Fuck. Why won’t you let me see your emotions anymore,estrellito?He won’t open the door for me when I knock, and even when he does come out, he won’t look me in the eye.
My mood is sinking like a fucking stone and it takes every bit of my will to pull myself back into the present.
“Right.” I point the barrel of the gun at her brother’s head and the man shuts his eyes tight right when Josey crawls forward with muffled protests, pleading for him.
“Josey, this hurts me too,” I deadpan, “but I wouldn’t have to do this if he’d just minded his own business.”
She’s trying to say something, again pleading with her eyes and I sigh before ripping the tape off her lips. I’d tagged along with Baal on this one in the hopes that I could take the edge off and play a little. So I have time to waste before I see the team later.
“He'll mind his business from now on,” she assures me, nodding. “Hewill.He won’t do anything like this again.”
I roll my eyes, “You’resmarterthan this, Josephina. This is Marcus all over again.” The name of her ex-husband isn't one I’d forget just yet.
Everyone has a price. Marcus’ life was Josephina’s price. It was the reason why I liked her so much.
She rid herself of her handsy trash husband.
And we gained a key player.
“You deserve better,” I remind her. “He's your brother and he stole fromyou. He stole fromus.”
“He's nothing like Marcus—”
No, Marcus was an abusive asshole.
“He's just confused,” her eyes are pleading. “I can get him on our side. I know I can.”
I hum. I'd been too consumed by Christian to listen to the details when Baal explained it. But I believe Baal had entrusted something to Josey. Some… ‘sensitive’ information. Ryan here found it by accident and instead of minding his business he copied it all behind Josey’s back and took it to the feds.
It's pure luck that he’d handed it over to one of our people.
“I don't know, Josey, this is very disappointing. You can understand, right?”
“I'll do anything.” Josey's energy is fearful but it's honest and her eyes are clear. “You know I will. I always have.”
And for the first time I'm realizing she has blue eyes.
Just like Christian's.
My dick twitches.
“If you suck me off right now, I’ll agree to let him go.”
Josey’s eyes widen and her energy flutters with new trepidation, a dark colour sweeping into the hope from moments ago.
Ryan muffles something beneath his tape but I ignore him.
“If you can improve my mood, I'll convince Baal for you.”
“But—” her face is growing paler by the second, “But—”
“You’re the one who left your things lying around, Josey,” I sing to her softly, “Your carelessness is what put us all in this room together. Now it’s really hard to find a journalist like you, I know that. You’ve been a good girl for us for a long time. But if you don’t give me a good reason, you’re going to have one less brother. You have two right?”
Joey nods her head, shutting her eyes tightly as though she’s hoping this is all one big bad dream.
“Kriston?” I call the name of her other brother. “I heard he’s doing very well. His coaches tell me he has the potential to enter the pro league.”
“Please—”
