8. Matthias
Chapter 8
Matthias
“Is that him?” Xander slows down, pulling his Range Rover closer to the curb. Sure enough, that asshole Liam is striding down the street toward a bar. There’s a girl hanging off him, and he lets his hand slip over her ass.
“The fuck?” Bash says from the seat behind me, his voice dipping dangerously. The air in the car is practically crackling with just how pissed we are.
“I’m getting out. Don’t follow me,” I say, eyes still trained on the dead man walking.
“Are you kidding me?”
I turn toward Xander, who leans away from me, hands up between us. “Fine. Happy hunting.”
I chuckle as anticipation grows in my chest. You can run, but you can’t hide, Liam.
Following close enough not to lose him in the crowd but far enough he won’t notice, I have time to see just how slimy this asshole is. He’s smiling down at this girl, his mouth more leer than anything, and I start to debate the merits of beating his face in, right here on the street.
Sure, it would bring bad press, but nothing we couldn’t handle. I move faster, the idea of grabbing him by the collar growing more appealing by the second. They aren’t moving fast; the girl is unstable on her feet, and she’s leaning more of her weight into him than should be necessary. This man better not be trying to get with a girl too drunk to consent.
I stop when a shoulder slams into mine. The guy’s face is relaxed with alcohol, a too-wide smile across it. “Sorry, man—” His words cut off as he takes me in and swallows hard, backing away instinctively. “Shit…I mean, I’m really sorry. Um…yeah…please don’t kill me.”
All of my brothers have been told we’re intimidating. It’s something inherent to the Everette line. Born and raised to rule over the rich, we’ve defended our position as Lords of the Order of Saints with blood.
I raise one brow, and he shifts backward before practically fleeing. It would be comical if it hadn’t distracted me from what I’m here for, and Liam’s disappearing through the entrance.
The bouncer looks at me before bowing. “Mr. Everette, to what do we owe this honor?”
I don’t recognize him, but if I had to guess by his attitude, he’s an Unsainted, an unvouched member of the Order who hasn’t gone through the initiation yet.
“I’m here to catch a rat. The man who just walked in. Don’t let him in again.”
“Of course, sir.” He holds the door open, fingers trembling on the handle. “Have a good night.”
There’s no question that I’m going to thoroughly enjoy what happens next.
The club’s packed with scantily clad women wearing only the most expensive designer dresses. The men are all in some variation of business suits screaming loud and clear that they’re a bunch of stock bro assholes who think they’re better than everyone.
I walk deeper into the bar, looking for the man I’m here for. Liam’s standing at a high bar table, his date teetering on a chair, her one arm resting on the table for balance. Fuck, she’s a mess.
I stay hidden against the wall, waiting for my opportunity. It’s dark enough to kill him without being seen, but there are flashes of color, as if the room’s being lit by lightning. I’d have to time it perfectly, or everyone would see me snuff this asshole’s lights out.
Instead, I wait impatiently as he buys this girl drink after drink until she’s slumped over. If I hadn’t already been royally pissed at him, this would’ve done it on its own.
I crack my neck and follow him to the restroom. He stands there, dick in his hand, not noticing I came in. “Liam, is it? I thought I told you I didn’t want to see you again.”
My voice rings out in the tiled room, the music outside dulled by the closed door. He looks over his shoulder, one brow raised. “What the hell is it to you?—-”
He pales, shifting away from me. “I…I’m sorry.”
“I haven’t even told you why I’m here yet.” I step closer and enjoy the way he trembles at my approach. Dick still in hand, clueless of his surroundings, but he’s smart enough to know he’s not safe here. The urge to channel Damon and cut it the fuck off is more tempting than it should be.
He swallows hard and says in a last-ditch effort, “We’re in public. Anyone could come in.”
I smirk and click the dead bolt closed, and horror takes over Liam’s face. I don’t give him time to react, closing the space between us, gripping the hair on the back of his head and slamming his nose into the wall. Blood splatters the white tile when I repeat the motion several more times before hauling him back so he can look at me.
He’s in rough shape. His nose is collapsed, mouth bloody, empty spots where he’s missing teeth. I slam my fist into his gut, not quite satisfied that he’s gotten the message.
Liam’s lips tremble, spit forming at the side as he begs, “Please stop.”
I let go, and he drops to the sticky floor at my feet. “Why would I stop when I haven’t gotten what I came for yet.”
He crab walks back on his hands, tears in his eyes. “Why…what do you want?”
