If I want Nicholas hooked, I can’t fall into his arms.Literally. This situation has probably triggered his helper complex, but even in my scattered state, I pick up on his wariness as if he doesn’t entirely buy what I haven’t even tried selling yet.
Forcing a smile, I grab onto whatever control I can. “No, thank you.” I straighten, and give him a polite smile, taking a step away so he has to let me go. “Thanks for the assist, though.”
I quickly turn away, locking eyes with Levi as I stride past Koen without another glance. Levi, who’s still by the cake with Sylus, glances between Nicholas and me and hisses under his breath as I come to stand beside him.
“What the hell are you doing here instead of over there?” His eyes blaze with irritation. “I said throw yourself at him. Not as literally as you just did, but hey, if it works.”
My fists clench, and irritation battles with exhaustion inside me. “He’s not who you think he is, he?—”
Levi cuts me off. “Iknowwho he is,” he snaps. “He’s a dumb as fuck, self-centered himbo who thinks the world belongs to him, and his muscles make him better than everyone else.”
I bite back my response, and my teeth grind together with the effort. It’s as if I’m on a tightrope, and one wrong move could send me plummeting. Levi’s frustration only adds weight to the already impossible balancing act.
“Chill, man,” Sylus interjects, leaning casually against the table. “You chose her to do it, so let her do it her way.”
I glance at Sylus, a flicker of gratitude softening the edges of my frustration just enough for my hands to unclench.
“Fine.” Levi glares at Sylus, then back at me. “This has to work out, you hear me? When this all blows up in our faces, wecould end up in jail or worse. All of us.For years. And I’m too fucking pretty for jail.”
Sylus chuckles, but I can see the real fear in Levi’s eyes. He isn’t exaggerating this time, and that sends a cold shiver down my spine. The stakes are higher than I realized, and if I fail, it’s not only me who pays the price.
And that feels way too familiar.
Koen’s face is dark as he comes to stand beside us. He leans in close, his voice a sharp hiss in my ear. “How can you be sostupid?”
My hands fist again, and my anger flares as I meet his glare with one of my own. “Stupid?”
Koen’s jaw clenches. “Whatever you said to Belmont, you made him goferalfor you. I thought I’d have to get in there and pull him off you.”
“That’s why you ran off like a fucking sprinter?” Sylus asks, his brows furrowed. “I would have gone, dickhead.”
Koen came for me?
Because he was scared for me?
Or because he wants to make sure I’m going to be successful?
I square my shoulders. “I got him off me, thank you very much.”
“He touched you?” Sylus and Koen demand in unison, their eyes narrowing.
Rubbing my wrist, which is still throbbing, I shudder, thinking of how I deal with assholes like him every night at the club.
I’ll be okay.
“Relax. It’s all part of the plan.” I wave them both off, trying to inject confidence into my words.It so wasn’t part of the plan.“I have the card, okay? And Nicholas talked to me. It’s going well.”
Koen’s eyes bore into mine, clearly skeptical. “So Belmont was all according to plan?”
I nod. “Sure.” I ignore the cold sweat that breaks out along my spine.
Belmont could fuck shit up for me if he doesn’t leave me alone.
Koen groans, his eyes darkening as he murmurs, “Lying, Little Thief.”
“Anyway,” I snap, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice. “You said I needed Nicholas hooked, that he has to want to see me again, right?”
That part already irked me when he said it in the car.
