Page 42 of Obsessive Cravings

“Yes, boss.”

I disconnected, debating on whether I cared if Mason knew right before I hit his number.

“What,” he answered.

“Always so cordial, Mason.”

“Tides, I hope you’re only bothering me because you have news.”

“We spotted your man. He’s in my city, and he seems to be hunting for something. Is there something you’re not telling me, Brinks?”

He was quiet, and his silence spoke for him.

“What’s he hunting?” I wanted to needle him. “What else is in my city?”

“Who,” he said, and I could hear how clenched his jaw was. “He’s hunting someone. Fuck. You need to let me in Bridgeville. I don’t give a shit about territory.”

I had him riled up, and I was enjoying the leverage over him, the fear pummeling him because he now realized where Riley was and that his monster was in the same place. What he didn’t know was that I would viciously kill anyone who dared lay a hand on her. I wasn’t hunting the piece of shit for Mason; I was hunting him for Riley.

“I’m not letting you in my city and don’t even think about setting foot here. Who’s he looking for?”

“It’s not your business. Let me in the fucking city, Tides.”

“Your desperation makes you sound pathetic, Brinks.”

“I don’t give a fuck what I sound like!” He was livid, and I was enjoying every minute.

“I’m not letting you in. Now tell me who he’s here for.”

He went silent for a moment before muttering, “No one. Just make sure he dies before he does any damage.”

He hung up before I could say anything more. I’d found Mason’s weakness. It was one I’d surmised he had when Riley moved here. At that time, I would have loved the position in which I currently had him pinned and I would have sent him both Randall’s dead body and Riley’s broken heart, her body soiled. But she’d changed all that, and now I would die before I hurt her.

I dropped back in my seat, running my hands through my hair. Randall was an issue, a bullet flying through the streets of my city and aimed at the woman I loved. And he’d done to her what I’d intended to do, breaking her heart, leaving her wounded, and with his fucking cum inside of her. I punched my desk, imagining the painful way I’d kill the son of a bitch for touching her.

Leaving my office, I checked on Riley, brushing her hair from her face and pulling the blanket further over her. I didn’t like how fragile she looked; it hurt too much. For the first time in my life, fear had its claws in me, and I couldn’t shake free of them. Randall had been so close to her. Close enough to hurt her before Den could have protected her. What if he did it again? As good as my men were, as tough as I was, there was still a slim probability. One I didn’t like. Randall had hurt Riley under Mason’s watch, and as much as I liked to taunt Mason, he was like me in many ways. If Randall got through his defenses, he could break through mine. I’d die before I let him hurt her, but that risk was one I wouldn’t take.

Picking up the phone, I resolved myself to letting my control slide for Riley’s sake.

“Where are you?” I asked Mason before he could say anything.

“Creekwood.”

He was only a few hours away, searching for Riley and Randall, oblivious that they were so close until I’d called him.

“So you’ve already set foot in my territory?” I snarled, still needing to maintain my power.

“Fuck off, Tides. I told you, Creekwood is a border town.”

“My border town, prick.”

“What do you want?” he growled.

“I’ll let you in, but only you and Raines. Since I know your cocks are attached.”

“Why you?—”

“Only the two of you, and once he’s dead, you’re out. You even think about bringing any men with you, and my men will kill each one.”

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