Page 78 of Liars

He shut the door, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Kreed being here wasn’t a coincidence. He knew something. And if I wanted answers, I’d have to figure out how to get them from him.

21

KREED

Was it a smart idea to take her to the club?

Hell no.

But I needed an hour out of the house, away from the pressure, the expectations, the suffocating weight of it all. My father had sent me after her, but he wouldn’t approve of this pit stop.

Too bad.

Kaylor looked like she needed a drink more than I did.

I stole a glance at her as the SUV’s tires carved through the fresh layer of snow blanketing the road. She sat stiffly, staring out the window, her fingers fidgeting, picking at a cuticle, scratching at her nail. Her mind was somewhere else.

What had the detective told her? The question sat heavy on my tongue, but if I asked, it would come out as a demand, and I wasn’t in the mood to start another fight. Chasing after her in a goddamn snowstorm had already soured my mood. Then again, she always had that effect on me.

I pulled into the empty lot, parked, and killed the engine.

She didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t even look my way.

I waited, letting her take in the sleek black building. The neon lights. The flashing signs. At night, this place could pull you off the road with nothing but the promise of trouble.

Her breath faintly fogged up the window when she spoke. “What is this place?”

I smirked. “Exactly what it looks like.”

She eyed me suspiciously. “Isn’t it a little early for gambling?”

“We’re here for the free booze, not the cards or the shows,” I said, then added with a smirk, “Unless you feel like giving me a private show. I bet those hips of yours can really move especially with a little liquid courage. I’m sure I could secure us a private room.”

Her head snapped toward me. “Get the fuck out of here. In your dreams.”

“If you change your mind…”

“Not likely.” She shot me a sideways look. “Maybe you should be the one giving me a lap dance.”

I arched a brow. “Are you into that kind of thing, little raven?”

She met my gaze without hesitation. Just that quiet, calculated defiance I was starting to crave. “Would it surprise you if I was?”

I leaned in slightly. “No, not really. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected from you.”

“I am seriously good at cards, though,” she said.

“Is that so?” I was tempted to test her skills. Maybe we’d play a game or two. “Don’t mention your little hidden talent to Maddox. He’s a sucker for the tables.”

She pulled her jacket tighter around herself. “Why would this place serve us?”

“My father owns it.”

Her brows lifted slightly, but her voice stayed cool. “And they don’t have a problem giving minors liquor? Isn’t that, like, illegal?”

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