Art of Misalignment

Chapter 8 Unraveling

Liam pushed Lina flat on the mattress, hands quick and rough. He yanked her pants down, tugged the black lace off, left her bare under the dim lamp.

Nancy and Liam moved together without a word at first—hands, mouths, everywhere on Lina until her body started giving in even if her head was still saying no. When she was wet and shaking, Liam slid into her hard and deep in one push.

Lina let out a low, choked groan, head falling back. “Oh god… wait…”

Liam didn’t wait. He kept the rhythm steady, rough. Nancy leaned in close to his ear.

“Harder,” she whispered. “Make her forget everything else.”

Lina’s hands gripped the sheets. “This is too much… I can’t…”

Nancy kissed the side of her neck. “You can. You’re already doing it. Just breathe.”

Liam pulled out, flipped Lina onto her knees. He went in again from behind—sharp, deep. Lina bit her lip hard, a muffled sound slipping out anyway.

“f**k… I shouldn’t be…” she gasped between thrusts.

Nancy reached around, fingers sliding over Lina’s skin. “Then why are you pushing back?”

When the end hit, Liam pulled back fast, aiming for her back. Nancy was already there—mouth open, taking it all, holding it a second before swallowing. She looked at Lina’s flushed, wrecked face.

“If I’d known you’d give in this fast,” Nancy said, wiping her mouth, “I wouldn’t have bothered dragging you over here. You’re done, but I’m still waiting my turn.”

Liam leaned over, kissed Nancy slow and quiet—the only soft thing he had left. “You’ll get it,” he murmured against her lips.

Lina stayed on her knees a moment longer, breathing hard, then collapsed sideways. “What the hell just happened?” she asked, half laughing, half stunned.

Nancy pulled her close, arm around her waist. “Exactly what we all needed. Now shut up and sleep.”

The three of them ended up tangled on the narrow bed, limbs heavy, breathing slowing until the city noise outside was the only thing left.

Ethan’s courier knocked right on schedule—quick rap, handed over the slim black box with the gold logo, and disappeared down the hall.

Maya carried it into her small apartment, set it on the table, and popped the lid. Deep purple silk spilled out, rich and heavy in the weak light from the single bulb.

Her phone rang before she could even lift the dress. Ethan.

She answered. “Hey.”

“Maya,” he said, calm and direct. “I’m inviting you to the gala tonight. Eight o’clock, I want you there.”

She glanced at the gown still folded in the box. “This is from you?”

“Yeah. Wear it. You’ll walk in and own the room.”

She let out a short breath. “Ethan, come on. This is too much. I can’t accept something like this.”

“It’s not about the dress being too much,” he said evenly. “It’s about what it gets us. Come tonight. I’ll introduce you to the right people—people who can make your brother’s problem disappear. ”

Maya’s fingers tightened around the phone. “My brother’s problem?”

A small pause. “Dylan. The debt. The guys coming around. I know the whole thing.”

She swallowed. “How long have you—”

“Long enough,” he cut in gently. “Doesn’t change the offer. One night, a few conversations.”

She stared at the purple silk, throat tight. “You’re really offering to fix this?”

“I’m not offering. I’m telling you I will. I’ve got a driver leaving for your place at seven-thirty sharp. He’ll bring you straight here. Say yes, Maya. Let me take care of it.”

Maya’s throat closed. She stared at the dress, the color so dark it looked like a bruise. She pictured Dylan’s panicked voice from the call earlier, the way his words had cracked. Her fingers tightened on the silk.

“…Okay,” she said, barely above a whisper. “I’ll wear it.”

Across town the gala hall smelled like lilies and money. Chloe walked in on Ethan’s arm. Heads turned, but she kept her face blank.

“You don’t look thrilled to be here,” Ethan said, smile polite but empty as he steered her through the crowd.

Chloe’s eyes flicked to the entrance. “Just wondering when you started playing fairy godmother.”

Ethan chuckled softly. “I don’t break things apart, Chloe. I help people find their way.” His gaze shifted to the doors. His smile sharpened. “Speaking of—there she is.”

Chloe followed his line of sight. Maya stepped inside wearing the purple gown, looking small and out of place under the chandeliers.

Chloe felt her stomach twist hard. Ethan leaned in, his voice dropping so low only she could catch it.

“I’m actually helping you here,” he said quietly.

Chloe blinked, confusion cutting through the noise around them. “Helping me?”

Ethan held her gaze for a second longer, then gave the smallest nod. “Yeah. You’ll understand soon enough.”

He straightened up, the easy half-smile sliding back into place like nothing had happened, and turned to greet someone else who’d just walked up. Chloe stayed rooted, replaying the words in her head, trying to make them fit.

The gala was winding down. Leaving only the low murmur of goodbyes and the clink of glasses being cleared. Most of the guests had already drifted toward the exits, coats over arms, laughter fading into the hallway.

Ethan moved through the crowd fast and quiet, clearing space around them. He gave Kelly Dolly—the woman he paid to be available—a quick nod toward one of the private suites. Then he took Maya’s arm and led her to the rooftop doors, away from the people who were already starting to stare.

“I know about Dylan’s mess, Maya,” he said once they were outside, voice low against the night chill. “Leave Liam. Stay with me. I’ll make your brother’s debt disappear. Clean. Done.”

Maya’s breath caught. “I can’t, Ethan.” Her voice shook, but she didn’t look away. “I can’t just throw Liam away. I love him.”

Ethan tilted his head, watching her face. “Love him? He hasn’t checked on you in days. He’s not asking about your problems. He’s not even looking.”

Maya’s hands clenched at her sides. “He’s busy. He’s got a lot going on. I don’t want to dump this on him right now.”

Ethan saw the way her shoulders tensed, the quick blink when she said Liam’s name—like she was trying to convince herself more than him. He knew the crack was there, even if she wouldn’t admit it yet. He changed direction.

“Fine,” he said, face blank. “I’ll still help. But tonight I only need one thing. Watch me do it. That’s all. If you do, Dylan’s collectors are gone by morning.”

Maya’s eyes went wide. Fear and the need to save her brother hit her at the same time. “Watch you do what?”

Ethan turned toward the stairs. “Come with me.”