Deviant(59)

Shit, what must I have looked like to that bouncer out there? No wonder he was smiling at me the way he was. I had no doubt he knew exactly what went on back there, yet he turned a blind eye. This, amongst other things, I needed to find out.

Cleaning myself up as much as I could, I checked myself in the mirror one last time before venturing out. Sure enough, big guy was standing about six feet away from the door, leaning against the wall. “Feeling better?” he asked with a crooked smile.

I smiled back. “Yes, thanks.”

He stood up and motioned for me to go in front of him. “After you, Miss O’Shea.”

And there it was. My confirmation he knew exactly who my stranger was. When he saw I didn’t move, he frowned. I smiled at him a little, then started walking.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Tony, ma’am, but people call me Teddy.”

Pulling my head back a little, I looked up at him. “Is that because you look like a big teddy bear?”

Tony chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”

Considering he seemed relaxed, I went in for the kill. “Tell me, Tony. Who is he?”

Tony stiffened, knowing exactly who I meant. There was something else I saw when he stiffened. It was a hint of fear in his eyes. How could someone this big and strong-looking be so frightened at the mere mention of my stranger?

“I’m not sure who you mean, ma’am.”

I shook my head, tut-tutting at him. “Come on, Tony. We’re not strangers here. Call me Tyler. You already know it anyway.”

His eyes widened a little and I saw the distinct bob in his Adam’s apple before he spoke, “I’m just a bouncer here, Tyler.”

He smiled, but I knew he was getting more and more uncomfortable by the minute with this conversation. I didn’t like pressing him, but I couldn’t help it. “You deliberately picked me and my friend above the whole line of people outside the club. You were there within an instant when he hurt that man’s hand. You took him away. No questions asked. Not even a word to the man I was with. It’s because you know him. It’s because he told you to do all this. Isn’t it, Tony?”

His pace quickened as he halted outside a door. “I’m sorry, Tyler. I don’t know what you mean.” He placed his hand on the handle and was about to turn it when I stopped him. Tony looked up, fear in his eyes.

“I’m sorry I’m asking you this. You are obviously afraid of him. I can tell. Just please tell me one thing and I’ll go. Should I be afraid?”

Tony closed his eyes. I could tell he was having a huge debate in his head about whether he should divulge anything. I thought he was just going to shrug me off, push me out of the door, but he surprised me.

“I’m not sure what he wants with you, Tyler. It’s really none of my goddamned business. But I will tell you one thing. Just be careful. Okay?”

I nodded with a smile, grateful to Tony that he gave me that. When he knew there was no more to add, he opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

Squeezing his hand a little, I mouthed Thank you, and headed out the door. Shit, my head was spinning. After five minutes with the bouncer, I learned that not only was he powerful, he was dangerous.

But just how dangerous was he?





Chapter 26



Dean



Revenge proves its own executioner.

John Ford





I went back home to my guests, and the party I had long planned for tonight. It was only ten o’clock and I’m sure they wouldn’t have missed me much. I had to have them here tonight as witnesses. Something was going down later and I had to make sure all my avenues were covered.

Parking my Dodge Challenger in the garage, I ventured into the kitchen where I knew Humphrey would be waiting for me. Sure enough, he was standing by the kitchen island, pacing. He looked anxious and I knew why.

The minute I shut the door, Humphrey’s head snapped up. I immediately saw the mixture of relief and anger on his face. “Fucking hell, Dean. What’s taken you so long? Why the fuck did you decide that tonight, of all nights, you fuck off to chase the girl?”

I sighed, throwing the keys on top of the island. “It’s okay, Uncle. I have it covered. She’s putty in my hands now.” I smiled wickedly, showing him just how relaxed I was.

“You’re losing your shit, Dean. She’s getting into your head, just like you said you weren’t going to let happen.”

I had enough. I banged my fist on the countertop. “Enough!” That gained his attention. I certainly wasn’t going to let him speak to me like that. I didn’t care if he was family. “I am not losing my shit, Humphrey. She was going out tonight and I saw it as my opportunity. It was bad timing, I know, but I got the ultimate prize in the end. She’s crumbling, Humphrey. I can sense it already.”