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Have I ever said the word let alone typed it?
I hit send and flip back to the cameras to see her pick up the phone. My heart clenches as her thumb hovers over the little bubble with my invite. Will she take me up on my offer or use this opportunity to finally tell me to get lost?
This woman has my insides actually fucking quivering with anxiety like I’m some teenage boy confessing his love for the first time.
“Sir. They’re here with the package.”
Raven raps me on the shoulder and juts his chin toward the opposite side of the empty basement we’re standing in.
I turn the video off as she tosses the running shoes aside and lowers herself to the edge of the bed.
I slide my phone into my pocket. The faster I get this dirty business over with, the sooner I can get back to Bella and we can start our life together. I’ll do whatever it takes to win her trust and her heart. A woman who doesn’t back down when I get growly or flinch at the sight of my scars deserves better from me.
When I return to the manor, we can hit the reset button. I’ll show her who I am and she can decide for herself if she wants me or not. I’ll do everything in my power to show her I can be the man she deserves. I only hope it is enough.
We are back in the same underground basement from the night I met Bella. It’s empty of anyone else at the moment and eerily silent. On the drive here I thought about that night from every angle, but I come back to the same conclusion. I’d take her up on her offer if I had it to do over again.
Fluorescents throw the middle of the expansive cavern into stark white light while leaving the corners in deep shadow. That is where I stand alongside Raven and watch a body bag get dragged under the lights and dumped.
It’s not long before the contents fight to be let out.
I signal one of my crew to move in. Claw tugs at the zipper and out falls a man with acid green hair and a snarl on his lips.
“What the fuck is this?” He comes out swinging but when I step from the shadows, he falls to his knees.
Claw and Raven flank me on either side as I approach my enemy’s misguided enforcer. Whatever drove him to convince Bella’s father to turn against me will cost him tonight.
“Beast. You can’t do this.”
He understands there is a good chance he is not leaving this basement alive.
“I can and I will.”
The other man’s hands tremble when he drags them through his hair. “Darrion will have your head if you do anything. You wanna restart the war between you two?”
I lower my weight to the balls of my feet in front of Abel. Darrion’s best fighter looks ready to piss his pants.
“You should have thought about that before organizing a fight on my property and getting my best enforcer involved.” I pull my weapon and put the barrel to Abel’s head.
“I’m sorry. We need the cash flow, is all. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
“Yes, you did. Or, you would have come to me. I’m not against making money. All you had to do was ask. Kincaid knew this, but you both went behind my back. What did you need the money for?”
“I don’t know man, the boss doesn’t tell me shit like that. He just said to do it, so I did. Whatever it took.”
I rise to my full height and lower my gun. Leaving him alive will give me more answers than if he’s dead. Darrion is up to something and I need to know what that is before it’s too late. He’s always been a slippery son-of-a bitch. We’ve done this dance before and it’s how I ended up with the scars on my face and back. Darrion has been after my territory since our father died.
“You can’t blame me for following orders, man.”
“You’re going to tell me what my little shit of a brother is up to. Do that and we will see if I let you live or not.”
I take a step back, and the man reads my intentions wrong. He takes my reprieve as weakness. His error will cost him in pain.
I don’t know why Abel thinks he can get the better of me. Maybe it’s the chemicals in his hair dye or he’s taken one too many punches to the head. My brother’s enforcer lunges for me, but a life of fighting has me prepared for the incoming punches.
He swings, but his attempt at rearranging my face fails and the second his hands drop I drive forward, landing a blow to his jaw.
I don’t stop until I see red and hear the crack of bones.
