Page 62 of Malachai
I didn’t lower the gun. “How the fuck did you get this address?”
He smiled wider, almost proud. “That's not important. You showed up at my hotel making threats. You sent a man to follow me. I don’t like being followed, Malachai… I decided to return the courtesy.” He lifted the box slightly. “I brought you something. A gift, if you will.”
He set the box on the porch between us and took one deliberate step back, his hands raised to show they were empty.
I kept the gun trained on his forehead while I crouched and lifted the lid.
Inside, nestled in black tissue paper, was the severed head of the man I’d had tailing him for the last week. His eyes were wide open, his tongue cut out, and a single gold coin was placed on each eyelid. I recognized that signature. I thought Caine said he was in tech. Who in the fuck was he really?
My jaw tightened.
Cooly’s voice stayed almost conversational. “He was good. Quiet. But not quiet enough. Tell your next one to be better… or don’t send one at all.”
I stared at the head for a long second, calculating his demise. But not right now. I wasn't afraid of dying; I’d made peace with that a long time ago. But I didn’t want anything to happen to Indigo.
“Get the fuck off my property,” I said, my voice flat.
Cooly didn’t move immediately. He studied me like he could see the war behind my eyes.
“You seem tense, Hand of God,” he said mockingly. He tilted his head to the side. “Did Midnight tell you what a good time we had at lunch today? We talked for hours.”
The blood in my veins turned to liquid nitrogen. I didn't let my expression change, but I gripped the Glock so hard the stippling on the handle bit into my palm.
“She says she has a friend she wants me to meet,” Cooly continued, his voice dripping with malice. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a toothpick, and tucked it into the corner of his mouth, flashing those fanged grills again. “Mentioned something about us doing couple's dates together soon. I told her I’d love to. I’m looking forward to it, Malachai. Seeing you across a dinner table instead of a gun sight... that’ll be real civilized.”
“She won't be seeing you again,” I gritted out.
“That’s between her and me,” he replied. He stepped back toward his convoy. “Don’t forget your gift.”
I waited until the taillights of the last SUV vanished before I picked up the box.
I took the gift to the industrial freezer in the garage, shoving it behind the hanging plastic strips. I’d deal with the remains later. Right now, I had to wash the smell of him off me.
Indigo was sitting up in bed when I walked back in, rubbing her eyes, her voice sleepy and soft. The room still smelled like sex and vanilla.
“Malachai…? Who was at the door?”
“Nobody. Go back to sleep, little bird.”
She hummed, already drifting, trusting me enough to settle. Within seconds, her breathing evened out again.
I took a seat at her vanity, putting off the shower.
Cooly had found my house. He had my address. He had delivered a severed head to my front door with a smile. And because of that, for the first time in a very long time, real unease settled deep in my chest.
Chapter 34
Malachai
“Did I hear the doorbell ring last night?” she asked the next morning, reaching for a piece of fruit across the kitchen island. “It felt like I was dreaming, but I could’ve sworn I heard it.”
I didn’t blink.
“Neighborhood security. The gate sensor got tripped by a stray. Nothing big.”
She nodded, satisfied. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I knew better.
I set my coffee cup down.
