Page 107 of Silent Damage

“Does he need that kind of help? I thought Tobias wanted to fuck his brains out,” Felix adds.

You think it will help Jason? I write.

Felix chimes in. “Everyone practically genuflects when Torren walks into a HellCats haunt.” He turns to Torren and kisses his cheek. “You might not be the boss anymore, but everyone still thinks of you as the King.”

“Co-King,” Torren corrects. “And a retired Co-King can only do so much. He’s already won Tobias’s approval, but it won’t hurt for everyone to know I’ve got his back, too.”

A warm feeling blooms in my chest. This can be my way of helping Jason. He doesn’t want me to ask Torren for help explicitly, but we can at least move in a way that signals Torren’s support. “Alright. Friday it is,” I say excitedly.

I gasp before slapping my hand over my mouth.

The two of them look shocked, their mouths nearly hitting the ground, before slowly turning to look at each other and smile.

Felix leans down to hug me before saying. “I’m so excited! I need to find something to wear.” And just like that, he scurries up the stairs and into his bedroom.

I slide under the car to finish my inspection, still in shock that I spoke in front of them.

Whatever. This is good.

If Torren shows up at the Kitty Cat Club with Jason, then maybe the other HellCats will leave him alone.

I’ve heard the stories—the jostling to win Tobias’s favor. Now that Torren is gone, they’re all vying for his spot, which means they’ll be out for blood.

I really hope this helps.

Jason

My knocking is met with Tobias’s deep, flat voice saying, “Come in.”

I carefully open the door and peek my head in to find him sitting at his giant black desk, scanning a bunch of papers. When his eyes meet mine, he smiles. “The one who got away.”

“Excuse me?” I ask.

He waves his hand dismissively. “Never mind. Come in and take a seat.”

This is my first time speaking with Tobias as an actual HellCat.

My posture is too straight. I must look like an idiot.

I take a seat, and Tobias’s creepy eyes look right into my soul as he taps a pen on his desk. “You impressed me last night, Jason.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I was hoping you’d win, but I’ll be frank, I didn’t have high hopes for you. That other guy…”

His voice trails off, and I finish with, “He was a tough one, sir.”

Tobias leans back in his chair, smirking. “You’re gonna give me a hard-on if you keep calling me sir.”

“Sorry, sir. Fuck! I mean—” I slap my hand over my mouth, and he cackles.

He cocks his head to the side and smiles. “You know, with your fiery hair and hot temper, I would have pegged you as more of a Peppermint Patty than a Marcy.”

“I’m not sure I follow—”

“Don’t worry about it,” he interrupts. “Call me Tobias.”

“Okay, Tobias.”