Page 15

Karma, it has a way of coming for you. Somehow, we’ve managed to stay ahead of it, I’m just unsure how long our luck will last.

LILIANA

I almost got roofied last night! I’m still fuming as I walk through the parking lot to my destination. I’m so pissed I’m seeing red. After this, I’m planning to go to kill the fucker. Dad gave me the green light, and Maurice has graciously offered one of his rooms at the warehouse.

A tub of my special concoction will ensure this college kid is never found.

His body will become gelatin and then be disposed of.

If I’m honest with myself, while I’ve had a few kills while I’ve been here, it’s not nearly enough.

A good old fashioned kidnapping, torture for interrogation, and then killing session will put me in a better mood.

It’s the equivalent to sex for me now.

I heard Jared’s voice as I was leaving the college bar, but I chose not to turn back last night. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him, and I’m sure that encounter wouldn’t have ended happily.

I need to find out where these drugs are coming from. Maurice’s little shit of a son and I had words and it’s not him. He lost the edge of his pinky and squealed like a little pig for his trouble, and he agreed not to tell his father.

Mr. Emil wasn’t happy, but I reminded him that I’m here to get results, and this is taking too damn long.

A search through the hospital records last night showed that there have been three women and one man admitted in that have been raped. They claim they don’t remember anything, their blood tests showing the date rape drug in their bloodstream. I may not be Theo, but I can get by on my skills.

That’s too many damn people to be checked in with the above things, and every day I don’t find the supplier selling the drug, is another day someone could be hurt. I’m fucking angry with myself that this asshole is eluding me.

As I walk, I take in the quiet Montecito neighborhood, which is funnily enough where I almost ran someone over. There’s a pretty sign that says Cellie’s Mystics , and there are a variety of people who walk in.

The fact that this is a speakeasy’s front is adorable to me. I’ve never heard of a concept like this, and the umbrella corporation that developed it actually has a law office as its contact information.

It’s very curious.

Opening the door, I find one person with gorgeous black and purple streaked hair browsing through shelves that seem to overflow with treasures.

“Welcome,” a woman calls out without glancing over as she rings someone up, and I decide that I’m already in love.

The speakeasy could fucking suck, but this little shop would have made my outing today worth it. Tonight is my night off from stupid college kids and punk criminals.

I’m going to let loose and then go about my planned kidnapping. I deserve to let off some steam. I need a break from the cheap beer at the college bars, and my fake ID will get me in here without an issue.

“Thank you,” I say softly out of habit as I walk around.

There’s jewelry, crystals, interesting candles and books on the shelves. My phone buzzes as I explore, and I have a very strong feeling that it’s my father. I’m wearing my tracker bracelet, which means that he knows I’ve arrived.

Pulling it from my leather pants, I glance at the message.

Dad:

Do not accept a drink from anyone. I know you’re an adult, but they’re mixing the GHB with rohypnol now. You’re flying solo, and that shit will knock you out.

Me:

I probably shouldn’t drink anything then, huh?

I feel a little dejected, because they have some cool drinks I wanted to try.

Dad:

Don’t be silly. Have a drink, just watch it as the bartender makes it. They would be dumb fucks to drug you on their opening night.

Smirking, I hum under my breath. He’s not wrong.

Me:

Love you, thank you for worrying about me.

Dad:

Enjoy yourself with the dickhead later.

My father got an earful last night on my way home from the bar, and agreed to let me off my leash tonight. Twenty-four hours of freedom. Fuck yes.

Putting my phone away, I fix my pretty dark green top.

It’s a corset, and see through at the bottom.

It bares the top of my stomach, and my high heeled boots hide my knives.

I also straightened my hair and slid a razor thin wire through it.

In a pinch, I can use it to strangle someone.

I feel more than equipped to handle tonight.

“Hi, can I help you?” the woman who was up front asks.

Turning, I nod as I glance at the people who are out of earshot.

“I’m in the mood for a donut. Can you help me with that?” I ask.

It’s such a silly password, but since they obviously don’t sell donuts, it works perfectly.

“Yes, right this way,” the woman says with a grin.

She walks me through some more shelves and then pulls a mirror away from the wall to show me an opening.

“Please enjoy your night at the Brothers’ Speakeasy. There will be a different exit for you to leave from,” she says.

Wide eyed, I nod as I walk through the doorway. The mirror is replaced and a bouncer steps forward.

“Your name please, Miss?” he asks.

It was done so seamlessly, I can’t stop the smile on my lips. That was pretty fucking cool. I get things squared away with the bouncer, and then a woman comes up to take over.

“Welcome to The Brothers’ Speakeasy. Tonight is opening night, and I would love to walk you around,” she says. “I’m Pauletta.”

