Chapter 21 #2
“Out in the back parking lot in a limo.”
“I can’t go out there.” My body shudders on reflex. “I haven’t touched a drug or had any alcohol today.”
“What’s that got to do with it?” Uncle John’s brows come together. “Cash, is he still doing shit to you? You told your ma he stopped.”
“I… It’s just easier to forget things if I’m loaded before I see him.” My heart rate speeds up. “I can’t be with Leon and his crew tonight. It’s my birthday.”
A heavy hand lands on my shoulder and I peek over to see Leon’s security guard.
He flashes me an evil grin. “Cash, you know how this works.”
Yeah, I do and the more I fight it, the worse it’ll be. I don’t have time for that. I need to figure out what he’s planning so I can make sure Livianna’s safe.
My chest muscles tighten. “Show me to him.”
Uncle John pats my back and mumbles, “I’m sorry I got you involved in this mess. This is all my fault.”
“Don’t say that. I was the one who asked. All you did was… It doesn’t matter how we got here.” I take a step toward the parking lot.
Leon’s goon gives me a little shove and leads me out to Leon’s car. My stomach spins and flips the entire time I take the walk of dread.
How do I get out of this?
It’s a question I ask myself every time Leon demands to see me and I never get an answer. The guard opens the back door of the limo and I slide in.
Leon’s gray eyes are fixed on me the second we’re enclosed. “Cash. Your performance was off tonight. What happened?”
“I got distracted for one second. It was hardly noticeable.”
“Or could it be you were thinking about how you’re going against my wishes?”
I shift and peek out the darkened window. “How am I doing that, Leon?”
“Livianna.”
That’s all he has to say for me to know he has the intel she’s coming into town to surprise me. My blood goes cold and my muscles tense.
I face him. “What about her?”
“You know she’s not allowed to be with you.”
“She’s not. I know what you’d do to her if she were. Do you even hear how crazy that sounds?”
“Stupid boy, when are you going to realize I know everything? My reach is so deep, people practically call me out of the blue and give me the information I need. I never have to go searching for it.”
I huff and shake my head. “Is that why Sebastian was in the crowd? Does he know something I don’t?”
Leon gives me a once-over. “Let’s say I think you’re being honest and you don’t know what’s going on. That doesn’t matter. The fact remains, she’s intent on meeting up with you. And if that occurs, you know what will happen.”
“She’s not visiting me.” I broaden my shoulders and glare. “I’m having a party back at the hotel. Come if you don’t believe me.”
“It’s already taken care of, Cash. Your birthday party has been moved to my suite.” Leon adjusts his pants. “You always think you can fool me and you can’t.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then let me fill you in so you don’t fuck up.” He brings his face to mine, glowering at me. “Livianna is coming and plans on being in your room in the morning.”
“And you know this, how?”
“She confided in a friend of hers, and that person told Sebastian.” Leon releases a low, devilish laugh. “Now that you have the correct details, you have a choice.”
My intestines cramp. “Yeah, like you ever give me a good one.”
“Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy yourself because if you didn’t, you wouldn’t get off every time we’re together that way.”
“Bodies can fire without consent. That isn’t desire and you know it.” I almost throw up. “Besides, I have no recollection of these times you describe, so I wouldn’t know.”
“Sure you do. There are plenty of videos I can show you if you need a reminder.”
“That won’t be necessary.” My soul empties because I know I’ve lost the fight. “What are my choices?”
“Let me paint the whole picture. Zara and Sebastian will be at your party tonight. We’ll all have a good time celebrating you turning twenty.”
“And what about Livianna?”
“I’ll have a car waiting to pick Livianna up at the airport to surprise her. If you do what Zara wants, Livianna will remain untouched. That goes for you as well.”
What Zara wants? What could that be?
We don’t speak or get along, so I’m lost.
I race to make the connection. “Just what is Zara planning?”
“Retribution.”
“For what? Giving me an STD when she sexually assaulted me?”
Leon rolls his eyes. “When are you going to stop saying that? You took the drugs of your own accord.”
“I didn’t willingly fuck her.” I snarl, wanting to strangle him. “We both know Floating V changes your perception and makes Viagra seem like you’re eating a fucking Tic Tac. Floating V is the most dangerous date rape drug out there.”
Leon smirks with smug knowingness. “Cash, calm down.”
“I’m not taking it. Not tonight.”
“You know I have ways of getting you to ingest it one way or another.” He waves me off. “Let’s not have this spat now. That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?” My heart thunders, about to burst out of my chest. “If you’re not here to get me to…”
“Admit you know Livianna is going to be here.”
There’s no way I’m doing that and putting her in danger. “I can’t because I don’t know. If she’s planning on surprising me, I know nothing about it.”
“Cash, you disappoint me.”
“Whatever. Just say whatever it is you need and let me go celebrate with my mates.”
“Since you refuse to acknowledge her plans, I’ll let you in on the secret. She’s landing early in the morning. Go along with Zara’s punishment and neither you nor Livianna will need to take Floating V. Not this time, anyway.”
“Great. Tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it. What does Zara want from me?”
“Understand what I’m saying, Cash. What you’re going to do is in all of our best interests.” Leon nods once, telling me I should agree or else I won’t like the consequences.
“I got it, Leon. Just tell me what I have to do.”
“Livianna destroyed Zara’s acting career, and it’s time Livianna pays and learns just how devastating that decision was.”