Page 32 of Tiebreaker

My lips are wet and dry at the same time, rough from being kissed and bitten at. Kai stiffens at the order from Everett.

“You’re a fucking piece of work,” he says, reaching down to grab my bags from the floor, handing them to me. And then, shooting me an inscrutable look, he leaves, just like that, abandoning me to the wolf.

Everett smirks as he steps closer.

“Kai knows who pulls the strings,” he says smoothly. “You think he’ll be your protector in this tower, but I can promise you one thing, Princess, he’s no knight in shining armor.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and I realize it’s the first time I’ve seen him without a suit jacket on. He’s wearing a t-shirt, of all things, which makes him look softer, more approachable.

Too bad he’s such a high grade asshole that the minute he opens his mouth he chases all illusions of him possibly beingniceout the window. The 6th story window, with a straight drop down onto a pavement below. The shock of landing will either kill you or shatter every bone in your body and make you wish you were dead.

“You need to make a decision, Olivia,” he says, when it becomes obvious I’m not about to say anything.

I’m slowly realizing that silence is weapon in these halls, one that I’m ready to wield. So I stare at him. Let him be unnerved for once. He is such an ass he deserves it.

He waits, almost like he’s expecting me to say something.

And I don’t. It’s painful, the stretch of time between us, that infernal quiet, the hum of air running through the HVAC above us. And my heartbeat, so loud it echoes in my ears, and I wonder if he can hear it.

“What is it you want? More money?” His voice is so quiet as he speaks, that I have to strain to hear it. “Two million. Final offer. Then you can waste your life away in that ridiculous little bed sit of yours with that flea-bag cat.” He smiles. “You won’t even need to see another John on a date ever again.”

He’s stepped too far, I see a flash of red for a moment, and then I exhale.

“No, I wouldn’t, but I’m not going anywhere. I can’t be bought.” I lift my chin. “Unlike you, who’s obviously selling himself to have this company, I’m not a whore.”

He goes still, face pale and eyes narrowing, and I’ve made the same mistake he has. I’ve pushed too far.

He draws himself up to his full height, like a cobra, ready to strike, and then… he smiles.

Sweetly.

Poison at the edges.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” he says, words soft. “Everyone has a price. Some are written in blood. It’s just a matter of finding yours.” His smile turns menacing and I grab for the doorknob to my suite, shoving the door open.

“Fuck off, creep,” I snap, and slam it behind me, throwing the bolt. I can feel him. Out there, waiting, breathing, thinking,plotting.I lean against the door, my nerves shattering as I slide down it to collapse on the floor.

I can’t even cry.

Mrrrrrow?

Toby trots toward me down the hall, and immediately begins to purr, curling in my lap. I curve my arms around him and cradle him against my chest. Warmth and comfort spreads through me, and I close my eyes.

Twelve

Olivia

Everything about this is a mistake.The black lace fits me like a second skin, and I feel naked in it, exposed, the heels tight over my toes and pinching my heels.

I'm not sure if it's the right choice for tonight… but the clock has run down and and I nervously exit my apartment when a crisp knock rings out in the near-empty rooms.

And there he stands. Tall, handsome, and frown-y. I swallow, my lips parting as he eyes me up and down, his expression not changing from what looks like Ultimate Disappointment.

Everett says nothing. His jaw is tense, and I can see the subtletic-tic-ticof his cheek muscles flickering just under the surface of his freshly shaved skin. My heart dips. He turns and starts walking. With a startledmeep, I yank my front door shut and scramble after him in my heels.

He continues to say nothing to me in the limo. He’s on his phone, talking quietly under his breath, barely audible over the soft classical music that’s playing.

Did I fuck up already?

I look down at the dress and wonder if it’s all wrong and he’s pissed he brought me. Then part of me gets mad that he’s mad. He’s the one who didn’t tell me anything about tonight. He wanted me here, and it’s tough tits if he doesn’t like what I picked out.

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