Glass shattered in my hand as I clutched my drink too hard.
Waving off my mumbled apology, Dimitri summoned someone to clean up the mess. I flicked the remnants of liquor off my hand, surprised to see I hadn’t cut myself. Aidan followed my movements, sharing a knowing look with Liam and Pat.
“Did he disrespect you?” Dimitri asked.
“Yes,” I said, my skin prickling with barely constrained anger.
“Then, as a show of friendship, do what you will, Kaelen Finnegan. I ask that you don’t kill him. William Sterling owes me $30,000, and I’d like him to live long enough to repay me. He has exquisite taste in escorts and doesn’t always come prepared.”
Shocker.
William Sterling was in debt to the Bratva and paid for his pussy. Creases dented my trousers as I leaned my elbows into my thighs. I shared a sidelong glance with Dimitri before cracking my knuckles.
“Thank you. I’ll be in touch about how we can work together in the future.”
Nodding, Dimitri rose, straightening his suit jacket. He murmured something in Russian to his men, making them scatter.
A tall, slender omega with a periwinkle collar stood beside him as he tossed a thick forearm around her. He nuzzled her curls, murmuring something in Russian that made the girl blush.
“Take the trash outside, friend. Blood stains are impossible to get out. Please be discreet. At the end of the night, I’ll wipe any security footage.”
I dipped my chin, and Romanov disappeared into the throng of people, his arm slung around the waist of the girl on his arm.
With Dimitri gone, I glared at Liam, who was still cozy with the omega escort in his lap. Aidan coughed, and Liam smirked, whispering something to his companion before sending her away with a tap on the arse.
“Wait for me outside,” I said, and Aidan nodded.
“Do you need cleanup?”
“No,” I grumbled.
In the last hour, Sterling hadn’t moved from the bar, with the omega sitting in his lap, feeding him. A glassy sheen slid over his dull eyes, the liquor clouding the muddy brown irises. If it weren’tfor my promise to my sweet Willow, I’d rip out his heart.
I imagined it still beating in my hand as blood coated my fingers.
Fuck whatever deal I made with Dimitri Romanov.
With Senator Sterling gone, I’d ensure her mother got the best care. Far better than he obviously was. Aidan was still working on getting me her medical records. Once I had those, my personal physician would review them.
I stalked across the floor, looming over a drunk William Sterling, who only noticed my presence after it sent his paid for omega scurrying away. He sobered up when he took me in, stumbling to his feet.
“Senator,” I said, the title sliding off my tongue like a threat.
“Mr. Finnegan. How lovely to see you.”
His hands trembled at his side, and I tasted his fear scenting the air. What a pathetic excuse for an alpha. A nickel bounced on the counter under his fingers, his eyes looking everywhere but at me.
Acid corroded the lining of my esophagus. How was I supposed to restrain myself enough to keep from killing him?
“How is my daughter?” he asked, struggling to form the words.
The lighthearted atmosphere around me shifted, a chilly breeze settling over the suffocating heat of the club. My knuckles whitened. The smooth leather of my dagger’s hilt pressed into my palm.
“I should gut you,” I hissed, pressing the blade into his abdomen. “How dare you ask abouther.After everything you did. Follow me outside or I’ll sink this into your belly.”
Sweat beaded off his brow, and a strangled sound fell from Sterling’s cracked lips. A primal feeling surged in my veins, my alpha spurring me on, demanding that I avenge our omega. His lower lip trembled as he spoke, and I thought he might piss himself.
“I think I’ll stay here.”
