Page 49 of The Sweetest Note

Breathing easier, I nod as I dial Greg. Orion stalks back out of the room, but I ignore it as Greg picks up.

“Yeah? Who is this and how did you get this number?”he asks gruffly.

My lips twitch as he basically barks at me. I forgot his number was unlisted and he’d typically know who is calling him. No scammer calls for this guy.

“It’s me,” I respond, knowing he’ll recognize my voice. “This is a safe phone or whatever, if you’re worried about me calling…”

“Derek, spill. What’s going on?”

“I kind of got caught, and we need to bring someone in on our plans going forward. Orion Kingston is working with my father as his enforcer, and yes I’m aware right now that I sound ridiculous. Or as if I’m in the mafia,” I snort because I can’t believe this is my life.

“Woah, okay. Do I need to pull you out? Are you in trouble or can we trust him to ally with us?”I know Greg is trying to follow the conversation, but the truth is my head is spinning and I’m really fucking tired. I’d blame the beer, but I haven’t had any yet.

“Are you spiraling, Derek?” Orion asks with a smirk. “Ask Greg if I can video chat with him. My computer is more secure than that phone, which makes it impenetrable. I’m sure he wants to make sure I don’t have you captive or something. You’re making me out to sound really fucking scary.”

Blowing out a breath, I roll my eyes. “You beheaded a guy today and didn’t twitch. Youarekind of scary.”

“So help me, Derek, you better start talking,” Greg growls and I nod.

“Yeah, it’s really fine, Greg. Orion feels like you need proof of life, so he thinks a video call will be better. Are you near your computer?”

“Always am,”Greg grunts and I’m tempted to call him on it.

“Okay, he’s going to call you now. I’m giving him the phone,” I tell him, handing over the burner.

Orion gives him instructions as he taps on his keys, quickly bringing up Greg on the computer.

“Derek? Come around so I can see you,” Greg insists and I can’t help but be surprised. People don’t usually worry about me.

“I’m really fine,” I say, coming around to sit next to Orion on the couch.

Greg runs his eyes over me and nods. “Tell me everything right now, and explain the dismemberment of a body. I’m really unhappy I’m so out of the loop.”

Feeling as if I just disappointed a parent, I explain everything to Greg. I really have been processing things, and only had time to go for a run and shower before Orion was back at my house.

There wasn’t any time to call Greg, and I didn’t want to worry him.

“My father wants me to work with Orion to scare people into falling into line. He doesn’t have the patience to deal with blackmailing assholes, so he’s learned scare tactics that I doubt most politicians use,” I explain after telling him about the last few weeks.

Greg hums under his breath as he thinks. “Xav doesn’t like to share his toys or ideas. It’s a big deal that he’s working with your father, but someone trying to cut into his bottom line would piss him off. I am just surprised this is the kind of work he wants you to do.”

“There were cameras in the warehouse,” Orion reveals to him. I had kind of forgotten to tell Greg this.Oops. “He can hold this over Derek forever now. Grant wants his son firmly with him, and murder was the best way to do this. I also think he expected Derek to break, since his son has gone along with every order.”

Greg looks slightly pained, and I know he’s killed people in his career, possibly even enjoyed it. There was something about the feeling of skin splitting under my knuckles that fueled my adrenaline. I didn’t feel upset by their screams either, more so pissed off at my father for manipulating me.

Maybe one day he’ll be hung up from a hook so I can work out my frustrations. Blinking, I bring myself to the present and away from my dark thoughts. “My dad watches my every reaction, so I’ve learned to not have one to anything so that he can’t use them against me. He told me he gave Lennon to Xav as a plaything, Greg,” I begin to tell him, my voice showing the pain I’ve been holding back for weeks.

“Xav is working as a supplier for people who will spend a lot of money to do whatever depraved thing they can think of. What better way to get a return on the money you’re shelling out for a campaign than selling a gorgeous rockstar?”

My voice shows how distasteful I find this and Greg grimaces.

“Look, I’ve been searching the dark web, and no one is breathing a word about this place. Arrangements for admittance must be done through phone calls and people who know it exists. There’s no paper trail,”Greg sighs.

“I want to ask Grant for more responsibilities within his organization,” Orion says. “I had no idea Xav had a role selling sex and people, and it’s because they know that’s something I hate. I enjoy making people who do this scream. That being said, I may be able to offer to be useful to my father and Grant, seeing where it’ll lead. He’s currently fucking his mistress, who I just found out isn’t dead?” Orion sounds confused as a frown line forms along his forehead. My finger twitches to smooth it and I fist my hand where neither of them can see it by my leg.

Greg rolls his eyes. “You can’t be dead if you kidnap your own daughter. Carrie is very much alive, and has a hard on for Derek too. You’re locking your door at night, right? I wouldn’t blame you at all for wanting to skin her alive now that you’ve gotten a taste of what it’s like to make people scream.”He gives me a dark smile, and I know then Greg shares the same darkness I feel.

Hmm. It’s like a fucked up little club. “Yes, Dad, I promise I’m locking my door at night,” I snark and Greg groans.

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