Page 19 of Vengeful King

Katrina

It’s strange, working again. Working a job like this.

I’ve been so focused on my mother that I barely noticed the days, months, and years flying by. It’s just been a blur of trying to look after her and dodge bills I can’t hope to pay.

Now, I’m right back in the thick of something I never meant to return to.

I’m on my way to the club for work, something I didn’t think I’d ever have again. I know what my employment history looks like. A background check would show terrible credit, landlords working to give me a break on rent for just one month too long before giving up on me. People would say it’s sad about my mother, but that’s not enough for them.

It’s not enough of an excuse for me to be broke and failing.

But that doesn’t matter at this job. Not really. All the O’Reilly man cares about is that I don’t bring drama into his club, and I know I won’t. So I’m here, waiting. Preparing.

Looking for a chance.

It’s only been about five days since I was brought on. It’s part of my trial run, part of the brief stint I’m supposed to have before Lachlan decides whether I’m worth it. Every day I’ve shown up, I’ve been terrified he’ll be there. Watching.

Figuring out why I’m really here.

But so far, there’s been nothing. Lachlan hasn’t drawn me aside, hasn’t pulled me onto the street by my hair. He hasn’t had me followed, as far as I know. He has no idea I’m only here to kill him.

But the thought hangs over my head every waking moment, and I can’t make it go away any more than I can make my debt go away. I can’t avoid it.

I’m getting anxious to make a move.

I know I shouldn’t rush into this, but my gut roils every time I see Lachlan. Part of me desperately wants to just get it over with, but another part of me balks every time I think about it.

In my time at the club, I’ve been trying to learn everything I can about Lachlan and his brothers. It’s been hard to keep track; there are several people who stop by and come into the back of the club every day. After two days, I figured out names and faces.

Aiden, Connor, and Finn. Three brothers, three different ages. Two are married. That surprised me—that they were married. They look so young, barely in their mid-twenties. Like guys I’d know. But they’re married, although I’m positive that Lachlan isn’t.

Figuring out their routines has taken me the full five days of my employment so far. I’ve watched the bartender and the bouncers, the O’Reilly family going about their business.

I hope they haven’t seen me watching. I’m so aware that for every moment I’m looking, someone could look right back at me. And then what?

How much would it take for them to get suspicious of me? And would they give me a chance to explain, or just put a bullet between my eyes?

Today, as I get to the dressing room, the dancers are all talking. I see Lilah first; a tall brunette, long-legged and fit. I think she’s trying to get enough money to support her med school dreams. She’s talking to Desire, a curvy blonde who refuses to tell anyone her real name or business. All we need to know, according to her, is that she’s always around if we ever need someone to spot us for dinner.

“Are you sure?” Lilah asks, tugging a garter on over her heels. “I mean—”

“It’s unmistakable,” Desire says, shrugging. She’s pulling her blonde mane over her shoulders, tousling the strands as she talks.

“Why? I mean, God. She seemed like she had her head screwed on straight.”

“Don’t they all.”

I take a seat in front of the empty mirror to the left of them. Lilah glances at me, smiling. I smile back, trying not to feel like a fraud. Are these women going to have a job when I leave? They must, right? I’m sure one of Lachlan’s brothers will take over.

Desire sighs as she finishes applying her lipstick. “Still. There’s no other evidence. I mean, they’d never fire her that way if it wasn’t bad.”

Lilah shakes her head. “She seemed like she had no drama. But fucking one of the brothers? Why the hell would she do that? She needed the job.”

“Clearly not as much as some of us,” Desire says, shrugging. “I mean, she knew. They’re basically off-limits.”

Shit.I don’t like the sound of that. I need to get close to Lachlan, and the easiest way to do that is to seduce him. Now I’m hearing they’re off limits?

That the last dancer got fired for fucking one of them?

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