Page 85 of Cain
“Wasn’t I clear?”
His jaw locks and his breathing becomes harsh—forced, I’d say. He hates being told to shut up, but I don’t give a damn.
He doesn’t speak right away. He sucks his smoke harder, like he’s trying to decide whether pissing me off is worth the risk.
“Paul reached out,” he mutters. “Wants to meet. Says it’s urgent.”
I stare at him. “Paul?”
“That rat-fuck who should’ve stayed in the ditch you put him in.”
I laugh. “What, now he wants to hold hands?”
“He’s asking for protection. Says someone’s coming for him.”
“So? Let them. Saves me the effort.”
Landon blinks. “He might be useful. He’s offering something.”
I step in closer. He’s a bit shorter than me, broader, but right now, he looks small.Good boy.I like it when people remember who’s in charge.
“You really think I give a shit if he’s useful? One wrong move, and I’ll split him open and read him like a book.”
“But if we?—”
“You think I’m asking?”
Landon’s mouth snaps shut.
I hold the smoke in my lungs a little too long, like I’m deciding whether to exhale or snap his neck. He’s a good soldier. He’s loyal, fast, brutal. But lately, something’s been off.
“Set it up. Somewhere quiet.”
“Tonight?”
“Let him sweat a bit first.”
He nods, already reaching for his phone.
“And Landon?”
“Yeah?”
“If he brings backup, I’ll cut out your tongue and feed it to him.”
He swallows hard. “Got it.”
Landon might act like a good soldier, but I need to push him harder, break him down, and see exactly where his loyalties really lie. Especially after that bullshit with Torres.
“Good.” I fling the cigarette from my fingers and straighten my leather jacket. “Now, let’s get some answers.”
I walk across the street first, and he follows me.
I step into the bar. It’s the same shit, different night—slumped-over men pawing at women who’d rather claw their eyes out and desperate girls grinding on wallets, hoping to get the highest bidder. Sweat, smoke, cheap perfume.
Where the fuck is she?Probably on her knees in the restroom, sucking someone off. And that’s the charitable assumption, given what I know.
How the hell was Katerina so blind? Living with that kind of woman … she’s too trusting. Too fucking soft for a world like this.
