Page 73 of The Final Deal

“We’ve got shit to do,” he says with finality as he pushes past. “He’s waiting.”

He. The faceless, nameless one orchestrating this whole bullshit ordeal.

The one who can make all of this go away with the snap of his fingers.

Despite Charlie and the rest of Abjured eavesdropping from the door, I spin around and head for Ty’s black Liberty.

Chapter 28

Love Falls

–HellYeah

The Jeep has been filledwith tense silence the entire drive, but I swear my heart plummeting into my stomach is audible as Ty directs me to park in front of Devil’s House.

TheSoldsign is replaced with a construction company’s sign and business information announcing:Future home of Devil’s House — venue & New Year’s Ball Headquarters

“I didn’t sign off on that,” I say, breaking the silence.

Ty opens the passenger door. “I made some executive decisions since you couldn’t be bothered to fucking answer.”

Doors slam shut, and I follow Ty onto the property. The rubble that once occupied the land—the remnants of San Antonio’s legendary Devil’s House—has been cleared, and in its place is a new foundation with the frame of a huge building.

Gravel crunches under our feet. Ty gestures toward the building; his black shirt hanging from his shoulder slips and he grabs it before it falls, like he’s keeping it around in case I start swinging again. “Welcome to Devil’s House, the official live music venue for New Year’s Ball.”

I hug myself as we step up onto the foundation. “Little on the nose, don’t you think?”

He shrugs. “Place is supposed to be finished by the end of January. We’ll relocate NYB headquarters here and have everything in house.”

I scoff. “Who the fuck do you think you are, thinkin’ you can just boss your way into my business like this?”

His lips twist into a devious smirk. “You know, I felt sorry about dragging you to the bridge and forcing you into this. But then you just willingly gave everything up for them—you’d do everything for everyone except me. Now I’m all too happy to ruin your sick fucking relationship and fuck your life up.”

The way Zak and Adrian looked at me at the venue renews the tears. I dash them away, but it’s useless: they keep coming, and my face hurts when I touch it. “You’re fucked up, Ty.”

“You’re the one who fuckedmeup!” he exclaims. “All I did was try to make you see I’m better for you than Zak or Adrian. Those fuckers ruined your life?—”

“No,” I holler, “youruined my life. You’re the one who knocked my ass out and delivered me to the devil on a silver platter, and…” I trail off.

You’re a liar, a cheater, and the worst fucking mistake I’ve ever made.

“And you’ve taken everything away from me.”

We stand there in silence beyond the wind rushing through the framing and me sniffling.

Therehasto be something. There has to be a way out of this.

“Can I buy you out of contract?” I ask in a thick voice. “Agree to work with you without any fuss so you can go back to Dirty Peach? Something?”

He chortles. “Nah, babe. I like San Antonio; I like working with you directly. You’re stuck with me.”

A harrowing sob wretches from deep within my gut. “No. I’m not doing this.”

I move to storm off, but I run face first into a body. Taking a step back, my eyes widen on a black void: the devil’s face.

I quickly move away.

“This is the last time I’ll warn you,” he begins as he follows. “New Year’s Ball is expanding to the live venue, or you and everyone you’ve ever cared about is dead.”

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