Bait

XV

"Baby, where have you been?" Charles voice pulls me out of my state of shock as I take in the man in front of me.

A gorgeous white shirt is stuck to Charles' torso and sits perfectly against his toned stomach as he crouches down in front of me. His shirt is nearly completely covered over by an expensive white jacket and his legs are tucked into tight black pants.

As my eyes meet Charles, a glimpse of a smile is on this face as he extends a hand to help me up on my feet. Once we are standing up I see him place all my once scattered poker chips into his jacket pocket.

"Ch-Charles, what are you doing here?"

The sound of the music continues to blast through the speakers and the crowd is mingling as if nothing is happening but I can't take my eyes of man in front of me. What is he doing here?

My eyes eventually leave Charles and flicker between him and Liam and I instantly see Liam's face drop as he recognises Charles.

"Haha, baby. Remember I told you that I'd meet you here later?"

My mouth widens as I stumble out a nod of my head even though nothing at all is making sense. Why does he keep calling me baby?

A strong arm wraps around my waist and I'm crushed into the side of Charles, "ah, look who we have here. My dear friend Liam Kelly. What are the chances that we would both be here tonight?"

All the colour in Liams face has disappeared, he looks like he's seen a ghost. His cool, calm and collected gambler persona is replaced with a nervous and terrified little boy.

Liam looks behind him and I see the Hulk and two other CWest men cornering in on us.

"I lent you that money Liam, you read over the contract, you knew what you were getting yourself into. It's what, three months and no money in my bank?"

Sighing Liams eyes flicker between Charles and I, "so you used her to find me and get your money back?" Ah, that makes sense, Charles is pretending that him and I are together to keep up his act with Liam.

A bone chilling laugh comes from Charles beside me. I was glad that it wasn't directed to me as goosebumps covered my body from the terrifying sound. "It's by chance that this lady beat your arse at your supposed game".

A scowl appears on Liam's face as he took a step towards Charles and I. "You probably rigged that game didn't you and your whore just put her money on the right number to win it."

Charles pushes me to the side as he stood in front of Liam. Liam was by no means small but in front of Charles he looked like a middle schooler. "If you," Charles stops and harshly digs a finger into Liam's chest, "ever speak to her or any of my men like that again I will come after you and your family. I still remember their house, the cute blue one on Duncan Street right?"

Liam takes a step back as his face goes blank, "you wouldn't dare."

A devious smile takes over Charles face, "it's number 9 Duncan Street if I seem to recall?"

Okay, now it looks like Liam has seen a ghost. He goes to move and I notice that Liam's body is completely shaking.

Charles throat is cleared and he signals for Hulk and the boys and before I know it my hand is securely held by Charles'.

Weaving our way through the crowd, Hulk has his hand on Liam's shoulder. To passerbyers it looked as if they were friends but close up I could see he was holding him with such force that it would leave a hand sized bruise on Liam's shoulder.

Once the front door is opened and the cool winter breeze hits me, I instantly hold my free arm around myself to attempt to warm myself up.

"Give my money back and get the hell out of my life. If I hear that you cause any problems to any of my men then watch yourself. I remember exactly where your family lives so don't put it past me to go and give them a visit."