Luke’s hand reached out toward Alicia’s face, his fingers aiming to stroke her cheek in a gesture that was meant to be possessive rather than affectionate. The alcohol on his breath was obvious even from several feet away, and his eyes held the glazed look of someone who was used to taking whatever he wanted.
Alicia jerked her head back violently, her face contorting with open disgust. “Don’t touch me.”
The rejection hit Luke like a slap. His expression shifted instantly from lecherous interest to dangerous anger, his jaw clenching as he lowered his hand slowly.
“What did you just say to me?” His voice was quiet, but the threat beneath it was unmistakable.
“I said don’t touch me,” Alicia repeated, though her voice trembled slightly now that she realized the precariousness of her situation.
Roden immediately stepped forward, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger. “Miss Brennan! You will show respect to Mr. Castellano!”
“Respect?” Alicia’s voice rose. “He just tried to-”
“He’s an important business contact!” Roden snapped. “And you’re being incredibly rude!”
He turned to Luke with an apologetic expression. “I’m so sorry, Luke. These new employees don’t understand how things work yet.”
Luke’s eyes never left Alicia’s face. “Is that right?”
“Absolutely,” Roden continued, already moving toward the door. “I’ll leave you to conduct your business in private. Take all the time you need.”
The implications of his words hung in the air like poison gas. Alicia’s face went pale as she realized that Roden was planning to abandon them here.
“Wait!” she called out, panic creeping into her voice. “You can’t just leave us here!”
“I’m sure Luke will make sure you all get home safely,” Roden replied with false cheer, his hand already on the door handle. “Eventually.”
Alicia’s eyes darted desperately around the room, looking for allies. Linda had already stood up from her seat, clearly intending to follow Roden out and escape this increasingly dangerous situation.
“Linda?” Alicia’s voice cracked slightly.
Linda wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I’m sorry, Alicia, but I have to go. I have… I have plans tonight.”
“Plans?” Alicia repeated in disbelief.
“This really isn’t my problem,” Linda said quietly, moving toward where Roden stood by the door. “You’re the one who insulted Mr. Castellano.”
Alicia felt her last hope crumbling. Linda was abandoning her without hesitation, and Roden had orchestrated this entire setup deliberately. She turned toward Pervis, her eyes pleading even though she barely knew him.
1/3
Chapter 32
+25 Bonus
Pervis had been watching the scene unfold with calm observation, his expression unreadable. Now, as Alicia’s desperate gaze found his, he moved with deliberate purpose.
He stepped directly in front of Alicia, positioning himself between her and Luke.
“I think we’re done here,” Pervis said quietly.
Luke stared at Pervis for a long moment, then threw back his head and laughed–a harsh, ugly sound that filled
the private room.
“You think you’re done?” Luke repeated mockingly. “You don’t decide when we’re done, boy. I decide that.”
Roden’s hand had frozen on the door handle, his eyes wide with shock at Pervis’s intervention. “Tyler, what the hell are you doing?”
“Get out of here, Roden,” Luke said, his voice suddenly cold and businesslike. “Take the smart one with you.”
He gestured toward Linda, who looked relieved to be excluded from whatever was about to happen.
‘Are you sure?” Roden asked hesitantly.
“I’m sure,” Luke replied, his eyes fixed on Pervis with predatory intensity. “I’m going to teach these two ungrateful people a very personal lesson about disrespecting Luke Castellano.”
Roden’s shocked expression slowly transformed into a sneer. “Your funeral, Tyler. I tried to warn you not to
cross me.”
The door opened and closed, leaving only Pervis, Alicia, Luke, and Luke’s female companion in the private room. The bass from the nightclub’s music pulsed through the walls like a giant heartbeat.
Luke’s smile was all teeth and no warmth. “Now then, where were we?”
He moved toward Alicia again, but Pervis shifted to maintain his position blocking the path.
“I told you we’re done,” Pervis repeated.
“You know what I think?” Luke said conversationally. “I think I’m going to have my fun with your little friend here, and you’re going to watch. Every single second of it.”
Alicia made a small sound of distress behind Pervis.
“Then,” Luke continued, clearly enjoying himself, “after I’m done with her, maybe I’ll let my boys have a turn. And you’ll still be watching, wondering if you should have just minded your own business.”
He took another step forward, his hand reaching out again.
That’s when Pervis moved.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
