Chapter 10
Briar
So, this morning, I had a couple of choices when I woke up. Do I wake up and choose violence or choose to fuck some rando to get Rurik off my system?
The answer is violence.
I woke up today, rolled out of bed, and said, “You know what, yeah, I’m gonna choose violence today, hehe.”
By violence, I mean violently killing my dignity as I stalk this asshole around like some masochist bitch.
It’s been ten fucking days since our last encounter. And I’m fucking proud of myself for not texting that dick. Even though every part of my being wanted to see how his week was going, I didn’t. I resisted. Even when Nat said she would go and help Oscar with that Masquerade of the Arts event, I made up some excuse and didn’t go with her.
Did I give myself a pat on the back for refusing to join them, only to throw myself in bed and cry big, fat, ugly tears because I wanted nothing more than to go to that event and support Rurik?
Pffft.
Maybe.
Here’s the thing, though… Just because I couldn’t speak to him didn’t mean I couldn’t see him. So the past few days, I stalked the shit out of him. I had Nat hack into his phone and block Fake-ass Barbie from his phone. Actually, I had her delete all the dating apps on his phone.
He doesn’t need those anymore when he has me.
Not that we’re going to do anything in the future.
He’s too much of an uptight asshole.
And yes, I still secretly protect him from wannabe criminals. What? He’s fucking clueless, this asshole. He thinks he’s safe, but he’s not. Who’s going to watch over and protect him from other assholes if I stop?
He still doesn’t pay attention to his surroundings at night. There had been so many times when I was tempted to throw a fucking rock at his face to get him to look up and watch where he was going.
But I didn’t.
Because I’m a grown-ass woman and have self-control like that.
I’m super pissed at the guy, but I don’t want to kill him.
Yet.
If he keeps calling me the ‘M’ word, I can’t be blamed if my dagger decides to become acquainted with his locked-up heart.
I wince. Okay, no, I’ll never let that happen.
My phone buzzes, and irritation surges through me at the interruption. I’m in the midst of my daily routine, a moment reserved for shedding precious tears over the asshole.
Fuck that guy.
Why am I wasting tears on him anyway?
Why do I even — Fuck, who keeps calling me, damn it!
“Yes?” I grumble, turning to my back to stare at the ceiling.
“Hey,” Nat sighs, “I know you said you didn’t want to be here, but I need you.”
Her voice sounds urgent, causing me to sit up in alarm. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s this guy I recognize.” She explains, “He was wearing a mask just like everyone else, but he took it off for a bit to eat.”
“Who is he?”
“He”s just like everyone else,” she sighs, her disappointment palpable. “He used to work for my dad, but he stole so much that ended up causing the start of dad’s spiraling health, Briar... Judging by his outfit, he fetched quite the prices.”
I curse under my breath. When I met Mr. Rogers, he was a charming, extroverted man. But something happened a few years ago that made him cold. Not to me and Nat, thankfully. But to everyone else.
“Have you told your dad?”
“Yup, he said to try and bring back all he stole first and then bring the man to him.”
“If the guy comes up empty?”
“Get rid of him.”
She didn’t need to say anything anymore. When my bestie calls to help her get shit done, I do just that. She’s my ride-or-die. Plus, this may help me get rid of my depressive slump.
Maybe I’ll see Rurik too and congratulate him on —
No. You’re there for work.
God. Fucking. Damn it.
*-*-*-*
“Out of all the masks you chose for me to wear, I got a fucking cat?” I grumble, putting it on and looking at myself in the mirror.
“It’s because you can be so sweet and cute at first but a complete bitch when annoyed,” Nat smirks, putting on her intricate lace mask. “Besides, I thought you like cats?”
“Love them,” I agree, “They’re just a menace wrapped in a cute bundle of fur.”
We exit the bathroom and walk to a secluded corner where we won”t be easily spotted. Glancing around, I can”t help but grimace. It”s strange to be surrounded by so many people yet unable to see their faces. Seeing numerous masks turning in my direction leaves me with a peculiar sensation. I don”t know if they”re looking at me, and that uncertainty feels oddly unsettling.
“That’s him,” Nat says, nodding across the room.
