Page 32 of Ashes of Sin

With all those facts on the table, clearly I’m quite a good host.

In any case, they need to listen and understand my plan before cornering me like this.

“I’m not a kidnapper—” Both their lifted brows stop me. “Fine, I’ve kidnapped her. But I’m going to give her back.”

Am I?

Yes, I am.

What else am I going to do?

“Oh well, that’s fine, then. We can go.” Parker moves to get up, then sits back down and shoots me ayou fucking idiotlook. “It’s all over the news. Do you want to go to prison?”

If it meant destroying my father? Maybe.

But I won’t be going to prison and they both know it. In the world we play, we have our own commerce system. People who trade information, power, and influence.

And if it's money that’s required, then I have billions and can happily pay the piper.

“Let’s hear his plan,” Travis says.

“This isn’t a board meeting.” I grumble and pick up my glass again. “I have a plan and it's unfolding.”

“He doesn’t have a plan.” Travis shoots Parker a glance, who shakes his head.

“I have a fucking plan.” I snap.

“So, when you get arrested, do you want us to bail you out or break you out?” Travis asks, ignoring me.

I can’t help it, I laugh.

“Break me out?” I keep laughing. “Dude, you own a golf course and sex club. No offense, but you might want to leave the security and muscle stuff to some hired help.”

People I know.

“Fine, we’ll let you rot in prison. Just know that Icouldhave got the chopper in the air and repelled down to get you out.”

Looks like I’ll rot in prison withhimas my cellmate.

“You are both fucking idiots,” Parkers states. “Maddox, you know you’ve crossed the line here.”

We all go quiet.

I do.

But taking Kyra was the only option. I was hardly going to swoop in and make her fall in love with me. I’m not someone who can fake a smile even if my life depended on it.

I don’t even like fucking smiling.

But if he wants to talk about lines being crossed, I’ve got some comparisons to remind him about why we walk through life as best friends and have pledged to support one another as we take revenge.

Strength in silence: revenge is a patient man’s game. We act in shadows, speak only truth, and never reveal our hand too soon.

“You mean like Pierce crossed the line the day he made me stroke my eleven-year-old cock while he poured ice cream over it? Then helped himself to me like I was his dessert?”

“Fuck.” Travis glances away, his jaw clenched.

We all have our stories, but Parker isn’t budging. I’ve always thought he might be the one of us with the most morals.

---