Treachery Prequel

“Just remember what I said about playing games, Luca. There are always repercussions.”

Game on, I thought, wondering what possible repercussions could come from this if I never made the mistake of entering into a deal with these guys.

It all came down to what I would agree to. I knew that much, and as long as I kept this about the project, then made myself scarce in order not to be cornered for any other reason, I should walk away just fine.

That was my hope, at least, but there was always room for error and surprises, which meant I needed some safeguards in place that I could use as buffers should the need arise.

I considered Everly as a potential buffer, however after looking her over and noticing her unfocused eyes, sloppy hair and clothes, and the fact that she was leaning over like the Tower of Pisa, I couldn’t trust she wouldn’t be lost following another drink, or to Jase when he winked in her direction.

My only other buffer would be Clayton. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I shot him a quick text confirming that he would be arriving at the party at some point.

Only a few seconds passed before my phone buzzed back, a response flashing up at me that he would be here within the hour.

It worked for me.

“I’ll be upstairs. Keep the drinks coming.”

Gabriel shook his head and laughed. “Your wish, my command. Or should I say your funeral?”

We exchanged an odd look as I wrapped my arm through Everly’s and followed her up to a room I knew well from the first night I allowed her to drag me here.

Just like the last time I’d stepped foot into the Inferno’s private party space, the room was filled with half dressed female admirers of the Inferno members seated about.

Taking a good look around, I noticed that, while women were mingling and dancing, drinking and carrying on, the only men in the room were those who lived in the house.

At that moment, only three were being entertained by their hopeful harem: Ta

Everly dragged me in deeper and asked me to dance, although her words sounded more like ‘danthwitmuhLuuuuca’ than an actual recognizable sentence.

Normally, I would have found a way to politely bow out, but I had a job to do, namely one involving cheating my way into being owed a favor.

It led me to turning and locking eyes with a familiar dark presence in the room, his gaze already focused on me despite the three - no four - women preening like giggling idiots around him.

Ta

There was no doubt in my mind I would require a liver transplant and kidney dialysis after this night, especially after drinking the next one I knew Gabriel would be bringing me soon.

I wasn’t entirely sure what I would have to do to draw Ta

The effort had to be worth it, though, and for that reason, I finished the drink, wiped the burning tears from my eyes, and placed the empty cup on a side table before letting Everly drag me to the center of the room to dance.

I’d never been much of a dancer growing up. While other people had no problem moving their bodies in time to whatever beat was tossed at them, I was far too reserved to let myself go to the music. So while Everly immediately launched into a seductive, smooth gyration of her hips, a siren’s call to any man standing within a twenty foot radius, I didn’t have the same skill. At least, not while I was sober.

I was too aware of my body and worried that rather than appearing in touch with my feminine gifts, I resembled a woman suffering from a seizure, my movements jerky like sudden convulsions while I hopped around attempting to will my body into a perfectly fluid series of moves.

It wasn’t working, and it wouldn’t work until there was enough alcohol in my bloodstream for me to stop giving a damn.

Thankfully, Gabriel waltzed through the door at that moment armed with another full cup of liquid death. I didn’t look forward to drinking it, but I would, if for no other reason than to loosen up.

Leaving Everly among the other women dancing like professionals compared to what I could pull off, I sauntered over and took the cup from Gabriel’s hand.

“Thanks,” I yelled over the music while cringing at the alcohol fumes rolling off the cup.

“Do you put anything in here with the alcohol? Or is it straight liquor?”

I scowled down at the concoction as he pressed a finger to the cup to direct it closer to my mouth.

“I’ll never divulge my recipe.”

Parting my lips to take a sip, Gabriel laid his hand over the cup, his eyes glimmering when they met mine.

“You sure you want to drink this?”

“Why wouldn’t I be sure?”

Clayton would be here soon, and all I had to do was trigger Ta

Rather than answering me, Gabriel just shook his head and walked off.

Glancing at Ta

One hour more of this tops. What could go wrong?