Page 52 of Demise

The plane rumbles and we begin to move. I have a strong urge to stop it and get off. What am I doing here? This man is crazy. I’m crazy. I chose to get on a plane with a group of dangerous men.

“Stop,” Danny says, his eyes going to me. “I can hear your mind from here. What happened was necessary. Don’t overthink it.”

“Don’t overthink it?” I whisper harshly.

His lifts his chin. “I told you I would speak with him.”

“That’s what that was?” I ask. “That’s your definition of speaking to someone?”

He sighs. “Bexley, in this business, if you don’t show you’re in control, others will. That’s just how it works. Marco will never disrespect you again because he knows it could have been a lot worse, and next time it will. Let’s enjoy the flight.”

I inhale deeply before looking back out the window. I’ve heard stories about Danny, but I’ve never witnessed his darkness in this way. It’s intimidating and honestly, terrifying.

Then why am I turned on?

I hear Carson retake his seat, and I wonder what will happen when Danny “speaks” with him.

Chapter Forty

Bones

We’re headed to Red in a black town car. It’s warmer here than back home and it’s nice. Bexley hasn’t spoken to me since the incident on the plane. She’s clearly unsettled by what I did to Marco, but she doesn’t understand the rules of this world. To stay on top, you must prove you’re worthy.

“Did you break his nose?” Bexley asks, interrupting the silent treatment she’s been giving me.

“I think so,” I reply.

She shakes her head. “I feel awful.”

“Why?”

“Because I caused this. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“You did not cause that to happen. Many a time a man’s mouth broke his nose. He shouldn’t have disrespected you.”

She rolls her eyes. “Danny, that’s not the first time, and it surely won’t be the last time someone has disrespected me.”

“It won’t happen around me.”

She looks at me for a long moment and then averts her eyes out the window.

We approach Red.

“We’re going to a nightclub?” she asks, noticing the red carpet and velvet rope. It’s early, and the place isn’t open yet.

“This is a nightclub. In fact, it’s the biggest in Atlanta, but no, we’re not going into that part until later tonight.”

She looks at me curiously but doesn’t say anything. We pull up around the side of the building in an alleyway. I open the door and step out, as Bexley does the same.

“Bring the bags up,” I say to the driver, handing him a tip.

“Yes, sir,” he answers.

“Will you be okay to walk up these stairs?” I ask Bexley.

She nods, holding onto the rail. We both make our way up and I pull the key from my pocket, unlocking the door. She walks inside first, and I study her reaction to the place. It’s warmly furnished, manly, but clean.

I enjoy staying here, and I get the feeling I might be staying here more often now that I’m working with the feds. That thought still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but it can’t be changed.

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