Page 40 of Taint My Soul

“Lies.” Virgil chuckles and crosses his arms.

“I’m not lying,” he grits. “I’m telling the truth.” He drowns in his own panic, shoulders jerking with each stammered word.

“Tell me who sent you.” My voice is lethal.

“No, I’m telling the truth. I just wanted more cash. Nothing more.”

“Tell me who sent you, fucker.” I growl.

I ball up my fist. My knuckles bite into his flesh, sending a shock through my arm and into his jaw. Virgil pulls him up and slams him against the wall. “I believe you have a family. You have five seconds to speak, or I will find them and tie you down to a chair and torture them while you watch.”

“Please don’t hurt my little girl.”

“Then give me what I need.”

“His name is Neo. I swear I have never seen him before. I’m not sure he’s from here. I don’t know. I don’t know,” he splutters, shaking. My brows narrow. “Please don’t hurt my little girl.”

I reach into my jacket and pull out a picture, holding it in front of his face.

“Yes, that’s him.”

“You are going to do something for me, Shaun, or else my promise still stands.”

He inhales sharply, struggling to steady his breath. “What?”

“Good question.”

“You will lure this Neo into my cage.”

“Yes. Anything you want,” his head moves swiftly, bobbing as fear settles in his eyes. I pat his back and shove him forward.

“We are just going to let him go?” Virgil asks, watching as the man staggers down the alley.

“We still have information on his family. Humans are fucking predictable. He’ll get me what I want.” I explain and straighten my jacket.

“You are getting soft on the job, Saint.”

My blood runs cold, jaw flexing as I turn on my heels and meet his gaze. I won’t let my brother berate me the same way my father does. “And how would you know, Virgil? You were trained to be a fucking Knight, not a King. Know your place.”

He stands there, too shocked to speak. I huff a breath and look at him. “Either stand here or come with me to get drinks at the Red Horn Club.”

“There’s a bar right here.”

“Suit yourself.” I shrug and walk back to my car. “I’m driving myself tonight. Get home with Virgil.”

“Yes, sir.” Bernard hands me the keys and strolls away.

It doesn’t take long, and I arrive at the Red Horn Club. I head into the building, straight to the suite I paid for my sexual proclivities. The door clicks open into the familiar room. All grey walls, low amber light, and a view of the city from the transparent windows. But even with the familiarity, something’s missing. Someone’s missing.

I don’t do feelings.

I hate them.

But Mason’s taken control of my thoughts and refuses to let go.

Maybe what it would take to get rid of him is finding someone else to replace him.

I sit on the bed and look for Madame’s number, hand hovering over the screen. But I don’t call her. For some reason, I can’t. A frustrated sigh escapes my lips, and I get on my feet and pace around the floor.