Page 66 of Midnight Danger

“Fuck, you must have a magic dick that ensnares these crazy bitches,” Ash said in my ear. “Like a wand that coaxes them under your spell.”

I was going to kick his ass later.

“But I want you to tie me up and spank me because I’ve been naughty.”

Ash laughed in my ear and I rolled my eyes.

“I won’t tie you up, but I’ll stick my Jimmy Choos up your ass until you can’t sit down.” Cassandra stood watching her, anger burning in the depths of her narrowed eyes.

Megan laced her arm through Cassandra’s. “Take you and your fake boobs, Botox-stiff face, and lips filled with God knows what, and fuck off,” Megan hissed at her. “My friend may be classy enough to stick her designer shoe up your scrawny ass, but I’ll drag your fake hair extensions out while hauling you outside to show you exactly how women deal with homewreckers.”

Annabelle squeaked and tottered off on her too-high heels.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the two ferocious women hell-bent on protecting me from the sexual predator. Instead, I merely smiled and linked my arm through Cassandra’s spare arm.

“Anyone want a drink?” I asked, signalling to a passing waiter.

“I could murder someone for real alcohol right now,” Cassandra murmured.

Megan lifted a glass of champagne while I lifted two glasses without bubbles. I was driving, so both of us were drinking water. When had I become a responsible adult? My arm curved around Cassandra’s waist in reply to my question. Since I found the woman to spend my life with and she’d gifted me the blessings of being a father.

The man who I punched earlier appeared through a door to the side of the room, Marco beside him as he pointed at me.

“Fucking awesome,” I grated out.

“Problem?” Ash asked.

Lifting the microphone to my mouth, I pretended to scratch my ear. “That asshole from earlier has Marco with him and has just pointed him in my direction.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, we don’t need this right now.”

Marco glared at me, his gaze zeroing in on me in recognition. When we visited him, we were merely anonymous men with a message. Now he knew exactly who I was and where to find me.

“Jordan was right, we should have just eradicated the problem a few months ago.”

“Fuck, don’t let him hear you saying that.” I chuckled.

The possibility of conflict had just gone through the roof now. All of our past troubles seemed to be coalescing together in a shitstorm of epic proportions, and none of us were carrying the weapons to deal with it.

The master of ceremonies took his position to introduce us to tonight’s auction. The plan was for me to bid on our jewels and be outraged when they were gone. “Thank you for joining us this evening. The auction will start in ten minutes. Please ensure you are here to bid on the luxurious lots this evening.” He left the stage again.

“Jordan has moved to an area behind the main stage. There are boxes there,” Ash said in my ear.

“Everyone in position,” I said.

Megan turned and moved toward the staircase. Cassandra and I walked toward the large balcony outside. We needed to make sure it was clear for Jordan to stash the jewels. Once they realised they were gone, every single person would be searched leaving this gallery. The best place to hide them was in the open and where we could easily access them later.

We walked to the far end for me to check the accessibility for a little rock climbing in the early hours of the morning. The click of the door closing was my first warning someone had followed us out. As I spun around to face whoever was out here with us, a metal garrotte slipped across my throat. I grabbed a deep breath before it dug into my flesh. It was the last breath I would ever take unless I could break the hold of whoever was behind me.

“Did you think I would let your dishonour to me slide?” Marco hissed in my ear. “You dared to come into my property and disrespect me and now you’ll pay.”

My foot connected with his shin and he took a step back but maintained his hold. I had a minute’s oxygen at most.

“Please,” Cassandra pleaded. “We’ll pay you whatever you want.”

Marco laughed, his spittle landing on my face even as I struggled, my hands trying to fumble behind me. “I don’t need your money. My payment will be the satisfaction of his death.”

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