Buttons and Blame (Buttons 5)

“I have a lot to be grateful for. That’s what makes it so much harder.”

How she could see the good when there was only bad was beyond me. It took a special person to see the light when there was only darkness. “I wish there were something I could do. I’m not just saying that.”

“I know that, Cane.” She slowly turned around and faced me again, still wearing a sad expression but looking a little more optimistic. “Did you get those pills?”

I’d had them for a while, but I didn’t want to mention it. Even now, I didn’t want to say the words out loud. I only gave a slight nod.

“How many do I need?”

“Just one. But I’ll give you a few. Just in case.”

“What will happen?”

The last minutes of her life would be painful. Letting her know the details would only make the wait worse. “Doesn’t matter. When you’re ready, just pop one in and swallow. It’ll be over in less than five minutes.” When I pictured her going through with it, it brought me a profound sense of heartbreak.

She nodded. “Okay…less than five minutes. I can do that.”

A bullet to the brain would be kinder, but she didn’t have that luxury. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Cane. It’s not my fault either.”

“No, it’s not…”

“If anything, I should be thanking you. You’ve been kind to me since the first time we looked at each other. You’ve been a blessing in disguise. A light in all this darkness. Crow and Pearl too. I’m very lucky to have met all of you.”

“No.” I rested my lips against her forehead. “I’m the lucky one.”

* * *

I sat at my desk at the base when my phone rang.

It didn’t have a name.

It didn’t have a number.

In fact, it didn’t say anything at all. All identification was completely hidden. It wasn’t a person calling at all. It was the kind of screening only someone with something to hide employed.

I didn’t have a clue who I was dealing with.

That didn’t stop me from answering with the same confidence. “Cane Barsetti. What can I do for you?”

A long pause ensued for nearly thirty seconds.

But I wasn’t gonna say another word. I addressed the person casually. I wasn’t going to fall for any more bait.

Finally, something was said. “It’s been a long time, Cane.” Masculine, deep, profound, his voice sounded exactly the same as it used to. I’d been given orders from him enough times not to forget that tone. Constantine still exuded his calm patience, his silent authority. I hadn’t spoken to him in seven years, since the day I left his cult. “How are things in the arms dealership?”

The rumors Bran had heard were true. Constantine wasn’t making his intentions subtle. But that was how he played the game—he didn’t play the game. “No complaints.” I wasn’t going to give away more than I had to. After all, this conversation wasn’t meant to be deep. He would make his point soon enough. “How are things in the skull business?”

“Never better. Wiped out an entire family last night—every single generation. Now they’re just names in a historical book—if anyone cares enough to look them up.”

I hadn’t suspected his ruthlessness changed. If someone paid a high enough price, Constantine would do whatever they asked. He didn’t understand compassion, remorse, anything at all. People said the Barsettis were heartless. We were saints compared to this guy and his crew. “Then you must be tired.”

“Not really. Haven’t gone to sleep yet. You know how the adrenaline is, Cane.”

I joined the Skull Kings a long time ago. I needed the money when I was in debt. I followed orders without asking questions. Once I did my time, I left the organization and never spoke of it to anyone—except Crow. “I remember.”

“Gives you the jitters…but in a good way.”

I sat in silence, waiting for him to make the next move. I knew exactly why he was calling, but I wasn’t going to make any exceptions.

“I’m calling to share my gratitude. Once you and your brother removed Bones, taking over his affairs has been fairly easy. We have a warehouse full of product, schematics of new designs, and a crew of men who are eager for jobs. Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t move in when you had the chance.”

I handled my response carefully, but I didn’t take too long to figure out what to say. Pauses were good, but pauses that were too long hinted at incompetence. “My brother and I have all the business we need. No interest in monopolizing the market.”

“You know who says that?”

I waited for the insult.

“Idiots. When there’s money on the table, and you still walk away…that’s idiocy.”

“Money isn’t everything, Constantine.”

“I guess I can see why Crow would say that…since he just took a wife. But what’s your excuse?”