I stare at him, truly at a loss for words.
I’ve called Sinner a psycho before, but this is the first time where I genuinely believe he is psychotic, in the clinical sense, because this behavior is in no way normal. That’s what makes him so scary. He is completely unpredictable with a manic violent streak and no empathy or no moral code.
Suddenly, pushing his buttons doesn’t seem like such a smart move, so I decide to play along. “You’re right,” I lie. “And I hate arguing. We should try to get along. It’ll be easier now that you’re no longer trying to rape me,” I add, because sometimes I just can’t stop myself. Not that I really believe he will stop. He’ll just adjust his plans. But, for now, we’ve bought some time.
“Rape.” He rolls his eyes, like the very idea is unconscionable. “Please, Harlow. We both know you would’ve been begging for my cock.”
“No, Neo. I really wouldn’t.”
“Can we move this along,” Scraggly Beard says. “I need to wet my dick in one of the hoodrats.”
“Show some respect!” Sinner barks, returning to his seat. “And we still have some business to discuss.” He plonks into his seat at the head of the table, waving his hands at us. “Sit!” he demands.
We return to our seats, keeping our hands on top of the table this time. Bry’s eyes fixate on the identical wedding bands on my guys’ fingers, and he’s still wearing a hint of shock on his face.
“Where are you with finding the bastard responsible for trying to kill you?” he asks, as if he didn’t just have a meltdown.
“We’re handling it. It’s not gang connected. It was retaliation for a kill at the warehouse,” Saint explains. “It’s personal and we will deal with it.”
“I want the specifics,” Sinner says, drumming his fingers on the table.
“When we have all the facts, I’ll share them with you,” Saint lies.
“See that you do.”
“We have some intel,” Saint adds, extracting the piece of paper Bry handed him. Saint passes it to Theo. “Courtesy of Bryant. The Arrows have a big drugs shipment arriving next week via a new secret route.”
“They’re expecting us to hit back,” Sinner says.
“Yes, and they’re going to a lot of trouble to avoid an attack,” Saint says. “I say we grab a few reliable men, let them shadow the truck to their warehouse, and then we plan a full-scale attack.”
Bry jerks upright in his seat, pinning Saint with a dark look.
Saint ignores him, continuing to outline his plan. “The Arrows won’t suspect anything. They’ll expect their new route has worked, and when they least expect it, we’ll swoop in. Steal their cargo and set fire to their warehouse. Cut them off at the knees.”
Silence greets his suggestion, and the only sound in the room is the steady tick-tock of the clock on the wall.
“I like it,” Sinner says, a minute later, looking at the other board members. They nod in agreement. “Email me the details.”
“Already done,” Theo says, explaining why he was tapping away on his cell phone the past few minutes.
“Good. All that leaves then is the matter of your initiation, Harlow.” He attempts a sugary smile, but it’s all wrong.
“I’ve been giving that some thought,” Galen says, injecting himself in to the conversation. “Each initiate is given three tasks, but most of those are equal in status. Lo has already brokered the deal with Lowell Academy, her second task is null and void—”
“Which is why I broached the subject,” Sinner replies, cutting his nephew off mid-sentence. He levels Galen with a withering look that confirms he doesn’t appreciate his interference. “We need to agree on a replacement task.”
“That’s the thing,” Galen continues, undeterred. “I don’t believe we do. Your third task is a big ask.”
“A fucking monster ask,” Saint agrees.
“So, we think there is no need for a replacement task. Assassinating the commissioner is worthy of two tasks, and when Lo accomplishes it, she will be deemed to have successfully concluded initiation.”
“Are you asking or telling me?” Sinner coolly replies.
“Asking, of course.” Galen smiles politely at his uncle, disguising the fact he’d love to riddle him with bullets.
“We’ve seen your great capacity for compromise tonight,” Theo says, feeding the arrogant beast. “We’re merely asking for an extension of that concession.”
