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Tonight should be easy, a quick in and out. Le Manchot will only have a few men with him. We already have a team in place ready to take them out the moment I give the word. The fear in his eyes will bring me the most satisfaction. I want him to beg so I can bask in the sweet revenge of slitting his throat. I’ll carve him up with a real nice grin, so everyone remembers it was me and the Arkham Mafia who got the last laugh. My plan is sinister. It’s so perfect I get goosebumps thinking about it all. It will also be dangerous and reckless. My heart skips a beat as I think of Quinn. If anything happens to me, I know she will never get over it. She may not want to admit it, but that girl has needed me since the day I showed up to fill in on her security team. For her, I might have been invisible, just another guy in the background. Another suit, and later just another reminder of the invisible chains she was forced to wear. I knew then the moment I saw her; I had to have her. The temptation of something so forbidden caused me to be hungry and ambitious. From that day forward every move I made, every job I pulled off, it was all to impress the Don and work my way into his inner circle so that one day I could work my way into her—I stop myself from going any further. My concentration on Le Manchot must remain precise. Nothing can go wrong tonight. I can’t afford to let Le Manchot slip through my fingers a second time.
I know I shouldn’t. I have no restraint. My fingers have a mind of their own and soon the phone is ringing while I wait to hear the voice of my Queen. She picks up on the first ring, eager for good news.
“Mon bijou, my darling, I needed to hear your voice. You know how I get when victory is close,” I rasp into the phone, unable to control the unhinged tone of my voice.
“Christian, it’s time to go home amour—“ Quinn replies.
I cut her off. She’s speaking French, it’s mouthwatering. “La amour de ma vie, the love of my life. You tease me in my time of need.”
“I’m not teasing you, puddin,” she says like a naughty little kitten over the phone line.
I fall right into her trap. Quinn knows what she wants from me. We both do. “Are you going to be a good girl, or will I have to punish you later for your unacceptable behavior?”
She laughs. “I need the punishment. I’m going to be bad. I just know it, but you could just give me permission to do something naughty.”
It almost sounds like she’s up to something, but I don’t want to kill our sexy banter. My instincts are nagging me to pay more attention, but my cock is throbbing with need. I can’t think rationally. I moan into the speaker. Her words have me hypnotized, hanging on every last one, waiting for more details. “How should I punish you, then?” I growl as I lose even more control.
“Spankings, anything you want, anything you desire,” she purrs.
“Fuck! Quinn, mon petit agneau, my little lamb. If only I had protected you better, I would be there with you now,” I whisper, losing the internal battle.
“No, Christian. I am not a sweet little lamb. I am a dangerous lioness. The world should fear me. Le Manchot should fear me, you should fear me. I do not need protection. I can take care of myself. I will prove it to you again. Just wait and see. You will learn I am a lioness, not a lamb.” Quinn snarls in response, and hangs up the phone. Around me I feel the universe snap as the fear sets in. What if she does something reckless?
“Clay,” I holler loudly. “Send another unit to check on Quinn. I think she’s up to something and we can’t take any chances tonight. I need to know she’s safe, far away from Le Manchot, out of danger, and where no one can hurt her.”
“On it, boss,” Clay is on the phone, immediately barking orders and rearranging men to route three additional guards to the safe house. I should feel better, but I don’t. My feet pace the floor nervously as I replay our conversation over and over in my head. A light knock on the door breaks my concentration.
“Christian, I know you’re worried about Quinn. We have to get moving. It’s going to take us at least an hour to reach the other side of the city and get into position. Your plan entails us arriving early to maintain an upper hand,” Clay reminds me.
“Let’s go. No loose ends.” I say more to myself as a pep talk than to Clay. He nods in silent agreement.
Claydrivesustowardsthe deepest and darkest parts of the city. Where the criminals run the streets, and the good guys look the other way. It’s not worth their time. These parts are too far gone. It’s not just dangerous because we are hunting Le Manchot. The risk stems from other opportunists. While the Arkham Mafia is well respected and feared, there’s no doubt the bounty pay for the head of a high-ranking member like myself and Clay has the potential for enemy growth. Any man who stands toe to toe and walks away victorious would surely rank up within their own organization.
