“I swear! I don’t know!” Her body shakes in my hold. Every ounce of courage she had slipping away.
I reach behind me with the hand that’s not holding her and retrieve my gun. I put the barrel to her temple and pull the hammer back. “I’m going to ask again. Where is she?”
Her brows knit together, and she squeezes her eyes shut. “Kill me, but that won’t answer your question. I don’t know where she went.”
I let out a breath and jerk my gun from her head and push her away. I was here to collect, not kill. And I know if I feed into my urges, I’ll be no better than Clyde. Clean up is a bitch, and I have no plausible story to cover shit up. I need to be smart.
“I’ll be back, and if you’re gone, know that I will find you.” I snarl before turning on my heel and storming back down the hall and out the front door.
2
ERIC
Pulling up to Clyde’s house, I start debating if what I did was right. Leaving Lily seemed like the best option at the moment, but now I’m not so sure. She could run just like Amy, and there would be no link to find either of them.
I should have just killed her— put a bullet between her eyes— and call it a day, deal with whatever shit Clyde had to say about it, and move on, but I hesitated. And Ineverhesitate.
There was something about her, though. I can’t put my finger on what, but her attitude excites me. Maybe it’s because of her position at South End, and I can finally make that entire place, and the ones who run it, my bitch. Or maybe it’s simply her.
I’ve never had time for women because I’ve always been so busy running for Clyde, but that is going to change soon. Someone like her by my side could be good. She doesn’t take any shit, stands up for herself, and manages to get my dick hard without even trying.
She’s the complete opposite of me, but I want to corrupt her. I want to show her exactly why fucking with me is wrong and make her hate to love it.
Before, I always looked at what would be best for Clyde. What would please him and move him further up the totem pole that is the underground network of mobsters— but that ends now. Now it’s time to focus on me and build my empire before I dethrone him.
As Alfredo stops the car next to the front of Clyde’s house, I bury the thoughts in my head. If I want this shit to work, I need him to think he can still trust me, which means acting as the perfect soldier and admitting my fuck up from last night.
Opening the door, I take a deep breath. “I won’t be long.” I tell Alfredo. I don’t wait for his reply before sliding out and starting up the steps.
About three years after he swept me in from the streets, Clyde moved me to his close circle, which means I have access to his house. I used to pride myself on the fact he had so much trust in me in such a short amount of time, but now I only see it for what it is—making my taking his spot that much easier.
Walking up to the door, I don’t even bother to knock. The camera positioned above me will let him know I’m here. Stepping inside, I close the door behind me and cross the foyer, then start down the hall until I make it to the living room in the back of the lowest level.
Clyde is lounging on the couch with his wife tucked under one arm as his twins play on the floor in front of them. “Unc Eric!” Jerry squeals as I stop in the doorway.
He grabs onto my leg and squeezes. I curl my lip and try to shake him off. It’s no secret I don’t really like kids. They’re loud, annoying, and gross. Their tiny hands harbor germs bigger than them, and they’re too happy. On top of that, the twins are named Jerry and Bill. If I didn’t know their monikers reflected those of late relatives, I would think Clyde hated them.
Looking up, I speak to Clyde. “We have a problem.”
He removes his arm from around his wife and leans forward. “What is it?”
“The girl got away and CJ is a ghost.” I cross my arms and widen my stance. I tried to warn him about bringing in these kids from the street. Some— like me— turn out great, but more times than not, they’re shit and can’t get a job done.
He closes his eyes and sucks in a deep breath. Something I’ve learned he does when he’s angry, but he won’t do shit about it. He may be above me in many ways, but he knows just how conniving I am. I’m one of the people he wants on his side— not against it.
“Fix it. I don’t care how or what you have to do, but I want it resolved in a timely manner, Eric.” He spits as he opens his eyes and looks at me.
I give him a nod, then step out of the room and exit the same way I came in. Clyde doesn’t care for details. He only wants results, so as my parting gift, I’ll do this one last thing.
Walking back to the car, I open the door and slide inside. “Head to South End.” I instruct Alfredo.
With a single nod, he puts the SUV in drive and pulls away from Clyde’s. Within minutes, we are back at the boy’s home and parked across the street. Through the few windows, you can see movement inside. Mainly silhouettes of kids going from one room to another, and occasionally, some of the older ones leave or enter.
We sit for a few hours, just watching and waiting. I was hoping Amy would turn back up, but there hasn’t been any sign of her.
With the sun finally disappearing on the horizon, I step out of the car. My issue isn’t with the kids, so it’s better they aren’t around while I try and conduct business. “I’ll be back.” Alfredo acknowledges my statement by settling further back in his seat.
Crossing the street, I make sure my suit jacket covers the gun at my back. I don’t necessarily want to scare Lily. I want her to know I’m watching, and I intend to get what I want. And what I want is her sister. Her too, but it’s best I don’t act on that.
