Page 101 of Graves

He knows about her, undoubtedly, and as long as we do what he says, the peace will be kept. If not…

“What’s the mark?”

I can practically hear his slimy smirk from the other side of the phone.

“There is a warehouse on the East Coast of some enemies. I want it gone.”

“We don’t really do destruction of buildings. It’s a lot messier than a murder.”

“That house in Portland went up real nice, I’m sure my boys can get creative. Besides, you’re officially out of my debt. The job pays one hundred thousand, per Graves brother.”

If he thinks I give a shit or need his money, he’s deluded. Though I think he’s smart to know that’s not the case. Regardless, I don’t have a choice, so I simply nod my head despite him not being able to see me as I speak.

“We’ll get it done. Send over the details, and Dominic will begin planning.”

“Glad to hear it. Chat soon.”

Yeah, I fucking hoping not.

Chapter Forty-Four

BLAKE

Dom came home later in the evening, knuckles split and swollen, with blood splattered across his dark gray shirt. I threw it in the wash for him and cleaned up his hands. He insisted he was fine, but he’s always the aftercare guy in the house. I figured having someone take care of him for once was the least I could do.

The next day, Zayden and I are having lunch on the couch while Dominic is at a quarterly meeting with one of his customers. Zayden made us bacon grilled cheesesandwiches, and I happily munch away at it when an advertisement for a restaurant comes to life on the TV. A decadent slice of cheesecake is shown in slow motion, forcing my mouth to water in anticipation.

“Fuck, angel. Don’t make me jealous of a piece of cheesecake. You’re only supposed to look at my cock like that,” Zayden says, though I’m not sure how much he’s teasing.

“You know that diner by my old apartment?” I ask.

He nods as he leans back into the couch.

“They have the world’s best cheesecake, I swear. They do a little chocolate swirl in it, and…ugh, it’s so good,” I groan in want.

“If you want me to go get cheesecake, just say that, angel.” He smiles lovingly, playing with my hair before resting his head into my neck, inhaling slowly.

I’ve come to find that it relaxes him to smell me. It sounds strange, but the peaceful look that takes over his usually troubled eyes when he does it makes me sink into his touch, allowing him to hold me a little tighter.

“No, you don’t have to. It just sounds good.” I laugh lightly.

“What my angel wants, my angel gets,” he says, pressing a kiss to my neck before he stands up, grabbing his wallet and phone before slipping on his leather jacket.

“You really don’t have to,” I say as I sit up, pulling my knees to my chest as I tuck the soft blanket Dom bought for me around myself.

He gives me a quick wink as he puts his thumb to the front door scanner.

“You can make it up to me later,” he says with a salacious smirk before he strides out the door.

I smile after him, falling a little more in love with my beautifully broken, unhinged man. My love for Zayden hit me hard and fast. It happened before I even realized it, and once I did, I knew there was no going back, ever.

Grabbing our plates from lunch, I carry them to the kitchen and begin washing the dishes when I feel a presence behind me. My mouth pulls up into a smirk. Zayden and Dominic are both so light on their feet, so stealthy. They love sneaking up on me, but they won’t get the upper hand this time.

I turn on my heel quickly, smiling in triumph. That smile dies instantly as a lead ball sinks into my stomach.

“Who are you?”

A large man stands on the other side of the island, dressed in a black sweater and peacoat. He has blond hair that has turned more silver than anything and a matching beard that is perfectly trimmed and neat. His cold gray eyes drill into me, an amused smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

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