Page 82 of Unmasked
“Right.”
“The second would be to get in his head, Michel. Use the skills your dark gift has given you. Fuck with him mentally, while remaining neutral and calm on the surface. He looks unhinged and you look unaffected to others.”
“I definitely prefer that choice, but I don’t know how good my skills are yet.”
“It’s easier than you think. All you have to do is focus on what you want to happen. I’ve made people take themselves out in the past.”
“Yes.” My mind spins with ideas.
“As far as the ball, I would say to give it a few weeks if you can, then invite them as a peace offering. I assume they’ll attend.”
“Probably.”
“For dealing with the bodies, we can help with that. Maybe the three men took off after the ball for a wild night in New Onyx and happened upon a bad neighborhood.”
“You’d do that?”
“It would be a pleasure. As I said, your success is also ours. We’re a brotherhood, Michel. We take care of our own. Should we ever need anything from you, we know you’d be there for us.”
“Of course.”
“See? You didn’t even hesitate. You’re a part of the whole now. Tell us the time and date and we’ll be there.”
I exhale as deep relaxation settles through me. “Thank you, Yves. I have a plan now. I’ll be in touch.”
“Excellent.”
After ending the call, I decide to go for a walk instead of taking the Maserati back home. I want to see Eli and start thinking of a timeline for the next masquerade. As I stroll, the thought hits me that I wear a mask every day, hiding my true identity and thoughts from the residents of Neubrook, but not from Eli. He unmasked me, saw the real me, and loved me for it anyway. I owe him the world on a platter.
My pleasant thoughts are stopped cold as Garrett, Ben, and Nial appear in front of me, stepping out of a store. Garrett glares, and for just a second, a flicker of fear passes over me, a remnant from my high school days. This is the part where they would’ve grabbed me and dragged me to a parking lot before taking turns kicking and punching me while adults pretended not to see anything.
Sometimes Eli would come along and break it up. Other times some girls would make them stop. Every now and then, I’d get lucky and a police officer or store owner would drive by and break it up, offering me a humiliating ride home.
But this isn’t high school, and they can’t hurt me.
“You should watch your back,” Garrett growls at me. “You think you can steal my livelihood without me doing anything about it?”
“I didn’t steal a thing. The properties were available for sale and Sean Richmond bought them. Not me.”
He scoffs. “Like you didn’t influence him.”
“He came to me with a business idea. Simple as that.”
Garrett steps forward while Ben and Nial gather behind him, just like they always have. “I’m gonna ruin your life, Frenchie. I’m gonna disgrace you and make you leave town with your tail between your legs.”
Smiling, I nod, remembering what Yves told me to do. “I wouldn’t be so sure that’s how it’ll work out, but you’re welcome to try, Garrett.” I turn my thoughts towards making him lose control over his bodily functions. “I’m not afraid of you or your followers. I have money and power. I have respect and influence. I have more than you’ll ever even dream of having. So take your best shot.”
He opens his mouth to say something, but then doubles over, groaning as he passes gas so loudly it makes Ben and Nial take a step back.
People slow and gather on the sidewalk around us just as Garrett looks up at me with horrified eyes, literally shitting his pants in front of everyone. He grabs the back of his pants, then slowly a wet spot appears in the front as he pees himself. I do my best to look appalled, also stepping back.
“Dude,” Ben says. “What the fuck?”
Nial gags, then turns away, holding his nose. Children laugh and point while the adults look disgusted, hurrying to get past the scene. Garrett begins retching, bent over a planter as his stomach contents rush to the surface.
A store owner comes out, stepping back when they see what’s happening. “Should we call an ambulance?”
“No!” Garrett yells, groaning. “Fuck,” he mutters, dragging himself down the sidewalk, leaving lumps of shit in his wake.