Tell me why I immediately thought she meant him as in him? As in the asshole I should not be thinking about right now. Fuck, why am I thinking about him again? He hasn’t texted me at all, either.
Dick.
“You see him?” Nat asks, forcing me to focus again.
Following Nat”s gaze, I spot a man with a fox mask at the bar, casually sipping a drink. Hmm, he doesn’t seem like much of a threat. He’s on the shorter side, in a tight black suit that struggles to contain his protruding beer belly.
I can handle him.
“What do you think?” Nat nudges me with her elbow.
I make a humming sound and shrug, “So, same thing as before? Get him to tell us what we need to know, and if he doesn’t, fuck him up?”
She smirks, “Yup.”
“Does Oscar know what we’re about to do?”
“Oh yeah, he reserved a room in the back for us.”
“He’s such a gentleman.”
“I know, right? Good thing I’m marrying him.”
“I’m gonna barf.”
She rolls her eyes with a teasing smile as she walks away. I sigh, walking over to the bar, pretending to look curiously over the menu even though I memorized everything that was served.
I decide to get a lemon drop cocktail and turn around to lean back, surveying the scene around me. I quickly spot Nat with a tall, muscular man who I can only assume is Oscar. Of course, Oscar is wearing a matching lacey mask like Nat. They’re so cringeworthy with their lovey-dovey-ness.
Can’t they take their love elsewhere? He whispers something in her ear, and despite the mask, I can tell how hard my bestie is blushing. She lightly slaps him on the arm, shaking her head. Her eyes drift over to me, and she nods.
I nod back, but I can”t help but keep looking around to see who is near them. Also, yes, sue me for immediately wondering where Rurik is. What mask is he wearing anyway? How hilarious would it be if he decided to wear an angel mask? My Rurik, wearing an angel mask just for me — I would drop right then and there.
Literally.
I would drop my panties just for him. Or fall to my knees before him and between his knees.
Before my mind can wander off to someplace dirty again, I spot the man in the fox mask and stroll over to him. I adopt a casual posture, leaning against the counter with my body turned to face him. He’s deep in conversation with a random guest sporting a white-beaked mask reminiscent of those worn by doctors during the plague, casually sipping on a fresh drink.
My eyes rove over him, taking mental notes. He clutches his drink as if it were a lifeline. His face and neck are flushed red, and sweat coats his forehead. I can’t help but snort. The man is nervous.
What’s he nervous about? It can’t be because I’m standing right beside him, right? He hasn”t even looked at me because he’s paying close attention to whatever useless conversation he’s having with his friend.
Nah…
I clear my throat and notice the way he stiffens immediately. Ah. So he does see me here. But still, he doesn”t know me. I’m wearing a black cat mask, for goodness” sake. The only thing he can see is my eyes.
“Excuse me.” My voice is smooth and sweet.
His friend glances over at me, and I fight the urge to growl as his eyes greedily roam over me from head to toe. Sorry, homie. I”m not here for you. Finally, the man in the fox mask turns to me, wearing a nasty grin that reveals the rot in his yellowed tooth. I battle the urge to heave. If he is one of those rare cases where we let him go, I might consider sending him a gift certificate to the dentist.
“What can I do for you, little lady?” his friend asks with a southern drawl.
I grin at him, “Actually, I was hoping I could ask your friend for a dance?”
The man in question opens his mouth in surprise. “Oh. Uh…”
“You want to dance with him?” Plague mask man says in disbelief.
Believe me, man, I don’t want to.
But I grin back and nod, “Yes.” I turn to the fox man and lift my shoulders while clutching my hands together to give a false sense of nervousness. “If that’s okay, of course.”
His friend practically pushes him against me, and I have to turn my head away so he isn’t breathing down my face. But instead of puking like my body is begging me to, I plaster the most charming, dazzling smile on him. He relaxes immediately.
“What”s your name, handsome?” I say, placing my hands on his waist and then trailing them upward, exploring his back before returning to his waist. I then move to his covered arms, tracing them lightly before moving up to his shoulders. Finally, I link my hands behind his neck.
I could have just patted him down to check for hidden weapons and made it more obvious that way, but judging by his pleased grin; my touches have the desired effect. I inwardly roll my eyes. Men are such simple creatures, aren’t they?
