Unproven Chapter Sixty Six "Prince of Darkness"

"Two shots of Johnny Walker black and a beer, don't care what kind, you choose." Grayson told the man as he slid onto the bar stool. He'd caught a train to London earlier this afternoon, having nothing on his agenda for the day and finding that he desired the company of those whose primary language was English. Even though he didn't know a single soul in this city, the ability to understand the conversations around him was comforting. He hated to admit he was homesick, but that was the long and short of it.

Being oceans away from California had one plus, however, no face to face with his controlling old man. His father had called him the previous night, and though he'd attempted to fake enthusiasm, James was far too keen.

‘You're ready to come home, aren't you?’ He'd asked, and Grayson had responded evasively. This was swiftly followed by the accusation, ‘It's because of the girl isn't it?’ He'd denied it, but his father hadn't believed him. ‘You have all the pussy you could ever want and you're pining over hers. What is it about this girl? Help me understand.’

As if he could ever understand. He had responded with more denial, not caring whether his father believed him or not. Let him think what he wanted.

The barkeep put the shots down in front of him and he paid the man who looked like a slightly older version of Crocodile Dundee. He even had the hat. He tossed the whiskey back, one right after the other, then took a long swallow of his beer.

"I'll have whatever he's having."

Gray turned toward the deep male American accent, his brows lifting as the guy hopped onto the bar stool to his right.

"Jason Williamson," he extended his hand, his light blue eyes dancing as he smiled, "good to meet you Grayson."

Gray's brows lifted even further as he took the guy’s hand. "How...?"

"...do I know you?" Jason grinned, showing off perfect teeth to go with his perfect haircut. "Our families run in the same circles. And if you have to ask how I knew you were here, then you need to work on your powers of observation, namely who keeps tabs on your whereabouts."

Gray studied him, "My father sent you," he said flatly.

Jason threw money on the countertop and slung back the liquor set in front of him. "Sent isn't the right word. He merely told me where you were and suggested we get acquainted."

Gray cocked his head to the side, "For business purposes?"

Jason flashed the smile again, "Of course, though my business at the moment is showing a punk ass kid the ropes of this charmed life we lead."

Grayson snorted, "Is that so? What are you, three years older than me?"

"Oh hell yeah, that's what I love to hear! It's not only chics who like to pass for younger, brother. I'm twenty-eight as of last Saturday." He took a swig of his beer then leaned toward Grayson slightly, "How much time do you have left in Europe, two weeks?"

"Close to."

"Well get ready for the best two weeks of your life, little prince.” He turned to the barkeep. “Hey barman, a round of shots for everyone!"

Two days had passed without a word from Grayson and it wasn't looking good for the third day.

Ary had made a point of expending as much energy as possible on the slopes, this way she was so exhausted she didn't have time to dwell on it. It had worked well for the past forty-eight hours, but it was a strategy that was beginning to wane. It didn't help that she was pretty sure Dori had spoken to him. The girl would cry bathroom break or disappear outside, then look like Sylvester after swallowing Tweety.

So when evening fell on the third day and there was still no word she was fed up, especially since her attempt at exhaustion had failed her this time. And she still might have kicked her feet up on the recliner in their cozy cabin and watched a movie if she hadn't gotten another series of photos from the ever-helpful Jen.

She stared at his face, a face she loved so well, as it gazed on yet another pretty girl with the kind of lust that was usually directed at her. She felt something well up inside and her hand tightened on the phone.

"Hey...Whoa, what's wrong?"

She tore her gaze from the picture and pinned a look on Dori that made the girl flinch. "I'm going out," she stated, "to that club we've passed every day since we've been here. And I am going to get staggering, stumbling drunk. You in?"

Dori opened her mouth then shut it and grinned. "Hell yeah I'm in!"

"Good, let's get ready."

An hour later Ary and Dori walked past the bouncers at Parker's like they owned the place and no one stopped them. Ary let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She'd barely given her age a thought as she'd decided what she was doing for the night, but now that she was actually here she could hardly believe it. In no universe did she pass for over twenty-one, yet the watchdogs hadn't even blinked as she'd walked by them.
"
Holy shit," Dori whispered, "We're in. That was way too easy."

Ary glanced at her and instead of commiserating she straightened her shoulders. "Of course we're in, no one would dare deny me tonight.'

Dori laughed loudly. "Fuck yeah girlfriend. Now we just have to get past the bartenders."

"Watch and learn," Ary told her.

Two hours later Dori sat at the bar sipping on her third beer as she watched Aryanne on the dance floor. Ary had foregone beer in favor of mixed drinks, something that loudly commiserated her earlier spoken intention since she generally opted for the other way around, choosing to pace herself and avoid...Well this. Dori lifted her phone and snapped some pictures as Ary jumped up on the mini stage.

She was dressed to the nines in designer clothes- a shimmery light green and gold skintight top that matched her eyes and tied behind her neck, black skintight pants that showed off her cute ass to great effect, and a pair of gold heels with crisscrossing straps. She'd told Dori that the outfit was a part of a pile of gifts Grayson had gotten her for Christmas and it seemed fitting for her to wear it tonight.

As she snapped another picture, she told herself that Ary would want her to send it to Grayson. She wasn't betraying her, she was aiding her. And almost believed it.

Ary caught the flash out of the corner of her eye. Dori had been taking pictures ever since they'd arrived and she had no doubt that they were, or would be, on their way to Grayson. Fine by her. She danced her way to the table where she'd left her drink and tipped it back, finishing it in three swallows. She already had a nice buzz from the three she'd downed before it, thought the dancing was helping her keep a pace, burning some of it off. She had said she wanted to get staggering drunk, and that was true, but not until nearing the end of the night. For now she was aiming for slightly drunk.

She glanced over at Dori. She was sitting at the bar sipping on a beer, her eyes constantly scanning the room. Was she playing the role of babysitter or spy? Ary wondered. She decided neither was acceptable and made her way over.

Dori tucked her hair behind her ear as Ary approached. The look on the girl's face suggested she was on a mission and Dori felt her stomach flutter, certain she was about to be pulled out on the floor. She wasn't sure she could handle dancing with her.

"Come on," Ary said, holding out her hands as she reached her, "you can send your pictures and updates later, right now you're going to have some fun."

Dori started to shake her head, but Ary wasn't taking no for answer, grabbing her wrists and pulling her to a standing position.

"You look hot," Ary told her and meant it. She was wearing a long purple shirt that accentuated her generous boobs cinched with a wide black belt, tight black pants similar to the ones Ary was wearing, and a pair of sexy black heels. Her eye makeup was just short of being too much and her full lips were glossy with a hint of color.

Dori smiled, "Thanks and ditto."

Ary grinned, "Now get your booty on the floor!"

Two days later there was still no word from Grayson and judging by the strange mood Dori was suddenly in, Ary suspected she hadn't heard from him either. Somehow that more than anything spoke loudly that something was wrong. As long as Dori was still talking to him, even on the sly, it meant that whatever he was up to it was still about her, whether playing the game or testing her in some way. But now...She had a bad feeling.

She hadn't called or texted him since the day of Jen's first extensive photo-slide; she knew he'd gotten her message and would be damned if she'd make herself look like one of his obsessed and pitiful ex's…Even if she was a little obsessed. "Damn it," she huffed under her breath, "Time to go back to that club."

"Did you say something?" Dori asked as she walked into the living room.

"Yeah. I said it's time to go back to Parker's."

Dori smiled and waggled her freshly plucked eyebrows, "Funny, I was thinking the same thing."

They grinned at each other and Ary headed to her room to change with Dori in tow.

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