Page 119 of Play The Game

Atticus steps up next to me and pulls out a chair, gesturing for me to sit. Harley cuts him a look, then takes a seat to my right and Avery sits to my left. One by one, everyone sits on my side of the table, except Illi who takes up watch by the door, a knife dancing back and forth between his hands.

I’m tempted to get him to throw the fucking thing right into Senior’s throat.

“I don’t appreciate being summoned,” says Atticus, taking a napkin and laying it across his lap like he’s actually preparing to eat. There is no way I can stomach food right now. No fucking way.

“And why would I give a fuck what the useless third son of Crawford should want? Ah. But you’ve gone out and made a new name for yourself, haven’t you? The peasants of Mounts Bay don’t impress me and neither do their kings.”

I keep my mouth shut while I watch him.

Ash is right, he and Avery get their looks from this vile man. I suppose this is what Ash will look like in thirty years, but only if all of the humanity has been squeezed out of him. The difference between Ash and Senior is his soul, the same one he shares with Avery. I look at Senior and see nothing of his children in him. Not the twins anyway.

I see far too much of Joey.

I look around, but the psycho fuck isn’t anywhere to be seen. I glance at Avery, and she gives me the slightest shake of her head. Fuck.

“I’m not here to speak to the Crow. I want to talk to the little girl who thinks she can take my children from me.”

I turn back to Senior and stare him down, my gaze and my breathing as steady as always. He’s a monster, but he’s not the worst I’ve ever faced.

“I don’t think I can take them, I have taken them. I’m only here so you know for sure that they’re mine now. We can discuss terms, but nothing changes that fact.”

Senior’s eyes flick across my face and neck, the same way Joey’s do, like he’s looking for my weak point. I don’t rise to the bait.

He leans back in his chair, flicking a wrist to summon himself a drink. “And what are you going to do if I don’t agree to your terms? I have plans for them both.”

I make a big show of staring down each of his bodyguards, all eight of them. “I’d put money on my men over yours. Honestly? I’d put money on the Butcher taking care of the whole lot of them without any help.”

Senior raises his glass and smiles at me, chilling my blood with the cruel twist of his lips. “I own everyone. I own the police who will arrest you and the judge at your trial. I own the prison officers who will tuck you into bed every night and fondle you in the showers. I own your teachers and taxi drivers, and I own your friends. I think you’re underestimating me, little girl.”

I don’t let the trickle of fear running down my spine show. He may have reach, it might be widespread and tangled up in our lives, but I know he isn’t as powerful as he’s making out. Why else would he try to deal with the Devil?

My voice doesn’t waver as I reply, “And I know you’re underestimating me.”

He lifts a shoulder at me and then fixes his gaze on Ash. The sadistic gleam to his eyes lights something in my blood and I damn near climb over the table and slit his throat myself.

“Where is your brother? I told you to bring him with you.”

I mentally call dibs on killing him.

Ash stares at him, unflinching, and my heart nearly bursts with pride. “How should I know? He’s not my responsibility.”

Senior’s eyes narrow a fraction. “Your time fucking slum pussy has made you forget yourself, boy.”

Avery’s leg tenses against mine, and I tuck my hand in hers under the table.

“I will never set foot in your house again. I will never live by your rules again. I will never babysit Joey and cover for his deranged games again,” Ash hisses, leaning forward slightly. Illi rumbles happily under his breath by the door, reminding us all that he’s watching and prepared to spill blood.

Hmm, more than prepared. Itching to bleed them all out.

The anger leaks out of Senior’s face as he replies, “You could be so much more than your brother. I look at you and see every inch of myself, all the bloodlust and rage. If only you weren’t corrupted by the little cunt in the womb, maybe then you’d be a man.”

I roll my eyes and clasp my hands in front of myself on the table, drawing his gaze back to me. I’m done with this little show of power. I want to go home and plan how I’m going to climb the walls of Beaumont Manor and gut this fuck in his sleep, nice and quietly, where none of his bought police force can save him.

“I’m leaving now. I was hoping for a more productive dinner meeting, but if all we’re going to do is boast about whose dick does more damage, then I’m out.”

Senior flicks his wrist again and the waiters start to bring out the first course of dinner. “You can leave if you want, little girl, but Avery isn’t going anywhere. I’ve secured a buyer for her and the exchange is being made on her birthday.”

Buyer?