Page 29 of Scorching Lies

“No one in this town is of your concern unless we say so. Until then, do the job we gave you or it’ll be your last. Understood?”

If she had a visible Adam’s Apple I’d watch her swallow down my threat, but the slender column of her throat bobs all the same. Wood chairs scrap against tile with our leave, but none of us look back to the ones we left sitting there, only hatred left in their penetrating stares. Money and power go hand in hand, yet no matter how much they have, we will always own them. The Professor stays in line… usually. However, with our newest addition you could cut the tension with a knife. The twins are a different story, if they’re not kept on a very short leash they become a liability.

“Soon they’ll start pushing back. We need those papers signed before we have a fucking mutiny on our hands.” Cole barks.

Nodding, we keep moving towards the parking lot. The sun is just about to set in the sky, casting an orange glow on the building. If they know the Lawless brothers are here, then they know about the feud between the two families, yet they chose to say nothing. We need to start getting answers before they do or we’ll have no choice but to clean house. Losing our position in Del Mar is unacceptable, but losing family to this business isn’t even a fucking option.

Pulling out my phone, I shoot off a text to G.

“He’ll meet us at the house.” I confirm out-loud.

Working as a unit for so long they don’t have to question who I’m talking about, they just know. Reaching our SUV, Cole slidesinto the backseat without a word, but West stops me on my way to the driver side.

Nodding toward the backseat, “He’s drifting again, Rye. We can’t have that shit right now. It’s a risk with everything going on, but we knew having her near him would bring back old memories. He’s pulling away.”

Worry laces his words. Sharing a look, my hands grip both shoulders giving them a squeeze.

“We’ll take care of it, West. He needs to blow off steam instead of holding himself up in that room playing on his computer talking to fuck knows who.”

“He’s been smoking again to take the edge off, but I’m fucking worried, Rye. I-”

Tapping on the glass has both of our heads turning towards the window, but the tint hides the face behind it. The feel of Cole’s eyes peering into mine makes me pause for a second before turning back to West.

“We’ll handle it.” I repeat. Those words taste like ash on my tongue with how much I’ve said them tonight.

The drive back home is silent but short. I thank God for the quiet, allowing me just a few moments of peace to run over the events from this past week. G was able to get rid of the body without issue, not that I had any doubts he would.

One problem solved, amillionmore to go.

. Our moves are being watched, not that we give a shit, but any mistake could change the game for us. I make a mental note to look into Addington. The way he looked at Kens has me thinking, he’s bound to be a problem. Thirsty men always are.

“You sure you’llbe able to do what it takes when the time comes?” Cole questions.

My knuckles turn white with my grip on the controller for our gaming system. West and G sit on the other couch watching, while me and Cole play a round of COD. Keeping my eyes on the game doesn’t keep their eyes off the side of my face. I let out a long exhale, rubbing my hand down my cheek and over my mouth, my fingernails scrape the growing beard I’ve forgotten to shave.

“I’ll do whatever it takes, Cole.” I remind him.

“Now that you’ve had your fill of her? You think we don’t know you’ve been dipping your fingers into the pie?” West laughs to lighten the mood.

G joins in, “Yeah man, you’ve licked your fingers clean after that meal.” He jokes.

The thud of the controller landing on the coffee table echoes in the room, jumping to my feet, I head for the front door.

“Where you going, Rye?” West asks.

“G, focus on Addington. I want everything you can find on him. I’ll be out late tonight.”

Shutting the door behind me, I head to the one place that has a tight hold on me. They don’t know that I’ve claimed her as mine, even when she belongs to all of us. In the end I’ll be the one to choke out her light, but that doesn’t mean I have to keep my hands, or dick, clean before then. Restraint is something I’velearned to control over the past few years, so no, they shouldn’t be worried.

Yeah, continue to tell yourself that.

Shakingthat thought from my head, I decide to walk the two blocks back to campus, making a stop along the way. By the time I reach the dark walkway in front of her dorm the lights in her window are out. Visions of her long golden hair splayed across her bed with her tan skin on display makes my dick grow stiff in my jeans.

It’s time to leave her a little message. Our little killer needs to know that her time is limited.Mykiller. Because no matter what needs to be done, she is mine.

Stepping into the stairwell of her building, my shoes squeak against the metal steps leading to her floor. Not worried about someone stopping me, I pull the little silver out of my back pocket. I made a copy, because, well… I’m me. Slipping it into the lock, I twist it slowly, theclickis music to my ears. The door opens slightly to a dim living room. The smell of her hits me in waves, sliding through my nostrils like the most blissful line I’ve ever taken. I follow that floral scent that makes my head swim, it leads me to a shut door near the back of the apartment.

Signs of her are shown through the living space, but even in the low light I can see that her roommate, Ally, splashed her bright colors throughout the space as well. Opening the door to her room, the only light she allows is from the window to the right of her bed. The curtains pulled open and the moon peeks in, shining down on the blonde bombshell sleeping in nothing but grey sweats and a black sports bra. My dick has been hard since I turned the key, but seeing her in such a vulnerable state almost makes the pain unmanageable. I set down the surprises I got onmy way here, positioning them around her room for her to see when she wakes up, in just a few short hours. But tonight, I want to play a little game.

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