Page 59 of Forgotten Deeds

My ears ringing, I run to the back, kicking the sensor-entry door several times, but it’s reinforced with steel and won’t budge. Cursing, I sprint back to the locker room. “I need a hand,” I tell Russell as I slip on gloves and a slicker from my backpack. Grabbing the large hunting knife I packed just in case, I work it back and forth against his wrist with effort. Dripping with sweat, I finally cut through the last of bone and tendons.

Returning to the locked door, I press Russell’s severed hand to the sensor, and the door opens. I hustle down a set of stairs, entering a large gambling setup in the basement with poker tables and a bar. “Will you look at that?” I say, wagging Russell’s finger. John Davis and his now deceased buddy, Russell, were trying to undercut the family’s gambling racket.

Exiting another door, I walk down a hallway past bathrooms, to a room marked Private. I position Russell’s hand to the sensor, gaining entry, and whistle. It’s a command center rivaling a top-dollar casino’s, with multiple security feeds and a heavy-duty safe built into the wall.

Returning upstairs, I toss the severed hand onto Russel’s face; it lands with a wet smack. I peel off my glove, sending a message to Fabio’s encrypted pager.

Need someone to move gym equipment ASAP. Ace’s Wild Boxing Club.

Fabio’s taken over the rat Sergio’s AC rackets, and so hopefully, he can get a crew over here quick. Romeo will want to go through the security footage, and I need to focus on the more pressing issue—making Russell disappear.

“Let’s do this,” I announce, giving Russell’s hand a high five with his severed one before I begin the tedious task of dismembering his body.

Where’s Sammy when I need him? He enjoys this kind of thing.

* * *

Lily

“Lily.” Darius’ deep voice rouses me.

Sitting up in my bed, I look around, confused; Iris is sound asleep beside me. “What time is it?”

“Almost eight in the evening.”

“What? I meant for us just to take a little nap.” I hop up and grab Darius’ hand, leading him to the hall. “I tried calling you earlier,” I whisper.

“I’m sorry. My phone was turned off,” he tells me, smoothing my hair. “You ready to go?”

“Yes, but I need to talk to you. A detective stopped by—”

“Και οι το?χοι ?χουν αυτι?.” He holds his finger to my mouth, silencing me. “Wait until we get to my place. I don’t know if your house has been bugged,” he whispers in my ear.

“I didn’t finish packing,” I say when he drops his finger, my chin trembling; I’m dangerously close to losing it. God, it is so fucked up the cops think I killed my daughter’s father!

“Hey, it’s alright. You don’t have to get it all finished today,” Darius says, wrapping his big arms around me. “Grab what you need for tonight, and I’ll carry Iris to the car,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

Nodding, I follow him into the bedroom. Iris doesn’t so much as make a peep when Darius picks her up and carries her out. I quickly grab our things, locking up behind me.

Once in the SUV, I buckle up as Darius pulls out of my driveway. Glancing back at the still sleeping Iris, I spot Detective Regan’s car behind us. “Darius, the detective’s following us,” I whisper in alarm.

Darius slams on the brakes, pressing the emergency lights button. Before I know what’s happening, he hops out of my vehicle and stalks over to Detective Regan’s, knocking on his window.

* * *

Darius

Cop or not—this motherfucker harassing Lily is about to learn a lesson in manners.

I knock on the tinted window, and a familiar face appears when it rolls down. Love it when the Fates smile down on me. “Evening, Detective Regan.”

“Darius,” he says, surprised. “Didn’t know that was you.”

“In the flesh. There a reason you’re stalking my wife?” I menace.

“I didn’t know she was your wife,” he’s quick to answer. “I was just following up on a case.”

“What case?” I demand, and he fills me in about Iris’ dad.

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