by K E Osborn
She places her glass down and turns to me with a serious look on her face. “You’re telling me, this whole time you haven’t relaxed for a single second? That you’ve been looking for Maxen and his men since we’ve arrived?”
Shrugging, I nod. “Yeah.”
“You really do want to keep me safe, don’t you?” She picks her glass back up, taking another sip.
“Preferably. Though, sometimes I want to strangle you myself.”
She giggles, resting her hand on my forearm. “Maybe I’d like that?”
My eyes shoot wide open as she guzzles the rest of her champagne down.
“How many drinks have you had?”
She shrugs. “A few, but I know what I’m saying. I just love watching you squirm. It’s fun.”
Shaking my head, I let out a low groan as I run my hand over my bald head. “You’re too much sometimes, you know that?”
Fin smiles, glancing out to the dance floor longingly. “You sure you don’t want to dance?”
“I’m sure.”
She shrugs. “Fine, more champagne it is, then.”
Groaning, I reach out, grabbing her glass and taking it from her. She pouts as I place it on the table and regrettably stand. Her eyes widen as I place my hand out for her. “You’re a master manipulator… anyone ever tell you that?”
Her lips turn up into a wide beaming smile as her hand finds mine when she stands. “I’m an attorney. It’s kind of in the job description.”
“I’m going to regret this.”
Fin leans into my side as we walk toward the dance floor as the song changes to “Dancing Without Music” by BRDGS.
The slow, steady rhythm of the song means I can hold her close. So I place one hand on her hip, drawing her body against mine, as I hold her other hand in tight against my chest. Her eyes look up at me while the lyrics sing about going to the edge of the world for that one person, if only they would ask you to. My eyes connect with Fin’s as the words wash over us.
As I stand, swaying with her in my arms, all the tension, all the anger, all the concern of the past few hours washes away. Her eyes sparkle as we simply stare at each other, the air around us changing, sparking, igniting like a volcano, bubbling away at the surface.
Her body presses against mine, making me feel everything. Being here with her, in this moment, it’s like time stops still and we’re stationary, but the world around us is spinning rapidly. Nothing exists except us right here in this moment.
I’ve wanted Fin for as long as I can remember.
She aggravates me.
She energizes me.
She exasperates me.
She electrifies me.
But more than anything, she erupts something inside me that I had no idea even existed.
I don’t feel. I have so much trouble connecting to my emotions, but Fin is the only thing, the only person, who can make me feel something.
And right now, I am definitely feeling something.
The way she’s looking at me as we move together, she’s feeling something too.
My hand moves out, sliding her hair behind her ear while she licks her bottom lip.
I’ve wanted this for so long.
Needed this.
Craved this.
Fin is so far out of my league, and maybe we’ve both had too much to drink, but this, right here, feels like a moment.
Her eyes twinkle, shining up at me. Her lips part, letting out a breath as I lean in, and right at that moment, something shines in my eyes. They dart over to Maxen, who’s beaming from ear to ear as he watches us in the middle of the dance floor, holding a carving knife.
My heart leaps into my throat as I pull back dramatically from Fin as she was inching forward to kiss me. Her eyes widen in shock as I grab her arm forcefully and start dragging her with me. “Texas! What the fuck!”
But I don’t stop for a single second to tell her what’s going on. Fin struggles to keep up with me as her co-workers watch me practically dragging her out of the main ballroom.
“Texas, will you slow the hell down!”
“Don’t fight me on this, Fin. We have to leave. Now!”
She yanks free from my grip as we enter the foyer, and she shoves me away from her. “You’re embarrassing me, you jackass. What the fuck are you doing!”
Glaring at her, I reach out. “There’s no time. C’mon!” She backs away from me, now with pure anger in her eyes.
“If this is some kind of wooing technique, you really need to work on it.”
“For fuck’s sake, Finley, Maxen is here. Now, will you please stop your bitching and come with me. Now!”
Her head snaps around, looking back inside the ballroom, and she lets out a scoff. “Don’t bullshit me.”
I run my hand over my bald scalp. “Why the hell would I do that?”
“Because you’re fucking scared. You didn’t want to dance. You don’t want to get close. The second we do, you pull away. You can’t tell me that’s not a fucking coincidence!”
Throwing my hands in the air, I let out a loud grown. “This is crazy! He could come at you any fucking second, and you’re here questioning my intentions toward you. Fin, we don’t have time for this shit.”
“I’m going back in there! You can come back… or don’t. I honestly don’t care anymore.” She turns to go walking back inside.
Fucking stubborn ass woman!
My hands slide in around her waist, grabbing her before she steps off, and I start pulling her toward the exit. “Texas! Put me down, you fucking bastard!”
People look at us, but no one tries to interfere as Phantom steps through the door with his eyes wide. “We got a problem?”
“Texas is being an asshole!”
“Maxen’s here,” I tell him.
Finley continues to struggle in my grip.
“We’re going back to the club. Now!”
“Like fuck we are, I don’t even have my bag!” Finley grunts out, thrashing around as I move for the door.
“Phantom, grab her bag and meet us in the limo.”
