Page 26 of Ruthless Redemption
“Then prepare to watch the world burn to the ground while he spends the rest of his life failing. He won’t give up, Layla.”
“If that’s the case, maybe I should ask him to start burying bodies. He can do my dirty work for me.”
“With Lorenzo, there were too many to bury,” he states simply.
My hollowness increases.
I’ve spent days trying to recall what I once thought were inconsequential headlines about the Butcher Boys of Baltimore. They were a threat on the other side of the country. A part of the underworld too far away to take notice of. Now I wish I’d paid more attention.
“Why are you telling me this?” I straighten. “Do you want me to be scared of him?”
“With your lack of self-preservation, I didn’t think you were capable of fear. But you’re not in danger, Layla. What I was attempting to inspire was concern for those around you. Now and in the future.”
I frown as the building sunrise glows across his face. “What does that mean?”
“He’s a ticking time bomb.” He shoves a hand into his pocket and pulls out a cigarette packet. “Anyone who gets in the way of what he has planned for you won’t survive.”
“And what does he have planned for me?”
He shrugs. “God only knows. I’m not even sure what he said to get your brother to walk away.”
I’m not certain either. All I know is that it wouldn’t have been kind.
It’s true Cole and I weren’t on the best of terms. But leaving me with Matthew like this had to have taken an unwarranted amount of bad-mouthing from my betrayer.
“I won’t be here long.” I stand tall with the admission. I’m going to leave. To escape this cage without bars. I just need to figure out a plan.
He scoffs. “Sure you are.”
I ignore the dismissal and focus on the birds chirping in nearby trees as the sun breaches the horizon. I should go inside and get dressed, but it’s peaceful out here. Almost normal, if only I could force my reasons for being in this place to the back of my mind and simply pretend I’m on vacation.
The sun brings warmth. There’s no breeze. Only crystal-clear skies filled with a kaleidoscope of orange, red, and yellow.
Behind us, the scrape of tugged curtains skitters along a track, raising the hair on the back of my neck.
I glance over my shoulder to see Matthew standing at the glass door of his room wearing nothing but boxers, his face an expressionless mask as he glances from Bishop to me.
Bishop doesn’t move from the railing. He doesn’t react to the threat like I do with my straightening posture, my arms crossing over my chest.
My heart shifts pace, too, the once lazy beat transitioning into a staccato.
Matthew pulls the door open, his hair mussed from sleep, his bare torso a masterpiece of temptingly smooth muscles.
“You two are up early.” He keeps his focus on me. “Did you sleep in my jacket,amore mio?”
“It’s not yours anymore.”
He chuckles, his satanic smile making my stomach churn. “Have breakfast with me and you’ll earn the use of my credit card to order new clothes.”
I’ll earn it?
I’ll.Fucking.Earn.It?
I clench my teeth. “You told me last night you’d give me everything I need.”
“I didn’t say it wouldn’t come without strings.”
I switch my attention to glare at Bishop’s profile, waiting for him to give Matthew the lecture on taunting just like he gave me. But the jerk doesn’t acknowledge either of us, making that gun in the back of his waistband seem so goddamn inviting as he continues to stare at the sunrise.
