Page 27 of Feast

“I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever show up,” Kief taunted, smoking his cigar. He stopped maybe six steps from the floor and eyed Ray with contempt. “So, one of the women in bottle service somehow stole my card and just so happened to go wild with it at the very club you were spotted partying in. Is that right?”

Ray nodded, terrified of Kief. “Y–yes! I–I swear!”

What a fucking coward.

Kief plucked the cigar from his mouth, and I noticed the scar on his hand from where Dream had shot him.

Ha.

“Somehow, I find that very hard to believe." He stepped down a step or two, moving closer to Ray. Kief snapped his fingers, and we watched as two of his men grabbed the dealer and covered his mouth. One of Kief’s men forcefully yanked his arm out and slapped it along the railing, ripping his sleeve back as Ray struggled. He tried to shout and scream, but his muffled cries were silenced by the music.

Kief lowered the cigar from his mouth, admiring. “Cuban cigars really are my favorite. They just remind me so much of home.” His eyes flicked to Ray. “Since you caught me in a rather pleasant mood, I’ll ask you one more time. Where is she?”

My head tilted at his words.

Wait.

Ray struggled to form a sentence.

“I see.” Kief moved quickly and pressed the lit end of the cigar into the top of Ray’s hand. The dealer tried to cry out, but the more he struggled, the more Kief’s men restrained him. “What? Oh, I’m sorry, I can’t hear you!” Kief pressed the cigar deeper into Ray’s burning flesh, laughing with a sinister smile. “Ahh!” He finally removed the cigar and watched as the man buckled over.

“Ahh. Now I see the resemblance,” Spider whispered.

I rolled my eyes.

Kief’s phone suddenly rang, and he answered. “Toro.” He nodded, looking back towards the stage for a second. “Oh? I see. Thank you for letting me know.” He hung up the call, tucking his phone into his suit jacket before looking back at Ray. “Since you’re so persistent on blaming this woman, I want you to find her. Oh. And the next time you try to call Toro behind my back.” He leaned down, glaring at Ray. “Will be the last.” He spat at Ray. “One more mistake, and I personally hand you over to the green-eyed devil myself. After all.” He leaned towards Ray with a darkened expression. “You’re the one who led me right to his white-haired friend. I’m sure he’d just love to meet you.”

My fists clenched at my sides, remembering how Felix almost died ‘cause of these fuckers.

Kief turned and retreated back up the stairs, returning to the VIP lounge with his men. He left Ray at the base of the steps, his hand bloodied and seared as tears flowed from his eyes. I watched as the petty dealer crawled to his feet, wiping his face. He grumbled loudly and cussed at Kief in Spanish, swinging his good arm as he smacked a tray from one of the servers. She gasped, dropping the tray as he snatched a half-drunked glass in a hurry. “Give me that!”

“Well…now what?” Spider asked.

My eyes remained locked on the dealer as he stumbled further into the strip club. He plucked a few ice cubes from the glass, drinking the rest of whatever was in that cup before tossing it aside, placing the ice cubes over his burned hand. He finally took a seat near the front of the stage and looked right up at Indi. She was still dancing, unaware of the fact that Ray was only a few feet away.

Careful, little sis.

Spider’s phone buzzed, and he quietly stepped away for a moment. I kept watching my sister. She had tossed the little bow collar aside and was playing with her long hair, whipping it around as she touched herself in ways that made every man in that room stir. Including myself.

Damn it.

I tried to control my boner.

I don’t know much more of this I can take.

Ray continued to watch Indi as she turned her back to the crowd and lowered herself down along the pole, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Ray suddenly pulled out his phone and raised it to his ear. His call was brief, lasting maybe a few seconds before he hung up.

Probably nothing of importance.

A few minutes passed as Indi’s little show finally came to an end. She blew a kiss to the audience and gathered as much of the cash onstage as she could before rushing off of it in a hurry. Everyone cheered and whistled as the stage went dark.

I exhaled, knowing she was done for the night.

Fucking finally.

“Haze.” I forced my eyes away and looked at Spider. “That was Felix. He said Toro is on the move.”

My brows furrowed. “Toro? Why?”