“Something happened to Cindy, but it was never my place to ask or help,” I say.
“And from everything I’ve hacked on her emails and phone conversations, Cindy is not involved. She allows her dad to give her money and pills, but she has no idea he’s setting you up, Ryder.”
Frosty finishes his Red Bull and tosses it. “My honest opinion?” He pushes his glasses up to look at me. I nod.
“He thinks he’s better than us. We’re beneath him, criminals who need to be brought down. He thinks he’s the good guy. He approached the FBI years ago when Cindy first started hooking up with Ryder, and they came around, but we’ve always been one step ahead. It wasn’t until he started supplying the Russians with opioids. That’s when he figured out it was his best way to at least take you down.”
Blade stands and rubs the back of his neck. “Dig up everything on him. I want his weaknesses. Look up his sexual history.”
“Yeah, I did.” He sighs.
I look at him. “What?”
“He has none.”
“What are you talking about?” I say. “Everyone fucks.”
“He doesn’t. At least I can’t find evidence of it. I think he’s in love with his Cindy.” He leans back in the chair.
“I think Cindy, slash Isabelle, left because her father is obsessed with her. Her skeletons might need to stay in her closets for her own mental health. He’s not a good man. I don’t care if he is the best surgeon in the world.”
“So he molested her?” I demand.
“I can’t be sure, but at the very least, we know he wants her back, and she’s doing everything she can not to go there.”
“Besides not taking his money,” I snort. “Look, he needs to know that he’s not above the law and that we can bring him down. Other than that, for the time being, we don’t leave anymore stiffs.” My phone vibrates.
JULIANNA: Please come upstairs when not busy.
I pocket my phone and stand, causing Blade to frown.
“Agreed,” he says. “He doesn’t die until we find how many Feds he has in his pocket. It’d be nice if after tonight he either gets desperate and offs himself, or he goes away.”
“I have to take care of Julianna,” I say.
“Okay.” Axel looks up from one of his phones and announces, “I’ll be joining you tonight.” From the look on his face, he’s daring me to argue.
“The fuck, man? Why are you putting yourself at risk?” I cross my arms and shake my head at him.
“Because Blade can’t go. You’re my brother, and that’s what family does.” He knocks on the wooden conference room table and picks up his phones and keys. “I’ll be back in two hours.”
“You’re staying in the plane,” I call after him.
He flips me off while walking out the door.
“Fucking Axel.” I shake my head and look at Blade, who grins.
“Fucking Axel.”
Things may still not go my way, but at least we know who needs to die if they don’t.
Dr. Davis is right to think we’re bad.
We are, but he’s a sick fuck who thinks he can hide behind his money.
He can’t.
JULIANNA
Present
Disciples’ clubhouse
Burbank, CA
I sit.
Naked.
Well, almost naked. I’ve put on my new hot pink Jimmy Choos while waiting for him. My heart’s racing. He’s coming—I can feel it.
When the door opens, his golden-brown eyes darken, and he slams the door shut behind him, his mouth twitching. Everything ceases to exist. All of it becomes a distant memory, the baby, our future, everything.
He crosses his arms, and my eyes feast on his large biceps and tattooed arms. The way his black tee showcases his hard eight-pack. God. I’m like a cat in heat as I squirm in the leather chair.
“You texted?” He arches a dark brow at me.
“I did.” I recross my legs, smiling as his nostrils flare.
“How can I help you?” he says.
“Well… I have news. But first…” I uncross my legs, allowing him to see my wet pussy.
His eyes caress my breasts, and my nipples actually ache before his eyes dip lower.
“Did you touch yourself? That cunt looks pretty slick and ready,” he growls. My cheeks heat up. He’s not supposed to know I did anything, and I didn’t make myself come.
“I might have touched myself for a second.” My voice comes out sounding raspy.
His eyes trail back up to mine, ensnaring me, consuming me until I’m ready to beg, and he hasn’t even touched me yet or released his thick cock.
“Well, don’t stop now.” He leans down, both hands on either side of me. “What is it that you want, my love?” His voice is deceptively inviting, and I shiver.
“You.” I cock my head, lifting myself so that my mouth touches his, but he pulls back and straightens, eyes narrowing.
“You touched yourself, Julianna. Without asking me for permission. Is that being a good girl?” He stares at me.