“You’re full of surprises, mate. I bet you’re the bottom.” His neck stiffened and he clenched his teeth, cock still in his hand while he seethed at me. “Dare I guess who the lucky lad is?”
“Fuck ‘yerself…half-breed.”
I clicked my tongue. “That’s not nice, Kendall. Want me to skewer your wee shrimp like I did your good hand? I was gonna spare ya that one, but now you’ve got me reconsidering.” That put a gag in his mouth real quick. “You shoulda warned Jonas to take Ace’s advice, kiddo. Now, tell me what his plans are for Bridget, and I might be nice and let you take that grimy prick of yours to your grave. Savvy?”
Kendall’s throat bobbed, knicking a cut into his skin. Nice. I just sharpened this blade. “Your filthy sister’s gonna fetch a nice payout. There’s a skin market across the pond. That’s where the big money is. Daughter of the great Callum Byrne? Yeah, she’ll be earnin’ Jonas ten times what he’s payin’ Ace for distribution. And you won’t be there to keep her from bein’ fucked into dog meat, little prince.”
It’s taking everything in me not to fuck him up right now, but I need a bit more. “Ah, I see. So, what’s the point in marrying her if he’s gonna use her as a sex doll?”
“They’ll pay twice as much to rut into the boss’s wifey. You’re in the wrong business, mate.”
“Not gonna happen. Besides, Jonas probly has a few years before he ascends to the big chair, anyway.” The prick had the audacity to smile at me. Boy, do I hate when they try that shit. They learn all too quickly how shitty a move it is.
“Shame I won’t be here to see the look on ‘yer face when it all hits you, Malek Byrne. I’d say I pity ya…but I’m not known to be a liar.”
“Well…I pityyou. ‘Cause I sometimes am.” I hauled my left arm around the seat, flipping the blade and headlocked him before burying my knife in his cock. Kendall screamed,and I jerked the knife out, plunging it further back and hard enough to get a nut in there this time. I smiled wide, licking the spurt of blood off my lip when my wrist turned, taking on the bloodthirsty life of its own. I lost count of how many times I speared him in the chest. His body went limp, and I saw red, picturing Bridget arm in arm with Jonas in a pretty white dress fit for a queen. More stabby. I saw her chained to a sorry ass bed, taking a cock in her ass so he could make a dollar.Stab.stab.stab. I saw her lifeless eyes. Her cold hand hanging over a cum-stained bed.Twist…stab.
When the haze lifted, the blood that covered the driver’s side windshield and window nearly blotted out the sunlight. It dripped off my nose and chin. I moved my arms and let the bastard slide down into a heap on the seat. “Slán…littlebitch.” I turned the blade to the flat side, licking up the entirety of it, and shoving it back into the leather sheath on my waist. I plunked down into the back seat, stretching and yawning before I ran a sleeve across my face—the wrong sleeve, apparently. It’s just as soaked with Kendall’s blood. I pulled the door handle, kicked it open and slid out, dragging a hand through my wet hair while I started towards the wood line to the Nova. I pulled my burner out and held it to my ear, wondering if I was about to get my comeuppance for the fun I just had.
“Couldn’t wait to hear all about your sister’s spa day?”
I grinned. “I’d much rather hear about yours,Nathair Bheag.”
“Guess you’ll have to wait and see. That is, if I let you after what I just found on my bed. You’re such a passive-aggressive demon, Malek.”
“Just reminding you which one was better, love.” She found the Girthmaster.
“Matter of opinion.”
“Ouch…you wound me.”
“Where are you? And why do you sound winded?”
I rubbed the back of my neck and gnawed on my lip ring.
“…don’t be mad…‘kay?”
CHAPTER 19
The Mortician
I rue the day I ever had the bright idea to make good off of my aversion to a lifeless corpse. Have I made out like a bandit? Sure. In more ways than one. But…aside from whatever mixed feelings I’m fighting off for Malek, I’m seriously questioning if any of this was ever worth what I’ve stacked away. I keep reminding myself that I agreed to this on the understanding that once it’s done…we’redone. If that’s what I want. But one look at Bridget after nearly breaking my phone, talking to Malek and—I don’t think it’s what I want anymore. We’ve had an amazing day together. She’s so much younger than me, and yes…bat shit crazy. But Bridget is a hundred percent a girl, and I can’t remember ever really embracing any of that. We didn’t get waxed, but we did get a full setanda pedicure that included a twenty-minute foot and leg massage. I didn’t tell her…but it’s my first.
I have my own trove of black nail polish, and usually…it’s not worth paying for, just to have them ruined or in the way while I’m working in the basement. Or, you know…other things. But I’ve also never had anyone to go with, just to spend time and enjoy the company of another human being. She’ll never understand how much it meant to me to take her out today. And if whatever he just did keeps this girl safe…I can’t be mad at him for any of it. So, I’ll go. And I’ll make the call to clear my schedule for the week. I only have two deliveries on the books anyway. Dad is licensed to do what I do, and while I hate putting it on him, I know he’ll just be happy knowing that I’m doingsomething formyself. It won’t even be a question. The problem I’m having is…disposal.
“Do you remember what bag that fuzzy red sweater was in from that one store? I can’t find it.” Bridget is digging through every shopping bag we brought in on the kitchen island, and my heart feels full just knowing that her mind was able to drift away from the life she knows—even if I’m about to shoot it right back to where it’s been trapped.
“Not sure, Bridge. We gotta go. I’m sorry the day got cut short.” I could have just been imagining it, but the look on her face actually caused me physical pain. She’s had to grow up way too fast.
“Where is he? What happened?”
“He took care of one of them. I’ve gotta help clean it up. That’s all I know.” She looked almost excited now.
“Did he say which one?” I shook my head. “And you’re taking me with you?”
“Actually, the only idea I have to fix this problem in the middle of the damn day…is to take some time off and make a vacation outta this. So yeah. We’re gonna go upstate and hang out for a while, if that’s cool with you.”
“Say less, I’ll get my shit.”
