Page 114 of Havoc

“I need you to listen, for Christ’s sake.” I gritted my teeth and tried to restrain myself from choking her. “We’re leaving. We have someone to deal with.” I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction at the thought of inflicting great pain on that waste of space downstairs. It would give me just what I needed, if only for a while. “I want you to go back to my suite and wait for me there.”

“I’ve got a friend here. I can’t ditch Benny two nights in a row.”

“He just left.” I raised an eyebrow. “Unlike some people, he can take a hint.”

Her shoulders sagged as she shook her head in defeat. “Damn you, Grim, your hints are far from subtle. You use your big scary—” she paused and moved her hand around “—ness, to lead people to believe I’m yours. When I’m not. Why do you do that?” She stared right at me, and I threw my wall up so her words couldn’t affect me. “You need to learn to back off and stop playing mind games with everyone.”

I rubbed my chin and took a moment as I eyed Simon, who watched us from the bar.

So, I played dirty. I didn’t care.

“Look, Kenna, I’d like you to go to my place, because as much as I can’t believe it, you worked your way past Leal’s defenses, and I think it would do him some good to see you. He was shot, after all, and is still healing.”

Her face softened, and I knew I had her. It wasn’t a complete lie; I’d never seen anyone get as close to Leal as she had.

She lowered her head and took a deep breath. “What about Zhar? How will he handle me being there?”

“He’ll follow his brother’s lead,” I reassured her. “He’ll warm up if Leal does.”

“Fine,” she looked away, “for Leal.”

“For Leal.” I hid that I was pleased I won. “Jesse will take you down.”

“I think I can manage.”

I opened my mouth to protest but shut it again. I needed to pick my battles. “Fine.” I walked her to the elevator to ensure Simon had no opportunity to approach her.

“Grim,” she turned as she stepped inside, “I…” Then she shook her head. “Actually, never mind.” She dropped her hands as the doors closed.

“Ready to spill some blood?” Brick asked from behind me. “I know I am.”

“Yeah.” I immediately shifted my brain to what I needed to do. I heard the others come up behind us.

“We’re all here,” Jesse let me know.

“All right, and Jesse?”

“Yeah, boss.” He moved to stand in front of me.

“Simon’s at the bar.”

Jesse nodded. “I’ll get Jason to watch him.” He made a call as we headed downstairs.

* * *

My friendsall leaned against the wall as they waited in anticipation to see what kind of entertainment I’d bring them. I was known to be a tad theatrical with my kills. After all, with Trigger and Elio’s reputation for their own inventive styles, I had to keep up. I smiled at the memory of a few momentous pieces. I could have used the mine, but dropping someone into that dark abyss and simply hearing them scream for help just didn’t seem ruthless enough. No, I needed more.

“Who hired you?” I directed my question to the piece of shit who stood tied to a heavy cinder block by one of his legs. His face was badly beaten, and he cradled one of his arms I’d had a bit of fun with as my introduction to the event. As much as I wanted to beat him until his last breath, I needed to feed my internal hunger for revenge for my boys and Darcy. Not to mention my company deserved something a little different, and who was I to deny them that? Something a little extra, particularly for Leal.

The man boldly chuckled, and I mentally rolled my eyes. They always had a set of balls until they saw what I would bring to the table.

I studied my watch and for half a moment wondered what Kenna was up to in my place. Her scent had worn off my bedding from when she’d lain with Leal, and I secretly hoped she’d lie down with him again so it would return. The scent of that woman did wonders for my head.

“Jesse.” I flicked my hand, and he turned on the water. It gushed from the side of the wall and pooled at the man’s feet, thanks to the slope in the floor.

“I’ll take a drowning any day.” He looked unimpressed, and I just smiled and let him think drowning was all he’d have to endure.

I looked around at my friends. Trigger watched, expressionless, while Elio whispered something to Niccola with a smile. Rail shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he ran his mouth to Brick about all the possibilities I might come up with. I could feel the anticipation build. Unlike the battered fool before me, they knew me well.

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