Except for Rurik.
I scowl. Fucking Rurik.
Fox mask man clears his throat, “Sorry, am I upsetting you?”
Shit.
I beam at him, “Not at all! I”m sorry. What did you say your name was again?”
“Charlie.” He says, his hands resting on my lower back.
“Nice,” I smile, letting him take the lead as we dance across the floor.
Let him think he’s wooing me with his nasty ass teeth. It’ll be easier to get him to talk when he thinks I would do no harm to him.
“So,” Charlie starts minutes later as we glide around. He continuously gulps down his drink.
I’m not gonna lie. He’s not a bad dancer. If he wasn’t such a piece of shit to my best friend and found family, I may have given him a chance after making him go on a strict diet and forcing him to visit the dentist daily.
“What do you do?” He asks me.
Well, Charlie, I’ll tell you. I go around fucking shit up who wronged my found family, AKA The Rogers. Unfortunately, you’re one of those people, so what do I do? As of today, I’m going to fuck you up.
Insert cute, adorable smiley face.
But I can’t say that shit, so instead, I say, “Oh, I”m in the business of... handling delicate matters. You know, offering unique solutions to unique challenges.”
“I see,” Charlie says, deciding that he”s brave enough to let his hands wander around my ass.
His breath already reeks of alcohol, so what do I do? The most responsible thing, of course. I signal for a staff member to come over with more drinks. I figure Charlie needs it so he can relax around me and be more inclined to go along with what I say.
I watch him greedily drink one, two, or five back to back. Jesus. Either he loves the booze, or I make him that nervous. My eyes narrow, but I maintain my grin.
“So, Charlie,” I say, “since we”re on the subject of unique challenges and businesses... I believe you owe my boss some things?”
He freezes. The redness that had tinged his neck and face vanishes, leaving his complexion ashen. “Your boss?”
“Yeah!” I beam, keeping my hands locked behind his neck in case I get myself a runner. “You might know him? His daughter is my best friend. Natalie Rogers?”
He blinks, his throat bobbing up and down. It’s funny; when Rurik does that, I go fucking feral. But when Charlie the fox man does it? I want to punch his face in.
“That’s… good to know.”
“You must know that her fiancé also owns this gallery, right?”
“I, uh, I was invited by my friend you met earlier. I didn’t know this event was run by the De Luca’s.”
“It’s not. Oscar Guerrero runs it,” I sigh. “He and his friend, Rurik, worked hard for this. Give them the respect they deserve, Charlie.”
He nods furiously like an idiot. He shoves his empty glass at a random staff member walking past us. “Y-yes, r-right! Of course. Congrats to your friends, uh… Sorry, what was your name?”
My grin spreads widely, knowing I probably look like some crazy-ass evil bitch right about now.
“Oh, I was wondering when you were going to ask. I almost thought you already knew about me.” I stop dancing, remove one hand from his neck, and grab his hand, forcefully shaking it. “Hi! Hello there. I’m Briar Reyes. Why don’t we take this conversation to a more private setting? I don’t like talking business while everyone is just trying to have a good time, you know?”
Charlie tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip on him.
“Come on, Charlie,” I purr. “We can have a room together—just you and me.”
His eyes widen, darting around, probably looking for his plague friend. It”s too bad Nat and Oscar have already taken care of him.
I clear my throat. “Follow me,” I whisper against his ear, pulling him with me. I quickly catch Nat’s eyes and subtly nod. She nods back before turning to Oscar, who also glances in our direction.
“Where are you taking me?” Charlie asks, and I can’t help but feel a sense of glee and excitement when his voice shakes with... fear? Or maybe he’s just really drunk. With the number of glasses I’ve seen him consume, I wouldn’t be surprised. However, he’s not talking in cursive yet, so who knows?
“Somewhere private,” I say, “Where you and I can have some fun if you get my drift.”
Well, fun for me… I don’t know about him.
Unless he’s into knife play. As soon as I find an empty room in the back, I pull him inside and close the door, locking it securely. I turn around to see him staring at me with wide eyes, anticipation radiating within them. Does he seriously think I’m here to literally fuck him and not fuck him the shit up?
