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Zander released Scotty and went to Trem. “Don’t let him out of your sight, you feel me?”
Trem nodded. “I got you, Boss.”
“Remember, you take your orders directly from me, no one else. If you ain’t hear it from my lips, it ain’t happening.” He held the other man’s gaze. “Got it?”
“Yes.”
Zander turned away, bringing his attention back to Vince and Scotty, who looked so timid as he released Vince’s hand and walked toward Trem. Zander reached out, grabbing Scotty’s hand and yanking him into his body. “This is the last time,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to Scotty’s nose and then his lips. “I won’t leave you again.”
Scotty nodded, lips trembling as he stepped back and pivoted to face Trem. With Vince at his side, Zander watched as Trem led Scotty to the elevator which would take them to Zander’s penthouse located on the very top floor of the casino. They would have to figure out living arrangements for the three of them, but that came later.
Once they’d eliminated any threats.
“You ready?” he asked Vince once the elevator doors closed on Scotty and Trem.
“I am.”
Zander took his hand, linking their fingers as he strode toward the second set of elevators. Derri and the others followed closely behind. This elevator was large, with enough space to hold a midsize vehicle. Once they were all inside, Zander tapped a button, then inputted a code on the digital screen that popped up. This elevator wasn’t for public use, hence the code. Only he and a handful of his very trusted men had access, and the code was changed up regularly.
The ride took them down to the bowels of the casino, where all the torture and wet work was conducted. Completely soundproof, with zero cameras, and only one way in and one way out. The entire bottom level was made up of five large rooms: empty, dark, and cold with no furniture, just raw cement floors. The rooms all served the same purpose. His uncle had liked to take prisoners, and on any given day you could find those rooms occupied with somebody shackled, beaten to a pulp, and begging for mercy, willing to bargain away their mother in exchange for their freedom.
That wasn’t Zander’s cup of tea. He wasn’t one for keeping prisoners. He considered this place the kill rooms now. And if you saw the inside of one of his kill rooms, it was a guarantee that you would never see daylight again.
Fuck that shit.
At the moment, there was only one occupant down there. And he was awake. The moment the elevator doors opened he heard Russ calling out for someone, anyone, to help him. The men on guard duty granted Zander silent nods, keeping out of his way as he led Vince to the man who’d betrayed him.
He’d been placed in the middle room. There were no shackles on him anywhere as he sat on the cold ground, naked. His face was swollen purple, and his lips—also swollen—were cut and bleeding. Other than that, and the bullets Zander had put in each of his knees, Russ was untouched.
Zander stood in the doorway still holding Vince’s hand. Russ hadn’t seen them yet, too caught up in screaming for help. But then his head turned in their direction, his swollen eyes squinting.
“V-Vince?”
“Russ. You don’t look too good.”
“Oh my God! Help me!” Russ scooted forward on his ass, unable to walk since his legs were out of commission. “Help me. These motherfuckers—Vince, they tried to kill me. I?—”
“Like you tried to kill me?” Vince released Zander’s hand and stepped into the room, closer to his colleague.
“W-what?”
Vince crouched next to him and Zander drew closer to them. “You sent a hitman after me, didn’t you? After I called to check in with you?”
Russ’s mouth opened and closed several times. “Vince, I would never do?—”
“Spare us both the bullshit.” Vince sounded calmer than Zander had expected. “I just wanted to come and see you, make sure I looked you in your eyes when I told you that I know what you did. I know you were working with DuBois. I know you told him where to find me down in Alabama.” He straightened, standing over Russ, who spluttered.
“I’m sorry. Murray threatened me, man. I couldn’t say no to him. He was on you since you left Jersey, following you.” He sniffed and glanced around, meeting Zander’s eyes briefly with a flinch before pleading to Vince, “They’re gonna kill me. Vince, help me. Please.” Tears ran down his face. “Help me. They’re gonna kill me.”
“They’re not gonna kill you, trust me.”
Russ blinked up at him. “They’re not?” His shoulders dropped. “Thank?—”
“I am.” Vince pulled his weapon and fired once, putting a bullet through his forehead.
Zander went to him, sliding a hand down the arm that held the gun, taking the Glock from him. He handed it off to whichever of his men was nearest him. “You good?” he asked Vince.
Vince gazed down at Russ’s body, his jaw ticking. “I’m good.”
