“Bugs,” I mutter, looking up at him, my voice cracking just a little. “Youknowhow my beast is, man. I’mtrying.”
Bugsy sighs, rubbing his hand over his jaw like he’s heard this before. “Trying ain’t the same as choosing, Lanny. You can try all day and still lose to that thing. Especially when it wants blood.”
Before I can respond, a low, snake-like laugh coils through the gym. I stiffen immediately, and my eyes snap to the entrance.
“Come on now, Bugsy,” Marcus drawls, stepping fully into the room, his voice echoing off the walls like a gunshot. “You know we like him a little bloody.”
Marcus King stands in the middle of Bugsy’s gym, in all black everything. Combat boots, biker gloves, sleeveless shirt that shows off the full tapestry of ink winding up his muscled arms and neck. Black hair slicked back, brown eyes gleaming with that usual glint, and a smile on his face that looks deranged and unnatural.
“Marcus,” Bugsy says evenly. “You know I don’t like gang politics in my gym.”
Marcus just smirks, eyes sliding to me like he’s sizing me up for a coffin. “This ain’t politics,” he says. “It’sfamily business,right Landon?”
“You know, Marcus, you’re like the creepy uncle to me,” I snort, pulling off my other glove and tossing it to the floor. “Except worse. You know since instead of just weird comments, you send me on killing sprees.”
He laughs—loud and deep, like I just told the best joke of the year. “Damn, still got that bite, huh? I almost thought we beat that shit out of you.”
“Nah,” I shrug, talking a step forward. “But you beat it out my sister.”
Marcus stops laughing, snorting before spitting on Bugsy's concrete floor. “She wasn’t funny, but you Lan, you’re fucking hilarious.” He turns toward Bugsy, gesturing casually. “So, can I have a word with my nephew? Won’t be long.”
Bugsy doesn’t answer right away. His eyes stay on me. “You good?” he asks.
I nod once. “Yeah. I’m good.”
Bugsy glances back at Marcus. “I’ll be in my office. Right in back. So no funny business.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,Bugs,” Marcus sings, rocking on the heels of his boots like a kid waiting for recess. His hands are stuffed in the front pockets of his black jeans, shoulders loose, grin sharp enough to draw blood.
Bugsy doesn’t even dignify him with a response—just grunts and heads for his office, boots thudding against the concrete as he retreats into his office, only fifty feet away from us.
Marcus whistles low and slow, before cocking his head to the side and narrowing his eyes at him.
“You’ve been radio silent Lan. I’ve been trying to get in contact with you.”
I grab a towel, rub it down my neck. “Must’ve missed your calls.”
He scoffs. “Cute. But what ain’t cute is you not keeping your side of the bargain,mate.You know how I feel about loyalty.”
“Is this about the job?” I ask, voice flat. Controlled. “I did what I was told. Moved the last shipment. Kept it clean. Got it done. I’m doing everything for Cast like I’m a fuckingdog.”
Marcus shrugs, stepping forward with a slow, lazy drag of his boots across the gym floor. “You know, if you had a problem with that…” He grins, sharp and empty. “We could’ve just killed you, Lan.”
I suck my teeth, head tilting slightly as I wipe sweat from my brow. “Kill me, Marcus. I know that’s your real specialty.”
Marcus shakes his head, only three steps away now. “You would know, wouldn’t you.”
And that’s it. My vision goes red. I’m on him in a second—fist tangled in the collar of his black sleeveless tee, slamming him back against the support pillar so hard it rattles the goddamn ceiling. My forearm pins his throat. My face is inches from his.
“You talking about Kelly?” I roar, my voice cracking as it echoes off the concrete walls. “You standing here smiling like youdidn’thelp bury her?”
Marcus’s grin fades, replaced with the darker—colder expression he is more infamously known for.
“Let me go,” he growls.
“Why?” I sneer. “You’re not so big and bad when you’re face-to-face with awoman,right? That’s the real trick, yeah? Loud in the dark, quiet in the light?”
Marcus laughs—loud and unhinged, chest vibrating against my arm. Then heslamshis forehead into mine.
