Page 21 of Fixate
We were blending both at the moment given how Pip had given away his hidden status. Tommaso would have died anyway. It was just a bit sooner than I’d have liked.
I rolled up my sleeves and smoothed back my hair as I waited for Henri to bring in the first batch of men. It took less than two minutes for them to file in. Their reluctant gazes moved around the room. Whether they knew what the space meant or not, they understood enough to know they’d be the first of many questioned.
“Let’s not waste time, men. I’m going to ask a few questions. Henri and I will decide if you are lying. If so, then you’ll be treated the same as Tomasso. If not, then you’ll be free to go about your workday. Last chance to confess.”
None of them stepped forward. Henri looked to me for the go ahead, then he proceeded to rapid fire questions at them while I watched for any signs of dishonesty. As a pair, we were the best human lie detectors out there. There was no chance of hiding information from us.
We went through the process of questioning the men for hours. Several were found innocent. Too many were foundto either be lying outright or knowledgeable of what was happening.
Since we were cleaning house, we executed every possible deserter. There was no room for lies in the organization, especially those that were done because they were too afraid to speak up. I only wanted to be surrounded by people who unequivocally had my back.
After the lastof the men were released, the door to the room burst open. Henri raised his gun toward the figure, only lowering it when Pip strutted in with his rifle leaning against his shoulder.
“What a fun day. When can we do it again?”
I chuckled at his excitement. “Hopefully not for a while. And maybe next time, it will be with people not in my employ.”
He sighed. “Yeah, well, that part sucks. Still, I love a good brain blow. It’s so beautiful to watch how they splatter. It’s art.”
“That’s a bit disgusting, man,” Henri told him.
My new second wasn’t a huge fan of the blood and gore that came with the job. It’s why he spent most of his time behind a computer screen.
Pip shrugged, motioning to the bodies around the room. “Would you rather worry about one of these fuckers trying to slit your throat in the middle of the night? Yeah, didn’t think of that. You’re second now, Henny. Have some sense of self-preservation.”
Henri scowled at Pip as color rose to his cheeks. I didn’t know if it was anger, or if he was more embarrassed by the entire interaction. Pip was a brash person. He didn’t hold back histhoughts, which was why he was more a free agent to do as he pleased.
Plus, he had no desire to lead or be led. Pip liked money, plain and simple.
If it made him a strong profit, he did it. If it wasn’t worth his time, he let the leads die.
Sometimes literally.
“Henri, I need to go make a few calls. You handle this. Pip, you’re with me for a bit longer. I’ll pay an hourly rate to have you watch my back until Henri and Jean are done.”
Pip saluted me. “You’re speaking my language, Boss. Lead the way.”
I’d long given up the need to have him call me by my full name. He just wasn’t going to listen. At least Rel was better than Henny. Poor Henri was never going to escape that.
He and I left the room, moving down through the building to the office tucked deeper in the back. It wasn’t a space I used all that often. Truly, it had been Stasia’s domain since she coordinated so much of this.
It was obvious in how the space was decorated. Pip whistled, a sneer on his face as he took in the gaudy furniture and painting on the wall.
“You do all this yourself, or did you bring in a prissy bitch to do it for you? Gotta say, it’s not my fave look.”
I shook my head as I took a seat at the desk. “Stasia took care of all this shit. I prefer a much subtler look. No need for the rest.”
Pip landed in the chair across from me. His boots kicked up to land on the edge of the desk as his hands moved behind his head.
He was the picture of calm and relaxed. Even so, I knew he’d take out any threat that popped up should danger arise.
I took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t contacted in years. Not since before the marriage alliance. I had no need to.Once we were married, Stasia dealt with her family. It was part of the beauty of it all. She got to keep in touch with them and coordinate deals, all while gaining access to my business as well.
Should have known she would be greedy and gun for even more of it.
The phone rang twice before his deep voice answered, “Da?”
“It’s Lyon. I’m calling with news.”
