Page 2 of Secret Revenge

I needed a drink.

I weaved through the crowded club, the air reeked of sweat and spilled alcohol.

The thumping bass shook the floor. Snippets of laughter and shouted conversations filled the air. It was a maze of bodies, but I was on a mission.

I made it to the bar and ordered a shot, using the moment to scan the room from my perch on the barstool. I sat with myback slightly turned, so I could keep an eye on the Ross brothers without drawing attention.

With the glass empty, I felt a bit steadier. The brothers were still there, unaware of the storm heading their way. I blended in with the crowd, just another face in the club, but with a purpose none of them could guess.

As Travis spoke, he lifted his hand to make a gesture and my eyes zeroed in on it. That’s all I need. One finger, one fingerprint. The mission was so simple, I thought I couldn’t possibly mess it up. Swipe Travis’s fingerprint off whatever he touched, and Michael could unlock every lick of the secrets their precious little empire holds.

But maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it’s because this man could light up an alleyway with his smile, but I found my eyes wandering over to his face. To the curve of his muscles, and the way his suit fit just right.

With my head spinning slightly from the alcohol—more a hindrance than help at this moment—I realized I needed to pull myself together. This wasn't just about getting close to him; it was about exposing a family legacy of crimes. It was now or never.

I turned back to the bar, the cool surface a brief solace as I took a final shot, hoping it would steel my nerves rather than fray them further.

I blew out a breath, placing a firm hand against my bag before hopping off the stool. Except, when I looked over to the balcony, they were sitting at… they were no longer there. Their glasses vanished like ghosts, along with my plan to snag Travis's fingerprints.

Shit.

I took a step forward, but I didn’t have the slightest clue where to go.

Damn it, Emily.

Swallowing hard, I walked over to the balcony, looking around the space for clues. The mouth of a hallway called out to me. I glanced behind me, to ensure no one was looking. A shiver coursed through me, not from the chill in the air but from the realization of how exposed I was.

Come on, Em. You can do this.

I inched a step into the hallway, and dread dropped like an anvil in my stomach. A gloved hand clamped over my mouth, dragging me into the dark space.I tried to scream for help, but the sound was muffled against the intruder's hand. My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage, and adrenaline surged through my veins. I flailed against my assailant.

"Looking for someone, gorgeous?" The chill in my spine told me everything I needed to know. I was stuck in the hands of Kurt Blackwell. "You're new around here. I remember faces, and yours…I would not forget."

My heart froze, terror gripping me. This is how it ends, isn’t it?

“It doesn’t matter though,” he sighed heavily. “It already feels like you’ve seen too much?”

Fuck.

I shook my head against his hands, frantically as we began to move. No clue where we’re going but pretty sure I’d never see daylight again. Tears sprung to my eyes.

A hand suddenly, yanked me from his grasp. Cool air rushed to my face from where he once held me. The air shifted as I looked up – a little hesitantly and found myself behind a different figure—a presence that, surprisingly, felt safer.

Travis.

"Enough, Blackwell. She's with me.” His voice was like silk, and he sounded like he’d be my angel in a situation like this. Anyone was better than Kurt.

Kurt's eyes narrowed, a frosty smile playing on his lips. "Oh? Since when do you bring guests to our little gatherings, Ross?" His tone was mocking, his posture relaxed yet somehow menacing. "I wasn't aware we were opening our doors to strangers."

"Since when I choose to -- is none of your concern.” He replied, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I’ll be taking her home now.”

The standoff continued for a heartbeat longer, Kurt's gaze piercing me as if seeing right through my façade. Finally, he stepped back, a sneer twisting his features. "Maybe… keep your playthings a little closer, Ross. We wouldn't want her... to disappear. You know how easy it is to lose things around here."

With that, Kurt turned on his heel and vanished into the shadows from which he had emerged, leaving Travis and me alone.

Travis's grip on me loosened, but he didn't let go, staring at the space Kurt had disappeared into before breathing a sigh of relief.

He turned to face me, allowing me to see him close for the first time. None of the cameras did him justice.