Le Manchot is a dirty bird, his ties and affiliations with smaller, and more violent gangsters provides him with both silent and unexpected protections. I understand the risk I am taking venturing into hostile territories where the price of my head is just as high as the price we have set for the head of Le Manchot. It’s no wonder there’s an all out chaotic war on the streets. Every criminal in the city has monetary motivation. Capable of turning to join the side of those they currently believe to be winning this territorial dispute. If Le Manchot had any interest in self preservation, he would have left town over a month ago and disappeared forever. For some reason, he thinks he can outwit me. While he may have proven to be a worthwhile foe, only one of us is ending the week six feet under and it’s going to be him. He can’t break into my home while I sleep, kidnap the Don’s daughter and expect to walk away with his life. Le Manchot needs to be taught a lesson and with the help of the remaining loyal Peacocks combined with our already large numbers, he doesn’t stand a chance at survival. The only thing that has kept him alive this long is my desire to end his life myself. His survival hasn’t been for lack of ability on my part like he so cockily believes. Rather, it has been a lack of interest in dealing with my loose end. It ends tonight. Le Manchot will beg for mercy and I will enjoy every last one of his cries.
I think about texting Quinn. I’ve felt bad since our exchange earlier. It’s not my intention to make her feel meek or meager, like she’s inadequate in any way. She’s perfect, and that’s the truth. While she doesn’t think she needs protecting, it never changes my promise to her mother, or the vows I swore to her father. Protecting Quinn is my only job now and forever. Nothing else matters to me. For Quinn, I will do anything it takes to keep her safe and to never allow her to be taken from my arms again. I’m a well trained, ruthless killing machine. I switched off my connection to humanity a long time ago. When I was orphaned, the Don took me in, took me under his wing, and raised me like one of his own. They died for him and in return; he kept his promise to ensure I always had a place. I’ve been in his debt since I was fifteen years old. It’s time for me to pay penance for the biggest mistake in my life. The time has come for me to fill his shoes. The time has come for me to take my place. It won’t be a simple task, but the criminals of the city need to respect me. With this first act of retribution, I vow to strike them down with fear until they pledge their allegiance to me and worship the ground I walk on. The Arkham Mafia will rise up and retake control of the streets. All those who oppose will have two options: pledge their allegiance to us, or die trying to escape our folds.
Clay interrupts my thoughts. “Hey Christian, you okay, man?” He asks. “You’ve got this look on your face like you are plotting nefarious things and might burn the city to the ground.”
I smile, “funny you should mention burning things to the ground. I have an extra stop for us, but don’t worry, it will be quick.”
“I feel like when you say don’t worry, it actually means I should fucking worry, man. Where are we going and what are we picking up?” He presses, fishing for information.
“You’ll see. Just drive extra careful once it’s loaded. We don’t actually want to go kaboom,” I laugh sinisterly.
“To the docks first, I presume then,” Clay replies.
I give him a telling nod and we drive in silence for a few minutes. He’s thinking, turning it all over in his head as he unravels my plans and the details I’ve left out.
“Is it military grade? The thing we are picking up, that is?” Clay asks, his instincts laser sharp.
“Only the best for my friend, Le Manchot. Let’s just say he’s a slippery flightless bird. I can’t allow him to slip out of my clutches again, so I purchased an insurance policy.” I am grinning from ear to ear now, and it feels diabolical.
“Does the Don know?” Clay asks, he’s left our business ties and is asking as a friend.
“No, but I no longer need his permission the way I used to. Last time we talked he said to clean it up using whatever means were necessary. The insurance policy is necessary. Don’t worry. I got a good deal on it. Our new friends, the Peacocks, are actually an excellent resource to keep around. If Quinn and Selena can mend their friendship, just think of the power house we will create.” I say, speaking excitedly.
“I don’t envy you, my man. There’s a lot riding on all of this. Too much for one person, if you ask me. Maybe you should talk to Quinn. Let her be more involved.” Clay suggests after a slight hesitation.
