Page 28 of Dollhouse

Poor bastard is already becoming pussy whipped.

“She’s safe, for now.” I clear my throat, my hands going to my black silk tie and loosening it. “You’ll get her, and in exchange, you leave the city. You already know you’re on our turf, and we don’t need any more bloodshed.” Unless we’re the ones causing the bloodshed of course. But the Triad would never harm innocents, and since the Westside Disciples decided to be foolish and sell their whack product in our city, they’ve been harming innocents which started a war. A war that needs to end now.

We’d usually never make a deal; we’d solve the feud in death and eliminate our enemies. Only this time, it’s not that simple. So, for now, our only hope that they’ll crawl back into their hole, is that we make a deal.

Tate in return for them leaving.

We’d already made a deal with Marco, Malakai’s brother and second-in-command. But before we turn her over, we wanted to meet with Malakai. Knowing the shady bastard he is, I wouldn’t put it past him to back out on a deal that Marco made.

“Marco already agreed, but we all know that your word is final,” I say, watching as he sits back in his seat, sipping from his bottle of beer. As a show of good faith, Rowen and I came into their run-down bar on the outskirts of the city to have a meeting.

“So, do we have a deal? The girl in exchange for you staying the fuck out of our city?” Malakai looks over his shoulder to where Marco stands, and they both share a silent nod.

“Alright, yeah, we got a deal. What you discussed previously with Marco still stands. Wednesday night you deliver her to us, and we’ll stop selling in the city.”

“In the Triad’s city,” I correct.

He nods. “Your city.” I extend my hand out toward him and we shake on our deal.

“I am curious though, what do you want with her?” He sits back and looks at me with a smug grin.

King was the one that brought it to my attention that there’s one question we haven’t asked. Why does a rival gang want a nobody stripper? She’s nothing special. I’d been so focused on getting the fuckers and their product out of our city that I didn’t care to learn the reasons behind their sudden interest in Tate. That was foolish on my part.

“Thanks for coming by, we’ll meet again Wednesday at ten. You can show yourself out.” I study his face for a moment, then nod, and stand to my feet. I knew he wouldn’t answer my question, but I had to ask anyways.

It wasn’t uncommon for Rowen, King, and I to use people to get what we wanted, but there was something about this situation with Tate that left me with too many questions, questions that I shouldn’t care about the answers to. She’s supposed to be a means to an end, but now I’m wondering if she may be worth more than I’d originally thought.

I know the reason for that is because of Rowen. It’s because of his past with her that makes me wonder why she’s so important to the Westside Disciples. Based on what Rowen’s told me, she disappeared thirteen years ago without a trace after he made her leave the city, and out of the blue, she reappeared nine months ago.

We’ve looked into her reappearance, and even her life after leaving the city, but found nothing. This girl is a mystery, and the more I think about it, the more I’m beginning to have questions of my own, and I’m on the crust of doubting myself and our plan.

Rowen has said before that he’s tried to find her over the years, but there was no trace of her. It was as if she never existed prior to arriving nine months ago.

She has no family, and there’s no reason for her to return to this city of all places.

Our city.

I see the turmoil in Rowen’s eyes whenever I look at him, and because he’s my brother, I worry about him. He puts on a brave face, but I know how much she’s triggering him. Her presence is causing him to relive events he shouldn’t have to.

Wednesday can’t get here soon enough. Then we will be rid of her, and Rowen can go back to being himself. I’m hoping we can get all the answers we need by Wednesday, otherwise, the deal may be off.

“Something feels weird,” Rowen says once we’re in the car, and I drive us toward the freeway.

“What does?” I glance over at him.

“Malakai. I’m willing to bet my life that he doesn’t even know who she is. She’s been living here for nine months, yet he had no clue who she was, and now suddenly he wants her.” He’s right. It is a little strange.

“You think there’s someone else pulling the strings.”

“I do. I think there’s someone else who wants her, and either that person is promising Malakai something for her, or he’s trying to trade her for something, just like we are.” He appears deep in thought before continuing on, “I’m going to ask around and see what I can find out before Wednesday.”

“Regardless of what you find out, is that going to change anything?”

“No, we’re still getting rid of her, but we can’t have loose ends. Not knowing anything about her is a loose end that we can’t afford.”

“If you don’t like the answer to your questions, are you going to be okay with walking away and leaving her with them?” It’s a fair question, but he remains tight-lipped.

He has too much anger and guilt over the past. I don’t think it’s a good idea that he asks around and gets the answers to his questions. If he learns something he doesn’t like, I know he will not be okay with handing Tate over to the enemy, regardless of what he says. He may act hostile toward her, but he doesn’t want to see any harm come to her.

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