Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“He’s trying to help by getting on the inside.”
“They’ll corrupt him. That’s what that is. And how much money did they offer him?”
“He doesn’t need money any more than I need money. Mom left us both a small fortune.”
“Power is like a beautiful blonde with a great body and huge boobs on display while she offers to get on her knees. Do you really think your brother is strong enough to turn that down?”
“He’s one of the best men we both know, Lucas. Revenge is a dangerous high that will end up getting you killed.”
“And you don’t want it?”
“I want more. Everything Pocher and my father do relates to the Society. I want the real leader, the one calling the shots. That’s not Pocher. It’s not my father, but my father is the way inside to get at that person. And as for this case I’m working, Murphy knew a lot of things he can’t tell me now, but the victims on the hit list Elsa Walker intends to kill might. They can’t tell us if they’re dead, too. We need to stop Elsa from killing them.”
“I assume since you’re going to visit Pocher’s place, you think Pocher can help with that?”
“He only helps when I leave him no choice, which is my intent.” I push to my feet. “Elsa’s phone—”
“Is in Maryland, but she is not.”
“Exactly. Have Tic Tac send you the hit list and find a way to figure out who is next. Or just find her.” I start to move and hesitate. “Find Director Ellis. He won’t return my calls. He’s in Maryland looking for her, but it feels off.”
“You think he’s dead or dirty?”
“Maybe both if he found Elsa. Text or call me with updates. And call Tic Tac. He’s afraid to let anyone but you help him considering the high-level government officials involved.”
“You mean he’s afraid to break the rules he needs to break to give you what you want.”
“We both know Tic Tac is the light to your darkness.”
“And what are you?”
“A bitch who will cut you if you don’t get me what I want.”
“You know the worst part of you saying that to your loving cousin? I believe you.”
“My loving cousin.” I snort. “Whatever.” I tilt my head and study him. “You aren’t drunk.”
“Nope.”
“Why play drunk?”
“You took my gun. I needed a reason to be that stupid.”
I almost laugh. Almost. Right now, it’s me against Ghost, and he’s a worthy enough opponent, but arrogant to a flaw. He thinks he’s the smartest killer I’ve ever faced.
He’s wrong. That was Roger, my mentor and The Umbrella Man. And now he’s dead.
Chapter Fourteen
Kane believes Lucas wants to get into my pants; therefore, I expect Kane to be waiting on me outside while fantasizing about giving Lucas a slow, painful death.
Kane hates Lucas.
The whole “cousin” thing when we aren’t blood-related just infuriates him. And regardless of why I called for him now, knowing Kane, in his mind, he sees me heading straight from a battle with him to Lucas’ house—to Lucas—as the deepest cut I could have delivered, which is absolute bullshit. And for Lucas’ safety, it’s a premise I need to snuff like a bad habit.
Or Pocher.
Yes, let’s snuff Pocher. What a birthday gift that would be!
I exit Lucas’ house to find the SUV parked at the bottom of the stairs with Kit, one of Kane’s most trusted men, leaning on the door. He offers me a mini salute as Kane pushes off the wall next to me and shows himself, predator waiting on prey, only I’m never prey, and he knows it. Ever. But I hope like hell Ghost makes the mistake of believing otherwise. I also wonder how much longer Kane’s jealousy and agitation would have allowed him to wait outside for me. Not much longer, I suspect, considering he made it this far.
I face off with Kane, toe-to-toe, as he towers over me. To most, Kane is as good-looking as he is intimidating, even terrifying. He doesn’t have that advantage with me, and he knows it. A big man has never intimidated me. In fact, it places me in the sweet pocket to cause damage to the family jewels, though in Kane’s case, I wouldn’t go that far. A wife doesn’t need such violence. She has her ways.
“You know he has cameras with audio?” I ask, a warning to watch what he says. I might not be happy with him, nor do I agree with him on Lucas and his motives, but some part of me does not want Lucas knowing things that might hurt Kane. I should probably analyze that feeling at some point that is not now.
“Of course I know, bella,” he purrs, a mix of steel and acid beneath the precisely spoken words. “I want him to know that I’m here. Why are you here?”