Page 71 of End It All

"Don't test me, Quincy." Daiki grunted. "????????????????????”You should have been killed a long time ago.

I'd heard it all before and I'd hear it again. I smiled, although all I wanted to do was go to him and put a bullet between his eyes. There would be big repercussions. The entire yakuza would be after me and anyone associated with me. I glanced over at Blake. He'd be fine, he had the Vitale name protecting him. I wasn't even sure why for a second I worried about him. Unlike me, he had family. I shoved the bitter feeling that twisted my gut at the thought.

"?????."Someday.

"Not soon enough," Daiki spat. "You still haven't taken care of what I requested of you."

Did he forget the way he allowed his goons to beat the living shit out of me? I was out for an entire week. The few jobs I had gotten done were easy. I was mostly healed up now, the bruising was light and the cuts weren't splitting open, but I was in no rush to get anything he asked of me done.

"I haven't forgotten, I'll take care of it." I motioned to Blake to light up another joint. I'd dropped mine the moment he'd tried to sneak up on me.

He didn't question me, pulling one out of his pocket and sparking it. He took a few drags before passing it over. I parted my lips but made no move to take the weed from him. His glarewas no more intimidating than a kitten’s. The right corner of my mouth ticked up in a smile.

"Who's schedule are you on?" Daiki growled. "Your usefulness is only determined by what I think. Right now, you'd be more useful as fertilizer for my girl's tulip garden."

"I don't know. I smoke a shit ton of weed and the amount of alcohol I consume should be illegal. Liver is probably pickled and my lungs are shit. I might kill off the flowers instead of making them grow."

Daiki started cursing in Japanese, and I ignored it, letting him have his tantrum. Fucking first born rich kids were all the same. Privileged assholes who couldn't see past the silver spoon coming toward them. It was a shame. I knew Daiki had grown up under the same father as Harlow, but unlike Harlow, he was the legitimate heir. He was special in his own right.

Blake's eyes flickered over to the phone and it was as if a cloud of darkness came over his face. His mouth was in a straight line and his brows relaxed. If I didn't know him, I'd say he was about to murder someone. There was an air of intensity around him I wasn't accustomed to. I snapped my fingers in front of his face and he blinked a few times, turning those blue eyes my way. Without further instruction, he held the joint to my lips so I could pull in a lung full of smoke, not once breaking eye contact.

My gaze dropped to his mouth on instinct and the first thought in my head was how good I knew his lips felt. I pulled back as Daiki's voice broke through the constant sexual tension between me and Blake.

"What?"

"Are you incapable of understanding English now? Didn't that worthless mother of yours teach you anything?"

I stood up straight, anger rolling through me at the mention of my mother. "Watch it," I warned. There was a lot I could handle being said about me and to me.

"Sore spot for you? You're just like Harlow. I see why he easily rolled around with scum like you."

My muscles ached with how tight I was wound. He was saying everything to piss me off on purpose. All Daiki needed was a reason to put me six feet under. Shit, he'd probably leave me dead in the middle of the street. Why bother wasting any energy in giving me a grave?

"Have something to say? Adachi?"

I bit the inside of my cheek until blood trickled over my tongue. I swallowed the coppery tang and forced a smile on my face. He couldn't see me, but he wouldn't get the goddamn satisfaction of making me careless.

"Not a single word, boss man. Oh shit, sorry. Junior boss man." It was known Daiki hadn't taken over the yakuza and that was for one reason; his father still didn't think he was ready. It was a sore spot in his pride. I'd pay for my words another day, but I wasn't too worried right now.

"??"Die.

Before I could say anything, Daiki kept speaking. "The meeting is happening in Manhattan. You're to be there at seven. I'll send you the location."

Manhattan?"That's Vitale terri?—"

The call ended before I could say anything more.

"What?" Blake asked, smoking and practically shivering. His California blood wasn’t used to the cold.

I dragged him close, only because I was seeking warmth as well. My arm tightened around his shoulders until we were practically plastered against one another.

"Nothing. Just work, peaches. I'll be back as soon as possible." I flicked his nose before stealing the joint out of his hands.

"Hey! The fuck, Quincy."

"What? You got complaints, short stuff?"

He glared up at me. I expected him to attempt climbing me like a damn spider monkey. I knew he could do it. Instead, Blake shook his head.

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