Page 46 of Tormented By Regret

“Vicious is up there,” TikTok chimed in.

I nodded. “Yup. He's the new VP up there. I did talk to their President, and he'll be watching the roads up that way.”

“You think we'll find him?” Scorn asked, sounding unsure.

“No one has ever escaped the Royal Bastards’. Not since I can remember.” I looked at Macabre. “We'll keep her safe.”

“I'm gonna spill blood, Prez.” Macabre seethed.

“Just make sure it's not your brother's.”

I signaled to Powertrain. “Does she trust you?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Then you continue on detail.”

“The fuck, he will!” Macabre shot up out of his seat.

Having enough of it all, I shot up out of my seat and walked up to Macabre. He stumbled back into his seat as I hovered over him, pinning him into it.

“I know both of you and your sister’s dynamics. And you know damn well that she will run away from you so fast to go look for this idiot,” I pointed at Powertrain who now looked perplexed. “So don't give me bullshit, Macabre. You want to babysit your sister's pussy her whole life, go for it. But as of right now, Powertrain is on fucking detail.”

“Yes, Prez!” An echo of voices rang out and I grunted in aggravation.

I signaled to Powertrain. “You bring me what you've come up with by the end of the day. Church adjourned.”

I wandered outside to get some air and found Sadie standing with Whisper. The girl looked up and gave me a big smile, showing me that she was still a lot younger than everyone seemed to think of her. I almost felt like Macabre’s anger was justified.

“Jameson,” She gave me a quick hug and I grunted. I wasn’t much for affection unless it came from Sadie.

“Whisper,” I gave her a quick pat on the back.

“Listen, your father may not be around at the moment but I am. I need you to do me a favor.”

“Sure,” she said eagerly.

“Stay close to Powertrain for now.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing you should concern yourself about, I just need you to stay close. Can you do that for me?”

“What about Macabre? You know my brother won’t stay quiet; he’ll eventually kill him.”

I looked closely at her, I spent years trying to figure her out, but the attempt was futile. She did what she wanted with no concern for anyone but herself, seeing this side of her protective nature, was surprising.

“You know I could kill him too, right? For touching you.”

I watched her swallow nervously and then glance down at the ground; a pink blush crawled up her cheeks. “Please don't punish him,” she whispered quietly.

Sadie tilted her head, giving me a look that meant I needed to handle this gently. I grunted and reached out to the young girl, tipping her chin up so she'd look at me.

“I'm gonna give you some brotherly advice, sweetheart. This life ain't easy.”

“I know. I've lived it,” she muttered under her breath.

“Shhh,” I quieted her. “If you want to be an Ol’ Lady you need to learn how to listen and how to respect. You may not want to hear this, but what I’m telling you is for your own good.”