Chapter 12 #2
I grab the glasses and head back to Phantom, who's staring at me with a brow raised.
“What the hell did he say to you?” Liquid spills as I thump the glasses down with a little more force than necessary, diluting mine with the mixer to reduce the bitter taste of the whiskey I had forbidden myself from ever allowing past my lips again.
I press the earpiece so Adam and Blitz can hear me.
“Nothing I couldn't handle. He bought these and said he added them to Volokov's tab.”
Phantom stones his expression, then presses his watch “Be on guard guys.” Adam responds a second later “On it, I’m gonna head over and look over the railing.” “Just going to the bathroom.” I add so we all know our positions.
I catch Adam already leaning over the railing with Blitz, who turns effortlessly, slipping into her role.
She lifts her phone, snapping photos with him, playing the part of the affectionate couple with flawless ease.
The device in her hands has been rebuilt and modified.
The enhanced front camera sharpens every detail, ensuring clearer images, allowing us to provide intelligence something to work with if they need to clean them up later.
I peel away next, heading for the sign marked as the bathroom.
Pushing through the doors, I step into a dimly lit hallway running behind the bar.
I stroll through it, my eyes locking onto three distinct sets of doors, each one a potential path forward.
The middle door sits in darkness, no light spilling from beneath, likely where the bartender disappeared earlier to grab bottles.
I turn to the first door, its image illuminated - a dress.
Women’s bathroom. Pushing it open to reveal a sleek interior.
Black glossy tiles stretch seamlessly from floor to ceiling, their polished surfaces catching the faint glow of overhead fixtures.
Even the cubicles are jet-black, blending into the walls like shadows.
Keeping in theme, a row of vibrant purple lights lines the sinks, reflecting the neon like liquid fire across the surfaces.
I make sure my wig is secure before I leave, deciding to go the opposite way when I notice another door adjacent to the double ones I was about to exit.
I scan the area, scoping out the domed camera in the middle of the ceiling.
Pulling my phone out of my purse, I pretend I’m writing a long text, idly treading back and forth to slowly go behind the wall where the door is located, out of the camera's line of sight.
My eyes scan upwards, and I notice there’s no camera facing this area - interesting.
It’s a large grey door with curtains shrouding it, pulled back by purple ropes that keep them tame.
I scan it from top to bottom when I notice the large V in the middle, lit up in the same style as the bathroom signs.
I reach my hand out to test the door, fingers freezing when I hear that same voice from earlier.
“Alone again, beautiful? I’m starting to think you're trying to get away from that boyfriend of yours.” Showtime.
I turn around, faking a stumble and press my hand to the door, and it opens slightly.
“I got lost trying to find the bathroom.” Giving him a shy smile.
“Well it’s certainly not that way, I don’t think you'd like what happens if you accidentally wandered through there, pretty girl.”
One punch, I can allow myself one? “My bad, I think I’m a little drunk!
” I giggle and go to move around him when he side-steps to block me.
My fake smile drops, sore from trying to keep it unnaturally plastered to my face when I look at him.
He doesn't realize it should be me he doesn't want to be stuck in this corridor with.
“Is there something you want?” I ask, while he drags his eyes over me, stopping short at my legs and then back up to stop at my breasts, making my eyes roll in annoyance.
His hot breath hits my face as he leans in closer to speak “What's your name?” I take a small step back, swaying him into thinking I’m as frightened as he likely wants me to be.
“What does that matter?” my voice rattles, but it’s not with fear - it’s the demon getting excited she's one step closer to spilling some blood.
“I like to know the names of the girls I fuck.” He's quick for his size, he's at least 220 pounds and towering over me.
But he's just not quick enough. I land a punch to his gut, then grab the hand that touched me earlier and snap it at a warped angle.
His “Bitch!” screams against my ear, causing the drum to rattle.
I shift to get both hands around his neck, ready to snap it, but then I feel the cold threat of metal against my inner thigh, instantly making me pause.
“I was going to be gentle with you, but not after the little stunt you just pulled.” He presses his forearm against my throat, enclosing me into the wall whilst tracing the blade up my thigh with his good hand and towards my waist. “Turn around.” he seethes through gritted teeth, and I know he’s likely fighting back tears.
“Fuck you.” I spit out. A gun I can handle, but a knife?
It's harder to get away from when you're so close.
I reach down slowly to grip the blade whilst still staring into his eyes, but just as my hand touches his skin, the arm against my throat is twisted, a sickening crack echoes from his shoulder against the muffled sound of music, the knife he was holding a second ago whips across his neck, blood instantly pouring from him.
I slide along the wall as the hot liquid ejects onto the front of my body, moving out the way so I’m not covered in it.
Sighing, I lean down whilst mockingly shake my head, staring into the stranger’s withering eyes, hoping his last thought is regret for ever trying me.
I'll need help dragging his ass out this hallway.
I straighten to see which of the guys helped me out.
“Than—” my words die off, caught in the presence of the night-cloaked predator before me.
My breath stills as our eyes lock, a storm raging within the depths of his ocean-colored gaze, wild, and untamed.
“Hello, Malyshka.”