Venom's Alliance: Loyalty's Fracture

Chapter 06

Jay's POV

Today was supposed to be a game-changer, a step closer to cracking open the Dark Club. Instead, I found myself in Easton's house, fuming with a rage that was hard to control. His complete indifference to our meeting and the trust we had built with the Italian family was beyond unacceptable.

We were this close to getting our hands on crucial information, the kind that could lead us straight to the untouchable head of the Dark Club we'd been hunting for years. But his absence blew our plans to pieces. The opportunity we had worked so hard to secure slipped through our fingers because Easton decided not to show up.

I had given him a second chance, even though I knew better, and now we were all paying for it. His actions threatened to destroy everything we had built.

As I stepped into the house, the silence hit me. It was weirdly quiet, nothing like the usual buzz of activity. Matilda, a tall woman with long black hair tied in a neat bun, came around the corner, looking surprised to see me. I rarely visited Easton's place, usually saving those visits for emergencies like this one.

"Where is he?" I demanded, barely keeping my impatience in check.

"He hasn't come downstairs, sir," Matilda replied, her voice trembling.

"It's 3:00 PM," I snapped, heading up the stairs to investigate.

At the top of the stairs, instead of finding Easton, I was met by Rebecca, whose presence always rubbed me the wrong way. I never understood why Easton kept her around. I raised an eyebrow at her. If Easton missed the meeting because of her, I'd deal with them both.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my irritation growing as I continued up the stairs.

With an insolent grin, Rebecca walked away, her exaggerated sway only adding to my annoyance. "I could ask you the same thing. Easton invited me over."

"When did he call you?"

"Last night. He had a crucial meeting and needed me to transfer a large sum of money," she explained casually. "After that, he asked if I could come over today to discuss the transfer."

The mention of the money transfer piqued my interest. "How much money are we talking about?"

"Four million," she replied nonchalantly.

The amount wasn't unusual given the capabilities of the bank I'd established, but Easton's failure to inform me was interesting.

As I quickened my pace toward Easton's bedroom, a sense of uneasiness settled over me. Something wasn't right, and I was determined to find out what. Pushing the door open, I was met with an unexpected sight: a naked Easton sprawled in the middle of the bed.

Rebecca's arm shot out beside me, likely reflecting my shock. I didn't waste any words. "Stay here," I instructed her before stepping into the room and locking the door behind me.

This was not how I expected the day to go. Grabbing a discarded towel from the floor, I quickly covered him, my concern and irritation growing. A quick check of his pulse and breathing reassured me; he was in a deep, peaceful sleep. Gently shaking him, I muttered, "Easton, what happened?"

Easton stirred, responding with a drowsy "Hmm?"

I sniffed the air, trying to catch any hint of alcohol, but there was none—just a couple of water bottles and some scattered clothes. Nothing seemed out of place or suspicious.

Easton struggled to sit up, his body heavy and uncooperative. I could see his head spinning, likely trying to piece together the events of the previous night. I helped him into a sitting position on the bed.