“What should we do about the media, boss? They’re going to pick up on the pattern soon,” Cain asks, leaning closer to the desk.
“Figure it out. The last thing we need is a media frenzy.”
Cain nods, leaning back and crossing one leg over the other. He’s already calculating a plan.
“Summon the leaders. We need to speak with them. Now,” I say, ending the call with Gareth.
Usually, I’m the last to arrive at meetings. It’s my subtle way of showing power. Authority. Control. But today is different. Today I want to make them squirm.
Throwing my feet up on the table, I lean back in my chair, swirling my scotch in my crystal glass as I wait for the leaders to land. Gareth arrived shortly after Cain and I, sharing the news that the leaders were not prepared to be called on, so they would be a little late.
Not fucking good enough.
I have to figure out who’s behind these disappearances before it’s Kat’s face on one of those photos. The image flashes through my mind before I can stop it. Kat’s icy hair spread across a photo, like the one sitting on my desk. Lifeless, stopped in time. My grip tightens around my whiskey glass until the crystal creaks.
You won’t let that happen. Not again.
Whoever is responsible for this has made two mistakes. The first is choosing my city. The second is thinking I won’t find them.
The boardroom door opens and the leaders begin to arrive. Michael and his second, Julius, are first, quickly followed by the new Raiders leader, Ivan.
“What’s going on, Elias?” Michael asks, his fingers drumming nervously on the table as he takes his seat.
“Let’s wait until everyone’s here, Michael,” Gareth replies, his voice cool and steady as I take a sip of my whiskey.
Trip and Tank enter a short while later. The room falls silent, and all sets of eyes land on me. I let the silence stretch. I don’t think any of them were involved in the disappearances—in fact, I know they weren’t. But none of them have put the dots together or reported anything, and that’s fucking suspicious. Either we’re dealing with an invisible abductor, or these men are getting too comfortable.
I down my drink and slam the empty glass on the table. Ivan and Julius flinch at the sound.
“No second yet, Ivan?” I muse to the newest—and youngest—full member of The Circle.
“No, sir. No one has proven themselves yet,” he replies quietly, his head inclined slightly.
“That’s what I want to hear!” I reply throwing my arms up before turning to face the rest of the room. There are a few quirked brows, but most of them have their eyes on the table. “You’re probably wondering why I called you all here on such short notice.”
They all nod their heads, mumbling affirmatives.
“Three girls have gone missing in the last few weeks.”
They all sit up straight, ready to defend themselves if necessary. No one looks at each other. They’re all watching me. Trip’s fingers twitch near his phone before he thinks better of it. Tank leans back in his chair, the picture of relaxation, but his eyes never leave my hands. Good. They should be nervous. But I’m highly confident none of them would be stupid enough to do this—not after what happened with Gunnar the other week.
“I will ask this only once,” I say, leaning forward, my palms pressing against the mahogany table. “Were any of you, or any of your men, stupid enough to do this right under my fucking nose?”
They all bristle before various defenses and accusations start flying across the room.
“Of course not, boss,” Trip says, his hands raised like I convicted him.
“The Kings would never and have never. I can’t say the same for the Raiders,” Michael says with a slight shrug.
Ivan stands from his chair at the accusation, leaning across the large table.
I raise my finger, and everyone falls silent. “Would Gunnar have known anything?” I ask Ivan directly.
“No, boss. Gunnar wanted the easy money that came with drugs. Not girls. That I’m certain of,” he replies, eyes looking directly into my own with confidence. I believe him.
“Well, how did this fucking happen then?” I shout, palms raising and slamming back onto the table, causing everything to shake.
Michael breaks first.
