Page 39 of Twisted Knight

Liar.

“And how is Rhett being on the city council going to help with this?”

The flash of shock across his face gives me what I need. There’s a purpose to Rhett’s sudden desire to serve. Of course there is. Rhett’s a man who only does things to serve himself.

“Who s-said it would?”

“C’mon, now. I may be someone who bends the rules every now and again too.” I flash a shark’s smile. “I know it when I see it.”

Chad looks to the back room again then his eyes jump around the club. “Just trying to get around some regulations. Win some favors. Nothing big.”

You’re hiding something, Williams.

“And your thoughts on Rowan and the marketing department align with Rhett’s?”

His slightest hesitation is noticeable. Friend or future wife? Which one will it be? “Not exactly. She takes pride in being a part of the company … but…” He shrugs.

“But you plan on making an honest woman out of her, so I’d be doing you a favor by doing away with her department. No job means you’d have less of a fight on your hands getting her to quit working. Because that is what you’re going for, right? Williams as her last name?”

It’s not like their moms don’t already have the country club reserved for a wedding reception. Several dates actually. It’s always good to have a plan A through G apparently. A few keystrokes gave me access to the online reservation system to show me that.

“She’s a strong-willed woman,” Chad says.

“As many are.” I bet you hate that, don’t you? “And your point is what?”

“It’s her family’s company. She deserves some kind of role.”

“Like the sex kitten tempting you in the ad campaigns?” I ask.

Does it get you off thinking you’re going to marry the woman every man who sees the TinSpirits ads jacks off to?

No. You’re more the jealous type who’d be afraid she’d leave you for a real man. One who has his own opinions rather than his friends’.

He blanches, which says I’m right. “Her position, the part she’d get, would be up to you, wouldn’t it?”

“But you do think she deserves a place or part?”

“Yeah. Sure. Even if it’s in name only.”

I lean forward. The movement catches him off guard, and he jumps. So damn satisfying. “And is that being said because you believe it or because she’s yet to let you fuck her?” My stare is unrelenting as I swirl my drink around so the ice cubes clink against the glass. I watch anger flicker and fade through his expression. Quickest way to the truth sometimes is through shock value. Chad’s lack of an answer is telling enough.

“I’d appreciate it if you don’t talk about her like that,” he finally manages.

Scared? Insecure? Worried she won’t have you? Probably a bit of all three.

All I know is if a man said that about my future fiancée, he’d have a lot more than a gentle request to contend with when it came to my wrath.

“You forget, Chad. I’m not from here. I don’t have to play by the good ol’ boy rules you all do. I can talk about anyone however I want. Rowan. Rhett. The woman you went on a date with last week that you don’t want anyone to know about.”

Surprise flashes through his eyes but he buries it as quickly as I can glimpse it. “I’ve known Rowan for years.”

“That’s not an answer. That sounds more like a pussified excuse for why you let her brother treat her like shit.” I shrug as I see Rhett walking back from the lap dance room, his gait a little unsteady from both the booze and perhaps the dance. “But hey, it’s no skin off of my back that the three of you are all secretly trying to take each other down,” I say.

“What do you mean take each other down?”

“Ever read Lord of the Flies, Chad?” I barely have time to get a chuckle out before Rhett slides into his chair at our table.

Rhett’s hair is tousled, and his tie is undone and draped around his neck. The smug look on his face says he probably lasted a whole thirty seconds before blowing in his pants.