I wink at him, and my eyes quickly dart to the growing tent between his legs.
I wrinkle my nose. Yup, he thinks I’m here to play with him. Too bad it’s a different kind of play, though. I slowly approach him, my fingers trailing against his neck and down to his chest.
“Ready to talk business now, Charlie?”
“Huh?”
“Where’s the precious cargo you owe Mr. Rogers?”
He blinks like a fucking idiot.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
I roll my eyes, surprised that my patience had disappeared quickly. Man, I was hoping to drag this out and shit, so why do I just want to end this now and get it over with?
Because you want to find Rurik, that’s why.
Fuck.
You.
Rurik.
Constantly invading my thoughts when I should be focusing on work — Shit!
Charlie tries to run around me, but I immediately trip him with my foot. He lands on his belly and gasps when his mask flies off his face. He turns around to face me on his back, throws his hands up, and starts pleading, “Wait! Please! I can get them all back! I can give you names! I’ll tell you everything! It’ll just take me a while, please! Let me talk to Rogers —”
“You want to speak to Rogers?” I interrupt, pulling my phone out from my cleavage — Don’t fucking judge me. Until women”s clothing decides to make designs for women in this century (aka include deep pockets), I will stuff my shit anywhere — and text Nat.
“Yes, yes! Please!”
“To clarify, a Rogers, right? Like, not necessarily the head man himself?”
Charlie looks at me with confusion, his eyes squinting as if he was thinking too hard. He blinks a few times, looking even more clueless than usual.
He opens his mouth to speak, but a knock on the door interrupts him.
“Oh!” I lift a finger, “Hold on. I think that’s for you.” I sidestep him, pick up his mask, and open the door. I grin widely at my best friend. “Hey.”
Nat raises a brow and closes the door behind her. “Why did you text me to come here?”
I give her his mask, step to the side, and sweep my arm, “Fox man asked to speak to you.”
Nat gasps, her face brightening with glee, an evil glint shining in her eyes as she shoots me a glance. “To me? Oh, wow, I feel so special!”
“You should feel special, bestie,” I smirk. “Charlie said he would help your dad by telling us everything we need to know.”
Nat turns to Charlie, who is standing up again with his back against a computer desk. “Is that so? When?”
“Now.”
“As soon as I can.”
Charlie and I speak at the same time. I whirl around and frown at him, “Wait, I thought you said you’d tell her everything now?”
Charlie furiously shakes his head, sweat beads forming across his forehead. “No, no, I said I need time! But I was hoping we could talk about when?”
Nat dramatically rolls her eyes and sighs, placing a hand on her hip. “Man, do you seriously think you’re in the position to be pulling this shit?”
He gulps, “I expect that the people I borrowed fr—”
“Stole.” She chirps. “You didn’t borrow, you stole.”
“R-right. I-I’m sorry. I stole. But I promise to tell you everything.”
“That’s great! Today. Now, preferably.”
“I can’t do that.”
Nat huffs. “Damn, that sucks, Charlie.”
Charlie looks between me and Nat, “So, can we talk about this? Maybe we can come into some kind of arrangement?”
“Absolutely, Charlie,” I chime in brightly.
I quickly glance at Nat, who just shrugs. I bend slightly and lift my dress up to my knees, not missing the confusion and…
What the fuck? Are you fucking kidding me? Lust? Is he seriously horny now? Now?
“If you think my body is part of the arrangement, you’re mistaken.” I can’t help but spit.
Charlie blinks, at least having the grace to look ashamed.
“Sorry, I meant no disrespect,” he mutters before clearing his throat. He turns to Nat, who is wearing a shit-eating grin the whole time. “Let’s talk about this arrangement?”
I lift my dress until I finger the dagger strap to my thigh. “Your face or your stomach?”
His head whips to me, our gaze clashing.
“What?” He asks with wide eyes.
I sigh, remove the dagger from my thigh, and straighten up. “Where would you like me to rearrange? Your face or your insides?”
He gasps and stares at us both.
And then, the most glorious thing happened next.
Charlie fucking screams.
I tilt my head to the side, unable to take my eyes away from how his face turns deep red as he tries to run again. Strangely enough, the high pitch of his terrified screams carries a hauntingly beautiful sound to my ears.