I can’t help myself from screwing with him a little, letting him think there’s hope for him to make it out of this room. “Leave Scarlet Laurent alone. Make a public announcement stating that you are a cheating bastard who doesn’t deserve her and that she called off the engagement because of it.”
He nods, but there’s a gleam of something else, something sinister in his eyes that has the hair at the back of my neck standing up. He thinks if he survives this, he’ll still be able to blackmail her.
He wipes his sleeve over his chin. “She wants to marry me.”
“Does she though? Because a little birdie came to visit me earlier and said that you’re trying to coerce her. That couldn’t be true, right? You wouldn’t stoop so low.”
“Of course not. I don’t have to manipulate some bitch to marry me.”
My boot slams into his chest, and his air wheezes out in a loud whoosh.
“Wrong fucking answer. Try again.”
He’s crumpled over, mouth opening and closing, but no words come out.
I place my hands in my pockets, relaxing like I have all the time in the world. “I found your files, Liam. I’ll admit you did an okay job encrypting them, but in the end, they were easy enough to hack into.”
Startled eyes meet mine, and he begins to shake at the realization I know all about the sick shit he’s been pulling.
I tilt my head to the side, taking in his pathetic state. “The only thing left is a physical copy, and I’ll be honest, I think you’re just cocky enough to keep it on your person. So I’ll make you a deal. You can either hand it over, or I can waterboard you in the urinal until you give it up. Your choice, really.”
His entire body jerks, and there’s a green tint to his skin before he pulls a chain from around his neck and hands it to me.
I spin the object around and open the lid, revealing the USB.
“Now…now that you have it, please just go. I promise I won’t go near her.”
I tuck the object into my pocket. “Apologize.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry…”
“Not to me. To her.”
“What?”
“Take out your phone and tell Scarlet just how much of a sorry bastard you are.”
He pulls out his phone from his pockets, his hand so unsteady he’s barely able to take it out. It rings several times before her voicemail picks up.
Liam looks at me, but I stare back blankly.
“I’m sorry, Scarlet. I’ve gotten rid of the video. Of course you don’t have to marry me.” His missing teeth give his voice a lisp as he struggles to get the words out. He glances up, then back at the phone. “I’m worthless compared to you. I won’t bother you again.”
I grab his phone, ending the call, and smile at him. “See, it wasn’t too hard, was it?”
“I did what you said.” He goes to get up, and I push him back down.
“There’s something else I want to know. Where did you get the video, Liam? That’s not something you should have been able to get a hold of.” I’m not lying. The fact that this lowlife somehow managed to get access has been bothering me.
Tears stream down his face. “It just showed up in my email. I swear. I don’t know who sent it.”
“I believe you.” It’s significantly more likely than him coming across the video on his own. It also means someone bigger is in play here, someone who wants something from Scarlet.
“Can I go?”
The hope in his eyes is pathetic.
“Don’t be stupid.” I chuckle before landing a punch into his temple, hard enough to make him see stars. “You’re not going anywhere.”
I drag him into the stall and bury his face in the putrid water, not letting go as he thrashes inmy grip.
I lift his head, allowing him a few breaths.
“You said you’d let me live.”
“Hmmm. Did I? I guess I lied.” I press his head down, submerging him up to his ears.
The water ripples, splashing from the bowl, and I make a note to toss this suit out. I don’t release him until his body’s limp, no longer struggling to breathe. Death by toilet is one hell of a way to go.
I kick his feet until he’s fully hidden by the stall and lock the door behind me. He’ll just have to stay there until I can find someone to clean this shit up.
My jacket sleeves are wet, and I have to fight back nausea when I pull it off. Fucking disgusting. I calmly wash my hands, taking my time to make sure they’re meticulously clean before drying them off.
I make my way through the crowd to the bouncer I saw earlier. He’s in the corner, watching to keep things running smoothly. If he does this for me, I’ll put in a call to have him moved over to Elysium.
He notices my approach. “Everything go as planned, sir?”
I nod, then point toward Liam’s date. She’s now fully supported by the table. “Get her home. Bill me whatever the cost.”
“Of course,” he replies easily.
“I left you a mess to clean up in the men’s room. Do you think you can handle it, or should I call someone else in?” I’m well aware that not everyone’s fit for this type of work, and I’m giving him an out.
“I’ve got it, sir.”
“Good. I’m trusting you.”
A slight flush covers his cheeks, and he lowers his head. “May I ask what he did?”
“He fucked with what’s mine. ”