Page 35 of King of Ruin

“To the mansion.”

“Phineas’?” I ask. It’s rhetorical but the girl squeaks a quiet yes.

“He has everyone there. They are waiting for you all to come. My brother has a plan.”

“Tell me why the fuck we should trust him?” Trick roars.

But before the girl can get out her words, Maddy’s launcher explodes in the quiet air, and the small missile hits its target–the farthest building in the back. The entire thing crumbles, falling over in seconds.

“I have to go. Please. Just give us more time.” Fiona’s voice is barely audible over Maddy’s demolition.

We don’t get to ask anything else because the phone disconnects.

More time.

The most dangerous thing to give when every second that passes isn’t guaranteed.

Phineas’ phone rings for the seventh time, but yet again, he ignores it. Instead, his eyes stay focused on Kane. There’s been a heavy tension ever since we were loaded into the limo but no one has said anything.

Unlike Phineas, though, Kane is relaxed. His arm is strewn across the back of the seats, one leg resting on top of the other’s knee. If it wasn’t for the blood splatter decorating his clothes and jaw, I would argue that I’ve never seen him more bored.

But upon further inspection, there’s a ticking in his throat that tells a different story. It could be this wasn’t something he was expecting, or perhaps my delivery of a kiss rather than a bullet threw him off. Either way, the steady beating under his flesh informs me his wheels are turning, a new plan formulating.

I adjust the cuffs, ignoring the guards besides Phineas raising their guns at my sudden movement. Rolling my eyes, I hold up my hands. “I would have killed you already if I wanted to, boys. No need to get so anxious.”

Phineas eyes flash to me, but I know his words are meant for his son. “Are you tired of playing with her yet?”

“Not quite,” Kane answers, though he keeps his gaze directed out the window.

“You told me she wouldn’t cause much trouble and it would be easier than dealing with that Maddy woman.”

“And what trouble has she caused?”

“She’s killed four of my men.”

“Hmm, not accurate. I killed two. She killed one. And your G.I. Joe over there killed the other.” Kane finally lets his head loll toward his father.

The amount of arrogance surrounding him is new to me. He’s always had a cocky edge, but this is something different entirely. “It was to be expected. You have Washington’s most dangerous woman. Did you not suspect the weakest men you have would be dealt with during her arrival?”

“Watch your tongue with me, boy.”

Kane drops his leg and leans forward, perching himself on his hands that he rests on his knees. The darkness I’ve only justreallyseen comes to the forefront, and even I lean slightly backward. His father and the other guards feel it too, moving in tandem as they shift their weight in their seats.

“I am merely a creation of what you made,father.” He spits the last word with venom. “Does it not please you to see me take the role you trained me for?”

Phineas switches to Irish, probably under the assumption I don’t understand him. But as an enemy I’d have to deal with at some point, it was one of the first languages my parents made me learn. “You said you wanted out. That was the agreement. Let you and your kin go.”

Kane shrugs. “Without Onyx, there is an entire territory that will be up for grabs.”

Phineas’ face blooms a light pink, frustration clearly getting the better of him. “It will be mine.”

“And you think you’ll be able to handle the entire state? All of her businesses? The guards that were loyal to only her?”

A nerve in his father’s jaw tics. “Loyalty means nothing when it comes to extra zeros.”

Kane shakes his head. “Not with her men. I’ve been working alongside them. They hate you. They will band together and find a way to kill you even if it means total chaos in the streets.”

“So what do you suggest, son?” Phineas booms, his temper showing through.

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