Page 23 of The Kings
“Message.” It’s not just about killing Grenville; it’s about what his death screams to the world. Fear us. Respect us. Cross Eliza, and you’re crossing the reaper himself.
This is chess, not checkers. We play the long game, strike with precision or not at all. David won’t see it coming, not if we weave our web right.
Adrenaline buzzes under my skin like electricity, urging me on to find Raph to talk this through. This kind of mission arouses me beyond the usual scope. My cock is raging at the thought of swiping out a life without anyone knowing it was me.
Heading up the stairs to the top floor, I knock on his door softly. “Raph? You up?” I know he probably will be. He isn’t a big sleeper like the rest of us. It’s a liability.
“Yeah.”
Pushing open the door, I enter and close it behind me. He’s sprawled across the bed, shirtless, a book forgotten as he stares at the ceiling.
“What couldn’t wait until later?”
“Eliza and that prick, Grenville.” I don’t bother with pleasantries. There’s no time for that.
“Oh?”
“He set up a trap for her tonight. Tarquin was with her, and they got out alive, but the way I hear it, it was close.”
“Shit,” Raph mutters, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. “That was dumb.”
“Of whom?” I frown at him.
“Grenville, who the fuck did you think I meant? Eliza? Tarq?”
“Maybe.”
He smirks. “You think I don’t know they left together? When will you learn that a fly can’t shit around here without me knowing about it.”
“Noted,” I murmur. “But the question remains, why didn’t you or any of us know about this ambush?”
“A good fucking question that needs a good fucking answer. And if no one can give it to me, I’ll start killing people until I get one. Sound like a plan?”
“Always, and while you are in the bloodthirsty mood, I’ve been thinking—we hit back hard. But we wait, let the dust settle first. Make David think he’s got the upper hand, then bam!” I slam my fist into my palm, the sound sharp in the quiet room.
“Fuck yeah,” Raph stands, the muscle in his jaw working as he processes the plan.
“Despite Damon’s warning, we can’t have him screwing around, throwing off her game, or anyone for that matter.”
“Agreed. So, how do we send the message?” Raph asks all business now. “I know you have a plan in that deviant little brain of yours.”
“His death has to speak volumes. Fear. Respect. A warning to anyone else who gets ideas.”
“We’ll brief Tarquin and Oliver later. Keep it tight for now. We don’t even tell Eliza in case she goes to her dad.”
“Agreed. She’s in early tomorrow.”
“Perfect.”
My mind’s already racing, strategizing the next steps. It’s like moving chess pieces across a board soaked in blood and power, and for David Grenville, the countdown begins.
13
ELIZA
I wake up with a start,my breath hitching as I fumble for the phone on the nightstand. The screen blazes to life with a text that shouldn’t be there. A number I don’t recognise, words that set off alarm bells in my head: “Trust no one.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I grumble, rolling my eyes. “This asshole again?” I flop back to the bed and lift my phone above me to see what time it is. “Shit!”