Shit, maybe I am fucked up. Am I the problem? Is it me? Perhaps that’s why Rurik keeps running away from me — Oh, for fucks sake. There I go again, thinking about that beautiful asshole.
Nat, however, covers her ears. “Charlie! Shut up!”
But Charlie goes for it. I gotta give him mad props, though. Two against one? Yet he still tries to fight us both? The dude’s got balls. Sure, they’re probably all shriveled up and stinky, but he’s got them.
It’s too bad I want to cut them off, though.
“Fuck you!” Charlie screams at us.
Okay, I’m bored now.
I lift my hand, holding the dagger lightly. I draw back my arm, my muscles tense with determination, and let the dagger fly. I watch as it slices through the air with a sharp whistle, aiming straight at the target.
He gasps as he staggers backward, his hands immediately grabbing the handle now protruding from his chest above his heart.
“I still got it,” I grin at Nat, giving myself a little clap. “I should have been born into a fantasy world where I can defeat dragons and fight people with my awesome blade.”
“Or you could just use a gun like the rest of us?” Nat says, rolling her eyes.
“I have a gun,” I complain. “But I can’t let my gun fly like my dagger just did!”
A wet gulping sound followed by a loud thud interrupts us. We both turn to see Charlie sprawl on the floor, his back against the ground. I approach cautiously, hearing his breath quickening as if he’s trying to capture as much oxygen into his lungs as he can before it vanishes.
“Shit, Charlie,” I sigh, “You shouldn’t have screamed like that.”
“You probably gained us a bunch of unwanted attention, you idiot.” Nat hisses, kicking his feet.
Charlie gurgles and twitches.
“That’s gross,” I wince before turning to Nat. “Tell Oscar what happened so he can ward off people in this area. I’ll deal with Charlie.”
She sighs, “I’ll let dad know.”
Once I hear the door close behind her, I turn back to Charlie, who is staring back at me. “For what it’s worth, I hope you burn in hell, motherfucker.”
But he continues to stare at me.
“Hello?” I frown, bending down to poke his shoulder.
Still no response.
“Oh. That was fast.” I straighten up and look around.
I just notice the state of the office. Office chairs are thrown on their sides, and books are scattered everywhere. When did that even happen? And now the ground is pooling with Charlie’s blood.
I grab the handle and pull it out, groaning at the blood dripping from the blade.
”Damn it, Charlie,” I grumble, using his suit to clean it up. Glancing around once more, I began to assess the scene before me.
Hmm, the man was fucking wasted earlier… What if he fell and accidentally landed on this beautiful sharp trophy Oscar got for winning Best Small Business reward years ago?
I bite my bottom lip, staring at Charlie and the trophy.
Nah, it”s too much effort.
I could make it look like a suicide. Maybe find a random kitchen knife and rail it back to his chest with a sloppy suicide note? Maybe have Oscar write it for me because his handwriting is atrocious.
Fuck it.
Mr. Rogers can pay off the cops again if shit hits the fan.
“Be right back,” I utter to Charlie as I turn around. I open the door and nearly scream as I bump into a person from the other side. “Shit! Sorry!”
I adjust my mask, thankful it’s still on.
“What the fuck.”
My head shoots up, and for the first time in years, dread slams into me as my eyes clash with the last person I expect to see at this moment.
He’s not even wearing a mask. “Rurik?”
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck, fuck!
Did I mention how fucked I am?
Without thinking, I grab Rurik’s shoulders and pull him into the office before slamming the door shut.
“Rurik!” I exclaim, “It’s not what it looks like!”
His shocked look morphs into confusion when his gaze darts over my shoulders, where Charlie is still lying.
I close my eyes shut. “Fuck. Okay. Yeah.”
“What the fuck?” Rurik whispers, his eyes alarmed as they dart between me and Charlie. “What the actual fuck!”
“Yup,” I nod, opening my eyes. “Listen to me,” I snap my fingers at his face, but he doesn’t look at me. “Rurik!” I lightly slap his cheeks. “Look at me!”
Rurik focuses back on me, his eyes widening as they roam over my face.
