130 Chapter 130 – Spilled Drinks, Rising Threats: Liam’s Stand
The liquor burned a path down my throat, but I didn’t flinch. I slammed the empty glass on the table and stared directly into Ryan’s shocked eyes. One bottle down, and f was just getting started.
“Your turn,” I said, pouring him another glass.
Ryan’s confident smirk had vanished. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he lifted the glass with trembling hands. He gulped it down, then immediately gagged, pressing his palm against his mouth.
“What’s wrong? Can’t keep up?” I taunted, pouring myself another.
Eamon leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the show. Selina watched with wide eyes while Violet had sobered up just enough to pay attention to our drinking contest.
“I’m just getting started,” Ryan slurred, his blue hair now plastered to his forehead with sweat. Two bottles later, he was swaying in his seat, eyes unfocused.
I remained steady, showing no signs of intoxication as I poured the final round from the third bottle. Years of cultivation had given me extraordinary tolerance – a fact Ryan was learning the hard way.
“Last one,” I said, raising my glass. “Unless you want to quit now?”
Ryan glared at me through bloodshot eyes. “Never.”
He snatched the glass, spilling half its contents down his designer shirt. The room had gone quiet, everyone watching as he struggled to lift the glass to his lips. He managed one sip before his eyes rolled back, and he slumped forward, face hitting the table with
a thud.
“Looks like I win, I announced, standing up. “Violet, Selina, we’re leavin
Yellow Hair – whose real name I still didn’t know – jumped to his feet. “Wait! That’s not fair! Ryan wasn’t feeling well today!”
“A bet’s a bet,” I replied coldly. “Your friend just lost.”
130 Chapter 130–Spilled Drinks, Rising Throats: Liam’s Stand
Ryan groaned, lifting his head from the table. “I’m…. not done,” he mumbled, though he could barely keep his eyes open.
“You’ve lost. Now bark like a dog as promised, I demanded.
The room erupted in laughter. Ryan’s face flushed with rage and embarrassment.
“Fuck you,” he spat, attempting to stand but immediately falling back into his seat. “I’m not doing shit.”
I shrugged. “Your honor, not mine. Ladies, let’s go.
I motioned to Violet, who seemed torn between staying and leaving. The alcohol had clearly worn off enough for her to recognize the situation had turned sour.
“Come on, Violet, Selina urged, grabbing her purse. “Let’s get out of here.”
As Violet stood up, Yellow Hair grabbed her wrist. “You’re not going anywhere, he growled. “The party’s just starting
“Let her go,” I said, my voice dropping dangerously low.
“Or what?” he challenged, tightening his grip until Violet winced.
In one fluid motion, I crossed the room, grabbed his wrist, and twisted. He yelped in pain, releasing Violet immediately.
“Touch her again, and you’ll lose that hand,” I warned, applying just enough pressure to make him drop to his knees.
“You’re dead,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “Do you have any idea who I am? Who my family is?”
“I couldn’t care less,” I replied, releasing him with a shove that sent him sprawling.
Ryan had managed to stand up, leaning heavily on the karaoke machine for support. “Get them!” he ordered, pointing at his other friends who had been wat sidelines. “Don’t let them leave!”
ng from the
Four young men stood up, hesitating only briefly before moving to block the exit. It sighed, preparing for the inevitable, when Eamon stepped forward.
“I’ve got this,” he said calmly.
130 Chapter 130–Spilled Drinks, Rising Threats Liam’s Stand
What followed was almost comical. The first guy threw a wild punch that Eamon easily dodged before delivering a precise strike to his solar plexus. The man crumpled, gasping for air. The second and third attacked simultaneously, but Eamon moved with practiced efficiency, taking them down in seconds. The fourth looked at his fallen friends, then backed away with his hands raised.
“Smart choice,” Eamon commented.
Yellow Hair scrambled to his feet, face contorted with rage. “This isn’t over. My cousin runs this place, and he’s coming with his guys right now!”
“Let’s go, Selina pleaded, tugging at my sleeve. “Liam, please. We need to leave before things get worse.”
I looked at Violet, who now appeared genuinely frightened. “Is that what you want? To leave?”
She nodded quickly. “Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t think they’d be like this.”
“No one’s leaving!” Yellow Hair shouted. “Thomas, guard the door!”
The young man who had surrendered without a fight reluctantly positioned himself by
the exit.
“Move,” Eamon told him. The man wisely stepped aside.
We headed for the door, Violet and Selina hurrying ahead while Eamon and I covered their retreat. Just as we reached the exit, Yellow Hair called out.
“You’ll regret this. My cousin is Caesar Nolan. He owns this place and half the underground businesses in this district. When he gets here with his men, you’re dead.”
