Page 146 of Perfect Liar

He made a show of kissing my forehead protectively, then repositioned my chair for me.

“Now let’s eat this food my mum put out for us before it gets cold,” he said.

Heads nodded, silverware clanged against dinner plates, and the hall buzzed with conversations again.

Someone called out Will’s name.

“Go on,” he called back.

Will scanned the room while stuffing roast beef into his mouth. He took another bite, swallowed some whisky, and then pounded his glass onto the table as he got to his feet again. But this time he took off his jacket.

“Something on your mind, Mr. Green?”

My heart accelerated, the hammering dropping into my stomach.

Thomas understood Will’s actions and jumped up from his chair, positioning himself behind mine.

Will gave his brother a nod and dropped his arms with his fists clenched.

“I won’t ask again…is there something on your fucking mind, Green?”

Charles Green took a long pull from his glass before rising to his feet.

“Your reputation is indeed earned, I see. You’re quite the seductive, barbarous hellion they say you are.”

“And here you stand, insulting me in my house while drinking my whisky, seeking whatever advantage you can gain. Go on, Green…your insults mean nothing to me. But threaten what’s mine, and ah, well, that’s something else. Cross that line, and you’ll find out how barbarous this hellion can be.”

The room grew quiet.

The air became still and heavy with menace, contempt, fear.

Chairs screeched over wood as Charles Green’s three brothers got to their feet, causing Will’s security team to rush in and position themselves strategically.

I held my breath as anxiety slowly consumed me.

“Look at you, Hastings…uncompromising and sanctimonious. My family will no longer support yours or keep your father’s secrets and pacts. For one woman?—”

Charles Green pointed at me, slurring his words.

“Save us all the trouble. Find another one for your pleasure.”

Before I could even track his movement across the room, Will had the man’s throat in his hands.

“You’re threatening her?” he asked.

Even though he held the man’s throat, his demeanor stayed low key. Those of us who knew him recognized his unnatural calm before losing control of his anger.

Green’s face turned red as Will applied more pressure.

Will’s nostrils flared, and the muscles in his face and jaw grew tighter.

“Since you’re familiar with my reputation, Mr. Green, you must know that I don’t hesitate to act when my family is threatened.”

I stared at Will as his intense eyes filling with rage. His storm was about to hit. He lifted Green from the floor, and the breathless man’s feet kicked at the air.

The sight, the flailing limbs, forced my brain from its lockdown, and I shouted.

“Thomas! Do something. Stop him!”

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