Deceptive Allure: Bound by Lies

Chapter 4: Dominic

Looking out to the dramatic skyline I am brought out of my thoughts by Harrison shoving a crystal tumbler of brown liquid towards me. Snapping my attention back to the men in front of me I greedily take the drink savouring the smoky notes.

The bar around us is quiet, the atmosphere soft and relaxing. The four of us are sat around a low oak table lounging in decadent leather chairs. My eyes glance to Victor catching his attention. Victor ignores me for a moment deciding to take another sip of his drink.

Victor was typically a man of few words. He lounged back in his chair. Despite Harrisson teasing me about my lethal look, it had nothing on Victor Knights. His hair shaved short at the sides and longer atop his head was a classic military style haircut. His beard was shaved to stubble. One glance into his cold grey eyes would make even the toughest men reconsider fucking with him. He was the definition of burley, his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his black shirt.

Beside him was Maximilian, like Harrison he had a suave charm to him, and an air of confidence. Everything about him screamed luxury. His suit was perfectly tailored and even after a long day it remained crease free. His fluffy brown hair was swooped to the side, no doubt caused by his nervous energy as he constantly ran his hand thru his hair. His honey brown eyes were soft and soulful a perfectly constructed façade. Out of the four of us, Max may seem to be the most innocent and charming even compared to Harrison, but Max was by far the most dangerous.

The four of us were an unlikely crew. We had grown up together in the depths of poverty. With safety in numbers, we were bound by an unmistakable bond. Victor, Max and I found comfort with each other as the sons of immigrants and Harrison was one of the only local boys to talk to us. Each one of us fuelled the other to break the cycle of fear, pain, and abuse.

'Skye is an interesting case.' Victor finally offered. My attention snapped to his face attempting to read him, but as always, he offered me nothing. No information escaped his man, unless he wanted it to. 'Border checks confirm she recently entered the states, but she flew in from Melbourne.'

Chewing over his words I hopelessly offer, 'Australia?'

'Mph,' he offers in reply. I cling onto each second that passes as he takes another sip of his drink, clearly savouring the annoyance that flicks across my face. 'She's living in an apartment on the Upper West Side which is rented under the name Rhona Douglas. Going down the rabbit hole I confirmed that Mrs Douglas was in Edinburgh and now in Amsterdam however, she wasn't in Edinburgh for long, no more than six months.' He takes another agonising sip of his drink as I cling onto every word.

'She has no record of having ever attended university in Edinburgh.' There is a strange smile upon his lips. Relaxing my shoulders, I finally take a sip of my own drink, 'so I supposed she lied on her resume, that can't be too uncommon.'

Victor offers a noncommittal shrug. 'What I did find was scant at best.' The man dug into the pocket of his pants and withdrew a polished silver lighter flicking the flame several times before standing up.

Without a word he stalked to the balcony.

Harrison looked to Max and then me, a grin creeping across his lips. 'So, when are you going to fire her?' He asks eyeing me. With a growl I swirl the diluted liquid in my glass, the ice having melted into the bourbon. 'I have to at least give her a chance,' as soon as the words were out of my mouth Max snorted a laugh.

'Jesus Christ she must be hot.' Harrison quickly joined in on the laugher.

'I wouldn't worry, his scowl will scare her off in no time.' Harrison offers me a wink which makes me want to punch him square in the jaw. It wouldn't be the first time Harrison and I came to blows but at the end of the day no one could stay mad at him. He was a true bleeding heart.

Still unsure what to make of Skye I gesture to the waitress for the bill, offering my goodbyes to Max and Harrison. My eyes glance to Victor who was still out on the balcony brooding. Reaching the elevator, I notice the itching energy coursing to my fingertips, and I know I must expend this energy somehow.

I hear nothing but the sound of my own heartbeat as my firsts land punch after punch onto the swinging bag in front of me. The chain rippling with each hit. Beads of sweat formed on my brow threatening to drip into my eyes, I know that string all to well.

I let my mind wander, the first thing I think of is the look on Skye's face when I interrupted her this afternoon. I can't help but wonder what she was thinking in that moment. There was an unmistakable wash of panic across her soft features as she gazed down at her phone. When she spoke there was a tremble in her words which was a world away from the confidence she had shown earlier.

Internally I chastise myself for the thoughts that come next. Skye was undoubtably beautiful which made her dangerous. What made her even more dangerous was her lies.

The muscles in my jaw flex as my teeth grind. The punches continue to land despite the fact I am absent minded. Sweet little pet, I'll make sure you regret lying to me. I can't help but laugh, it's harsh and comes out more like a bark.

In that instant I know her fate is sealed.