“Hi, I would love to see everything,” I say honestly.

Pauletta shows me the bar, band that’s playing, and where the restrooms are. There’s also an odd vault type door in the back, and she just smirks at me.

“There’s quite a few secrets harbored here,” she says with a shrug. “We have a full kitchen, and will have food walked around for people to sample. The owners really want to know what you think.”

The pretty wallpaper, chandeliers with different color bulbs, and recessed lighting by my feet to light up the way all give this place a very cool vibe. There are couches everywhere to relax in, making it a nice place to relax after a really long week.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to show me around,” I say honestly.

“Of course. Enjoy,” she says, leaving me at the bar.

The bar itself is made of black marble, and is a large, round circle. There are several bartenders working, so I lean on the bar to wait for someone to take my drink order.

I ask him to surprise me with something that he likes off the menu, and the smile he gives me lights up the club. If I was at all interested, I would shamelessly flirt with him. Unfortunately, I’m not that person anymore.

A heavily muscled arm leans on the bar, the body encased in a custom suit. His cologne smells expensive, but not in an obnoxious way. It is something that will, however, turn your head in a crowd though.

“Hey, Brunes, can I get a scotch please? Is everything good?”

The voice is one I didn’t think I’d hear any time soon, and my body begins to coil tightly. Fuck, please don’t notice me. I can feel the moment he turns and gazes at me.

“This is ridiculous,” he growls, pushing my hair away from my face. I’ve been hiding behind it for almost two years, since Rachelle left us.

I’m not surprised that he’d push into my space to see who I am. Jared Denton has no fucking shame.

“Hey, Jared, nice club,” I say without my voice cracking as Brunes, the bartender sets down a Naughty Virgin in front of me. Fuck, The Brothers Speakeasy is a nice touch.

While I’m annoyed I didn’t realize the connection, it is brilliant.

“Thanks, Liliana,” he murmurs. “Want to tell me why you’re popping up everywhere in town? What happened to Princeton?”

“No longer on the table,” I state, quoting Mr. Emil. “My life isn’t the same anymore, so I sold my life to the Devil.”

I don’t believe that Mr. Emil nor the mafia are evil. I have certain appetites that have to be fed, so this arrangement suits me.

“It’s a stupid move,” he says mildly, picking up his scotch as it’s put down. “Are you spying for your father?”

“I actually had no idea you were the owner,” I reply.

When he looks at me as if I’m lying, I shake my head as I turn to face him.

My hair slides through his fingers to sit on my shoulder again, and he sips his drink.

“I’m here because this place looked fun and I was able to get a spot tonight for opening night. ”

“I don’t know how I didn’t notice your name on the list,” he mutters.

“The law office screened names,” Theo says, coming up to us, his gaze heavy on me. “I received the names for the other part of the club.”

“Other part?” I ask, curious. “Is that what's behind the vault door?”

“Curiosity killed the cat, Lili,” Theo says with a tight smile. “Are you going to UCSB?”

“Yeah, how do you know that?” I ask, confused. Why do they appear flummoxed and hurt by my presence if they knew I was in the area?

“I keep seeing your hair, but you look a lot like Rachelle from far away,” he explains. “Let’s take a walk. Elijah needs to see you. He thinks you’re Rachelle’s ghost come to life. You also almost ran his ass over a few months ago with your car.”

“He said it was an SUV,” Jared says suspiciously.

“My car is very eye-catching,” I explain, tossing my hair. “I have another car now. I didn’t know it was Elijah. In my defense, I have some road rage issues. If he can complain about it, then he’ll live.”

“Same old Lili,” Theo sighs. “Come take a walk with us, please.”

“My father knows where I am,” I say, picking up my drink. I bite my lip because I need to pay for it, but Jared signals to the bartender that it’s on him. Well, they’re less likely to kill me if they’re letting me bring my drink, I guess. “Where exactly am I going?”

“Behind the looking glass,” Jared says with a smirk. “It’s where Elijah is right now.”

My heels don’t make a sound as I walk across the floor, and Jared says something into his ear com piece. I’m sure it’s helpful for getting information to his employees without having to go find them. The band is actually pretty good, and I can see people head bobbing as they vibe to the music.

It seems like a shame to leave now that I’m finally getting my bearings.

“If you’re spying, you may as well get the full effect,” Theo says with a dark chuckle.

“I’m not spying, you paranoid twatwaffle,” I murmur.

It’s just loud enough for him to hear, and he rolls his eyes.

“It’s only paranoia if the world isn’t trying to kill you, Lili. You know that,” he grunts.

Yeah, I definitely do. I hope this doesn’t fuck up my playdate later tonight.