“What did you expect coming intomyhouse, bitch?” Our chests bump as fury ignites every hair on my skin. Murderous rage seeps through my pores.
“I don’t want to fight you, bro. But I will…”
I can’t stop my laugh. It’s almost too hysterical. “You must have smoked too much shit tonight. Two brain cells trying to rub together. Try it, Moretti. I’ll crack your crooked spine and shatter your weak jaw.”
When I glance over at the hellkitten, she’s crossed her arms and seems so satisfied; wrath makes my temper boil over.
That’s when I retreat a step and getreal quiet.
Tade Kim, my vice president, is already at my side, as are a few of my other brothers. “What do you want, boss?”
“Take him to the dungeon.”
Tade lashes out, and the guys make a move. Moretti tries to fight them off. “No! Fuck you, Cardell! Just because you can’twinagainst me…”
I mimic Ashlyn’s posture. “This sounds like a bet.”
His jaw juts forward as he snorts like an angry bull. Darting his eyes over to the golden creature next to him, he sneers, “You fucking did this, didn’t you?”
“What? Me?” Ashlyn says, a hand on her chest, giving everything away.
“Fine.” He flips his gaze over to me. “Let’s race.”
Tade nods once. He knows it’s a sure thing.
“Instead of your punishment in my dungeons? How boring…” I muse, but I already know I’m going to agree.
I need to be alone. Get all these people out of my room and decompress. For once, I don’t feel like torturing a douchebag in the basement ofTheta’smanor.
“What do you want then?” he asks.
“Papers. Slips. Same ol’ thing.” I don’t give ashitabout his stupid car. But I’d revel in having it chopped up along with his fingers, sending him a package filled with a piece of metal and flesh every week for ten weeks.
“Sounds good to me,” he says with a shrug to hide his fear.
“Fantastic. Next Friday night.”
He snags Ashlyn’s arm, pulling her behind him. The movement isn’t gentle. “At theManed Marauder’sunderpass andnotyourViper’swarehouse.”
I snort. “Sure, buddy. See you then.” Lowering my voice, I address Tade and the other guys, “Get him out of here.”
Talon shoves Ashlyn toward the door, murmuring with sharp whispers, and I can sigh a breath of relief when she goes.
Clapping my hands loudly, I announce, “Alright, everyone, this room is closed for the evening. Get the fuck out.”
People stop their thrusting and slowly dress. My girls crawl over to me, their chain leashes dragging across the red plush carpet. Sutton’s perfect body slithers seductively while Elowyn and Blaire sit like good dogs.
I unclip their leashes and roll them around my fist. “We’re done. Dismissed,” I tell them, and they rise, then find their clothes in my closet. Once she’s finished dressing, Sutton strolls past, letting her fingers drag across my chest. I gather her up for a soft kiss, and she sighs happily in my mouth.
“Bye, honey,” she says with a little glimmer in her eye.
When she turns away, I swat her ass.
But as soon as the doors close behind them, and I’m finally alone…
I break.
Sharp like a branding iron, agony sears my heart until it’s hard to breathe. I lock the door, pour another whiskey, down it, then throw the glass into the fire. It shatters. The destruction eases some of my anguish.