Page 69 of Twisted Lies

“We both know I’m not going to do that. What’s the problem here?” Daniel demands calmly, but I can see the tick in his eye.

“You tell me. Your son is the one who just tried to kill me in a public area,” I respond calmly, stepping forward and sitting in the seat across from his desk, my gun still aimed at his chest. “What’s the problem here?”

For a second, panic appears in his eyes but also a lack of knowledge. He had no idea what his son was up to. Interesting. What’s going on that Daniel has no clue what his own flesh and blood is conniving?

“A bigger issue is you have no idea. Why don’t you know what’s going on under your own roof?”

“I will get to the bottom of this incident, Elijah. I can promise you that. Allow me to handle this in-house. The ones involved will be punished.”

“And your son? Will he be punished?”

“Of course. He’ll know the full consequences of what he’s attempted.”

“I wonder if he would have faced any of these consequences if he had succeeded. If any. What will it say about me that I allow an attempt on my life to be handled by you instead of taking care of it myself?”

“It will be handled in a way that the statement is clear. He will pay for his choices, and I will find out why this has been done. I promise it will not happen again.”

“I know it won’t. Make it known that the next attempt on my life, I will skin them alive and send the body parts back to the family. This is my one and only mercy.”

“I understand.”

Standing, I nod and say, “I look forward to your ongoing support.”

Realization crosses Daniel’s face. My mercy does not come free; he’s in my pocket going forward. His eyes twitch. “Of course.”

“Good. I’m glad we have this understanding. I expect to see the results of your talk with your son.” With that final statement, I turn and leave with my men following close behind.

“How are the stitches?” Chris asks as we get into the car.

“They’ve held up, but it may not the be the worst idea to lay down for a bit.”

“You may want to sleep with one eye open. Lily was pissed when you left,” Chris adds as he pulls onto the street.

I don’t respond because I’m sure she’ll get her revenge shortly.

“I’m surprised you didn’t go in there with guns blazing,” Chris says.

“That was my plan till I had a much better idea. He’ll be of more use to me now. They all will.”

“I would have preferred to shoot them all,” Antonio mutters.

Laughing, I respond. “You would. We need to be smart. Think of the best use for everyone involved.”

My side throbs and I lean my head back against the headrest. Shutting my eyes, I block the pain. Besides almost getting killed today, it was a productive day. Even the attempt on my life put me further ahead. The only downside is dealing with Lily when we return. She’s going to have to learn that some things are not her business. That’s just how it’s going to be.

I duck just before the picture frame hits my head. It crashes into the wall. The sound of glass shattering rings in the bedroom. Lily stands back, her breathing rigid and her eyes blazing in anger.

“I can see you’ve calmed down,” I say sarcastically.

“Good. I’m glad. The frame was the nicer version of what I had in my head.”

“Lily…” I start.

“No. You don’t get to talk this time. You get to listen. You don’t get to shove me out of your life like that…” Before she can continue, I grab her and fling her on the bed.

“You’re right. Let’s not talk,” I mutter against her lips. Moving my lips against hers, I know I can make her forget her anger, at least for a little while. Her hand moves to grip my scalp, keeping me close.

“I’m still pissed,” she says.

---