Page 22 of The Boss
“I would tell you, but I think you already know.” She crossed her arms under her pert breasts. Had it been a few days ago, Conall would have wanted to fuck her until she cried out his name, but right now, he wanted nothing more than to headbutt her.
Killough faked a surprised look. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, detective.”
“I’m sure you do, but I always enjoy your acts.” She smiled. “One day, I’m going to come down hard on you, and you’ll find yourself in a jail full of men who want to destroy you.” She paused, her gaze turning on Conall. “Is this your new boy? Did you tell him what happened to the last one?”
Killough stepped in Conall’s line of sight, blocking the detective from him. “I’d watch your tongue, detective.”
“Is that a threat, Sloan?”
“No, but I wouldn’t want to have to report you to your superiors for misconduct toward a member of the public.”
Conall couldn’t see Killough’s face now, but he imagined the warning stare on his face, which Conall had seen a lot of. One look quietened a lot of his inferiors, but Detective Diaz obviously wasn’t one of them. She shifted closer until she was way too close to Killough. His guards moved in, their hands hovering near their hips. The cops behind Diaz did the same thing.
Diaz inhaled sharply. “I smell fear, Killough. That’s why you’ve resorted to threatening. Is this where you tell me to take care of my family? Because guess what, I don’t have any. You can’t threaten me with people that don’t exist.”
“Everyone cares about someone, detective,” Killough whispered back harshly.
“Not me.” She peered around him at Conall, her lips twisted meanly. “You should ask your master about his previous pet and how he ended up gutted in the Hudson River.” With that, she moved backward. “Get out of here, Sloan. We’re not gonna tell you what we know. I love seeing you sweat it.”
“Mhm. We’ll see each other again, detective.” It was a promise that made Conall shiver with fear. He wouldn’t want to be the detective in that moment.
“I’m looking forward to it.” She spun on her heels, giving Killough a two-finger wave, but her second finger was bent slightly so it looked like she was flipping him the bird. She whispered to the cops still standing guard, and they took a few steps forward, the warning clear. Leave.
Killough turned toward Conall. A vein in his forehead had popped, irritation flashing across his face. “Come.”
Conall didn’t know if he was talking to him or Fionn, but they both followed him back to the limo. Killough let them get in first before he closed the door behind himself. He gnashed his teeth together and leaned toward Fionn. “I want her head on my desk.”
“It’s not that easy, you know that, Sloan. They will know it was us.”
“I don’t care. She’s a fucking thorn in my side.”
“She’s a thorn in everyone’s side. She has influence all over America. It’s not just us she’s going after. She’s hitting the motorcycle clubs too.” Fionn pursed his lips in thought. “If that’s what you want, I’ll do it, but we need to be subtle about it, maybe make it look like it was the Italians. What about Ardan? He could do it.”
“Ardan’s on another hit. He’s taking out Harold’s sister.”
“What?” Conall’s head whipped toward Killough. “I thought you were messing with Harold before you killed him. You’ve punished him with death, why do you need to kill his sister too?”
Killough exhaled, squeezing the bridge of his nose between two fingers. “Because, pet, we have to make an example of him. I don’t care if his sister knew about it or not, we need to show others the consequences of betrayal.”
“That’s bullshit,” Conall snapped.
“I’d watch your mouth if I was you,” Fionn said, his voice low and filled with warning. “Otherwise you might be next on the list.”
Killough surged forward so quickly that Conall didn’t know what was happening until Killough’s fist was curled around the lapels of Fionn’s suit, his other hand squeezing at his nephew’s chin. “If you ever threaten my pet again, it’ll be your grave we’ll dig next. Your attitude is pissing me off, Fionn.”
“You’ve only known him for a day,” Fionn said through the tight grip on his jaw. He cringed when Killough tightened his hold.
“He’s still my pet, and I expect you to respect him. Am I clear?”
The apple in Fionn’s throat bobbed and he nodded as much as he could. “Yes, boss.”
“Apologize.”
“I’m sorry.”
Killough grinned cruelly. “Not to me.” He released his hold and gestured at Conall. “To my pet.”
Fionn’s gaze shifted to Conall and his lips twitched. He obviously would rather do anything else but apologize. “I’m sorry for my rude behavior, Conall.”
