Page 17 of Princes of Carnage

It’s late by now, but Emmett and a few others are still there when I arrive. A small group of them are playing cards at the reception desk, and they glance up at me as I step into the shop.

“Hey, Quinn. Can I talk to you for a second?” Emmett asks, pushing himself up from the chair.

“You giving up?” Damon asks, grinning widely. “Because it sounds like you’re giving up.”

The others laugh, and Emmett rolls his eyes. “Whatever, fine. I’ll get in on the next hand.”

We don’t go too far, just to one of the back corners, but the others are engrossed in their game, teasing each other and bantering as they play their hands.

“Um, about earlier…” Emmett clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. “I hope I didn’t—”

I shake my head. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” I tell him. “I’m the one who kissed you, so that’s on me. But like I said before, it’s too complicated to go down that road, so I think it’s better that we just forget about it.”

Emmett frowns, his forehead creasing a little as if he was hoping I’d have changed my mind in the time since we last saw each other. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is.” I nod decisively. “It’s better if we’re just friends. We have the gang to think about.”

“Right,” he agrees. But it’s clear he’s not thrilled by the prospect of forgetting about what happened between us downstairs earlier. He looks me over, his gaze darting down my body briefly, and I have to wonder what he sees.

I know there are no marks on me where he can see them from what Phantom put me through. I was careful to make sure that my change of clothes cover them all up. But it’s possible that he can smell the sex on me. Phantom could tell Emmett had gone down on me, after all, and he went almost feral with jealousy over it.

If Emmett can tell that I’ve been with another man tonight though, he doesn’t say anything about it.

If I’m being honest with myself, I prefer Phantom’s reaction. There was something so primal about the possessiveness he showed tonight—the way he made it clear that he didn’t want other men touching me. It’s not like Phantom has any true claim on me, not really, since I don’t even know his name. But for our brief bit of time at Le Bal Masque, I was all his. Only his.

“Boss.” Another gang member, Leon, comes over, interrupting my private moment with Emmett. “Is this a bad time?” He glances between the two of us curiously.

I hurry to shake my head. “No, we’re done talking. Do you have info for me?”

After we scoped out the site where Paulie was attacked earlier today, Leon is the one I tasked with asking around about the Princes of Carnage. I want to know if Nico’s story about their territory being targeted too is true or not.

Leon grins, nodding. “Yeah, I do. From what I can tell, we’re not the only ones getting fucked up by random attacks. Carnage has had their hands full with their own people getting taken out in a similar way that ours have been, and they’re not happy about it.”

“Can’t blame them for that,” Emmett mutters under his breath.

I make a face, wrinkling my nose. It’s not exactly good news to hear that. It confirms what Nico told me earlier, but it would have been so much easier if the gang responsible for the attacks against my people was Carnage. It would make me despise the Princes even more than I already do, but at least it wouldn’t be this unknown threat.

Either way, it’s a threat that has to be dealt with. I refuse to let this shit continue or get worse. Which means I need to talk to Nico again, as much as I don’t want to.

“What do you wanna do, boss?” Leon asks.

There’s really only one thing to do. I drag in a breath, my jaw tightening a little as I answer, “Get a message to Nico Morelli. Tell him I want to set up a meeting.”

6

QUINN

A couple of days later, I head out to meet with Nico.

I bring a few of my crew as backup, because I’d have to be an idiot to head into this alone. Even when it comes to something that’s supposed to be about just talking, all it takes is one wrong move for things to break bad and for guns to be drawn. And being outnumbered by the Princes of fucking Carnage isn’t an experience I want to repeat. We may have to pool resources, but that doesn’t mean I trust Nico and his two shadows any further than I could throw them.

For meetings like this, it’s always best to come together on neutral ground, so as not to risk either group trying to have the edge. We meet up at a run-down park that’s not claimed by anyone and doesn’t see many visitors at all.

My people and I arrive first, and it gives us time to scope out the spot and make sure there’s no ambush or anything set up. It all seems clear, and we don’t have long to wait before the Princes and their crew ride up.

They come blazing in on their motorcycles, riding in formation until they reach us. It’s showy and meant to intimidate, but I don’t give them the satisfaction of being drawn in by it. All of them wear motorcycle helmets with skulls emblazoned on them, but even so, Nico, Killian, and Atlas are easily recognizable. Nico is at the front of the group, flanked closely by Killian and Atlas, who shadow him like always. They’ve got two other men with them as well, bringing up the rear of their little entourage.

I stand with my arms crossed and my stance wide, flanked by my own people. I try not to let the distaste show on my face as Nico takes off his helmet and smirks at me.

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