Page 96 of Cursed
“How’s your little stalker doing?” Knox asks Remy.
“Fuck off, Knox,” he mutters.
Ever since Knox found out Remy’s girl stalked him first, he hasn’t been able to let it go.
Gage, silent as always, takes a position by the window, scanning the grounds below.
Cade fidgets with the collar of his catering uniform. “This feels tighter than when I tried it on.”
“That’s because you’ve been stress-eating donuts all week,” Lars deadpans.
Xavier checks his watch. “Two hours until the guests arrive. The product?”
“Triple what we originally discussed,” Tyson grins. “My connections came through.”
“Speaking of connections,” Knox slides next to me, “Landon’s bringing his Hunt prize tonight. First time he’s ever stepped out with a girl and made a public appearance.”
“The ice king melting?” Colt raises an eyebrow. “This I gotta see.”
I keep my expression neutral despite the sudden urge to strangle Knox. “Focus on the job. Keep your eyes off Sadie.”
“Ooh, possessive,” Nash teases. “That’s new for you.”
I glare at Nash, who has an infuriating smirk on his face. “Keep talking and I’ll make sure you’re assigned to clean the bathrooms after the gala.”
Tyson laughs. “Easy there, Blackwood. Your girl must be special to have you this wound up.”
I turn away, adjusting my cufflinks. Sadie is more than special—she’s an obsession I can’t shake. The thought of these men even looking at her makes my blood boil.
“The operation comes first,” Xavier interjects. “Orlov’s people will be watching for any sign of a handoff.”
I focus on the logistics, pushing thoughts of Sadie aside. “Phoenix, you’ll monitor the security feeds?”
The sullen hacker nods. “Already mapped the system. I can loop any camera for three minutes without triggering alerts.”
“Good. Remy and Gage will handle the actual transfer. Colt, Nash, keep the floor staff distracted during the handoff.” I check my watch. “Lars, Cade—you’re on perimeter. Any sign of Orlov’s people, you alert us immediately.”
Vane sprawls in an armchair. “And I’m supposed to dance with socialites while this happens?”
“Yes,” Xavier says firmly. “We maintain appearances. This is still a charity ball.”
Knox tosses back his drink. “Speaking of appearances, when’s your girlfriend arriving, Landon? I’m dying to see what has you so whipped.”
My jaw tightens. “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s mine. There’s a difference.”
“Yeah,” Colt snorts. “One involves actual emotions.”
“Sadie will be here tonight,” I say, ignoring the jab. “And if any of you so much as breathe in her direction, I’ll remove your lungs.”
The room falls silent after my threat. I don’t make idle promises, and every man here knows it. Even Gage shifts, his massive frame tensing.
“Jesus, Landon,” Knox mutters, though his smirk remains. “You’ve gone full psycho over this one.”
“I thought that was his default setting,” Colt whispers to Nash, not quite quietly enough.
I ignore them, checking my phone instead. Sadie’s tracker shows she’s still at the penthouse with the stylist I hired.
“The plan is simple,” Xavier says. “The foundation ball gives us perfect cover. Politicians, celebrities, and business leaders all in one place, with Tyson’s crew handling service and security.”
