Page 6 of Wretched Soul
“Nothing since it burned down,” I say flatly. “When Barrett realized he was taking over a business that operated as a front for the mafia, he closed down the entire operation. TheMcConkeys made threats, and that’s when the idiot came up with the bright idea to burn it all to hell.”
“A man died in the fire,” Reid adds. “But Barrett fixed the investigation so it never looked like arson.”
“And now Barrett has a patch of land in a prime location, and a debt that needs repaying,” Ash continues. “He seems to think building a house will stop John from forcing him to replace the hub.”
“And will it stop John?” asks Maddie.
Ash scratches at his beard. It’s a question we’ve been asking ourselves. “He’s being patient for now, if only because of the Emersons’ links to us, but Barrett will be expected to make reparations eventually. And as we know, once you’re in bed with the McConkeys, you don’t get out.”
“If you ask me,” Reid says, “Barrett’s already caving in to the pressure. The latest plans include a stable block on the outskirts of the property. Since when was Barrett a horse person?”
“Piles of horse shit is one way to put police dogs off the scent of drugs,” says Hunter.
Maddie’s eyes widen. “I can’t imagine Barrett being too happy about having the mafia roaming his new estate.”
“He wouldn’t have the guts to hang around there,” Hunter says. “So I wouldn’t worry too much about him being in the same state as us.” He looks at her pointedly. “Not that you should be worried anyway.”
I check my phone rather than watch Hunter and Maddie because I know they’re going to… Yes, I can hear them kissing.
Ash clears his throat. “It’s a shame the town’s lost a factory, but at least there’ll be a brief injection of activity during the construction of the house.”
“It’s going to be interesting watching Barrett deal with the McConkeys,” I say. “Or more likely, how they deal with him.And now we have our good friend, Ray Forsyth providing commentary from the sidelines.”
Maddie arches an eyebrow at me in challenge. “Friend?”
I give her my best smile that doesn’t reach my cold eyes. “If you can forgive him for attempting to abduct you, who are we to argue?”
“Forgiveness might be stretching it,” Hunter grinds out. “If he doesn’t start proving his worth, I might regret letting him walk away with his life.”
“Maddie was the one who held the gun to his head,” Reid points out.
Maddie shrugs. “I agree with Hunter. He still needs to prove he’s on our side.”
“Yes, he does,” Ash says, pushing away his empty plate. “We’re going to have to watch how this unfolds and we need eyes everywhere. I don’t want a town that’s already been hit with tragedy to face another of Barrett’s ill-conceived plans.”
I mop up my remaining stew with a chunk of bread. “Your stew’s as delicious as always, Connie,” I call out to our housekeeper, who’s running a cloth over spotless countertops only feet away. “Can we take the leftovers home with us?”
Connie sniffs. “You are home, Mason,” she reminds me. She doesn’t approve of Reid and I moving out, and I’m sure she’d split herself in two if she could. “But I made an extra dish for you boys to take back to the apartment.”
I swallow a last mouthful. “Are we done?”
“Is there somewhere else you’d rather be?” asks Hunter, tilting his head. “Like, maybe, where your head has been for most of this meal.”
“I just like to keep busy,” I say, standing up. Connie hands me a container, and I lean in to kiss her cheek. “You’re an angel.”
Connie pulls away and gives me a quizzical look. “And your brother’s right. You’re distracted.”
“Don’t worry,” Reid says as he gets to his feet. “I’ll drive us home.”
My gaze snaps to his. “You’re coming with me?”
His jaw drops. “We do live together, brother. And Ash gave me a lift here.”
Shit. As eager as I am to head back and make a start on my deep dive into Lily’s life, I had hoped to make a quick recon of her neighborhood first, just to put my mind at rest that it’s safe enough for her. The problem is, it’s not exactly on the way home.
“Do you have something else planned?” asks Maddie, adding to the scrutiny being directed my way. Her eyes sparkle. “Is it a girl?”
I force my features to relax, and offer an empty stare that gives no hint of my inner, and totally irrational, turmoil. “I don’t dategirls. Only women.”
