“I didn’t realize those video games Cedric destroyed were for work, not simply Ji-Su’s leisure activities. And he was so...hurt over their loss.” Rage burned once more in his chest as he remembered Ji-Su’s sad, quiet voice telling his story. “Cedric will pay for what he did,” he vowed with grim determination.
Burke nodded. “I’ll have his location shortly.” He bent back over his phone, thumbs rapidly tapping on the screen.
Raul waited for him to track Cedric down—trying not to show his impatience. It took just under ten minutes for Burke to look back up.
“Got it. He’s at the Snake’s Den, a downtown nightclub that’s popular with both vampires and humans.
Raul rose from his chair and rounded his desk to leave. “I know the place.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No. I’d feel better if you’re here with Ji-Su while I’m gone.
Burke nodded. “Understood. Good luck.”
Raul left the office, his blood already hot and ready for a fight. He was about to teach Cedric that there were consequences to breaking someone else’s toys.
TWENTY MINUTES AFTERreceiving Cedric’s location, Raul walked into the Snake’s Den. He was flanked by two of his guards with several more at his back. Strobe lights flashed over the packed dance floor while techno music played loud and frantic. Raul scanned the crowded, dark space until he found what he was looking for. Cedric was there in a roped off VIP section. Humans and vampires danced and made out with each other in front of his table, while he sat drinking Dom Perignon champagne straight from the bottle.
Raul headed directly for his target. The attendant guarding the roped entrance tried to stop him from entering.
“This is a private party, sir.”
Raul stared at him with a single eyebrow raised. That was all it took before the attendant was stuttering out an apology and unhooking the velvet rope.
“My apologies, sir.”
Raul gave him a nod of thanks and proceeded up the short flight of stairs to where Cedric was holding court in a high-backed circular booth that faced out to the club. As Raul approached, the other vampire set his bottle of champagne down on the table.
“Hope you’re not here to ask for a refund,” Cedric said with a smirk. “I told you you’d regret buying that low-rate neck.”
“You know why I’m here,” Raul bit out.
“Ah! Was there a problem with the delivery of Ji-Su’s belongings? I’m not responsible for any damages that happened in transit.” Cedric spread his hands wide and shrugged. “Everyone knows how careless those delivery men are.”
Raul didn’t have patience for this shit. He gripped the edge of the table and flipped it out of his way, sending glasses and champagne bottles flying. At the sudden violent disruption, Cedric’s entourage and the club goers in the vicinity screamed and backed up.
“I don’t know who you’re used to dealing with but I’m not here to waste my time listening to you spouting off nonsense.” Boots crunching on the broken glass, Raul strode forward to stand directly in front of the vampire who was trying to look as if he wasn’t scared shitless. “Stand the fuck up or take this beating where you sit.”
Cedric didn’t stand. Instead, he cringed back into the booth.
“You can’t assault me in the middle of a club! I’ll have you arrested.”
“I can do whatever I want. I can beat you bloody and be back home sipping a bourbon by the time the police arrive. And they know better than to interfere with my business so I wouldn’t count too much on help from that corner.”
“I’m sorry,” Cedric suddenly said in a rush. “I wanted to fuck with him but I know now I went too far.”
Cedric still hadn’t stood, so Raul grabbed him by the front of his Versace print shirt and yanked him to his feet. “That apology is too little too late.” He pulled his fist back.
“No, don’t!”
Raul ignored Cedric’s plea and punched him in the mouth. His lip split in several places, smearing blood all over Raul’s fist. Raul punched him again, breaking his nose, then again in his left eye. He thought of Ji-Su clearly trying not to cry because this bastard had broken and pissed all over the things that were most important to him. Anger pulsed raw and hot and he clipped Cedric under the chin with a brutal upper cut. Cedric’s head flew back and a tooth popped out of his mouth.
He kept a tight control over his fury as he dished out the well-deserved payback. But the urge to do serious, permanent damage was there—a dark shadow of violence that he had to forcibly keep from escaping him. Cedric tried to fight back, but even with one hand occupied holding him up by his shirt, Raul easily managed to block the pathetic punches.
He was aware that Cedric had come there with guards and that one of them might try to step in to stop the one-sided fight and save their employer. But he didn’t worry about any of them, trusting his own men to have his back. It didn’t take long for his fist to turn Cedric’s face into a swollen bloody mess of cuts and bruises. Raul stopped when Cedric’s head lolled bonelessly on his neck.
“Petty, worthless, piece of shit,” Raul sneered.