“Hey. There you are,” I grin, cupping his cheeks with my hands. “Everything is going to be okay, angel. I promise. I will not hurt—”
“It”s you,” Rurik whispers. He”s staring at me as if this is the first time he”s seen me in years.
I stare back, confused. As I take off my mask, I let out a nervous laugh. His eyes widen even more than I thought possible.
“What’s me? Your soulmate? Duh, angel,” I teasingly toss my hair over my shoulder. “About time you realize that.”
Rurik’s mouth falls open, his eyes shifting from my eyes to my lips, then back to my eyes. He lets out a small huff of breath, and I can”t help but lean closer, inhaling his comforting scent.
Fuck, I miss him so much.
He”s not pushing me away, so that’s a good thing, right? I lift my chin and lightly brush my lips against his.
“You’re okay. Trust me, okay?” I murmur against his lips.
To my delight, he applies a bit more pressure back. I want to lick his lips and play with his tongue. I want to throw him against the wall and pull his dick out so I can swallow him up like a starved woman.
Because I am starving. He tastes like the alluring nectar of a forbidden piece of fruit, and an insatiable hunger for it consumes me. The walls of anger and excuses I”d built to try and stay mad at him crumbled the moment I laid eyes on him again.
Fuck, I am so screwed.
I pull away, expecting him to snap and shout at me. Maybe turn around to yell at everyone about what he witnessed and call the cops on me. And if I’m being honest, I probably would have let him.
I won’t stay in prison for long because Mr. Rogers owns them here, but I would have let Rurik think he did the right thing.
So imagine my surprise when he nods. That”s all. He stares deeply into my eyes and simply nods as if he genuinely trusts me again. As if he didn’t just take my black heart and splash a bit of color back into it.
I lean back, observing him closely, searching for any signs that he might be on the verge of a panic attack.
Except… he’s not.
He looks fine. Yes, he looks scared and confused… but not at me? He’s not looking at me with fear. This may just be my delusional brain playing tricks on me, but I could have sworn I see a bit of concern aiming toward me.
Before I can speak, the door flies open, and I quickly grab Rurik, shoving him behind me. The dagger I used to take down Charlie is now poised toward whoever the fuck is here to threaten me and my angel.
The moment Nat steps in, I feel myself relax.
“You scared us!” I snap as she looks up at us with surprise.
Her eyes grow when she sees Rurik behind me. “Um…” She turns to me, her brows raised.
“It’s okay,” I tell her before turning to Rurik. “Right? You’re not going to say anything?”
“I fucking hope not!” Nat groans, “Fuck, this is bad, Briar. What if he narks —”
“I won’t do that,” Rurik interrupts her.
I am taken aback by how calm and composed he sounds. A twinge of concern nags at me—shouldn”t he be freaking the fuck out by now?
But he remains focused on me, his eyes never wavering. He doesn”t even acknowledge Nat”s presence with a glance. Should I feel fucking ecstatic that this is the longest he’s looked at me without yelling?
I glance at Nat. She stares between me and Rurik before sighing heavily. “Okay, Rurik. Thanks. You’re the real MVP.”
He just swallows hard, and like the greedy little bitch that I am, I zero in on that Adam’s apple. Ugh, Jesus. I need to control myself when it comes to him. Will he yell at me again if I have another taste? I lick my lips, and Nat pokes me on the side.
“Ow!” I snap, glaring at her.
“Briar!” Nat hisses. “We have to go!”
I blink in confusion. “What? What do you mean?”
“Someone heard Charlie screaming and called the police,” she says, her eyes widening with nerves. “Oscar is trying his hardest to hold them off, but they will be here soon!”
“Fuck!” I groan, shaking my head and glancing at Charlie. “Fuck,” I repeat. I let out a heavy breath and turn to Rurik, who is still staring at me the whole time. “You’re going to be okay, Rurik.”
He finally blinks, his eyes widening as they dart over my face. “What?”
Nat is saying something, pulling my arm, but I focus on him. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t tell them anything.” Please don’t nark on me and Nat. Please don’t betray me. Please don’t fuck us up. Please trust me. But I don’t have time to tell him all that, so I just repeat, “Please.”
Before Rurik can say anything, I am being pulled away from the office and follow Nat out of the back exit, leaving Rurik with a dead body.