Page 17 of His Kingdom

This asshole thought he could dish out details of our operation to some lowlife thug who decided he’d try to take what was mine. It wasn’t the first time and I know it won’t be the last either. When you’re at the top of the food chain, everyone wants what’s rightfully yours.

The idiot who paid for intel from the soon-to-be dead man in my chair was caught red-handed. “You didn’t what? Think I’d find out?” I ask. I turn around and walk over to the opposite side of the room. Carlo is watching with a smirk on his face. He knows what’s coming.

I could end this right here and now, but where would the fun be in that? Any fucker who betrays me doesn’t get the mercy of a quick, painless death.

“Please, Louie, I didn’t know what he was gonna do. I needed the money. My ma needs surgery,” the fucker cries out.

“If you needed money, you should have asked me for more work instead of stealing from me,” I say, knowing full well this cocksucker doesn’t have a mother.

I have files on every single member of my organization. I don’t let anyone come onboard without a thorough background check. And this guy? Justin? He has no family. Grew up in the system, thrown out onto the streets at eighteen.

Picking up the metal branding pole, I walk over to the fire and hold the end over the flames. The flat side is in the shape of a playing card with the word “renegade” carved out in the middle of it. Anyone who goes against the laws I’ve laid down in this city gets branded. It shows everyone else what happens when they try to go against me.

I’ll make sure this asshole’s body is found—every now and then, you have to make an example.

“You see, you’re going to help others not make the same mistake you have, Justin.” I watch the metal heat up until it’s glowing red. “When they see this brand on you, they’ll think twice about betraying me.”

Once I’m satisfied that the metal is hot enough to do its job, I slowly walk over to a now-screaming Justin. He’s struggling against his restraints. I lift a foot and kick him square in the chest, knocking him and the chair over so he’s laid out flat on his back. I hold him still with my foot while I bring the brand down right in the center of his torso. The smell of burned flesh assaults me. Justin’s screams die off, and his body stops moving.

“He passed out. Didn’t take long.” Carlo walks over, peering down at Justin before looking up at me again. “You might want to check your phone, boss. Sammie is trying to reach you.”

I pause. The metal rod drops next to Justin’s head, landing on the concrete floor with a clank. I left Sammie with Charlotte. I didn’t want her to wake up alone and think I skipped out on her.

I quickly pull out my phone and find three messages.

Sammie:

Boss, your girl wants to go to a health clinic. Something about unprotected sex?

Sammie:

Unprotected? Really, have you lost your goddamn mind?

Sammie:

In a car with her now. She offered to let me know if you have any STDs, btw.

What the actual fuck?

I hit dial on his number, and Sammie answers after two rings.“Boss.”

“Where the fuck is she?” I grunt.And why does she think she needs to go to a clinic? Is she sick?

“Right next to me. Wanna talk to her?” Sammie says, humor evident in his tone.

“Yes.”

“Hello?” A sweet southern voice fills my ears.

“Charlotte, are you okay? Are you ill?” I ask her.

“No, I’m notill,” she says.

“Then why are you going to a clinic?”

“Because we… well, you know. And I don’t know what kind of diseases you may or may not have,” she whispers into the phone.

“I’m clean,” I tell her.

---