7. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Marcus
I'm only halfway through today and already experiencing a downward spiral. The darkness sneaks its way in even in the broad daylight. I sit up in my chair, tapping my pen against the desk, trying to distract myself from the sudden tightness in my chest. I close my eyes, taking deep breaths and feel around inside my desk drawer for my pills.
Staring at the capsules in the palm of my hand, I'm unable to distinguish who's consuming whom at this point. I don't recognize myself without them and know who I am even less when on them, becoming a shell of myself. I wash them down the back of my throat with a glass of water, hating how numb they make me. Only five more hours until I can break free from the emptiness. Soon I'd feel everything wonderful for a little while, and nothing else will matter.
A knock at my office door has me sitting up straighter in my chair. "Come in."
Carlos stands on the other side with his brows bunching together. "There was an incident with one of your men. He was found tied up in the back of the trunk of a random car. It caused quite the scene when he started screaming while a family was pulling out of a parking space."
He runs a hand through his hair. "Luckily we were able to talk them out of calling the police. I highly doubt they want the cops knowing there was a man in their trunk, no matter how he got there."
"Where was he when this happened?"
"He said he heard a suspicious noise and walked toward it. One minute he was circling the parking lot, the next he was waking up in a dark small space completely restrained. I searched the whole perimeter and came up empty handed."
"Why wouldn't they just kill him like they've been killing everyone else?"
"Maybe it wasn't the same men who've been targeting us. After all, no brass was left behind."
My eyes widen. It doesn't make any sense. "I'll have some of my men check the building and cars. Make sure nothing was missed. People don't just go around knocking out guards and putting them in trunks with no purpose."
"Good idea. I may not have much of a lead on that situation, but I may have one regarding our other problem."
"What do you mean?" I stand up from my chair.
"Isaiah called not long ago letting me know he got the man in the cellar to talk."
"What did he have to say?"
Carlos's smile stretches from ear to ear. "Turns out, the man he works for happens to be a brother to one of the men killed at the mansion, a Mr. Williams. He said even if we let him go, he's as good as dead for not getting the job completed and for being caught."
"Where is he now?"
"In the cellar. I figured he can continue to be of use to us. He will need to check in with his boss, letting him know the job was done."
I nod. "I'm guessing Isaiah is already on it?"
"Si." He stands up straighter. "This man apparently has the same twisted desires as his brother. There's a probability of him having a boy trapped in one of his many beach houses. The rumor is, he’s the brother of one of the men Joey helped rescue. If the theories are correct, Jackson wants to kill the man himself after setting his brother free."
Jackson is one of the many boys Joey and Carlos had helped rescue from the auction. He has been working under Carlos for a few weeks now. He'd begged to help be a part of taking down all the men who were involved in his capture. “Do you think he’s ready for a task so dangerous?”
“He will be. He has proven to be very useful to us over the last few weeks. He’s definitely a quick learner. He has the eye and instincts to someday make the perfect assassin. Trenton wanted to be of service too, but the kid is too unpredictable and unhinged. Joey’s worried about him constantly. He hasn’t shown much progress, but he probably needs more time. It hasn’t even been a full year since he endured the worst days of his life.”
I nod in understanding, folding my arms across my chest. “It probably doesn’t help with his family shutting him out.” Trenton is another teen rescued from being auctioned off to the highest bidder. He started off working at the sanctuary Joey had built for men and women who have nothing to return to—survivors who need help healing. The kid wasn't thriving there and was scaring others around him with his night terrors that often led to some form of violence. Either he woke up with his pillow torn to shreds or with a knife jammed into a nearby wall. He almost hurt his roommate by accident. They'd tried to take his knife, but the poor kid only feels safe with a weapon under his pillow.
Joey thinks it’s best to let him stay in one of the apartments above the club and he also could help tend the bar at night. Keeping him busy decreases his restlessness and he’s doing better with his new living situation. Going back home is still not an option for him. His family says he's too dangerous to be around his other siblings and he thinks they blame him for his brother's death.
“Poor kid has been through a lot. We'll do everything we can to help him get through this. We all have our own demons we battle daily.”
“Trenton will eventually find his way. We all do. I wouldn’t worry about him too much. He has us now. They all do.” I pull on the lapels of my jacket. “Any idea on who else could be working with Mr. Williams?”
“Not yet, but I think we’re getting closer. We will see where Dave Williams leads us. If we’re lucky, he’ll lead us straight to all of them.”
“When have we ever been that lucky?”
He huffs. “After all the shit we’ve been through the past few years, we are bound to be cut a break at some point.”
"Let's hope so. It’s time we put an end to all this, and make these men realize only death will come for them if they continue fucking with us. It’s their funeral if they choose not to stop and it won't be one anyone will care to attend either.” The wives of these men are usually happy when they are told their husbands won’t be coming home, relieved to know their children are safe from the monsters they once were forced to live with. “Let me know when you have Mr. Williams. I want to be sure to greet him personally by returning every bullet he’s left on my property.”
Carlos leaves my office and before he can close the door all the way, Germo walks in with a concerned look on his face. “Are you sure it’s safe to go out tonight?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“After what happened to Phillip in the parking lot I assumed—”
“I’d hide inside my house for the rest of my life?”
He swallows hard. “I was going to say take more precautions.”
“I can still achieve that while not hiding like some scared puppy with his tail between his legs.”
“It’s just that the man from the other day, he didn’t seem—”
“How about you let me worry about who I choose to share my night with, and you focus on making sure no one gets locked in a damn trunk again. Phillip should have never been outside the club alone. There should be at least two men walking the perimeter at all times.”
Germo’s jaw tightens and even though I can tell he wants to argue. He doesn’t and slumps his shoulders in defeat. “Let me know when you’re ready to go, boss and I’ll make sure to have the car ready. I will at least be the one to accompany you tonight to make sure you get back home in one piece.”
“Have it running at seven p.m.”
The door slams shut behind him and I sigh, leaning back in my chair. I stare up at the clock on the wall. The day can’t be over fast enough.