The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 149 Talons Sebastian The mansion was a stark contrast to the rest of New Salem. It spoke of a rich history and of an extravagance that was definitely only reserved for the Cohen family name.

The first floor of the mansion was packed. The hallway and the base of the stairs were crowded with people enthusiastically chatting away, all with a drink in their hands or a plate of appetizers. No doubt, Liam was clearly making an effort to campaign as early as now.

As | entered the mansion with Cristos by my side, | marveled at the huge crystal chandelier sparkling above our heads. It was obviously an antique and well-maintained. | estimated that in today’s market, the stunning chandelier was worth a pretty penny.

“I think they're in the main living room,” Cristos said, nudgingwith his elbow. “Follow me... this way.” | followed him through the throng of people, nodding my head in greeting while | surveyed the collection of art on the walls as well as the priceless trinkets displayed in their glass enclosures, impressed at all the finery the Cohens had amas sed throughout the years.

It was sad though. The Cohens rarely entertained guests nor did they have true friends. All they had was money and close associates who they were willing to betray at any given moment. All they had was each other. Just thinking about it madefeel blessed knowing | had two brothers outside my immediate family and a woman who loved me.

Anyway, when all of this was over, this mansion will be left to rot on top of Prairie Hill, unless someone donates it to the people of New Salem. | figured that would be Joy unless she plans to burn this place to the ground.

Theodore Cohen's coffin was situated against a wall inside the grand living room surrounded by numerous funeral wreaths from many friends offering their condolences. Facing the coffin, rows and rows of wooden chairs were neatly placed side by side each other, reaching the other end of the room. As expected, all of the seats were occupied by townsfolk who were either sipping coffee from their cups or drinking whiskey from their crystal glasses. Those without seats stood in groups, positioned near the walls or the windows.

In the fa rthest corner, | saw Ki ki-flirting unabashedly with Jack. She was wearing a dark blue short sleeved dress with high heels to match, her pink lips curled into a seductive smile while her long blonde hair cascaded neatly down her back, swaying ever so slightly as she moved.

1/6 CHAPTER 149 Talons.

| couldn’t believe it. She looked a little like Joy. | guess it was the blonde hair and the dress. Ki ki rarely wore dresses and she was usually seen wearing black...that included her make-up and accessories.

Ki ki and Jack were both casually leaning against the wall, facing one another, engrossed in conversation. Jack had this goofy grin on his face while he gazed into her eyes... looking as if he was already in love.

Go, Kiki.

“Dom, aren’t you suppose to be in bed?” A familiar female voice asked behind me. | turned around and found Joy holding two glasses of red wine. | smiled affectionately at her.

“I'm doing much better after having smuch needed bed rest,” | said, taking a glass from her. “I guess it was just a case of fatigue.” Her eyes narrowed slightly at my reply. | wiggled my eyebrows at her, hoping to get a smile and | did. She giggled and turned to Cristos.

You actually made it. | thought you had somewhere else to go,” she said, her voice laced with venom. | coughed, trying to resist the urge to laugh. Joy was angry.

“I'm so sorry, Virtue,” Chip said in a girly voice. “I don’t know what cover me. | guess it was just a bunch of hormones. You, of all people, would understand. It won't happen again.” “Promise?” She asked icily, before taking a sip of her wine.

“Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye,” Cristos answered. Joy glared at him for a moment, then her lips curved into a grin.

“Alright. | forgive you,” she quickly said, her eyes sparkling with happiness. Joy could never be mad at us for long. It was a curse. “Is that teddy bear for me?” Joy suddenly asked, pointing at the stuffed toy tucked under Cristos’s arm. This time, | laughed out loud. Bringing a teddy bear to a wake. That was original.

Cristos took Virtue’s arm and led her to a corner | followed, wondering why Cristos moved her away from the crowd.

“Ah, no. This is for Liam. | couldn't find any place open for a sympathy basket,” Cristos quickly explained. “But | do have something for you from Chicago that I forgot to give you.” He pulled out a Tiffany’s blue box from his pocket and handed it to her.

| pursed my lips. Cristos... one. Sebastian... zero 2/6 CHAPTER 149 Talons Slick.

“Oh my gosh! This is so sweet of you,” Joy gushed, opening the blue box and finding a diamond studded platinum tennis bracelet. “Thank you.” She closed the box right away and placed it in her designer bag. “I'll wear it sother twhen no one else is-" “There’s my fiancé,” Liam said loudly. He was standing behind me. “What are you guys doing hiding over here?” “We just wanted to get away from the crowd,” | answered, turning around, “and this corner was free. | handed him the bottle of wine. “I'd like to extend my sincerest condolences, Liam.” | extended my good hand, and without hesitation, he took my hand and shook it warmly.

“Thank you, Dom, he replied, smiling. Liam was wearing a gray and black argyle sweater and dark gray slacks. | was expecting him to be in a suit, but of course, he was home. Behind him, to my utter surprise, was Link.

