Page 71 of Desperate Victory

They were very much my personal investment.

“I do,” King said as my hand came to settle on the crook of his arm. He didn’t attempt to touch me in any other way and merely walked through the foyer and into the sitting room, then beyond it to what was ostensibly a library. “Would you care for a drink?”

“Perhaps,” I said, considering it. “Why don’t I get the drinks for everyone and the rest of you talk?” After all, he wanted to talk to Em and to Milo.

Those were the important ones.

King frowned briefly, but the fact he nearly ran into Bodhi when he turned seemed to give him more pause. Bodhi didn’t say a word. He also didn’t look away. In fact, King was definitely the one to stop the staring contest first.

“If you insist,” King murmured, parroting my earlier comment.

“Of course,” I looped my purse strap across my chest so I didn’t have to set it down and I turned to the room. “What can I get for you?”

“Milkshakes are probably not on the list, are they?” Freddie’s question splintered the frostiness in the air and I grinned at him.

“Unfortunately, no, they aren’t. But I can check on beer or soda.”

Freddie didn’t normally drink, so it was a safe bet he’d go for the soda or nothing at all. “Soda’s fine, or water.” He cut a look toward King. “I’m not picky.”

The man snorted. It didn’t take long to get drink orders from everyone. As I took over the bar, Bodhi drifted along with me. He just shook his head when I asked if he wanted anything.

While everyone waited for their drinks, they divided, putting most of them on one side of the room with King on the other. Based on Milo’s interrogations, most of King’s security had quit. Arguably, some had just disappeared, but you might as well say they quit.

Apparently, the odds weren’t in their favor.

Who would have thunk it?

King chose a cognac to drink. I poured a small measure for myself. Opened wine for Em, though she’d just shrugged. Beers for some of the boys. Water and soda for everyone else.

The only drink I delivered was King’s because he hadn’t come anywhere near the bar. Since I had both glasses, I gave him the choice of which he would have.

“Thank you,” he murmured and I raised my own glass in a quiet salute before I sampled a mouthful. It was sweet, but also spicy. The rich flavor demanded attention. It warmed the belly and spread that heat through the rest of me.

“You’re welcome.”

I crossed to where Em had taken a seat. None of the guys were really sitting, so I just settled on the arm of her chair. She shot me a quick smile, then we focused on King.

“Who wants to begin?” King asked. It almost sounded like he was offering a concession, but he wasn’t the one in control of the room or the situation.

The knowledge of which continued to grow in his wary gaze.

Chapter

Twenty-Two

ADAM

Who wanted to begin? Condescending prick. Resentment for the years of towing the line to this man burned in me. First, he’d been some anonymous, dark and distant leader of an unorthodox, secret society.

If you were tapped to join, your choices were gone. Extinct. You served at his pleasure. Whether it was killing, stealing, or torture, if the king requested it, you did it.

In his name and under his direction, we inflicted so much damage. What had once just been a club of sorts for the ultra wealthy to sow their wild oats in and do crazy stunts, had become something of a real gang.

We were all soaked in the blood of his choices.

His choices and our own.

“I’ll start,” I said abruptly. “You’ve arranged sales with regard to people, particularly children and young adults to Eastern Europe. Who are your contacts?”