Page 62 of Point of No Return

“Tyson, Papa. I didn’t know you were in town.”

My father kisses either of my cheeks. “Just some business to take care of.”

“Skar wouldn’t happen to be in?” Tyson wonders aloud, craning his neck in search of his son.

I stare at him carefully, spinning my glass as I consider my answer.

Lie and save the trouble of what might be a battle of epic proportions… or play coy?

“Well, this is his club.”

Tyson grimaces, and my father’s lips thin. Tyson’s eyes land on Crew, narrowing as he considers just how much weight he might have to pull to get him to retrieve my husband. Crew doesn’t cower, doesn’t back down. He merely frowns, steadfast and sure.

“I’d be happy to pass along a message.”

Nowthatmakes Tyson mad.

His smile is vile, mouth crooked and full of gaping holes. “Boy, find my son, and in the meantime, Charlotte and I will have a little talk.”

I can pinpoint the exact moment the tension in the air goes taught. Tyson’s care for propriety is all but out the window, and the usual dimwitted look on my father’s face exchanges for one of fear. Crew’s position just ahead of me is no longer just for show.

“I don’t think that’s wise,” Crew’s voice has gotten ten times darker, and one of his hands now instinctively rests on the gun at his hip.

Tyson seems stunned, eyes wide. “You should move, boy. Do you need a reminder who you work for?”

Crew’s all business, rigid and unmoving. “I’m well aware, Sir.”

Sir. Not General. Tyson’s eyes narrow, and I have a feeling this is just a taste of what it feels like to be threatened by The Dragon.

“You should move. Before you never have a job in Westos again.”

Crew doesn’t back down. “You’re welcome to get Skar and make that call yourself.”

Pure venom now seethes from the man. His mouth is open, lips fumbling open and then closed again in shock. My father shifts his weight from foot to foot, chuckling though it sounds all too strained.

“Charlotte, let’s be civil about this. Get your husband…”

I have a feeling civility is long gone. And really…for what? Do I really want to pick this fight?

I put on a smile, standing slowly. “No problem.”

I’m glad that Crew stays behind to placate while I’m gone. There are only a few employees still around the club, and for some reason, it unsettles me. I don’t find Skar in his office, and when I wander down the hall past the stairs, I nearly run into someone turning the corner.

They steady me with a hand to my shoulder, looking over my rushed state. “Mrs. Benenati?”

“Where is my husband?” I don’t recognize them, but I can tell from the white shirt and slacks that they’re an employee.

Their eyes widen in panic, and part of me wonders exactly where my husband might have wandered off to if his employees are hesitant to tell me where.

“I- Well, I’d have to go and get him for you. He’s-”

“Charlie?” I hear Skar’s voice just as a door closes down the hall and he walks toward me. His eyes hurriedly look me over, and whatever he sees must trouble him. He motions for the employee to leave as he approaches. “What’s going on?”

“Your father is here.”

He freezes, looking over me again before glancing over my shoulder. “Where?”

“He’s at the bar with Crew and my father.”

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