But this is the life I have and I’m going to do my worst with it.
I disappear—hidden from any lingering eyes—on the sidewalk situated between the church and the empty brick building next to it. Well, it’s not quite empty but it’s very much mine. It’s back here, on the desolate side street no one pulls their car to thanks to Dark’s expansive church parking lot, that I park my own baby. The doors unlock as I get closer and I watch the rear exit of the building once I’ve slipped inside the Q and shut and locked my doors. The soft purr of my engine keeps me company along with the faint sounds of my year-round Halloween playlist that not even Fox knows about playingthrough the speakers. My seatbelt is on and my eyes are glued to the exit.
Fox will play his part well.
He looks like a father figure if you’ve never had a real one.
My phone rings through my sound system and I flinch, then silently berate myself for having any fear. Growing up, if Lynx had seen that, he would’ve snapped my finger as punishment.
I don’t risk a glance away from the door. I need to follow Fox’s Suburban, parked in front of me, very closely but with an ease that doesn’t feel like stalking, or the girl will get paranoid, and this won’t work.
I answer the call, because it’s nearly one in the morning, Sunday now, and my people know better than to call me on a fucking Sunday. It’s holy. That’s why I’m at church.
“Lydia.”
“I need to see you.”
My pulse trips at Berlin Bishop’s rough voice. He may be too much of a player for me, and I’m definitely not marrying him, but he has an effect on people and I’m not exempt, I can admit it.
“What do you have?” I don’t look away from the door, not even when a leaf skittering across the street catches my attention in my peripheral vision.
“Something you want.” His tone is seductive. I don’t know if this is a booty call or intel. We’ve never fucked so I assume the latter, but then again, after I take care of what I need to, I might be desperate enough to let him. It’s been…a long time since I slept with anyone. I think conserving sexual energy propels women further to the top. But using it can too, so long as it’s not wasted on a self-serving mini dick prick.
Berlin might be selfish, but I think he knows how to fuck. I’ve watched women melt in his presence, and it’s not because he doesn’t try. It’s because he does.
“Which is?” I keep my words clipped.
“It’s about your brother.”
I swallow hard as my fingers curl tighter around the leather steering wheel but I won’t look away from the exit door and I won’t let Berlin’s bullshit interrupt my plans for tonight. I know Lele isn’t awake because I have my own men and women on duty to call me immediately if he so much as blinks his fucking eyes.
“Berlin.” I enunciate his name carefully. “Do not fuck with me.”
He laughs, but it’s devoid of true amusement. “I know better. Where are you?”
“As if I would ever tell you that. Are you at Clawson’s?”
“This seems unfair.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Come see me.”
“I can’t right now.”
“Lydia, you’re going to want to know?—”
“I have to go. Don’t call me again. I’ll call you.” I end the call and watch as Fox has his arm around a very fucked up girl. She’s nuzzling against his broad chest and his eyes are on me as he guides her slowly down the sidewalk to the blacked-out Suburban.
I smile at him in the dark.
I don’t know if he can see it, but he shakes his head softly all the same, as if he’s tired of my shit, but he’s still going to support it.
What choice does he have?
If Fox left me, he’d be dead before he crossed the county line. It’s not good to rule from a place of fear, but it doesn’t fucking hurt. Lynx assigned him to me, but he’s been my shadow since I was twelve years old. I like to think our loyalty is stronger, and now that his salary comes from my bank balance, it should cement the fact.
The girl easily climbs into the passenger side of his SUV, but he doesn’t look away from me.
