Page 34 of From the Ashes

“Yes, I shot Zorko in the forehead… he’s dead.”

My muscles instantly relax as I close my eyes and let out a heavy sigh. Knowing that piece of scum can’t come after Makaylie again fills me with overwhelming joy. But the double-edged sword is I just took out Zorko—theZorko, and now Boss is going to be riding my ass. I need to figure this out and fast. Otherwise, I will be in a whole world of hurt—seeing as I let the governor, go. And now I’ve just had another huge client killed too.

Running my hand through my hair, I look around, subtly checking to make sure no one is around to overhear. “And where did you put him?”

Trap laughs down the line. “I did the dirty work, Cain. You have to find me a way to clean this shit up and fast. This guy fucking stinks.”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I let out an exhale. “All right, let me make a call. I’ll figure out a disposal. Hang tight. Look, I have a favor to ask. Can you keep this to yourself? I need you to withhold this from the Bachelors.

He’s quiet for a moment, and then he exhales, letting out a small grunt. “Cain, I don’t know… I mean, I haven’t said anything to anyone so far, but Selene knows, obviously, as she’s helping me get rid of the body. But you know her, she’s one for gossip, and Boss isn’t one to appreciate shit being kept from him. I don’t see why it should be kept a secret?”

“BecauseI fucking said so. I don’t want them thinking I’m going fucking soft.

He snorts and chuckles down the line. “So you don’t want the Bachelors to know I had to kill Zorko because you took off with the girl instead of taking care of business?”

“Well, I would have fucking done it myself, but someone had to help the poor girl, didn’t they? Don’t forget, you owed me after you fucked up with Zorko’s nephew, anyway,” I try to keep my voice calm and not let on how affected I am by this. If I give away too much, Trap might clue in that I know Makaylie, which could be just as bad of an outcome as tonight.

“Hmm… it’s not like you to take on such a caring role, Cain.”

“Shut the fuck up! Who I help and who I don’t is none of your damn business, Trap. You stepped up and made up for the fuck up of Aleksander. Now we’ll face more backlash for this, or maybe his kingdom will fall, but either way, Zorko coming in tonight trying to outwit me, then trying it on with that girl in the coat room was the last fucking straw. He had to pay.Hisdeath is onhishands… not mine.”

“Well, things might heat up for the Bachelors if it’s found out we were the ones who took Zorko out. This could unsettle the Baton Rouge underworld, having him out of play, Cain. He is, after all, involved in the Croatian crime ring.”

Rolling my shoulders, I clench my jaw. “I know, but I can’t deal with that now—”

“Gotta say, this shit is pretty fucking important. What the fuck is taking precedence right now? I know it can’t be that chick. Surely, you did a drop and run at the hospital…” He pauses and continues, “… unless youactuallyknow her?”

My entire body shudders, and my neck twitches with frustration. An uncertain feeling settles in my stomach. I hate the fact that Trap now knows what Makaylie looks like.

“No, I have no idea who she is, Trap. Just some girl Zorko took a fancy to. But I have other things to deal with. Look, I gotta go. I’ll check in later.” I don’t say anymore before I end the call. Clenching my eyes shut tight, I take a deep breath and relish the fact that Zorko is dead.

He tried to rape Makaylie.

The fucker tried to take what’s mine.

And he paid in blood.

I don’t care who you are… if you’re the main client for the Bachelors or the head of the fucking DePalma Mafia in Brooklyn. Fuck, at this point, I wouldn’t care if it was Boss.

If anyone touches my woman—they are dead.

End of story.

No one crosses that line.

And seeing her hurt like that and Zorko about to fuck her—my muscles tighten as my hands ball into fists—it was the worst fucking image of my life, and I’ve seen a lot of fucked-up shit. It was something I had no control over.

I wasn’t watching Makaylie properly. I was too busy trying to keep everything on target. Trying to ignore her. Trying to make sure she wouldn’t come over and interrupt so Zorko wouldn’t pounce on her. Zorko made his offer and left to give Trap and me time to mull it over, and before I realized that Makaylie was gone, I was almost too late.

Fuck, if I was a moment later, he would have—

I stop myself from thinking that thought as my stomach flips and anger boils. I look down at my knuckles, which are riddled withhisblood, and my only wish is that they were covered in more. The devil inside wanted to seek extreme pain from him, to ream him of every ounce of agony he had until his lungs gave out and he could scream no more. Until every drop of blood left in his body smothered the floor, and he was a vessel of muscle and sinew. If I had my way, the things I would have done to him to make him suffer would have been immeasurable, but I didn’t have the time. I had to let my chance at revenge go to aid Makaylie while the devil in me cursed my name.

Right now, I don’t care because to see her safe and well is all I’m concerned about.

Trap did his job, and now Zorko is dead—is all that matters.

Taking a breath, I huff overdramatically.

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