Page 37 of Diamond In The Rough

CHAPTER 8’S SCARIER COUSIN.

“Boss,” Stovic rumbles into the phone, his voice deep and serious. “We’ve got a problem.”

I turn out of my closet and head into my apartment-sized bedroom. On one side is the bed, and on the other, a living space with a sofa, television, computer and desk, and even a mini kitchen, so I never have to socialize in the main areas of the house on days I don’t want to.

It’s a perfect setup, really. A self-sufficient studio inside the massive home I share not only with Felix and Christabelle, but with the soldiers we keep on staff.

It’s the only life I’ve ever known: a home brimming with extroversion and gangsters. But my room has always been my space. For me only. Not for my brothers. Not for the dog. Nor the soldiers.

And, to this point, not even for my lovers.

If I want to fuck, I do it elsewhere.

Not that that’s on the agenda at the moment.

Snatching my knife from the table near my TV, I slip the weapon into my pocket and leave my hand wrapped around it so I feel the cold steel beneath my fingers. So I know I’m ready for whoever the fuck wishes us harm. Finally, I angle out of my room and charge into the hall in search of my brother.

“I’m heading out now,” I tell Stovic. “What’s the problem?”

“Wilkes’ people are making noise over in the Bronx. He considers himself a pimp, boss. One of his girls didn’t do as she was told last night, and Wilkes’ man slit her throat in the street to make a point.”

I jog onto the stairs and start down. “What does that have to do with us? Wilkes is making a mess, and he’s doing it in public. The Feds are gonna notice and put a pin in it. Sounds like a positive situation for us. Keeps both sides busy and off our backs.”

“Well… in theory, yeah. But the guy, Conlon, said he was coming to purchase Ms. Cannon next.”

I skid to a stop mid-flight and almost pitch over the banister before I catch myself, my other hand tightening around the phone until I’m sure it’ll crack.

Christabelle!

I look up, back the way I’ve come, in search of Felix, maybe… or Christabelle, to make sure she’s alright. But neither of them are up there. So I look down at the stairs and start moving again. “Conlon said her name? Specifically?”

“Yes. Some kid filmed it live for socials. It’s gone viral.”

“For fuck’s sake.” I speed my steps and descend two, three, four flights, until my feet touch the bottom. “Have you told Lix?”

“No, sir.” I hear Stovic’s voice in stereo, both through the phone and as he stomps along the hall, coming closer to where I’ve landed. Slowing on my right, he kills our call, then quickens his pace again when I resume walking. “He and Ms. Cannon have gone into the city. Left about five minutes ago.”

“And you let them?” I change direction and spin back toward the front door. “Christabelle has been threatened, and you think now’s a good time for them to go shopping? Why the fuck did Lix leave without me?”

“I only just caught wind of all this a minute ago, boss.” He blows through the front door a single step behind me, then whistles, loud and shrill, so soldiers straighten and a car rolls up to wait for us. “And Lix took Michaels for security. He was happy to let you sleep in.”

“Well, now we’re chasing his tail all the way to Manhattan. Fuckin’ hell.” I swing the car door open and slide in. “Find Lix,” I bark to the driver. “Follow him.”

“Yes, sir.” He pushes the car into drive a mere second after Stovic drops in on my left, and our wheels spin against loose gravel as we take off.

“What do you suppose you’re gonna do?” Stovic grumbles. “Wilkes’ man could just be blowing hot air.”

“His kill was filmed?” I unlock my phone screen as we tear out of the long driveway and onto paved road. “Conlon’s. It’s public?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is he in custody? Did the Feds pick him up already?”

Stovic drops his gaze, his chin almost resting on his chest. “No, sir.”

“Exactly.”

I select Felix’s name on my screen and hit dial. Bringing the device to my ear, I glance across to my guard. “Conlon’s on borrowed time already. He’s feeling loud, and he’s made a direct threat. That means he’s ready to make a move. And now Lix and Christabelle are heading into the city without us.”

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