Page 24 of Obsessive Cravings

So, that’s what this was about. Clint Randall. “Must have done something serious to have you asking me for a favor.”

He narrowed his eyes, and I could see the way he was gritting his teeth at having to admit that was exactly what he was doing.

“It doesn’t matter. But it’s serious, and he’s a threat. His name is Clint Randall. Has he surfaced in Bridgeville?”

Time to get some answers. “What did he do, Brinks?”

He clenched his jaw, his eyes darkening. “He damaged something of mine.”

That had been an unexpected answer.

“What?” I pushed, needing the details. Something bothering Mason Brinks enough to go to this extreme was serious. “If he’s that big of a threat, I need to know what might be lurking in my city.”

The muscles in his jaw stood out as he gripped his fists. “He hurt my sister.”

I had to hide my reaction because his answer was one I hadn’t expected. No wonder Mason was hunting him.

“Tell me how and I might help you.”

“What the fuck do you need to know for?” he snapped.

“Your emotions are your weakness, Mason. You may want to work on that. Now tell me what the fuck this Clint Randall did to your sister to have Mason Brinks this worked up.”

“Let’s just say he used her and put her in the hospital.”

I couldn’t stop my hiss and he narrowed his eyes.

“No wonder you're hot,” I said, recovering. “If someone did that to my sister, I’d want him dead, too.”

“You have a sister?”

“No, but I wouldn’t tell you, even if I did. What’s in it for me if I help you?”

Rolling his neck, he remained quiet. I could see he didn’t want to give me anything, but I didn’t do things for free.

Tyson walked closer to us, and I sensed Den do the same, both men ready to attack if either Mason or I made a wrong move.

“What do you want in exchange?” Mason asked, his teeth gritted.

And there was my opening, a way to finally get the brat under my control. He really was desperate, and I imagined this wouldn’t be happening if Riley was under his watch. But with her on the run, he had no choice.

I folded my arms over my chest. “You fall in line, continue to stay in your territory, but if I need your assistance, you don’t blink. I bark, you jump from now on.”

He narrowed his eyes, and Tyson flexed his muscles.

“Don’t pull that shit, Raines,” I said to Tyson. “You two are asking me to use my resources to fix your problem,” I growled.

“If I agree, it goes both ways,” Mason said after a few moments of contemplation.

“A truce between our sides?” It was an interesting prospect, but I needed him under my control and not the other way.

“Yes.”

“Only under my lead, always my lead,” I said, loving the tick in his jaw.

“You want me to give control to you, Tides? Are you shitting me? I would never do that.”

I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I turned my back on them and walked to the car, Den following.

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