Chapter 19 #2
“It really has been a lovely night.” Duncan scooted close to me, so close that our sides were brushing. Corey’s eyes narrowed, but I smiled, letting him know I was okay.
“Yes, a great success. I’m keen to hear your ideas for the next event.”
“You know, I’ve waited a long time to get you alone, Arlo.”
I gave him a wan smile, deciding to play dumb in the hope he’d take the hint. “Oh? Why’s that?”
He chuckled, the geniality fading from his eyes leaving only coldness behind. “Why, so I can follow through on my letters, of course.”
My blood ran cold, the whole room seeming to tilt sideways. “What?”
“Come now, don’t play coy. I know you’ve been receiving my letters. Why else would you have patrols set up outside your house? Or bring extra burly men to protect you?”
Fuck. Duncan was the one stalking me?
Suddenly, I was seeing a new man in his place. His bumbling mask was gone, revealing a calculating smirk in its place.
I turned my head, intending to alert Simon or Corey, but Duncan grabbed my chin harshly. “Ah-ah, Arlo. You’re not going to want to do that.”
As he spoke, something hard poked into my side. My heart rate spiked as I glanced down to see his hand in his jacket. He was holding something, pushing it painfully into my ribs.
“Very smart of your guards to search everyone who entered the premises. Unfortunately for them, I know all the hiding places here. Made it very easy to stash this gun until needed.”
Everything narrowed to the hard object pushed against my side. How the fuck had he even got a gun? It wasn’t like in America where they could be bought over the counter.
“Now, call off your dogs unless you want me to end your life right here.”
He released my chin and I looked around to see both Simon and Corey approaching.
“I’m fine,” I said, holding up my hand to get them to stop. “Give us some space.”
Both looked like they wanted to argue, but after exchanging a look they retreated out of earshot. I couldn’t help but notice they stayed closer than before, like they could tell something was wrong, but not what.
“Good, Arlo.” Duncan’s praise had my stomach revolting. “Your cooperation will make this so much easier.”
“Why are you doing this?” I whispered.
He smirked. “Don’t you remember the first time we met? It was at the Met Gala, seven years ago.”
I wracked my brain but came up blank. I vaguely remembered the event, but I attended so many that they all tended to blend into one. “No?”
“Let me refresh your memory,” he snarled, his lip twisting. “We were chatting, having a lovely conversation, when your guard stepped in between us.”
Jack.
“He made it very clear that my advances were unwelcome and to try my luck elsewhere.” His sneer deepened. “Do you know how you reacted?”
I shook my head mutely.
“You grinned up at him like he was your lord and saviour,” Duncan continued bitterly. “You walked away with your hand on his arm, laughing together like me approaching you was hilarious. A joke. Why would someone like you give someone like me the time of day?”
Was that what had happened? Quite possibly. I got approached a lot, especially at events. I turned down everyone, but Jack had only ever stepped in if the man in question was having a difficult time understanding the word ‘no.’
Obviously that was what had happened with Duncan. I doubted we were laughing about him. Back then, all it took was being in Jack’s presence for me to be smiling and laughing.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “It wasn’t my intention to offend or hurt you.”
“It’s fine.” He smiled widely, showing far too many teeth. “This game between us has been my favourite one so far. I’ve played before, of course I have. But never with a prize quite so grand as you.”
Holy shit. I could hardly believe this was happening. How the fuck was I going to get away from Duncan? I could have all the guards in the world, but it meant nothing while he held a gun to my side.
“It’s time to move this to somewhere more private.” Duncan’s tongue darted out over his lips, making me shiver. “We’re going to stand and walk to the door. Make any moves and I’ll pull the trigger.”
“You do that and you’ll lose everything,” I pointed out. “I don’t think you’re going to risk that.”
He gave me a grim smirk. “I have nothing to lose, Arlo. The money? Long gone. I’ve been living on smoke and mirrors for a long time now.
It’s only a matter of time before everyone else cottons on.
By then, it’ll be too late. The doctors have given me four months.
That’s why I’ve escalated our little game.
I’m ready to go out with a bang, as they say. ”
The reality of what he was saying chilled me to my bones. Suddenly his yellowing skin and hollow cheeks made sense. Duncan was dying.
From the corner of my eye, I could see my bandmates gathering, watching me suspiciously. Both Simon and Corey looked agitated, the former gesturing to Will to join them while Corey spoke rapidly into his sleeve, his eyes not leaving us for a second.
“They won’t let me leave with you.”
“They will. You’ll convince them. I’m sure you can act well enough, Arlo. Although that might be a struggle given how little you were able to hide your pining for your former guard.”
Bile rose in my throat. Just how long had he been watching me?
“With your life depending on it, I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” he mused. “Time to put on a show.”
He slid an arm under my jacket, like he was holding me around the waist, his other hand underneath his own jacket keeping the gun in place.
With him guiding me, we stood. To an onlooker, we probably looked like a couple about to go find somewhere quiet to hook up.
None of my bandmates bought that. Neither did the guards.
Simon and Corey stepped close immediately. The latter grabbed my wrist, clearly about to pull me away.
Duncan pushed the gun harder against me in warning.
“No,” I said steadily, meeting Corey’s gaze. “I’m fine. I’m going to leave with Duncan now, find somewhere quieter to discuss things.”
Did he know I was lying? Did he know what was going on?
In the distance I could see Luca, Silas and Kai arguing with their guards as they were ushered from the room. I was grateful they wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire of what was about to happen.
Corey’s gaze darted suspiciously to where the gun was concealed.
The strength with which Duncan squeezed me told me I wasn’t being convincing enough. “Really, I’m fine. Duncan and I have hit it off. We’re going to go back to his place.”
Corey’s gaze met mine and I knew he didn’t believe me. A glance at Simon told me he didn’t either. They knew there was something at play that they were missing, something that was making me behave this way.
Fortunately, Duncan bought it, his grip relaxing. Not enough for me to pull away, but enough to give me confidence for my next sentence. The one that would confirm their worst fears.
I had no idea how I was going to get out of this situation, but at least they would know for sure that there was a situation.
I smiled at Simon, focusing on his form through watery eyes. “I’m fine, I promise. Duncan and I are just going for a stroll.”