Page 91 of King of Cruelty

It was hella weird having this perfect stranger talk about me and my sister like she’s known us for years.

“Speaking of, where did that woman rabbit off to with my baby?” Her sudden soft and cooing voice shocked me. “I’ve been waiting weeks to chew on those cheeks. Bring her out here. Let me hold her.”

“I... uh... okay.” Crossing through the kitchen, I knocked on the bathroom door and told Lyla it was safe to come out. “But why keep it a secret? Why didn’t Sunny tell us about you?”

“Because Sunny promised your sister no more bodyguards after the last one... you know.”

I winced. I definitely knew.

“Obviously, he wasn’t going to put someone else on you that he didn’t trust absolutely, but he did have to get someone.” She flapped a hand at Selfie Bitch. “Whether your sister likes it or not, you need a bodyguard.”

“You just saved me and her daughter. Trust me, Gianna Jr., she is not going to be unhappy to see you.”

She laughed. “I prefer Gigi, but good to know. I’ve been wanting to meet the woman who tamed Sunny’s, Liam’s, and Bane’s hearts. So many others have tried and failed, but Mackenzie Blaine succeeded.”

Lyla cracked the door open. “Is it safe?”

“It’s safe,” I replied.

“Okay, good.” Lyla stepped out, took one look at the body on the floor, and shot back inside with a sleeping Laurel—her scream trapped behind her teeth.

Gigi rolled her eyes. “Calm down, woman,” she called. “The cleanup crew will take care of this within the hour. Until then”—her gaze pinned me through—“you and I have an auction to stop.”

KENZIE

“Tricky?” I crouched down, sticking my head inside. “Are you here, sweetie? Everything’s going to be—”

I lifted my chin, and my nose bonked against the cold nip of the muzzle.

Fuller snatched it back. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, dear.” Taking the gun away, she helped me up. “Are you okay? I’m so relieved to see you.”

Fuller hugged me tight. Over her shoulder, I observed Tricky calm and content, sitting on her bed watching television while drinking her juice. Sitting next to her were Nadine and Hendrix—Sunny’s cook and Genny’s doctor.

The Merchants rushed all of their employees to the safe room, protecting them from a fight that wasn’t theirs. Meanwhile, Debra and her cronies were planning to blow up all the people who fought and died to get them here.

It amazed me that woman couldn’t see who the real monsters were.

“I’m okay,” I said, pulling back. “I only came to make sure Tricky was safe, and to let you guys know that security is down for the whole building. Right now, that door will open for anyone, so if it does... be ready.”

Fuller exchanged looks with Hendrix and Nadine.

“We’ll be ready,” Hendrix said, putting her arm around Elizabeth. “But what do we need to be ready for?”

“Five women and one man. They pretended to be hostages of Luca so that they could get in here, but they’re actually the leaders of the Brotherhood,” I said. “The same Brotherhood thatis currently moving into the building. They’ve decided they live here now.”

“Goodness gracious,” Fuller breathed.

“I’m going to take away something they desperately want, but that will only strengthen their determination to find leverage that will force me to give it back”—I flicked to Tricky—“but if I don’t, you have to get out of here. I’ll text you why.”

Fuller tipped her head, expression solemn. She understood me perfectly.

“Go,” she said. “Finish this.”

She didn’t need to tell me twice. Waving goodbye and good luck, I ducked out and headed fast for Liam’s bathroom. On the way, I typed out the full explanation to Fuller that I didn’t want a little girl to hear.

I spent many a night, and many a morning, with Liam Hunt. I knew his bathroom like I knew his bed—and I knew that tube of Chapstick. I’d even seen the man use it! In every way, it looked like a harmless moisturizer. I never looked at it twice.

Entering the bathroom, I padded across the marble floor, peering around for the slightest shift or shadow.

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