he nods at my stuttering words.

“Yes, I know. But you see… he isn’t my friend. I don’t have friends, they only get in the way. He’s a business acquaintance. So, as long as he lives your secret is safe with me. Well, for now, anyway.”

I nod, stepping backward.

“Watch your uncle though, Isadora. Sometimes a wolf has a hard time letting go, and might just blow all you’ve been working toward.” He shuts the door on me, and I simply stare ahead having no idea what I just walked in on, let alone what he’s divulged to me.

Who the hell is that man, and how the hell does he know anything about me? I’ve been so secretive, so extremely careful, so I honestly have no idea.

Immediately I start searching his name on my phone again, hoping to find something before I step into the elevator, and this is the first thing that pops up.

GUNNER REID

Evergreen Real Estate

Tycoon, and most eligible bachelor.

I already knew all this, so I keep on searching and reading.

Gunner Reid is reported to be dangerous in the business world. Not many people go against him, and those that have always seem to lose. He uncovers their secrets, some that not even trained private investigators can find. He’s a man of few words, and someone you should tread lightly around.

My hands start sweating, and I’m afraid any second now I will drop my phone. Then it starts ringing, while music is blaring from his apartment.

I stare at the door thinking, Is he going to open the door and tell me he’s just told Jasper everything?

But he can’t know everything. Can he?

How could he possibly know everything? We’ve been so prudent and attentive to all the details which keep my uncle and I safe.

The phone starts ringing, stops, and then rings again. I put it to my ear and listen, waiting for whoever it is to begin speaking.

“Issy. Fuck! Are you lost?”

“No,” I reply sharply to Benny while looking back at the door before spinning around and walking away to make my way to the parking garage. I drive off and out into the pouring rain, the wipers of the car finding it hard to keep up and clean the windshield effectively.

“You haven’t broken my damn car, have you?” he whines.

“No,” I reply.

“Thank God. You do know how much that thing cost me, right?”

“Benny, I’m on my way back.”

“Good. They’re asking for you again.” He hangs up and my hands grab the steering wheel almost gripping it too tightly, wondering if I should simply drive away to a normal life, one that isn’t so fucked-up.

I’m sure that’s what my parents would have wanted for me.

Yet, here I am, avenging their deaths.

And planning to take everyone down with me.

The rain follows me back, it’s a little less persistent but still streaming down by the time I reach the club. Parking Benny’s car, I run to the front door and step inside. I spot them all straight away. Jasper’s clearly the king of the group, he’s sitting while they all stand around him, listening to his words intently.

I wonder why I never noticed him before. Did he ever come in? Or was he always lurking around out the front?

“Oh, thank you, God.” Benny takes the keys from my hand. “I was worried.”

“I’m fine. No need to worry, Benny.”

He looks up at me and shakes his head, then he turns in the same direction I’m staring. “I can sneak you out, if you want?” As he’s saying it Jasper turns around and looks at me. “Too late,” he says, but I still hear him.

“Did they used to come in this often?” I ask Benny as Jasper stands. His men follow his line of sight straight to me. I don’t have my wig on right now, and Ace doesn’t look long before he turns away.