A toast to revenge
1124 Words
Troy walks past me like I don’t even exist.
I freeze, unable to grasp what just happened.
He saw me. He had to. Our eyes met for a split second—yet he kept walking like I was nothing but a shadow.
A cold shiver runs down my spine.
Since when does Troy Grey ignore me?
I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. Fine. He wants to play that game? He’ll see I’m not someone you just brush aside.
I whirl around and cut him off before he disappears down the hallway.
— “You? Here?” I say, my gaze burning with challenge.
He stops dead in his tracks.
Slowly, he turns his head toward me. His expression is closed off, unreadable.
— “Banks.”
Just that. My name. No emotion in his voice, nothing to give him away.
It’s a façade. A well-polished one.
— “Since when do you care about justice?” I throw, arms crossed.
— “Since today.”
His tone is neutral, indifferent.
But I know him too well.
— “You show up right on time, right after the mayor falls. Funny coincidence.”
His gaze darkens slightly.
— “Do you believe in coincidences, Banks?”
I narrow my eyes.
— “Not when it involves you.”
The silence stretches between us.
I could swear the air is charged with something.
Troy watches me—and this time, I know he’s analyzing every word, every movement.
I smirk, amused.
— “You want something.”
— “Maybe.”
His answer catches me off guard.
I expected a dodge, a jab—not that.
I take a step closer, closing the space between us.
— “And what could Troy Grey possibly want after all this time?”
His jaw tightens slightly.
I see it.
That tiny flicker.
— “I'd love to know why you’ve been resisting me for years…”
Troy clenches his fists.
— “Oh yeah? You think I owe you a reaction every time it’s about you?”
— “Oh, please, Troy. I’ve seen the fire in your eyes when you look at me. That wild urge to possess me…”
Troy’s gaze turns glassy, like he’s lost in a vivid, erotic image. He grits his teeth, eyes now tracing over my body. Something is shifting in him, something he’s trying—failing—to control.
He’s about to speak… but a voice behind him cuts the moment.
— “Troy!”
Liam.
Troy closes his eyes for a second, like the interruption irritates him.
He turns around, and in a blink, his face changes.
Leon, Luis, and Liam approach, clearly pleased with themselves.
The moment they see me, their energy shifts.
Leon’s the first to speak.
— “What the hell is she doing here?”
I just smile.
— “Standing right in front of you, Leon. But thanks for the warm welcome.”
Luis snickers.
— “Still as arrogant as ever.”
— “Still as obsessed with me,” I shoot back instantly.
Liam shakes his head, mockingly amused.
— “Take a look around, Banks. Do you see anyone worshipping at your feet?”
My smile widens. I step toward Liam with a provocative sway.
— “Each one of you dreams of me. But you know what? I don’t dream of a single one of you.”
— “Oh yeah? You’re right—I dream of bending you over and calling you a b***h,” Leon says with a smug, narcissistic grin.
— “You’re pathetic,” I mutter, turning away.
There’s nothing left for me here.
But as I leave the courthouse, I can’t ignore Troy’s gaze, still locked on me.
---
The bar is buzzing. Music playing, loud laughter, glasses clinking.
Liam raises his glass.
— “To the first victory!”
Luis and Leon follow suit.
— “To the fall of Banks Ross!”
They clink their glasses, clearly delighted.
Troy, though, hangs back.
He drinks, but he’s not celebrating like the others.
Leon notices.
— “Something wrong, Grey?”
Troy lifts his eyes to him, expressionless.
— “Nothing.”
— “Really? ’Cause you don’t look half as thrilled as we are.”
Liam and Luis exchange a glance.
Leon sets his glass down, leaning onto the table, his tone turning harder.
— “Don’t tell me you’re starting to crack.”
Silence.
Troy stares back, his gaze freezing cold.
— “You haven’t forgotten why we’re doing this—for Leo?”
— “No, I haven’t forgotten. And stop hovering over me like I owe you explanations. You know I don’t explain myself.”
Leon holds his gaze for a beat, then smirks.
— “Fine.”
But the doubt lingers.
Troy’s heart isn’t in it.
And Leon knows it.
---
Banks settles into the living room, a glass of wine in hand.
Ways sits across from her, legs crossed, looking thoughtful.
A man stands by the window, arms folded.
He’s tall, athletic, with features marked by confidence and mystery.
— “Rough day?” Ways comments.
Banks clenches her jaw.
— “I lost a key piece.”
— “And someone worked hard to make sure that happened,” the man adds, stepping away from the wall.
Banks looks up at him.
— “Yes, you’re right. But who?”
A smirk pulls at his lips.
— “That’s exactly what we need to find out.”
She watches him for a few seconds.
He has raw charisma. An intense, almost piercing gaze.
And above all, a particular way of looking at her.
Like she deeply intrigues him.
— “Zane, if you focus just a little, I’m sure you can figure out who’s behind this.”
— “Oh, really? Sweetheart, I’m not Leo.”
— “We have to find out who’s behind this,” Ways interjects, trying to steer Banks away from Zane’s innuendo.
— “We already know someone wants my place. But who’s stupid enough to think I’ll just hand it over?” Banks says softly, turning her attention back to Ways.
Zane steps closer, and Banks feels his gaze move over her—too slowly.
— “That’s exactly what I’m wondering,” he murmurs.
She raises an eyebrow.
— “You seem pretty involved in all this,” Banks says, motioning toward her chest.
— “Let’s just say… I find it fascinating.”
A faint smile curves her lips.
He stares, and Banks feels something strange.
It’s not just interest.
It’s something else.
Something more dangerous.
And she’s not sure if she should play along… or be afraid.
- Writer
