Page 109 of Reaper Flame

Hearing from her wouldn’t prevent me from having to explain the deal I made with Bryce, but all that mattered was her safety. As soon as I heard her voice, I could deal with the rest later.

“Mieko?” I said into the phone. “Where are you?”

A cold laugh echoed down the line, freezing my blood solid. All the color drained from Rocky’s face as quickly as West’s flushed red in anger. Vixen’s shaking hand rose to cover her mouth as she let out a whimper, which sounded even more terrifying coming from the woman who never liked to show weakness.

“Hello, Kitty,” Hiram purred down the line. “You’d better listen closely if you ever want to see your pretty little friend again. I took a shine to her last time we met, remember?”

“Put Mieko on the phone.” The words felt like sandpaper in my dry mouth. “I want to hear from her myself.”

Hiram tutted. “Where are your manners, Kitty?”

“Put her on, Hiram,” I said, then took a deep breath. “I need to know she’s still alive.”

Vixen’s knees buckled. Rocky’s hands were all that kept her standing.

“She is,” Hiram replied, then paused. “For now.”

“Prove it,” I spat.

“Candy?” Mieko’s voice croaked. “Tell Vixen I—”

“That’s enough,” Hiram hissed, taking back control. “Are you satisfied now?”

The sound of a scuffle in the background rooted me to the spot. I knew what kind of torture Hiram inflicted on his prisoners. Mieko was innocent. The only thing she was guilty of was trying to get answers for the woman she loved. Whatever happened to her would be my fault.

“Where are you?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite my shaking hands. “What do you want?”

“You’ve been avoiding me for so long, Kitten,” Hiram drawled. “Why is it you only speak to me when you want something? I thought we’d made amends after your wedding day. How do you think it made me feel when you disappeared?”

“I don’t want to play your games, Hiram,” I said. “Tell me what you want me to do.”

“I believe you’ve taken something that belongs to me,” Hiram said. “And I want it back.”

Zander snatched the phone from me. “Name your fucking price.”

“Zander Briarly, we meet again.” Hiram’s playful attitude changed instantly and his voice turned glacial. “I cannot be bought.”

“Then what do you want?” Zander snarled. “I’ve helped you before. I can help you again.”

“Taking my Kitten away again was never part of the plan,” Hiram hissed. “I do not trust Briarly’s.”

I wrestled the phone from Zander before he crushed it in his fist and blew our chances at helping Mieko.

“Why don’t we do a trade?” I suggested.

I had an idea, but it was fucking crazy…

“I will be sad to let her go.” Hiram sighed dramatically. “I’m already starting to get attached. Do you really think I want you back after everything you’ve done to me, Kitty?”

“I wasn’t talking about me.” The only thing left to do was play his bluff. “The Blackbird for Mieko. It’s a fair trade. What would happen to your business operations if he died?”

The guys gawked at me like I’d lost my mind. Maybe I had, but it’s the only ammunition we had.

“Isn’t this nice, Kitten?” Hiram said. He hadn’t hung up, so I’d piqued his interest. That was good. “We’re negotiating like the old times. You’ve always known how to drive a hard bargain.”

Vixen’s eyes widened hopefully as I asked, “Do we have a deal, then?”

Hiram paused. “I don’t know if I’m ready to give up one of my new toys so fast…”

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