51. Jenson
Jenson
R iver and Kai lean against the wall beside me. The dance floor at Mystic is full, but our eyes are pinned on the girl currently dancing as if she’s put her finger into an electric socket and switched it on.
That is… something.
Beside her, Briar is grinning, dancing her arms above her head as Dove nearly takes out a nearby tray of glasses with her enthusiastic leaping.
I’m not entirely sure that I approve of their growing friendship, but she makes her own choices.
“Are you sure about this?” River keeps his voice low. Next to him, Kai has a small smile on his face as Briar waves to him.
Dove waves back to Briar as if it was intended for her, and she tips her head back in a laugh before she makes her way through the crowd.
“It’s time.” I glance to him. “It won’t change everything.”
But enough. Enough for me to loosen the chains of my past that feel like a noose around my neck.
Laughing, Briar throws her arms around Kai. “Dance with me.”
He doesn’t dance. Ever. But he follows her without looking back.
When they get back, I take Briar’s hand in mine. “Ready?”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
I promised she could be here, but I still stiffen as we head into the back. The ring is empty, the room closed off, but the six people who turn to face us still make me want to check that my gun is still in its holster.
“Jenson.” Alyss Lidell tips her head to the side. Curiosity sparks. “Who’s this?”
Briar bounces past me. “Hi! I’m Briar.”
Alyss glances at me before taking her outstretched hand. “Well, this is interesting. You’re joining us for this meeting?”
I nod. Buck grins behind Alyss, but he snaps his mouth closed when I glare at him. “She is.”
“Let’s get on with it, then.” Alyss settles back. “Why am I here, Jenson?”
I don’t hesitate. “I’m dissolving the Diamonds. Splitting my territory between you and Keenan.”
She blinks. Otherwise, she doesn’t move. “Why?”
I resist the urge to look at the girl beside me. “My priorities have changed.”
“I see.” Her eyes slide between us anyway. “What conditions do you have?”
I slide the paperwork toward her. “I retain control over a small patch of land. Consider it neutral territory, but it’s not to be used in any disputes.”
One sleek eyebrow raises. “Anything else?”
I gesture. “River will retain control of Mystic. And I will also keep a small stretch of retail space. I already own the building. It’s outlined in the document. Aside from that, all other assets are to be split.”
“And your men?”
I hold her gaze. “I think you and I both know that the handful of men I have will not change this offer. But it’s in there. You can have them, if you need the extra headcount to manage the new ground.”
Alyss glances up at Chess in silent question before she reaches for the paperwork. “I’d be a fool to refuse. But I’ll go through it first, send any questions over.”
Nodding, I stand. River and Kai stand with me, Briar following our lead a moment later. “Keenan is doing the same.”
Briar is almost vibrating beside me before she blurts out the words. “Would you like to stay for a drink with me?”
Alyss pauses, as if surprised. “I don’t generally like clubs.”
I already warned Briar. But her face still falls in disappointment.
Alyss’s eye twitches. Just barely. “Five minutes.”
My lips press together to hide my amusement. “She’s hard to say no to, isn’t she?”
The leader of the Hearts gives me a wry look. “You should use her in all of your negotiations.”
It’s the puppy-dog eyes.
Kai and Hatter follow as the two women disappear into the other room. I almost wish I was there for the moment Alyss meets Dove, but I have one more thing to do.
River follows me as I nod goodbye to the Hearts and slip back into the club. The stairs leading to the clubhouse creak under our feet, almost covering the moaning.
I step inside the room, glancing to River. “He’s looking messy.”
River doesn’t hide his grin. “I was bored. He was annoying.”
Sweat darkens Philip Fitzherbert’s hair as he frantically rocks in the chair we kindly added for him. Stepping forward, I rip the dirty gag from his mouth and watch him retch.
“I’m sorry.” He wheezes it as I crouch in front of him.
My head tilts. “Not quite so much of a challenge after all. I’m almost disappointed.”
“Men like him never are,” River mutters. Nodding in agreement, I straighten.
Philip’s eyes bulge when I pull the ring from my pocket. “That’s mine!”
“It is.” I pull something else out. “You’re having it back, don’t worry. River?”
He screams at the sight of the long, thick needle. Screams, and sobs. But when I’m done, Briar’s engagement ring, specially adapted, runs through Philip Fitzherbert’s lower lip like an ungodly large piercing. Blood mixes with saliva as his head drops down.
Gripping his hair, I yank it back. “If I hear you’ve taken it out, you’ll be back here. Understand? I’m going to be watching you. And if I hear you’re approaching any other women, I’ll be paying them a visit and explaining exactly what type of man you are.”
Beside me, River’s camera flashes. “For the memories.”
I cut through the ropes. “Off you go.”
He stumbles off as if he thinks he’s actually getting away with it. His new piercing, laced with a pretty dose of poison, hangs from his lip as he glances back at us before nearly throwing himself down the stairs in his haste.
He’ll have a week at max. And if he somehow survives, Kai gets to go hunting.
“A new leaf,” River murmurs as we descend the stairs. My eyes catch on Briar, her hands laced with Alyss’s as she shouts something in her ear. To her credit, Alyss only looks mildly uncomfortable. “This should be interesting.”
“Yes.” Smiling, I start to move through the crowd toward her. Kai is dancing beside them, surprisingly graceful as he slips behind Briar and sets his hands on her hips. He looks… happy. “I’m looking forward to it.”