Page 98 of Briar

She blinks. Otherwise, she doesn’t move. “Why?”

I resist the urge to look at the girl beside me. “My priorities have changed.”

“I see.” Her eyes slide between us anyway. “What conditions do you have?”

I slide the paperwork toward her. “I retain control over a small patch of land. Consider it neutral territory, but it’s not to be used in any disputes.”

One sleek eyebrow raises. “Anything else?”

I gesture. “River will retain control of Mystic. And I will also keep a small stretch of retail space. I already own the building. It’s outlined in the document. Aside from that, all other assets are to be split.”

“And your men?”

I hold her gaze. “I think you and I both know that the handful of men I have will not change this offer. But it’s in there. You can have them, if you need the extra headcount to manage the new ground.”

Alyss glances up at Chess in silent question before she reaches for the paperwork. “I’d be a fool to refuse. But I’ll go through it first, send any questions over.”

Nodding, I stand. River and Kai stand with me, Briar following our lead a moment later. “Keenan is doing the same.”

Briar is almost vibrating beside me before she blurts out the words. “Would you like to stay for a drink with me?”

Alyss pauses, as if surprised. “I don’t generally like clubs.”

I already warned Briar. But her face still falls in disappointment.

Alyss’s eye twitches. Just barely. “Five minutes.”

My lips press together to hide my amusement. “She’s hard to say no to, isn’t she?”

The leader of the Hearts gives me a wry look. “You should use her in all of your negotiations.”

It’s the puppy-dog eyes.

Kai and Hatter follow as the two women disappear into the other room. I almost wish I was there for the moment Alyss meets Dove, but I have one more thing to do.

River follows me as I nod goodbye to the Hearts and slip back into the club. The stairs leading to the clubhouse creak under our feet, almost covering the moaning.

I step inside the room, glancing to River. “He’s looking messy.”

River doesn’t hide his grin. “I was bored. He was annoying.”

Sweat darkens Philip Fitzherbert’s hair as he frantically rocks in the chair we kindly added for him. Stepping forward, I rip the dirty gag from his mouth and watch him retch.

“I’m sorry.” He wheezes it as I crouch in front of him.

My head tilts. “Not quite so much of a challenge after all. I’m almost disappointed.”

“Men like him never are,” River mutters. Nodding in agreement, I straighten.

Philip’s eyes bulge when I pull the ring from my pocket. “That’s mine!”

“It is.” I pull something else out. “You’re having it back, don’t worry. River?”

He screams at the sight of the long, thick needle. Screams, and sobs. But when I’m done, Briar’s engagement ring, specially adapted, runs through Philip Fitzherbert’s lower lip like an ungodly large piercing. Blood mixes with saliva as his head drops down.

Gripping his hair, I yank it back. “If I hear you’ve taken it out, you’ll be back here. Understand? I’m going to be watching you. And if I hear you’re approaching any other women, I’ll be paying them a visit and explaining exactly what type of man you are.”

Beside me, River’s camera flashes. “For the memories.”