Page 69 of Wild Card (Advantage Play 1)

“My father’s dead, so he isn’t your concern anymore. Now you get to deal with me. I appreciate the condolences, though. Very thoughtful.” My voice is confident, lackadaisical. Exactly what I need it to be, no matter how hard it kills me to talk about my deceased father with so much forced ease.

In response, Burlone laughs deep and hard. D’s jaw clenches.

“Aw, Kingston. I’ve missed these conversations. We should have them more often.”

“Sure, we should. Unfortunately, I’m a little busy at the moment but would appreciate if you could help me out by returning my sister.”

Again, that deep laugh. “I’d love to, Kingston. Really, I would. But you see, I’m a big fan of games. There’s just something about the competition and the strategy that brings out the worst in people. And you see, if I hand over your gorgeous little sister, then where will that leave me?”

With gritted teeth, I offer, “With more time and a few less gray hairs?”

And maybe even alive, I add to myself, forcing a slow breath between said gritted teeth.

“I never pegged you for a funny man, Kingston. Are you saying your sister is a bit of a handful? Because I’d have to agree with you. She’s given my men quite the treatment since she’s been in our custody. Don’t worry, though, we’ve dealt with many…,” he pauses in search of the right word. “Sei, what’s the right word?” he calls to someone on the other end of the line. “Undisciplined? Naughty? Stubborn? Feisty? Yes, I like that one. We’ve dealt with our fair share of feistiness. But we’ve long since understood how to transform those behaviors to more favorable ones. Isn’t that right, Regina?”

Hearing him address my sister makes my heart stop and my breathing stilted while the rest of my men lean closer, being pulled into the conversation even further. Unfortunately, our straining ears can’t hear whether or not she responds.

I need to get her out of there. The question is…how?

“So, my sister’s there with you?” I prod, distracting him from any further contact with Regina.

“Obviously. My associate had a grand old time this evening as he picked her up, along with a handful of other girls to keep her company. That is, until we find them more suitable homes…for the right price.”

My stomach bottoms out at the prospect. No. Not her.

Narrowing my gaze, I probe, “So, that’s your plan then? To sell my sister?”

He tsks. “Kingston, Kingston, Kingston. I don’t sell women. I sell fruit, and your sister’s as sweet as they come.”

The promise in his voice makes my skin crawl, finally pushing me over the edge.

“Don’t fuck with her, Burlone. I swear to God, it’ll be the last thing you do.”

“Maybe you should’ve thought about that before you fucked with me first, Kingston. I had a plan that was supposed to come to fruition last night, but someone intervened, and one of my men disappeared. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

Marty.

My gaze shifts to D then glides over to Stefan and Lou, but I keep my mouth shut.

“I’m sure you recall him,” Burlone continues. “But let’s stay on topic, shall we? We were talking about your pretty little sister with her pretty little face, her pretty little body, and her pretty little virginity. Am I right, King? Is that precious little hymen still intact? Dominic said that was your dad’s favorite selling feature for her. She’s a virgin! Don’t you want a virgin?” he mimics my dad’s voice. “I can tell you from personal experience, Kingston, a virgin can go for a pretty penny.”

I bite my tongue, tasting the tangy metallic flavor of blood to keep from yelling at him.

“You asking for money, Burlone?” I’m done dancing around with this shit.

A loud, obnoxious scoff greets me. “I always want money. But, no. That’s not what I’m asking from you. All I’m asking is for you to play a little game with me.”

My suspicion spikes, but I press forward with my gaze zeroed in on that damn pen being squeezed to death in the palm of my hand.

“And what kind of game is that?”

“As I’m sure you know, I played a little tournament last night with your girlfriend. Low blow, by the way. Sending her to take my money? Not what I was expecting, but I’ve got to give you credit for your balls. With how much you say you respect women, putting her in such a risky position was bold. Stupid, but bold. Has she told you yet that I had one of my men say hello? She really is a pretty thing—”

The last thread of patience is severed the moment he brings up Ace. I’m seconds from cracking a molar and can’t take his voice for much longer. “You’re awfully talkative tonight, Burlone, but maybe we could get to the point.”

“See? This is why I like you. Your father never would’ve spoken to me like that. But you? Your generation? You don’t care about disrespect, and I find it…refreshing. Yet, you must understand why I feel the need to put you in your place.”

“I’m sure you do. Is my sister there? I’d love to talk to her.”

---