Page 64 of The Games We Play

Doc leans in closer. “Because I know why November wants Darius dead. Darius didn’t call the hit on your brother, Lima.”

My vision goes black, and untamed rage threatens to rip my skin from my bones. Does he know what happened to my brother? November told me it was a planned attack from Darius to get financial records and wipe her accounts.

But the way Doc is looking at me tells me I didn’t look hard enough into the truth, and for one fucking year, I’ve been lied to.

“Doc,” I say, barely constrained. “What the fuck have you been keeping from me? And why are you telling me now?”

The bastard has the audacity to smile as he leans back, saluting me with his drink. “Because for once, son, you have something to live for, to fight for, and that makes you the most dangerous monster in this place.”

I wait for the shoe to drop, for Doc to tell me this life-altering secret he knows. He downs the contents of his glass and braces his elbows on his knees.

“November is Darius’ sister and wants the family business.”

I roll this information around in my mouth and rub my hands together. “What did that have to do with my brother?”

“He found ledgers, payments she was making to gain the support of others to help overthrow Darius.”

I shrug and sit back, not sure why this is significant. “So, she gave some people money? That doesn’t make sense.”

Doc shakes his head and glances at the door and around the room like he’s worried about someone walking in at any moment. “I never said it was money that she paid with.”

I stare at Doc quizzically. Footsteps sound outside the door, and his brows shoot up. “It’s not safe for you here. You’re the biggest payday November has ever had. At the auction, she’ll make her move and offer you her greatest asset, the one man those bastards hate more than anyone, in exchange for Darius’ head. Perhaps they’ll use you for their own personal gain. Or, like so many others, they’ll take liberty in making you suffer.”

Shaking my head, I stare at the cracks in the brittle concrete floor. She’s selling her hitman to the highest bidder? And she just found leverage against me because Puppet will be there.

“The plan is for them to get his daughter. You might even be the one to do it. Then once she’s ‘safe’, November will use her toforce your hand.”

I fight the urge to walk out of this room and find the bitch of a woman and put an end to this before it begins. I can find Puppet on my own. I’ll get her out, kill Darius, and beg for her forgiveness.

“I’m getting you out of here,” I tell the old man as I stand, a plan already forming in my mind.

He shakes his head and waves his arms out around him. “I’m not worth the time, son. It’s only a matter of time before my clock stops ticking. But you,” He gives me a soft smile. “You’ve just started to know what living means.”

Emotions I haven’t felt since I was a child with my parents overcome me. I swallow the foreign feeling and stand.

“I think it’s about time you’re done taking orders, son,” Doc says, pulling a gun and ankle holster from under his pant leg and handing it to me.

I nod.

I couldn’t agree more.

***

The last man dropsdead at my feet, my knife protruding from his neck. Sorry bastards never knew what hit them. I check my watch. I have two hours before I’m supposed to be in position at the auction. Coming here first was a risk, but I think part of me clung to the hope that Puppet would be here and her father was merely making empty threats.

Roxy barks from the basement, and I step over the body and take the key from the top of the door frame. The moment I swing it open, she leaps out in a frenzy of anxiety and terror.

“Hey, hey. Easy, girl.” I crouch to the floor. “Shh, you’re okay, Roxy. I got you.” She leaps up and plants her paws on my shoulders, her tongue licking up the side of my cheek. Her whimpers turn into excited yaps, and I run a hand down her body. “I’m going to get you out of here, then I’m going to find our girl. Okay?”

She prances in place, then sniffs the air. Her attention lands on the man a few feet away with blood staining the floor around his neck, and she lets out a low menacing growl. I know how she feels. Their death isn’t enough to fulfill the need for revenge for what they’ve done to Puppet.

Roxy’s ear perks, and she races up the steps, barking as she goes.

“Roxy,” I shout, but she ignores me. I chase after her and find her lying on Puppet’s bed, whining as her big brown eyes look up at me. “She’s not here,” I tell her, with defeat in my voice.

I’m shocked at how much that hurts me to say. I’ve never let myself hope, not for anything. But I had hoped—more than hoped—I prayed she would be here when I arrived. I would’ve deserted the mission and taken her away where nobody would find us.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Roxy crawls closer and lays her head on my lap.

---