He nods and takes off inside.
“You put me down, you buffoon. I’ll never forgive you for this, Texas.”
“Stop your hollerin’. You’re causing a scene.”
“I’m causing a scene? You’re the one hoisting me out of the gala against my will, I might add!”
Regardless of her insults, I move her as quickly as I can over to the limousine and yank open the door. Then I push her down inside the car and slide in behind her. She throws her messed-up hair over her shoulder as she lunges for me, slapping me hard across the face. My head snaps to the side as she flops down on the opposite seat in a huff.
My hand moves up to my stinging cheek as she stares out the window. “Fin, he was there. He had a damn knife in his hand. He glinted the blade into my eye on purpose.”
“Fucking convenient, if you ask me.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Why don’t you go ask Stacey?”
“What the hell are you on about now, woman?”
She flares her nostrils. “She’s probably still waiting for you in the bathroom.”
“Finley Knight,” I smirk. “I never pictured you as the jealous type.”
She scoffs out a laugh. “I’m not jealous. Just know what I saw.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “Right, just like I know what I saw… which was Maxen, standing in the fucking corner watching us with a motherfucking knife in his hands!”
“Don’t treat me like I’m stupid, Texas. If Maxen was standing there with a knife, security would have gotten to him. There’s no way he would have been there. I don’t even know why you’re making this shit up… is it to scare me?”
“You’re fucking impossible!”
“And you’re avoiding what’s really goi—”
The car door opens to Phantom popping his head through the door. He notices the tension in the car and hesitates before asking, �
��You want me to find another way back to the club?”
“No!” we both yell at him. Not angry at him, angry at the situation.
Phantom slides into the limousine next to me, clearing his throat and handing Fin her bag. “I had a quick look around while I was in there. I couldn’t find Maxen or even anyone who looked like his men.”
Finley scoffs out a huff like she knew that was coming, but I know what I saw.
In defiance, I sit back, folding my arms across my chest as Finley crosses her legs, her dress falling away from her knee, showing her long, toned thigh. I swallow hard as she turns her head to stare out the window ignoring me completely.
“Take us to the clubhouse,” I call out to the driver.
Fin turns up her nose. “Waste of time,” she mutters under her breath.
The limousine finally takes off into the night traffic toward the clubhouse, and I can breathe again.
I know what I saw!
I understand why Fin is angry with me. We were having this amazing moment, and I ruined it by pulling away from her. She thinks I did it out of some kind of fear. That I didn't want to kiss her, and I am making this whole thing up, but it couldn't be further from the truth. All I want is to keep her safe, and if that means risking her wrath, then that’s what I am going to do.
Resentment, outrage, and exasperation show on her face, but now she’s away from the gala and safe, I can relax and calm down. She brings out the worst and the best in me, and I have no idea what to do with those emotions. Feelings are foreign for me, and I am happier if they are tucked away in a pretty little box with a bow than to tear the wrapper off and bring them out into the open, exposing them for everyone to see.
Maxen was fucking there. I would never forgive myself if I ignored him and he took his opportunity tonight to do God knows what to her.
I’d rather Fin be furious at me than hurt or something worse.
Now, I hope I can prove he was there.
Neon, if ever I’ve needed you, it’s now!
The car ride is deathly silent.
The awkward tension flooding the confined space like a noxious cloud seeping its way into our very being. It breeds animosity like venom, coursing its way into our systems making this all seem so much worse than it needs to be. If only Fin wasn’t so hurt by me pulling away at that last second, if only she could understand I did it to protect her.
This is not a reflection on her.
I wanted to kiss her more than anything.
I want to kiss her now.
I just don’t see me getting that chance again.
The limousine pulls up to the gates of the clubhouse, and I use my transceiver to let us in. Neon and Zero walk out to greet us, and Phantom opens the door, hopping out first. I follow and place out my hand for Finley, but she ignores me again, but this time she slaps it out of the way and storms past me. “I don’t need one damn thing from you!”
Zero and Neon raise their brows in confusion.
“Fin, stop! That’s enough,” I call out to her.
She halts, spins around, glaring at me with such hatred it stings. “You’re always trying to control me. I’m not some prissy woman you can bend to your will.”
“Well, maybe if you fucking listened every now and then instead of going off on your fucking whims, I wouldn’t have to try and control you to stop you from doing stupid shit.”
“Ha! That’s rich coming from you. You’re telling me I do stupid shit, says the man who dragged me kicking and screaming out of my own fucking gala!”
“For your protection. How many times do I have to say it?”
“There was no need. Everything was going great until you ruined it. For fucking good this time.”
Ouch!
“You don’t know what you’re saying—”
“Don’t I? Because I sure as hell know what I’m feeling, and right now, I want to grab Zero’s gun and—”
“Okay! You guys need to calm your fucking asses down. Tell me what the hell happened,” Zero yells over the top of the both of us.
Phantom shakes his head, walking for the clubhouse doors like he doesn’t want any part of this bullshit, as Finley folds her arms over her chest like she isn’t budging anytime soon.
Guess it’s up to me.
