Chapter 62 62
Roman's Pov
I watched Maisie from across the room, the way a man watches a match he knows is rigged but can't prove yet.
Xavier was on his knees. Not just literally anymore but spiritually.
I set my glass down slowly as I watched him clung to her like she was the last solid thing in a collapsing world and she played that part beautifully. Anyone else watching would've believed it. I didn't. Because I'd kissed her.
Clyde appeared at my side, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp. “Interesting evening.”
“That's one word for it.” I muttered.
Xavier finally stood, his hand still wrapped around Maisie's like a promise he was terrified to break. He leaned down to whisper something in her ear and she smiled. I'd seen that smile somewhere. It meant that someone had just signed their own death warrant.
“She got him,” Clyde said quietly.
“Yes,” I replied. “But the question is … what exactly did she take?”
“There's only one way to find out.” he smirked.
After Clyde left, I decided to kill time by settling for a drink or two.
Everyone who came across me either wanted a picture, to talk or both. It pissed me off that I even gave them an audience.
I had just poured myself another glass of whiskey when a silvery laugh peeled through the air, drawing my eyes toward the source.
Maise.
Of course.
I watched in awe as she laughed at something Linda said. I wondered if it was a real laugh or a fake laugh.
Most laughs—hell, most people—were fake. They woke up every morning and put on a mask according to what they wanted that day and who they wanted the world to see. They smiled at people they hated, laughed at jokes that weren’t funny, and kissed the asses of those they secretly hoped to dethrone.I wasn’t judging. Like everyone else, I had my masks, and they ran layers deep. But unlike everyone else, I had as much interest in ass-kissing and small talk as I did in injecting bleach into my veins. Knowing Maisie, her laugh was fake. She only showed people the part she wanted them to see. People except me.
Cole appeared beside me, his hair tousled and his mouth stretched into a wide grin. The ladies that followed him earlier were dancing to a pop song while a circle of guys watched them with their tongues lolling out. Men. My gender could use a little more standards and a little less thinking with their small head.
He rubbed the back of his neck.“Sorry I haven’t said hi till now. I’ve been…busy.”
“I saw.” I arched an eyebrow at the lipstick print smeared on the corner of his mouth. “You have a little something on your face.”
His grin widened. “Badge of honour. Speaking of which, I’m not interrupting, am I?”
My glass paused an inch from my lips before I brought it home and the sweet burn of whiskey flowed down my throat.
I glanced at Xavier holding onto Maisie's arm like it was some trophy. The whiskey turned sour in my mouth, and I set my glass down with a grimace.
“None you should be worried about.” I bit out.
Cole followed my gaze. His eyes dark me and he clenched his fists. “Should I go after him?”
I knew whom he was referring to.
As much as I hated Xavier, I didn't want him dead. At least not yet.
“No. Let him live for now.” I said, gazing out the window.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting ribbons of light that snaked through the otherwise-inky darkness of the backyard. Light and shadow. Two halves of the same coin.
“I will. We’re close.”
To justice. Vengeance. Salvation.
For five years, the pursuit of those three things had consumed me. They were my every waking thought, my every dream and nightmare. My reason for living. Even in situations when I’d been distracted by something else—the chess-play of corporate politics, the fleeting pleasure of burying myself into the tight, warm heat of a willing body—they’d lurked in my consciousness, driving me to greater heights of ambition and ruthlessness. Five years might seem like a long time, but I specialize in the long game. It doesn’t matter how many years I have to wait as long as the end is worth it. And the end of the man who had destroyed my family? It would be glorious.
Cldye and I talked business for a while longer before we rejoined the party.
The gears in my head cranked into motion as I took stock of the evening’s developments. Maisie had finally conquered Xavier. Exacting revenge wouldn't be difficult.
I took another sip of my wine and let my gaze strayed toward Maisie again.
She was in the kitchen, fussing over a half-eaten cake. Her skin glowed with a faint sheen of sweat, and her brown hair billowed around her face in a soft cloud.
I dropped the glass with the passing waiter and made my way to her.
Maisie must've sensed me on time because her eyes found mine first.
“Ah, Jason, how nice of you to join us.” Xavier smiled like he'd won a war, amusement softening his battle-hardened gray eyes.
“Yes, I forgot something.” I said with a smile.
“Hmm. What could that be?” Xavier mused.
“Not what,” I turned to Maisie. “Who.”
“I see,” he began, “but Chloe is not in the mood to leave, are you, darling?”
Maisie leaned in and murmured to his ear something too low for me to hear. Whatever it was, it made Xavier’s cheeks flush pink with pleasure.
Xavie cleared his throat. “I suppose I should let you go… for now.”
“Thank you, Xavier.” Maisie smiled.
“You're always welcome, darling.” He pressed his lips to her knuckles before releasing her.
I didn't hesitate to rest a hand on Maisie's lower back as she got near. Anger tightened my muscles at the memory of Xavier touching Maisie like she was his. I made a mental note to erase all of his lingering touches in her body.
“Shall we?” I drew her close and led her out of the hall.
I didn't bother exchanging pleasantries. I couldn't wait to get the hell out of here.
We got to the parking lot safely and I helped Maisie into the driver's seat. She'd just got in when a familiar voice called my name.
I pinched the skin between my brows. What was he doing?
“Beta Jason!” She said, slightly out of breath. “I missed you. You wanted to leave without me?”
Maisie slid a brief glance in our direction before averting her gaze. Kylie cleared her throat, forcing Maisie to stare at her.
“There she is… the star of the show,” Kylie said in the most sarcastic way possible. “Your party's that way.” she pointed at the building.
“I know,” Maisie gave her smile. “but I'm tired from the shoot. You wouldn't understand that because you're not a model.”
Kylie's face turned red and I took that as my cue to halt the discussion.
“If that's all, I bid you goodnight.” I nodded and started for the driver's seat.
“No goodbye kiss?” Kylie called behind me.
Maisie turned to look at me. If looks could kill, I'd be 6 feet deep in the earth by now.
“Goodbye what?” She mouthed to me.
I shrugged and turned to face Kylie. “Sure. If that's what you want.”
Damn it. Once this revenge plan is over, I'm going on a full body cleansing.
I leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. “Goodnight, Kylie.”
“Goodnight, Jason.” She whispered before waving shyly to me.
I turned and entered the car.
Maisie would give me an earful but at least, she was here with me. That was all that really mattered.