“Where’s the body?” he asks.
“Out back in the van,” I tell him.
He nods. “Prospect, Warren…” he pauses and looks around until he finds a pen and a piece of paper. He scribbles something down and then passes it to Warren. “This is where you’re gonna take the body. You’re gonna dig so fuckin’ deep, you’ll need a ladder to climb back out. You’re gonna pull all her teeth out. You’re gonna light her on fire and wait till the smoke is gone. Yeah?”
“You got it.”
“Not that it’s likely, but if she’s ever found, nothing can come back on Victoria. Nothing.”
They both nod and leave through the kitchen, leaving me alone with Leo Jackson. I pour the last of the dirty water out and dump the cloths and mop head in the fire pit out back. I set it alight and watch the flames burn the last of the evidence.
“Rudi just informed me that she’s drawn your blood, she thinks you were drugged.” I turn as Leo joins me. “She says the dog is still out, he’s breathing, but totally out for the count.”
“If I was drugged, it’s still not gonna save me, is it? It’s one of the first things Luca told us when we all rocked up, protect his old lady like it was our own lives.”
“Most people believe my brother doesn’t think before he acts. To be fair, he’s given them reason to a few times, but he’s already thought of everything before he’s even thinking of shit.”
“He’s got plenty of time to think of what to do to me on the ride back.”
Leo snorts. “Nah, believe it or not, he won’t give you a seconds thought until he’s seen Victoria with his own eyes. He’ll be obsessing over her until he’s here. Once he’s seen her, held her, you’ll have his entire focus. If you were drugged, it will save your life.”
I swallow thickly and he laughs. “He’s doing something right if you fear him this much.”
“It’s alright for you, you’re not the reason his old lady had to kill someone.”
He slaps me on the back as the flames die out. I add more fuel and stand back as the flames shoot up toward the sky.
“Ride it out, you’ll be fine. Maybe.”
31
Luca
It has been the longest twenty-hours of my life. Worse than when Tor’s eardrums were burst in Mercy. She has no idea how angry I am she went back to the city, but it doesn’t outweigh the anger I have for King. I ride up to the clubhouse door and barely stick around to turn the engine off and flick out the kickstand.
Slamming the door open, I’m met by Leo. King stands at the bar and Warren and the prospect hover close by. To Leo, I say, “Thanks, brother.” Then I point at King. “I’ll come find you when I’ve seen my old lady.”
I don’t hang around for an answer. He has no fucking choice but to deal with me. Rudi is halfway down the stairs on my way up.
“She’s awake now. I gave her a mild sedative early this morning, she slept most of the day. She’s calm.”
“Thank you.”
I take the rest of the stairs two at a time and burst into our room, noting three spots of blood on the floor before I focus on my wife curled up on our bed.
“Babe?” I say quietly.
She rolls over, sees me, then rushes up. By the time I reach the bed, she is clinging to me, her nails digging into the back of my neck.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I got here as soon as I could. I’m here. I’m here.”
I’m content to hold her for long minutes before I pull back and get a look at her face. My blood boils at the bruises and swelling. Her eye is closed and angry. The bite mark on her shoulder has me gritting my own teeth.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“I’m a little sore all over but nothing a couple of painkillers won’t help.”
