Page 66 of Dangerous Deviance
“My apologies,” I said, gritting my teeth. I had to trust Derek to know what he was doing. “We want to set things right.”
It was a lie. Muro snickered, and I knew he knew it was a lie too.
“But that’s the thing, isn’t it?” he said. “Were things everrightbetween us? First, you let the Knox girl go free, nearly letting Oliver escape in the process. Word has it that you were in possession of the Pink Diamond before we retrieved it. Now, you shut my men out of dealing in your territory, all because of a misunderstanding?”
How the hell did you call skipping cutbacks, insulting us with shitty cocaine, and sending undercover soldiers to kill us, a misunderstanding?
“Your men didn’t pay the cutback fees,” Derek said.
Muro shrugged. “That bothers you, doesn’t it?” He leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together in thought. “I suppose if a personwasto extort women into being experimental soldiers, the first thing I would do, if it were me personally,” he held a hand to his chest, “would be to go after you. You notorious Adlers, with your hold on Sage City. Messing up my plans for the rest of the state.” He shook his head. “I hear you all have a penchant for obedient women.”
I swear he was eyeing me, as if he knew that Ellie was mine. I took a deep breath, controlling myself so that I wouldn’t strangle him on the spot.
“We can work together, Muro,” Derek said. He was as calm as ever, unattached to the situation. But I wanted to punch Muro in the face. “It doesn't have to be like this.”
“And what’s the alternative? Having lunch together on the weekends? Pool parties at my estate, trading black market secrets, creating an alliance between our two groups?” Muro smiled. “I don’t make alliances. I conquer.”
Conquer. Annihilate. Rule. We had our own ways too.
“Ruling without cooperation will only rally your enemies to join forces and wipe you out sooner,” Derek said.
Muro leaned forward. “Then go for it,” he said. “But I don’t have time for this dance anymore.” He sighed, then leaned back in his chair and scratched the bolt tattoo on the side of his face. “I know this is what the family mafias might call a war, and I suppose,” he grinned, “that it just might be one. But let’s call it a truce for now. We can figure out the logistics after I return from abroad.”
The man was mocking us. I clenched my fists.
“Gerard would like to work together, rather than create an enemy of you,” Derek said.
The woman on the floor sniffed, and Muro snapped his head at her, offended that she would make a sound. Then the smile on Muro’s face fell, leaving behind a blank expression. He tapped his chin and turned to us. “Funny, isn’t it? I have yet to meet the infamous Gerard Adler himself. Almost like he doesn’twantto meet me. Sending his sons instead. The coward.” Muro tilted his head. “And I’m afraid it’s too late.” Muro stood. “Nothing against you. Just your father, and his unwillingness to make room for bigger fish.”
I adjusted my jacket, staring down at Muro, shorter than me, and yet completely pompous. He smiled. “If you want a job, Wilhelm, feel free to come here,” he said, winking at me. “I hear you’re rather good at navigating a dealer’s room. I’d like to expand into that arena eventually.”
What the hell?
“I willneverleave my family,” I said.
Muro clapped slowly, the smile cheapening his every move. “Bravo. Good for you andyour family.”
I gripped my hands tight, and Derek knocked the back of his hand into mine, and we turned towards the door.
With each step, anger surged inside of me. Muro’s corporation was bigger than our mafia, but we still controlled Sage City. What the hell were we doing here?
Were we just going to walk away?
No. Fuck that.
I snapped around, grabbing my gun and pulled the trigger, but Muro already had that kneeling woman strapped across his chest, using her as a shield, his gun keeping her in place. At the last second, I moved and the bullet skimmed her cheek, searing her flesh and leaving a wound in its wake.
Derek immediately aimed his gun at Muro too.
“So youdohave some fight in you,” Muro laughed. His gun jabbed into the woman’s chin. The lines around her mouth shimmered in fright; now that her head wasn’t lowered, I could tell that she was older, maybe even as old as Muro. And her green eyes were full of panic. She knew this might be her last moment.
“Please, Master!” she cried.
Master?
“Your father likes them like this,” Muro said. “I heard you two do too. But I want to hear it for myself. Do you like them obedient? Compliant?” He dug the gun deeper into the woman’s chin and she flinched, tears running down her cheeks. How the hell did he know about that? “It’s easier, isn’t it? Keep them like this, like submissive pieces of trash, and they’re easily disposable.”
“Drop the fucking gun, Muro,” Derek ordered. I glanced at him quickly; he was staring at Muro, his head reeling as if he was trying to figure out how to protect the woman. What the hell was he defending this stranger for?
