HIRAM’S POV:
The moment I step into Victor’s office, I know something is wrong. His smile is too broad, and his voice too smooth-like oil trying to slick over something rotten. My gut twists as I watch his composure relax with false ease. I hate myself for not coming with Juniper. I told myself she can handle it, and I didn’t want to annoy her or take up too much of her space.
Victor’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “I love meeting young minds like you,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “It’s inspiring to see someone excel so early in their career. Twenty-nine and already a professor-it’s impressive, truly.”
The praise falls flat, hollow against the rising tension in my chest. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out. My breath hitches when I see Juniper’s name on the screen. The message is long, and with every word I read, my blood burns hotter.
My hand tightens around the phone as I take in everything he does to her.
Soon, Victor’s voice just becomes background noise to the storm raging in my head. My fists curl at my sides, and the muscles in my arm flex as I try to restrain myself. When I finally look up at him, my stomach twists in disgust. The urge to lunge across the desk and slam my fist into his face clouds my mind. I imagine the satisfaction of watching his false cheer crumble under the weight of my fury.
But I don’t. I can’t afford to lose control.
Victor must sense the shift in my demeanor because he pauses mid-sentence, his brow lifting slightly.
“Everything alright, Professor?” he asks in a tone laced with false concern.
I swallow the bile rising in my throat and plaster on a polite smile, one that doesn’t reach my eyes.
“Yes,” I reply in a calm tone. “But I have something important to do, so maybe we can continue this conversation sometime, and somewhere.”
He nods as I say this.
Victor’s eyes gleam with interest.
“Of course, of course. Perhaps over drinks?” he suggests in an inviting tone.
I nod, even as my jaw tightens.
“Sure. There is a lovely bar in the town, and it is quiet. I’ll write down the name and my number.”
Pulling a pen from my pocket, I scribble the name of the bar and my digits onto a scrap of paper. Victor’s eyes don’t leave the paper as I slide it across the desk.
“I’ll see you there,” he says, tucking the paper into his pocket.
I stand to leave, and as soon as I am out of the office, I silently congratulate myself for not lashing out at him immediately. I text Juniper.
“Are you okay?”
“I am still shaken, but Rhea is taking me back to her place. I will probably spend the night with her, so do not bother.”
I want to text her back and tell her how I am worried, but I don’t want to push her buttons.
“Okay. I love you. Take care.”
I stand in my living room, the tension in my body rising as my eyes flicker to the giant clock on the wall. The seconds seem to stretch, but each one drags me closer to the moment I’ve been waiting for. At seven, my patience snaps. I down my entire glass of wine in one go, feeling it burn sharply in the back of my throat. The empty glass hits the table with a loud clink, and I grab my car keys, stepping toward the door.
The moment my hand touches the door handle, my phone rings. I glance at the screen, seeing Juniper’s name flash across it.
“Hey, I know I told you I was fine, but I can’t sleep. I’m at Rhea’s and… I don’t know… could you come pick me up?”
My grip on the phone tightens as I feel the urge to abandon what I have to do to be with her, but I don’t give in.
“Give me fifteen minutes, love, and I’ll be there.”
She mutters a quick thank you before ending the call. I shove the phone in my pocket and stride toward my car.
I put a call across to Alex.
“I need two of your men at my place as soon as possible.” I say.
“Anything for you,” she replies, and I end the call.
The engine roars to life as I slam the key into the ignition. My hands are steady as I grip the steering wheel. I slam my foot down on the gas; the car lurching forward, and the tires screech as I hit the road.
Before I reach the main street, I pull out my phone and dial the number for the bartender at the Velvet Room. At the third ring, he picks up.
“You have it?” I ask.
“Everything is ready, sir, and your guest just arrived.” I end the call without another word, my grip tightening on the wheel as I push the accelerator harder.
The bar is quiet when I arrive, and the faint hum of conversation drifts in the air, blending with the dim glow of neon lights. I spot the bartender serving a table, and when he sees me, he nods, walking up to me.
“He’s in there,” the bartender mutters, jerking his head toward the VIP section.
I head toward the room without replying to him. The door creaks as I push it open, and I find Victor seated.
“Ah, Hiram,” he says with that smooth voice of his, the one that grates against my nerves. “You’re here. I was wondering when you’d show up.”
I force a smile, exchanging handshakes as I sit across from him with my legs crossed and my arms spread across the seat.
“I hope you are comfortable?” I ask, and he nods.
The bartender enters shortly, carrying a tray with two glasses. He places one in front of each of us.
“The finest champagne this bar has,” I say to him, raising my glass. He raises his in the air while I try to uphold the smile on my face.
I join in the toast, even though I am getting impatient. Soon it ends, and I watch closely as he brings the glass to his lips. He takes a long sip, then sets the glass down with a satisfied sigh, unaware of what’s already starting to happen to him. He leans back in his chair as I gulp the contents of my glass, too. Then he begins to speak, and I sit there acting like I am interested in whatever he has to say.
Minutes pass, and he grows more sluggish, his words slurring. He reaches for the glass again, but this time, he can’t quite hold it steady. Soon his breathing becomes labored, and he grabs his chest.
“Hiram… I…” He looks up to see the smirk on my face as I sip from my glass. Realization hits him, and he reaches out to me. “What. What did you..”
He can barely finish his words when he passes out. The bartender walks in at once, and we work together to get Victor on his feet. We move swiftly toward the back door, making our way toward my car.
The bartender helps me lift Victor into the trunk of my car. I glance at his unconscious body for only a second before shutting the trunk. I hand the bartender an envelope of cash, and he nods without a word before disappearing back inside the bar.
I climb into the driver’s seat, then I pull out my phone, putting a call across to Juniper.
Shortly, I get to Rhea’s apartment, and Juniper is standing in front of it. I stop the car, getting out to meet her. She throws her arms around me, and I wrap my arms tightly around her waist.
“Did I keep you waiting?” I ask as she pulls away, and she shakes her head.
“You are in time,” she says, then I lean in to kiss her lips, before sliding my hands down to hers, leading her to my car.
My phone chimes as soon as we get into the car, and I pull it out from my pocket to see it is a text from Alex.
“The boys are around.” She says, and I shut it off, placing it in the storage tray. I shoot Juniper a smile, then I drive off.
Shortly, we get to my house, and as I drive in, I spot a car parked in my compound, which I assume belongs to Alex’s guys. I stop the car at once, then I get out and help Juniper out. I lead her toward the front door, then I pull her in, kissing her forehead.
“Wait for me in my room, and I will be with you in a minute,” I say, and she nods, walking into the house while I walk toward the car where the two guys are waiting.
Their faces are hard, like they’ve lived through hell and come out on the other side. One has tattoos running up his neck, and the other has a scar under his eye. They don’t speak, but their presence is loud enough.
They step out of the car.
“I do not have much to say, but he is in the trunk. Rough him up as much as you want, but keep him alive, and do not cut off any part of his body,” I say to them, then I toss Winston my keys before walking away.