Page 65 of Filthiest Of Them All

“Stop pouting, girl, we’re here for you,” Nova says in a firm tone, bringing a small smile to my face.

“I’m sorry for dragging you both into this?—”

“Tate, stop,” Vivian snaps, forcing me to clamp my mouth closed. “We’re your friends. This is what friends do for each other. We’ve got your back and so do the guys.”

“Are they sure about this?” I press.

Nova scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Tatum, let me tell you something about Vox Hatchett. There is nothing and no one in this world that can make that man do something he doesn’t want to do. He’ll be there and he’ll do what’s needed of him because that’s just the type of person he is. I promise you, Vox, my brother and the guys will get the job done. You can count on them.” Her words should reassure me but the last person I counted on used me and lied to my fucking face. It still twists me up inside, Nexus’s betrayal burns like acid through my veins. Vivian and Nova both tried to warn me about my brother but I ignored them. I just thought they didn’t know him like I do but I was fucking wrong.

“Thank you both. I know what you are risking by helping me and I just want you both to know that I will never forget this and I swear, I won’t let anything happen to them,” I vow. I spend another few minutes talking to them and letting them know the plan before I end the call and dial the next person. My breathing turns harsh and I force myself to relax and channel my inner bad bitch.

“Tatum, what a pleasure to hear from you.” I fight not to scoff at his condescending tone.

“Yeah, I’m sure it is.” His laughter just serves to grate on my fucking nerves, I don’t trust this fucker as far as I can throw him. “Look, we have a slight issue but the guys assure me that you'll be able to aid us.” I try to keep the bite out of my tone but fail.

“What's the situation?” His voice is serious and gone is the humor from a second ago.

“We have a location, they’re being held at the courthouse.”

He snorts. “Of course she would choose that place, the gutless bitch.” His hatred for Desire is clear, I think his hatred for her could even rival my own.

“Why do you say that?” I hedge.

“She’s the only one who could get those greedy pigs in her pocket. What she pays them is worth those useless cocksuckers giving their life up to protect her.”

“Why was she the only one who could get the cops on her side?” I question.

“Because she’s the only one with a pussy and willing to allow the Sergeant to plough her rotten cunt to seal the deal.”

I shudder in disgust, women like Desire give the rest of us a bad name. She is the definition offucking her way to the top.

“Can I count on you and your men to be there and support us?”

“I gave you my word.” His tone is strong and unyielding. “Unlike the De Santis, when I give my word, I don’t break it. “ I nod even though he can’t see me. “What exactly is the play here?”

“I want minimal bloodshed. All we need to do is cause a distraction long enough for my guys to extract them then… you can do as you like once we’re out of there.”

“Are you certain they will follow The Butcher?” His tone is filled with caution and I don’t blame him.

“I won’t lie to you, I’m not certain at all but I’m hoping their loyalty to the true Don will prevail and they will see reason.”

“That right there is the reason I agreed to aid you, Tatum.”

I reel back in surprise. “What does that mean?”

“It means, you could have lied to me when we first met and you could have lied again right now but you didn’t. You would make a great leader.”

I scoff. “I appreciate that but I’m not made for this life.”

He laughs. “You may not be, but the man you are risking your life to save would burn any city to the ground and not bat an eye at the loss of lives. A man like him needs a woman like you.”

“How so?” I find myself asking.

“You are the Yin to his Yang, the goodness inside you breathes life to the darkness inside him. Alexander is lucky to have someone like you by his side.”

“I would agree with you but Alex would probably disagree. He seems to think I have anger issues and I do admit, I tend to throw shit at him when I’m mad.” His laughter booms through the phone and I find myself smiling.

“Have your men send through the time and positions and I’ll relay the information to my own men. You have my word, Tatum, I will not double cross you.”

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