Page 85 of The Devil's Reward
My lips pull back into a cool grin. “My, my, you are smart after all,” I say.
“So which is it? You found it or someone told you?”
I shrug, because what’s the harm in telling him? He’s going to be dead so he won’t be exposing me. “You see,” I say casually, “you all thought you were so smart, killing him off with the rest of his men. But you forgot who else was loyal to him. Who else would be pissed that you killed their profits. That, and he knew it was coming. He knew there was a movement to push him out, all because everyone was such pussies and couldn’t see what the club could become. How rich it could make everyone, how it could be everything you could ever want it to be.
“Well, you see, before they all killed him, he gave instructions and a few other keepsakes to one more person and sent them out of town. That person kept them safe until I could collect them, and in those keepsakes, I found the location of the book. From there, I realized why he kept them safe. Why he wanted me to have them. It is my responsibility to continue his empire and to take back his club. I personally don't want the club, but I’ll take everything else.
“You have no idea how good it felt to be running this right under your noses while you were none the wiser. All going about your perfect little lives like nothing was amiss. Raking in money that is pennies compared to what I’ve been stashing away.”
“So you went to the mafia?” he asks, fury clear on his face.
“I went to who I thought would pay handsomely for information.”
“You son of a bitch,” he snarls, stepping forward. “I should kill you now.”
“You could,” I say with a shrug, seeing the silhouette behind him. “But I think you’re the one that will be taking this information to your grave. Say hi to Bull for me.”
He turns and stares at the man behind him. “Fuck you,” he snarls, and those are the last words he speaks before the shot rings out.
He drops to the ground, a bullet hole in the center of his forehead.
“You say too much,” the other man says, accent thick. “You are lucky he was alone.”
I shrug, uncaring. “He would be dead anyway, and no one will suspect me.”
“Your ego will be your downfall, but I don’t care as long as you give me what I want,” he says coldly.
I nod and grab the duffle bag. I should probably feel bad about his death, but he was merely an obstacle in my path.
FORTY-THREE
DMITRI
I’ll die first.
Fury engulfs me. I should have known he would try something like this. His actions will result in his slow and painful death. He thought to trick me, and he will pay the price.
“You are certain?” I ask Isidor, voice cold as ice. My fists clench on the desk, my rage building with each passing second.
“Yes, sir,” Isidor answers, curt and to the point as always. His face shows no expression. “I saw the meeting with my own eyes. I also saw the body they loaded into the vehicle. It’s only a matter of time before the MC figures it out and they blow it wide open.”
I curse in Russian, pacing to the window. I need to get a handle on this, and fast, because if I don’t, I’ll be right back into the slums like before, and I can’t risk that. Not after everything I’ve done. Everything I built.
I stare out into the night and order, “Find him and bring him to me. Then I want you to figure out how to get rid of this MC. I would blow it to smithereens and be done with it, but with this new information, it will bring too much attention. I can’t allow that to happen.”
“Their President is in the hospital. We can slip one of our people in to kill him and his whore off. They will crumble from the inside out.”
“Bring this traitor to me first. I will send a message with his body,” I vow. “Then we’ll deal with the others.”
Isidor nods and leaves. I don’t turn around, or notice the man that slips off behind him. I’m too focused on my anger, and the fact that my empire is crumbling. I will never allow that to happen. I have worked too hard, and I will not fail. I’ll die first.
FORTY-FOUR
SHADOW
We’re going to war.
“So tell me about your club,” Quinn says quietly. She’s lying beside me, sated after our third round, her hair a mess, and I have never felt this content. My entire body is relaxed, and even though I could easily fall asleep right now, I want to answer her question. It’s the first real interest she’s shown in the club, and it’s imperative she realizes how important they are to me.
