No one spoke up. “I’ll feel good with her covering my back,” Ezra announced.
“Not on that, but I have news,” Emmet said. “I was able to catch the car that shot up Dad’s party on one of the street cameras.” He typed on the keyboard in front of him. An image appeared on the screen on the wall. “The idiots were amateurs and used one of their cars. It was registered to a Victor Wallace.” The driver’s license popped on the screen.
“Who the fuck is that?” Ezra questioned.
I looked toward my dad but he nodded for me to take the lead.
I cleared my throat. “I don’t know but we’re gonna find out. River, I want you and Ezra to go snatch him up and bring him to the barn. Take Emmet too, find out whatever you can about this guy and why he was brave enough to come for us.”
“I want to go too,” Cashlynn interjected.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“He tried to kill me!”
My nostrils flared and I straightened my spine. Her giving me backtalk, especially when I just was handed the reins and allowed her to join the team, wasn’t what I needed.
“He tried to kill all of us. We have a system here and when you’re needed I’ll be sure to let you know.” I cut my eyes at her. “I don’t know how you handled shit before, but I’m the boss now and youwillfollow what I say.”
Her lips pressed together, her cheeks puffed, and her eyes flashed with anger.
“Bro acting like we didn’t see her cut a dude’s dick off and feed it to him,” Ezra mumbled.
“What the fuck?” River choked.
I stood up so everyone understood me. “I want him caught and brought in before my party tonight. Have him tied up and we’ll handle him tomorrow.” I made eye contact with everyone, leaving my stare on Cashlynn so she knew I was serious.
“And on that note, that’s enough business talk. We need to celebrate my baby turning thirty.” Mom walked in the room, holding a cake, with Carson behind her.
There was more I wanted to say but I saw the determination in Mom’s eyes. “That’s it for now. Handle Victor and we’ll take care of the rest later,” I let everyone know.
I sat back down and moved my chair closer to Cashlynn, leaning in so my mouth was at her ear.
“Try to undermine me again in front of everyone and me attempting to drown you won’t be the only problem you have.”
She snatched her head back and glared at me. Her hand twitched on the arm of the chair.
Winking at her, I gave my family my attention. Cashlynn had to learn I was the king of this castle and if she didn’t fall in line, I had no problem showing her.
____
Getting off the elevator,I stepped onto my second floor and headed toward the room Cashlynn currently slept in. For a second I stared at the door. After we got home from the meeting, she didn’t say much, mostly spoke to Carson before leaving. When I tracked her, I saw she went to the shooting range at my other house. Since learning I had one, she spent a good amount of time there. She must have not known we had one at the barn she could’ve used. I knew she wanted to make whoever shot at us pay, and so did I, but I also knew that wasn’t a random shooting and it had to be more to the picture. I grabbed the doorknob and turned it, opening the door.
When I stepped in the room, she paused before spinning around and glaring at me. “I need to start locking the door.” I grinned and gave her a onceover. The outfits my shopper picked out for the two of us complemented each other well. She wore a one shoulder mini dress with a structed drape detailing that stopped right at the top of her thighs. The blood red color looked good against her light brown skin. I wore a black Amiri polo and camel colored Hollywood trousers with white pockets.
“You look good in red.” I licked my lips, taking her in one last time.
She huffed. “I don’t know why that lady keeps buying me heels. I can’t even walk in them.” She rolled her eyes, sitting on her bed and taking the gold heels out of the box next to her, examining them.
Walking over to her, I kneeled, being careful not to crease my pants, and grabbed the shoes from her.
“About time you learn then, huh?” I grabbed one of her feet to put the heel on.
Again, she rolled her eyes. “Are you gonna take this off my neck? I think it’s clear I’m not gonna run away.”
My eyes flickered up to the collar on her neck. “Now why would I do that?” Finishing strapping the shoe, I ran my hand up her calf slowly, causing her to shiver. A smirk formed on my face.
“Maybe because I’m not a dog.” Her voice came out strained and breathless.
