Page 53 of Demons in My Bed
“If there’s something to find, I will. We can’t risk exposure right now. We’re so close to the endgame, Ash. Think with your head and not your cock.”
He snorted. “Nothing wrong with some hanky-panky. Look, I have to go. Just... take it easy today—we have a big night tonight. I want everyone at full alert.”
We hung up, and I found myself going back and forth between the stupid fucking card and Palmer’s phone information. I’d taken the liberty of cloning her entire device, so I now had access to everything that was on it. Anything incoming, any activity, I’d see it all as it was happening.
Sighing, I took a small key from my pocket and opened the large desk drawer, lifting out a metal briefcase. After inputting a code and using both a fingerprint scanner and retina scanner, I watched as the case popped open.
My fingertips trailed over the little vials of green gas that was going to completely change the fucking game. Over my dead body was some smart-mouthed whore going to come in here at the finish line and turn everything to shit.
She was here to stay for now, since she knew what we were... but I wanted to know who the fuck she was. Includingwhatshe was. Where she came from, and if she was a threat. Keeping my crew, my brothers, safe—that was most important to me. I’d been caught off guard one time. One fucking time and…
I clenched my jaw when those haunted hazel eyes made another appearance in my mind.
Let’s just say, I’d made a vow that I’d never be taken by surprise again. That’s how I operated. I didn’t believe in second chances or comebacks. With me, you got one chance. Betray me, fuck me over? You might as well be a gods damned ghost, because you were that dead to me. And there was no coming back from it.
I saved the video clip, deciding against sending it to the others. There was no need in getting everyone all worked up over something that might just be a dumb fucking prank. The unease in my gut told me it wasn’t, but if that was the case and someone actually had found out...
I tried to tell myself it wouldn’t be a big deal. That was what I’d told myself for years, even though I knew it would be. Fuck. Groaning, I ran a hand down my face. No time to worry about that right now anyway; I had to get ready for tonight. With one last look at the vials, I shut the lid on the briefcase and returned it to its safe spot.
“Boss?” Hawthorne poked his head through the door tentatively. “I knocked a few times. Everything okay?”
He had? Damn, I hadn’t even heard it. “Yeah, kid. All good. Did you get rid of that shit?”
“Yeah, all taken care of. Want me to have some of the crew hang around for a couple nights? See if anything else happens?”
I nodded and stood, pocketing my phone. “Good idea. Just a couple low-level lookouts is fine. We’ll need muscle tonight at the fight.”
“I’ll see ya tonight, boss.” He turned and headed to the break room, probably to get more coffee. I made my way back out front and found Briar working on braids for a kid I knew she went to school with.
“Yo, goodbye to you too, bossman!” she called out, and I had to hold in the laugh that wanted to burst out at the shocked look on the other kid’s face. I could swear sometimes Briar just acted like that for shock value.
I kept walking at my brisk pace, waiting until I was halfway out of the door before lifting a hand in a half-assed wave.
Fucking hell, I really hated small talk. What the shit was I thinking starting up a business as a barber? That was all people did in there, try to make small talk. Briar tried to tell me all the time that it was just my “tough guy act.” That I was a big softie on the inside. It took a lot—and I mean a fucking lot—for me not to gag when she said it.
Eh, it wasn’t anything to worry about right now. I had time to burn, and it was still early enough that I could grab a nap and get some extra rest. I was going to need it.
***
Ash, Felix, and myself were bumping to some music as we flew down the highway on our way to The Valley. There was an old barn on some abandoned property that the gangs in the area had kind of claimed as a ceasefire location. Violence was allowed only in the ring, and if you broke the rules, your own gang leader or leaders were held accountable for your public punishment.
The only accepted fighting outside of the ring were lovers’ quarrels, but even then it was frowned upon. It was ridiculous how many fights broke out between males over pussy, and having the women fighting over dick was even worse. If we punished everyone for that, no one would come to fight night. That was why I stayed way the fuck away from all of that nonsense. I just wanted to fight.
I turned in my seat to look at Felix, who was lounging in the backseat. “How ya feeling?”
“I’m good, brother. More than good, actually. Did a shit ton of painting, had some hot sex... I’m set. How about you? You ready?”
I cracked my neck and twisted back around in my seat, ignoring the sex comment. “I’m always ready.”
“Oh, ho, ho. A cocky boy. Better watch yourself. Last thing you want is to underestimate anyone,” Ash told me, switching gears and getting off the freeway. Our location was rural, and we still had about fifteen minutes to go.
“So what’s the plan?” Felix leaned forward, glancing between Ash and myself.
Chuckling, Ash shook his head. “You always do this, Lix. We’ve gone over the plan so many times. Do you think something changed from the last time we went over it, which was”—he glanced at the time on the console—“four gods damned minutes ago?!”
“I get a little anxious, you fuckball. Now quit being a couple of turd sprinkles and tell me the plan!” Felix fired back, an almost-snarl edging his tone.
This got Ash’s attention, and the crazy fucker actually lunged. Legit lunged toward the backseat, completely taking his hands off the wheel and removing his eyes from the road as he grabbed for Felix.
