Chapter 5 #2
Then again, his loyalty to me was strong, so, if I was to guess, he’d have smashed his phone into pieces and gotten a new number if my hacker had called him after the incident.
I’d also ignore the fact that she could find his new number within seconds.
If I thought about it too much, my possessiveness would take control.
Now, both of the men who’d stolen from me were dead. Reaper had killed Matthew on the road to make Roman talk, aware he was the weaker link. By the time they’d stepped into the club’s basement, Reaper had learned it was Daniel who’d convinced them to take from me.
Too bad Daniel was already dead. I would love to kill him again, only slower.
No matter what else we did to Roman, he never confessed to anyone else being involved.
But I wasn’t sure I believed him.
Surely Daniel and his father, Matthew, and Roman weren’t the masterminds of this little stunt.
I had a feeling someone else had been whispering in their ears. I’d find out who, and when I did, I’d make an example of them so no one else would ever dare cross me.
Reaper shook his head, while Torment said, “Not a peep from anyone on the streets, and the same goes for Daniel and his pops. No one’s asking anything. If there is someone else, I think they’ll lay low for a while.”
Sighing, I nodded. “Probably. How’d the rounds go?” I asked.
Torment grunted, and then Reaper explained, “Everything’s in order.
After your dinner, Vincent joined group one, who’ll cover the casinos and clubs.
Group two soldiers are moving through the towns and checking in with storefronts.
I’ve also requested they do merchandise checks so we don’t have any mishaps again. ”
“Nothin’ to report from the community. It’s all runnin’ smoothly. I also checked in with the restaurant. No problems there either,” Torment added.
Torment’s father owned and ran a restaurant for the organization.
“Perfect.”
We moved off to my personal office, where I settled into my lounge chair, and the other two sat on the couch opposite me. I brought the glass up to my lips and took a sip as I let my mind wander to Little Miss Gwendolyn.
Three weeks had passed since our first interaction.
I tried to keep my distance and be short with her, but every time we talked, I found her just as interesting as the last. I had her do some small tasks.
Nothing demanding. Honestly, I could have gotten one of my men to do what she had, but I just couldn’t help turning to her, even though she irritated me when she bossed me around or how she gave nothing away about herself.
She knew everything about me.
Probably more than what my other employees did.
Even now, since I had her hack a few government officials to find information to hold over them, she could use that against me too.
Yet, I had a feeling she wouldn’t.
Usually, I didn’t trust just feelings. I’d ask anyone to sign an NDA before anything was shared. But I hadn’t with Gwen, and that said a lot about how she’d gained my trust quickly.
I wanted to see her. Meet her. But I knew she wouldn’t.
I was losing my mind.
Hell, maybe it was time for me to call one of my hookups. Easy pussy who knew that was exactly what I contacted them for. A nice, easy fuck.
Unless I called one of my assistants. I had three—Veronica, Jessica, and Kelly.
They worked from the building next to the club.
Each took on different hours, so I always had someone working in case I needed something at any hour.
And I was sure if I asked whoever was scheduled on to come here, they’d jump at the chance. They always did.
Even when I knew they were just trying to become someone important to me. Like Ma had been to Father.
They were good workers, but nothing long-lasting enough to be in my bed for more than a few hours.
“Hey, dicknose!” Torment yelled, then he snorted when I looked over to glare at him. He chuckled and glanced at Reaper. “And that’s how you get his attention. The fucker’s been spaced out for the last few weeks.”
“Fuck off, prick. I have not.”
“You so have. Ain’t that right, dude?” He nudged Reaper’s side.
“Hmm” was all my friend said.
“Ha, see, Reaper agrees. Anyway, what’re you daydreamin’ about? Is it Lil’ Miss Gwen again?” Torment taunted.
“I was not daydreaming. If I ever did, it wouldn’t be about her,” I blandly replied, trying to hide that he was goddamn spot-on with his guess.
Bastard.
Torment responded with a sly chuckle.
“Okay, Malice, I totally believe you.” He gave me an overexaggerated eyeroll.
If the asshole wasn’t one of my friends, I would’ve made him pay for talking to me like that.
As the conversation moved on to discuss upcoming meetings, my phone rang. They both turned to me with a smirk. At least Reaper was smart enough to hide his behind his hand.
Leaning forward, I pulled it out and used my other hand to reach for the remote on the coffee table, then threw it at Torment’s head.
“Ow, what the fuck—”
“Shut up,” I clipped and turned. I answered without looking at the ID and put it on speaker. “Speak.”
There was a frustrated groan from the other side before we heard: “Shit, Malice, I may have a problem, but I’m not sure.”
Tension locked my limbs.
“Doll, what’s wrong?”