Page 14 of Brutal Lies

“Because people don’t keep their mouths shut,” answers Wyatt, scowling. “You should know that from reading the clickbait on your dad. When are they putting him in prison?”

Justin moves to get up, but Bryce grabs his arm and pulls him back onto the couch.

“We need solutions, gentlemen, and less badmouthing,” I interrupt their minor commotion. “Ted can be a real asshole when he’s not distracted by pussy, so what are we going to do?”

“Give it to him,” replies Bryce, shrugging his shoulders. “He can use the private room. And everyone else has to watch the fights outside by the ring.”

“How do we get girls to show up when only he’s around?” I ask Bryce.

“We do what we had originally planned,” replies Bryce, “The opening fight is with the girls, and the rest of the time, it’s a legit fight.”

Justin eyes Bryce. “You realize this is all illegal.”

Bryce doesn’t lose his cool with Justin’s comment. “I’d rather be arrested for an illegal fight club than for having my dick balls deep in an intern.”

Justin folds his arms and studies the floor. He wanted to say something snippy and got shot down. Now, he’s shutting down as usual. I’ll get back to him later. Justin should’ve known better than to say anything to provoke. That’s the vibe in the room. Surprisingly, Justin isn’t torn to pieces already, the way Wyatt and Bryce keep eyeing him.

“We’re going to have to offer real money to get the fighters back to the Pit.” Wyatt finally shows actual interest in our business. “And maybe not use amateur girls but paid professionals.”

“Paid professionals?” Bryce gawks. “I’m not charging that to my phone. And definitely not for Ted or his son.”

Wyatt frowns in confusion and glances at Justin, who remains tight-lipped as he ignores us completely. He wasn’t there for the limo incident, and Bryce didn’t mention it. A vicious grin lifts my lips.

“Maybe you can help us with that, Getz?” asks Bryce innocently.

The old man looks as if he’s about to pass out, but he’s expendable if he’s the one caught hiring a professional. He might lose his job, but we could get thrown out of school. Besides, he’s a crap teacher anyway.

I argue the point. “We can’t trust some girl off the street not to tell the press she fucked Ted Leister. We need someone whose discretion can be bought.” I snap my fingers as the solution leaps into my head. “Hey. He watches the amateur girls in the ring while a pro works on him in the private room. We’re in the clear.”

Grimacing, Wyatt shakes his head. “Why are we doing this for Leister? Why should I care if he gets laid or not? What’s he going to do to us if he’s got to jack off in a toilet in his hotel?”

Wyatt glances at me, and I don’t look away from his gaze. I don’t care if he thinks he knows what I do alone. At least I do not involve the club in my private sessions.

“It’s not us who have to worry,” replies Bryce, “It’s our parents.”

“Your parents, not mine,” replies Wyatt, shaking his head as he holds his arms. “My late father never had anything to do with politics, and I doubt my mother does.”

The room goes silent, and Wyatt really doesn’t have a clue how deep it goes. And none of us have the nerve to enlighten him here. Leister did favors for everyone, from the banal to the criminal. The only reason why the governor isn’t in prison getting fucked is that he has information on every parent in Stonehaven. If someone really wanted to take him down, they could, but why risk exposing your own dirty secrets?

I change the topic abruptly. “Our next problem is Astrid Howland,” I scoff. “I never expected Howland to be her daddy. I’d have yanked that dishrag out of her hand while she was wiping down tables and proposed to her on the spot. How is Charlotte enjoying having a sister, Bryce?”

Bryce stands up and starts toward me again. “I’m handling it, Pierce.”

“You mean you’re handling her,” I reply, “Is that it?” I lean back in my chair, so I can see Wyatt and Justin’s expressions. “Does Bryce have her to himself, boys?”

Wyatt’s jaw tics as Justin stares into Bryce with his intense gaze. I guess he might have her, but for how long?

“Take her down, Bryce.” I stand to my feet with a smirk on my face. “I’m sure she’ll want you so bad after you fucked her over like that.”

Bryce pushes me backward into a small bookcase with his arms outstretched, and the storm clouds burst open as Wyatt leaps from his chair, grabbing hold of Bryce. Justin goes for Wyatt, grabbing his waist and swinging him off balance. Getz freaks out as a terracotta statuette falls to the floor with a loud crack. I push Bryce off me and grab Wyatt by his belt. Justin tries to hit Wyatt in the face but narrowly misses, almost hitting me instead. Justin is so freaking lucky he doesn’t know how to throw a punch.

“Sit down!” Getz yells, holding his broken statue. “I don’t care how much I’ve fucked up. But I won’t put up with fist-fighting in my office.”

We glare at the man as he shakes from anger, not fright, and I admire that he’s found his balls and used them. Shaking hands off me, I sit down first, and the rest follow.

“So, who gets her?” asks Wyatt, sulking as he stares at the door.

“Shouldn’t Astrid choose?” asks Justin.

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