Page 44 of Pope's Penance

We’re a few rounds into the game when Birdie’s phone rings.She jerks in her seat, her wide eyes flying to the counter.

I place my hand on her knee.“It’s just your phone, little mama.”

Legend grabs it and carries it over to her.Birdie takes it with a trembling hand.

“Hello,” she answers.

I can’t hear what’s said, but the way her face quickly loses color and terror fills her eyes is enough.

That motherfucker.

Without hesitation, I snatch the phone from her and put it to my ear.

“When I get a hold of you, what I did will feel like child’s play, you worthless, used-up cunt.Then I’m going to pass you—”

“You’re going to do what?”I drawl.

There’s a pause over the line before an abrasive chuckle scrapes against my ear.“Well, well, if it isn’t the big dog himself.How are you enjoying my wife?”

Birdie’s fear has transferred to the twins, so I shoot them a wink and climb to my feet.This isn’t a conversation they need to hear.

I squeeze Birdie’s shoulder and head toward the back door.“Frankie, Frankie, Frankie.If only you knew how many times I’ve buried myself inside her and had her screaming my name.Mine, Frankie.She forgot you the moment she came home.”

“She’s mine,” he screams.

“Is she, though?Because it seems like she’s mine.Like they all are.How did it feel to know the most beautiful part of her would never be yours?Her heart,” I taunt.

“Hmm, I don’t know.Why don’t you tell me how it feels that I had the six years of their lives you’ll never be part of?All those firsts that belong to me.Mine, Apollonos.How does it makeyoufeel?”

He called me by my birth name.The only people outside my club who use that name are my parents, the fucking church they belong to, and Birdie.Even Gavel calls me Pope.

Instead of letting his taunts get to me, I change direction, hoping to get some information for Cypher.

“Tell me something, Frankie?How do you know my parents, Diana and Eoghan Brannigan?”

I pull my phone from my pocket and send Cypher a text to trace the number Frankie is calling from.

The silence from Frankie is weighted in surprise, as if we weren’t supposed to find that information.Did he expect my guys to not be that good, or did he think he was better?

Frankie’s laugh is knowing.There’s a chill in it that has the hairs on my arms standing up.“Now, now.It would ruin all the fun if I didn’t make you work for it.”

The tone of his voice sends a rush of familiarity over me.

What the fuck?

Cypher texts back, telling me to keep on the line as long as I can.

“Yay.I like games.If I win, I’m going to introduce you to my precious.She enjoys making new friends.”

“If I win—”

“You won’t,” I interrupt cheerfully.

“If I do—”

“You won’t, so we don’t need to pretend you will.”

Frankie lets out a snarl of frustration that has me chuckling.“I’m coming for my family.”

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