Lord of London Town

Charlie shook his head at them, then leaned in closer to Gene, resuming whatever conversation they were having. It was the kid’s first time here. And he seemed to be taking it better than I’d expected.

We’d waited to come back until Cheska had played the fucking game Charlie had planned for her and been “found” at Lawson’s flat. The entire fucking world now knew Lawson for the smarmy cunt he was. Cheska had broken from her family’s business, a silent board member only, and then moved her shit in with me at the church.

And she was never fucking leaving.

There’d been nothing from Pearl yet. But we knew her people were on the move. And heading to our fucking town. I’d be ready for her. Ready to remind her who the fuck she was. She was coming back to us—the easy way or the hard.

“Put me in,” Vinnie said, standing right in front on of me, top off and fists clenched. His eyes were bloodshot and crazed. Since Pearl had “disappeared” from his side a few weeks ago, he’d lost weight, he was pale.

My brother had lost his motherfucking mind.

I flicked my chin at the second pit behind us, and Vinnie tore off, no doubt to rip some fucker’s head off and toss it onto the sand.

Cheska didn’t move off me all night, Vera and Ronnie talking to her beside me. Then the pits cleared out, and the real fucking fun began.

I slapped Cheska on the arse, and she got off my lap; I stood, taking off my suit jacket, shirt and tie. The Hangmen, the Irish and the Romani stayed, as always. And my soldiers brought the table of weapons to the pit.

I jumped down onto the sand and cracked my neck from side to side. My soldier brought out the first wanker who had dared to fuck with my firm. The hessian hood was ripped off his head, and he practically shat himself when I stood before him. I sparked up my cig and took a long inhale, letting the smoke fill my lungs.

I swung my arms wide. “Welcome to the Adley Court. You are charged with being a traitor. An Adley’s word is his bond.” I pointed at his face. “A bond you have broken. And I am here to collect.” I spat on the sand in front of the cunt on the floor and flicked my head to the table of weapons. “Choose your weapon.” The tosser didn’t try to protest or beg for his life. He knew the fucking score.

He grabbed a crowbar and readied to fight. I glanced up to Cheska. “Get the fuck down here, princess.” Cheska rose from her seat like the fucking Adley queen she was.

She strutted down the stairs to the pit and stood right at my side. Her rose scent was driving me fucking barmy. Her eyes fixed on mine, and her fucking lips looked too perfect painted bright red. So I took her mouth, my bird moaning into my mouth and grabbing on to my naked chest as I pushed my tongue against hers, smearing her red lipstick.

I pulled back, hard as fuck for her pussy and the kill I was about to take. I wiped the red off my face and smudged my thumb over her lips, before she caught it in her mouth and bit down hard.

Cheska met my eyes as I hissed, her fucking head high, owning both me and everyone in this fucking pit. “Pick one,” I said to Cheska, pointing to the table of weapons.

Cheska walked to the table, brown hair swaying on her back and holding my black heart in her fucking hands. She reached for the spear and headed back to me.

Rising to her tiptoes, she kissed me on the mouth. Then, glaring at the traitorous fucker on the ground, she placed the spear in my waiting hand. “Baby?” she said, lip curled in disgust.

“Yeah, princess?”

“Make him scream.”

So I did.

THE END