Page 5 of Torn Souls

Prey always knows when a predator is closing in.

It’s not Betty’s fault, but that doesn’t matter to me at the moment.

“He mentioned something about needing to move it in lieu of a client meeting,” her voice is small, her words a murmur that whispers her hope of avoiding the wrath within me which needs an outlet.

“Clients always come first,” my words are clipped.

Without the legitimate business holdings I’ve built in Seattle, I wouldn’t be able to operate in the shadows as seamlessly as I do.

Maxim strolls into my office and Betty lets out a relieved breath, one which is probably premature, as she steps away from my desk. My brother arches an eyebrow; the questions clear to read in his eyes even as his face remains a stoic mask. With a subtle shake of my head, he doesn’t voice any of his questions.

“Thank you, Betty,” the words are shards of glass against my throat, but necessary. “Please get the meeting with Ralph rescheduled as soon as possible.”

She gives a nod and then practically runs out the door.

Maxim’s chuckle is deep and smokey. When I look at him, daring him to say whatever is on his mind, he doesn’t even try to hide the amusement in his eyes.

“That woman doesn’t know when to quit,” I mutter under my breath.

He runs his thumb back and forth across his chin, a thoughtful look on his face. “Do you think Betty would want to climb on your dick if she knew about the other side of you?”

“Are you fucking serious right now?” I narrow my eyes at him as I growl my question.

“Yeah,” he shrugs like he’s not being fucking ridiculous. “It’s clear she’s not the kind of woman to get her hands dirty.”

“No, she’s not,” I agree with him. “But she is the kind of woman to chase money and power without really caring where it comes from. She craves those things but is too weak to be able to stand at my side.” There’s a hint of resigned bitterness in my voice. “The worst is she thinks she’s so strong, but we know she’d buckle.”

He scoffs, “She wouldn’t.” I arch an eyebrow, more than a little surprised at his words. The smirk on his face turns sinister. “She’d run screaming in the other direction. She’s weak,” the derision is in tone has me smiling.

Okay, it’s more like a small lift of my lips, but it counts. When you have the weight of expectations on your shoulders, smiles aren’t easy to come by. I can’t afford to show any weakness or vulnerability.

His face turns contemplative. “I bet she has her suspicions about what else we’re involved in.”

“You think so?” I ask as I look toward my door even though Betty’s desk is not in my line of sight.

“If you don’t think she suspects something, then you’re underestimating a woman who wants everything she thinks you’re offering,” his tone is neutral.

“I’m not offering her a damn thing,” I snarl.

Maxim barks out a laugh, one I shake my head at ruefully. He’s not wrong and he knows it. Poor Betty.

Some of my annoyance melts away. I’m sure it’ll only last as long as Betty stays out of my office, which won’t be long considering I know her patterns. But, at least for now, a bit of the tension has eased.

I love my brother, and I need him at my side, but there are times when his lackadaisical approach toward life pisses me off. I’m not sure if it’s who he really is or if his attitude is simply an attempt to balance me out.

I’ve always been the one to take everything on, including my father’s hopes and desire for power. That need, that drive, always fell to me. Maxim had the luxury to be shielded from that.

While I don’t resent him, that doesn’t mean I like to always carry the burden either. Being the head of a crime organization, one which also must function in the real world instead of just the underground people are too scared to acknowledge, comes with a price.

I never know who to trust. Thankfully, I have my small inner circle.

I am always looking for the other shoe to drop. Which it has time and time again.

I no longer have hope for light amidst the darkness.

While jealousy is not something I allow myself to often feel, I have seen men, great men at that, fall in love and find something pure which infuses their entire beings. There’s no doubt in my mind it will never happen for me.

Even if I were to find a woman who could handle me, all facets of me, there’s no way she would also open her heart to my men. Because when it comes to the four of us, all or nothing is the only way. We can’t have our focus split or let our guard down more.

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