I froze at the name. Caesar Nolan was indeed a powerful figure, known for his connections to both legitimate businesses and criminal enterprises. Crossing him
wasn’t wise.
“Liam,” Eamon murmured. “Let’s not stick around to meet Mr. Nolan.”
Selina nodded vigorously. “He’s right. Caesar Nolan has a reputation. We need to go.”
I should have listened. We should have left immediately. But something about Yellow Hair’s smug expression, the way he’d tried to take advantage of Violet, made me pause.
130 Chapter 130 Spilled Drinks, Rising Threats Liam’s Stand
What followed was almost comical. The first guy threw a wild punch that Eamon easily dodged before delivering a precise strike to his solar plexus. The man crumpled, gasping for air. The second and third attacked simultaneously, but Eamon moved with practiced efficiency, taking them down in seconds. The fourth looked at his fallen friends, then backed away with his hands raised.
“Smart choice, Eamon commented.
Yellow Hair scrambled to his feet, face contorted with rage. “This isn’t over. My cousin runs this place, and he’s coming with his guys right now!”
“Let’s go,” Selina pleaded, tugging at my sleeve. “Liam, please. We need to leave before things get worse.”
I looked at Violet, who now appeared genuinely frightened. “Is that what you want? To leave?”
She nodded quickly. “Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t think they’d be like this.”
“No one’s leaving!” Yellow Hair shouted. “Thomas, guard the door!*
The young man who had surrendered without a fight reluctantly positioned himself by
the exit.
“Move,” Eamon told him. The man wisely stepped aside.
We headed for the door, Violet and Selina hurrying ahead while Eamon and I covered their retreat. Just as we reached the exit, Yellow Hair called out.
“You’ll regret this. My cousin is Caesar Nolan. He owns this place and half the underground businesses in this district. When he gets here with his men, you’re dead.”
1 froze at the name. Caesar Nolan was indeed a powerful figure, known for his connections to both legitimate businesses and criminal enterprises. Crossing wasn’t wise.
“Liam,” Eamon murmured. “Let’s not stick around to meet Mr. Nolan.”
him
Selina nodded vigorously. “He’s right, Caesar Nolan has a reputation. We need to go.”
I should have listened. We should have left immediately. But something about Yellow Hair’s smug expression, the way he’d tried to take advantage of Violet, made me pause.
35
130 Chapter 130–Spilled Drinks, Rising Threats Liam’s Stand
“You threatened a woman I care about,” I said, turning back to face him. “You don’t get to make threats and walk away.”
“Liam, don’t,” Violet whispered, her eyes wide with fear. “It’s not worth it.
But I’d made my decision. “Get them out of here,” I told Eamon. “I’ll wait for Mr. Nolan.
“Are you insane?” Eamon hissed. “We can handle these spoiled brats, but Nolan will bring real muscle.”
“Then go,” I insisted. “Get the girls to safety. I’ll handle this.”
Eamon stared at me, conflicted. Finally, he nodded. “I’ll get them to the car, then come back. Don’t do anything stupid until I return.”
After they left, I calmly walked back to the table and poured myself another drink. Yellow Hair watched me with a mixture of confusion and apprehension.
“You’re making a big mistake,” he warned, pulling out his phone and sending a text. “My cousin will be here any minute.”
“I’ll be waiting” I replied, taking a slow sip.
Ryan had passed out on one of the couches, and the other young men were nursing their injuries, casting nervous glances in my direction. The tension in the room was palpable.
Minutes ticked by. I finished my drink and poured another, never taking my eyes off Yellow Hair, who grew increasingly agitated.
“You should be running,” he said, pacing, “Why aren’t you running?”
“Why would I run from someone like you?” I replied calmly.
His face reddened. “Not from me. From my cousin and his men! They’ll break every bone in your body!”
I shrugged. “Let them try.”
Just then, Eamon slipped back into the room. “Girls are safe,” he muttered, taking position beside me. “You’re still determined to do this?”
“Yes.”
130 Chapter 130–Spilled Drinks, Rising Threats: Liam’s Stand
“You know we could just leave, right?” he said. “There’s no shame in walking away from a fight you don’t need to have.”
I thought about Violet’s frightened face, about how vulnerable she’d been. “Some fights you choose. Others choose you.”
“That’s some fortune cookie wisdom right there,” Eamon sighed, rolling his shoulders. “How many are we expecting?”
Before I could answer, the door was kicked open with a bang. Yellow Hair strode in, a triumphant smile on his face. Behind him stood seven or eight men, all heavily tattooed, their muscular frames filling the doorway. Each one looked like they had spent significant time behind bars, their faces hard and unforgiving.
“Found him, cousin!” Yellow Hair announced, pointing at me. “That’s the guy who disrespected us!”
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