“Virtue said you were sick with the flu and that Chip wasn’t going to make it tonight.” “I just needed ssleep and Chip decided last minute,” | replied, keeping a straight face. “Anyway, before you interrupted us, we were talking about visiting Nicole at the hospital tomorrow. We heard she was involved in a terrible accident.” All of a sudden, Link coughed loudly, grabbing our attention.

“Nicole Davis is being transfered to another hospital tomorrow morning,” he said, “one that has the proper facilities for her care.” “I'm sorry. Do all of you know Attorney Lincoln Murphy or do | have to make the necessary introductions?” Liam asked. All three of us nodded our heads. “Of course, you know him. He's Bo’s attorney. | completely forgot.” “Attorney Murphy, what about Nicole’s mom?” Joy asked. “Will she be leaving with Nicole?” “You may callLink,” Lincoln said before answering. “Yes, Ms. Davis will be leaving with Nicole. Don’t worry, Ms. Davis will be well taken care of. There are doctors there who will monitor her as well. Currently, Nicole is in stable condition and the doctor has given a favorable prognosis.” “She’s actually gonna cout of it okay?” Asked a male voice laced with... panic? No...

dread.

3/6 CHAPTER 149 Talons All of us moved our heads to find the source of the voice.

It was Noah.

| raised my eyes above his head and saw Xavier quickly making his way out of the living room.

“Guys, keep Liam occupied,” | heard Xavier whisper through the earpiece. “I'm going to search this place.” | surreptitiously glanced at both Joy and Cristos and noticed by the slight nods of their heads that they had gotten the message too.

“What's up with you? Don’t you want Nicole to get better?” Cristos asked, not amused. “Aren’t you guys supposed to be together?” Liam continued to stare at Noah, his eyebrows raised, wanting to hear Noah's... excuse.

“Chip, we're just friends now. And of course, | want her to get better. I'm just surprised because | heard from Bo that Nicole flew out the windshield. Usually, a person doesn’t cback a hundred percent from something as tragic as that,” he replied casually, but his attention wasn’t on Cristos. | noticed his eyes move from the rock on Joy's finger to her face... with a tenderness in their depths. Then, his eyes moved to look at Liam and | caught something...

He was jealous. Noah hadn’t moved on yet, unlike Jack over there.

Norma said Noah wasn’t the timid, quiet man all of us thought he was. Maybe | could ask Link to get the information out of her. Her husband was an Angels of Darkness member after all.

“| forgot. You broke up with her in Chicago,” Chip scoffed. “Anyway, I'm starving.” “There's a buffet set up in the dining hall. Please, help yourselves, Liam said. “Virtue, sweetheart, the reason why | clooking for you is because Link and | have to discuss business and | didn’t want to leave you alone since,” Liam paused and glanced at Jack and Ki ki, “Jack and your bestfriend seem to be hitting it off. Anyway, your other bestfriend is here, so I'm sure you'll be left in good company.

“Sure, Liam. I'll be with Chip and Dom until you're done with business,” Joy said, kissing him on the cheek.

4/6 CHAPTER 149 Talons “Liam, by the way, here,” Chip said, handing the teddy bear and flowers to Liam. “I'm sorry. It was all | could find at such short notice.” Liam chuckled. “This is one of those rare moments | get a teddy bear. It’s original just like you, Chip. Thank you.

Just take care of my girl for me.” “No problem, Liam. I'll watch over her like a hawk,” Cristos said flamboyantly, with his hand. twirling in the air.

“Hey, can | tag along?” Noah asked, much to our surprise. While Cristos shook his head, Joy and | nodded ours.

Cristos rolled his eyes, annoyed he was outnumbered.

Personally, | never spent much ttalking to Noah.

Xavier, right off the bat, hated him. Cristos, after spending stwith him in Chicago, was convinced he was bad news. As for me, | wanted to know what was in that blonde head. of his that made the other two despise him so much.

“Noah, keep tabs on my girl, okay? | don’t want anything to happen her,” Liam instructed.

“You got it, Li-" Noah wasn’t able to finish his sentence. A husky female voice interrupted him.

“There you are, Noah. | had trouble finding you, Sarah Hughes greeted him, wrapping her arm around his, her long dark hair swaying as she moved. From the few times I've seen her, she was always dressed in jeans and a shirt. Tonight, she was wearing a black evening dress.

Noah tried to wriggle his way out from her grasp, but Sarah held on to his arm, clinging like a leech.

The evening dress looked expensive, however she didn’t do it justice. She was so thin and her nose was so big, she actually looked like a hawk...

A hawk who had her talons around Noah. Good thing | wasn’t him.

“Hughes,” Liam uttered, his voice dripping with disdain. “You're the last person | expected to come. What are you doing here anyway?” | sighed. Here we go.

5/6 Well on the bright side, this little confrontation bought Xavier more time.

The Joy of Revenge