Page 94 of The Phantom's Vice

Ghost takes a breath to say something else, and I shove my elbow into his ribs.

“I’m sure she feels very… safe with you around,” I say, cutting a look at Ghost that says,don’t you dare say anything.

He nods thoughtfully. “I hope so.”

“Kain?” A voice like tinkling wind chimes fills the office, washing over me and filling me with a strange sense of calm. I look at the MC leader, finding the voice seems to have the same effect on him. I’ve seen a lot of strange things in my time as an FBI agent, but nothing could have prepared mefor what I would see next. Kain—the great, scary beast—smiles.

“Hello, flower,” he murmurs, his face morphing in front of my eyes. Even hisvoiceis different, like a massive weight has been lifted from his chest just by her being in the room. “I missed you.”

“I was only gone for a few minutes.” The woman—Lillith, I presume—giggles, practically skipping over to where Kain is now standing. She gives him a quick kiss on the lips, and then—-to my utter surprise—lifts his mask and places her lips against the mutilated flesh beneath.

Well, now I know why he wears the mask. Ouch.

“Are you Lillith?” I ask, feeling strangely inadequate in her presence. There’s something in the way shemoves—something enchanting—and there’s no wonder why she was the woman to melt this man's heart. “We were just talking about you.”

“Only bad things, I hope,” she giggles, pressing her cheek into the center of Kain’s chest. A pant of jealousy rings through me. Not about them, but about what they have.I wonder what it’s like to have someone love the worst parts of you.

“You’re Brett? Ghost won’t shut up about you,” Lillith says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“I—yes,” I murmur.Everyone seems to be in the loop but me.“We’re… working together.”

At the mention of it, Lillith’s face becomes stony. “You’re helping him with that Sanctum business? I fucking hate those people?—”

“Flower,” Kain’s growl is a warning, but Lillith just waves him off.

She’s not afraid of shit. I like her.“Do you deal with the Sanctum regularly?” I ask, shooting a nervous glance at the hulking man behind her.

“Not often. But enough.” Lillith’s face sours at the thought. “Ever since we absorbed the Serpents?—”

“Serpents?” I ask, needing some clarification.

Lilith gives an apologetic smile. “They were the Hellfyre’s rival club until last year. We took out the leaders and absorbed the rest of the willing members. They had strong ties to the Sanctum, and when Kain tried telling them he wouldn’t continue working with them…” She cuts a sorrowful glance up at him. “They… killed a couple of the young recruits. Strung them up from the bathroom ceiling for us to find.Headless,”she adds, a shiver running through her as she relives the memory. “Now, there’s always these guys in masks showing up to the clubhouse, threatening Kain if hedoesn’t pay his dues on time.” Lilith shakes her head, an angry little scowl on her face. “They’reevil.Which is why, when Ghost called, I told Kain he had to help.”

“And we’restillnot sure if I’m going to,” Kain reminds her, holding her possessively close to him. “I will not risk your safety.”

Gee, doesn’t that sound like someone I know?

Lillith and I exchange exasperated looks, followed by giggles as the men try to figure out what it means.

“I’ll befine,Kain,” Lillith grumbles, placing a delicate hand on his chest. “You know you have to help Ghost. You have tostopthem, Kain.”

Kain sighs, rolling his good eye to the ceiling. “As you wish, flower.”

Lillith squeals, clapping her hands together with a beaming white smile as she faces us. “See? I told you he would help!”

Ghost nods in gratitude. “I appreciate your efforts, Lillith. Why, he seems more and more like a real person every day. So much better than that hulking beast I knew just a few months ago?—”

“Watch it,” Kain growls, cutting Ghost a murderous glare. “I can still rescind the offer, you know.”

“Ah, but you never go back on your promises. It’ssomething we have in common.” Ghost waves him off. “And I’m looking to cash in.”

Kain huffs, leaning back in his seat and taking Lillith with him. “What do you need?”

“What every great villain needs—a sidekick.”

Kain takes a sharp breath, his biceps flexing as he holds in his irritation. “And what will thissidekickbe required to do?”

Ghost shrugs nonchalantly, pretending to inspect the leather covering his fingernails. “Oh, you know… infiltration, cover fire, murder… the list goes on.”

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