Page 2 of His Pet

“So I’ve been told.”

“What should we do with the prostitutes?”

I shrug and glance at my little brother. He’s frowning like I’ve just done something he doesn’t approve of, but he’ll never say otherwise unless I ask.

“What is it?”

He glances below us but lifts his gaze a moment later. “We should’ve kept one of them alive. Sent them back to Valentine.”

“Wewillsend them back. There will be leftovers.”

Anthony’s nose crinkles in disgust, but he nods. “So, the prostitutes,” he says, changing the subject. “Should I dispose of them?”

I consider it for a moment but decide against it. They’re just girls. Probably strays Lachlan picked up on the street and injected with heroin. Whoever sent them here knew exactly what they were doing, but the girls just do what they’re told. “No. Give them a job.”

“All right… I’m gonna take off.”

I smirk but suppress my laugh. He’s a grown man and lethal, but my little brother’s weak stomach reminds me of a child.

“See you for dinner?”

He nods and backs away. “Yeah, see you then.” He turns and leaves, and I watch him walk out the door before noticing Joe angry-whispering into his phone at the edge of the room. His back is turned to me, but I can picture his face contorted in anger by the way he’s hunched over with coiled muscles. Something’s wrong.

I roll my neck and go back to watching the bloodbath below. My jaw tics, and I can feel my patience thinning, but I wait for Joe to finish the call. If it’s shitty news, it’s best to come from a man I trust.

I have a habit of shooting messengers.

My hands curl around the bars as Joe approaches, and I brace myself.

“Boss?”

“Yes?”

“I need to tell you something, but first I want to assure you I’m going to take care of this.”

I turn to Joe and narrow my eyes. “What?”

He glances at the den and lets out a breath when his eyes move back to me. “Remember the protestors outside?”

“The ones that are there every fucking day? Yes, I remember.”

“Well…”

Joe’s mouth hangs open like he doesn’t know how he’s about to tell me whatever has him so shaken up. I have a feeling I already know what it is, and my back straightens on impulse. My hands curl into fists like I’m preparing for a fight, but it’s only instinct.

Two months ago, during one of the elaborate shows I put on at my Las Vegas hotel, one of my tigers, Mario, jumped too high through the ring of fire and singed its tail. I was more furious than I’d ever been and immediately fired every person responsible for putting together the equipment, regardless if it was the cause for the accident or not. I wasn’t the only one furious, though. Ever since that night, a group of animal rights activists have been posted outside the hotel calling for the shows to stop. Accusing me and my management of animal cruelty. It’s infuriating.

“What the fuck did they do, Joe?”

He sighs and brushes a hand through his dark hair before letting it drop to his side. “There’s going to be an investigation into the treatment of the animals. Tomorrow, a couple of—”

“What?” I snarl, my eyes going wide.

“The local police aren’t getting involved, but the protestors appealed to some out-of-towners and—”

“Andwhat?”

“And we can’t stop them from coming in.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com