Page 51 of Sleeping with the Dark (The Righteous 3)
“It’s my money. I didn’t steal it. I’ve been setting money aside for the right reasons, and helping Little Spice is on that list.”
“This is a lot of money. I can’t take this.” He held the wad back out, and Cody crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’m not taking it back. Besides, I need your help, and that is fair compensation for what I’m asking.”
Ray stuffed the money into his pocket. “Alright, tell me. Who are you trying to pull one over on?” Ray asked.
Cody lowered his voice, stepping in a little closer to Ray. “Spike.”
Ray let out a low whistle. “That is one big fish you are going after. Do I want to know why?”
“It’s better if you don’t right now, but I will fill you in when the time is right. Can you get the group gathered, spread the word that I’m taking control of this entire area as well as the Streelores' old territory?”
“Do you know what happened to Alejandro?” Ray asked, and Cody just looked away from his friend.
“Dude, you really are the Ice Man, and I’m mother fucking happy you like me,” Ray said, making them both smirk. “I’ll see what I can do. What’re your new digits?”
Cody relayed the number and gave his friend a fist pump before heading back out of the apartment building. Step one of laying groundwork was done. Now he just needed to wait for word to get out. He had no doubts that Ray would be able to pull off what he wanted, no doubt at all.
* * *
Trev blinked a few times before he was able to get his eyes fully open. His side felt just as sore as the first day he’d woken up from the operation. He went to feel his side, but his hands jerked to a halt. He turned his head to look at his wrists, and they were both strapped down with thick leather cuffs.
What the fuck? Did I die and wake up in a BDSM fantasy? If so, I could’ve done without the pain in my side.
“They won’t give. I made sure of that.” Arek stepped into view.
“Do I want to know?” Trev asked, giving the restraints a tug just to make sure Arek was telling the truth.
“The doc said you have to lay low for two weeks, and if I had to, I should tie you to the bed to do so. I took him at his word.” Arek inspected his nails, and all Trev could picture was punching his brother in the face.
“I really don’t think he meant for you to tie me down literally, Arek. Besides, I need to pee.”
“I have a bucket. I’ll just put it under your dick.” Arek held up a small metal bucket, and Trev thought his brother was joking until he started to lift the sheet.
“If you put that bucket under my fucking dick, we are no longer brothers. I swear on Mel’s grave, I will disown you.” He glared at his irritating brother, freezing him mid-sheet lift.
“You promise to get right back into bed once you’ve gone to the washroom?”
Trev sighed. He was too tired for this. “Yes, I promise. Now can you please untie me?” The metal bucket clanged as Arek tossed it on the ground.
“Oh, I could get into this look.” Cody paused as he walked into the room, his eyes traveling over Trev’s restrained body. Trev flushed hot, his body responding to the undeniably heated expression on Cody’s face. “If you like to be tied, I’m all in.”
“Hey, get kinky when I’m not in the room. I don’t need to have that visual in my head. Besides, Trev, you aren’t getting any until you’re all better, so that mast you’re sporting can lower the sail until I say you can play again.”
“I can honestly say this is not how I pictured waking up…ever.” Trev laid his head on the pillow and stared at the ceiling as Arek released his wrists. He gave them a rub and then sucked in a sharp breath as he sat up, even with Arek’s help. “What happened anyway?”
“You passed out. The doc said you’ve been overdoing it, and you pulled some of the internal stitching. He had to cut you open again,” Arek said as he helped him stand.
“Well, that explains why I feel like I was just stabbed again.” He took a few steps while Arek was holding onto his hips from behind. Trev looked over his shoulder. “You can let me go.”
Arek sighed but released him so he could go to the washroom on his own. Nothing gave you a better glimpse into what you would be like at eighty than when your brother offered to hold your pecker to pee. He had visions of them hanging onto one another over a toilet as they each tried to hit the still target. He shook his head as he leaned against the counter and washed his hands. Trev’s eyes found his own in the mirror and stared at himself. He looked like a bag of rat shit that had been run over by a transport truck, and he didn’t feel much better.
Trev slowly ventured out into the bedroom, and Arek jumped to attention, holding out his favorite housecoat and slippers. He looked like a trained monkey.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
“I just thought you’d like to put this on.” Arek smiled wide, and Trev crossed his arms over his chest.
