Phantom Rider: The Aftermath | Book 1

5 Minutes, Please!

Bill's POV

Laura was the most oblivious creature I had ever met. Of all people, she managed to find the one person I didn't expect to see here... but always hoped to, wherever I went.

She brought Mila right to my face. Mila looked so beautiful. Once she was in the room, no one else existed.

The power of control I had to gather to not show any emotion was insane. If Mila found out the real reason I was here, it would ruin our plans. She might go after those maps too, or maybe she was here for the exact reason we were. I had to make her believe I was here for fun and my new woman.

I had to find Hanzō. Time was ticking, and I had to get this mission right.

When I finally found him, he was already quite drunk and didn't leave the table. It made my job way easier and freed up my time.

Someone bumped into me from the side. "Hi, I'm Matt!" he shook my hand firmly, and I tightened my grip.

The fight for dominance began at that exact moment. A handshake.

"I haven't seen you before. What's your name?" he asked.

"Nick!" I made up the name on the spot.

"So, what brought you here?" He started small talk slowly, and I was already bored.

"Hey, Matt, can you come here? This is an amazing song. I want to dance!" Mila ran to him all smiles, like a little child begging him to dance. As if I didn't exist. So that's the husband. Good looking man, larger than me, richer than me. Nice. Would be nicer if he'd be dead.

As they went to the dance floor, she looked back at me, and for a split second, I was convinced I saw her real emotion that cut right into me, keeping me tied to her all evening.

The mission was a success. We got all we needed. I was tipsy, Laura was drunk, and Gustav and Georg couldn't wait to go to a club to celebrate with other girls.

I would do anything to leave this place, so we went to the club. I also got drunk. This was the first time in forever when being drunk wasn't misery but fun. We all danced and laughed. It was different.

Mila's POV

I tried to keep Matt away from Bill all evening. He was interested in him, and that was not a good thing. What Bill had no idea was that Matt was dangerous, and the game we play here is nothing compared to the "business" Matt takes care of. I would never step on his toes if I were Bill.

I tried to protect him, from myself and my own family.

Someone should protect me from myself instead. I saw Bill and his friends leaving the party. My jealousy didn't go away -  I just pushed it down my throat and washed it off with champagne.

I was already drunk and desperate to talk to him. Just for a moment, 5 minutes. I caught up to Laura.

"Can we talk?" I asked her. She looked at me with disgust. "I'm sorry for what happened back there. I got jealous. I thought you were flirting with my husband." I said, but I really meant Bill.

Her face softened. "Don't worry... I understand, he is quite a catch," she whispered, smiling.

"Yeah, he is!" I still meant Bill.

"Are you going home?" I asked her.

"No, we are heading downtown to club." She was drunk. "Want to join?"

"No thanks!" She gave me all the info I needed. I know exactly what club they are going to.