“Fin and I were on the dance floor. There was a glint in my eye, and it gained my attention… I swear I saw Maxen out the corner of my eye. He was holding a damn knife. So, I grabbed Fin and took off with her.”
Zero glances at Fin, narrowing his eyes on her. “Fin, why are you so angry?”
“Because!”
“I’m gonna need more than that.”
“Because he dragged me out of my gala, something incredibly important to me when no one else saw Maxen. I don’t think Texas saw him at all. It was just his imagination, or—”
Zero raises his chin in curiosity and interrupts, “Or?”
I tense, wondering how much she’s willing to tell him. “Or nothing! Just I don’t think Maxen was there, and Texas was being overly protective.”
Neon steps forward. “This gala, they have a security system?”
Fin sniffs but nods. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Then let’s find out for ourselves if Maxen was in the room with you,” Neon states and turns heading for the clubhouse.
Fin jerks her head back. “What… what does he mean?”
“He’s going to hack the security footage,” I tell her.
“So, they will see… us?” Her eyes widen.
Nodding my head, she lets out a long, drawn-out breath. “Neon, wait up,” she calls out, chasing after him.
Zero cocks his brow. “Something I need to know before we go and watch this footage?”
“We almost kissed right before I saw Maxen. I pulled back just before she kissed me. She thinks because no one else saw Maxen that this is all some conspiracy about me not wanting her. But he was there, Pres.”
He grips my shoulder, nodding his head. “Okay… we’ll check the footage. That should get you the all-clear with Fin. But… good going, brother. She looks damn fine tonight!”
I let out a laugh as we walk toward Neon’s den. “I might have fucked it all up, though. She’s completely pissed with me now.”
“We’ll see… if Maxen came after her tonight, though, this changes shit.”
Nodding, I crane my neck to the side. “Yeah. Means he’s definitely after her.”
Zero nods, and we walk into the den where Neon has already brought up the security footage and is playing the various camera angles from inside the ballroom. “Damn! This shit looks fancy.”
“You have no idea.” I scoff.
My eyes shift to Fin. She’s biting on her nails like she’s nervous. I know she’s feeling uneasy, but I also want her to know that I wasn’t trying to get out of what we were doing. I simply wanted her safe, so if she hates me, so be it.
The recording shows Fin and I getting up to dance. Swallowing hard, I watch us moving together. The way we are so in sync makes it appear like we’re a couple who’s been together forever. Zero glances at me as I watch us move closer and closer, then we’re about to kiss. Fin glances away from the screen like she can’t bear to watch it again, but my eyes shoot over to where I saw Maxen, and right there is a man standing in a chef’s uniform watching us, knife in his damn hand. My pulse rapid fires as I call out, “There!”
Neon freezes the screen.
Fin’s head snaps back as I point. “Zoom in on him.”
Neon scrunches up his face. “The chef?”
“Yeah, that’s Maxen. Right?”
Neon zooms in, giving the image more pixels.
Instantly, Finley goes pale white as she stumbles a little on the spot. I reach out, gripping her arm to steady her while her mouth drops open wide in shock. “Jesus!” she murmurs.
My eyes shoot to Phantom, and he nods like he never doubted me.
Zero lets out a long-drawn-out huff. “Okay. Good work, Texas,” Zero states.
“Now, we need to make a decision.”
Finley’s eyes well with tears, and she lets out a small sob. Then, for some reason, she rushes out of the den into the main clubroom.
I know she will be feeling that mistake.
How much of a scene she made, and how now, she should have taken more notice.
Zero turns to me. “Fin can’t go home. She needs to be here.”
Nodding, I couldn’t agree more. “I’ll go tell her.” Spinning on my heels, I make my way out to Fin, who’s sitting at the bar, downing a drink, so I slide in beside her.
She shakes her head. “I know what you’re going to say.”
“Then trust me when I say I only have your best damn interests at heart.”
She wipes a tear away from her cheek and turns to look at me. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. With just everything… I got in my own head.”
“Can we come back from this?”
“I just don’t know.” She turns back to her drink and takes another sip.
I tap the bar, then rest my head in my hands while Nessie brings me over a beer. “You know you have to stay at the club now.”
She exhales. “No.”
Clenching my fists together, I inhale deeply. “Fin, we know for a fact Maxen is watching you. He’s out to get you. You’ve been compromised.”
“I have work at home I need to do. Too many files that are there… I have to go back. You and Phantom have protected me this far. I know you will keep doing an excellent job.”
“Dammit, woman, you’re being stubborn. Again! Maxen is making moves. What’s it going to take for you to realize he’s going to do something big, and you might not come back from it?”
“I have to take that risk, Texas. For the sake of my business. For my clients. It’s not just my life on the line here, Texas. It’s theirs.”
“You’re the most infuriating woman I have ever met. Have I told you that?”
She weakly smiles. “In your words… you love it.”
“I don’t like this, Fin, and I’m totally against it.”
“I’m going back to my house with or without your protection. But I’d much rather have you there.”
Groaning, I crack my neck to the side. “Let me run this by the pres. He may not fucking allow it.”
