Page 25 of Possession

WHACKED

Brax

For the first time since I worked my way into the Marino family, I’m able to sit at Damian’s desk and do it knowing I’m supposed to be here. I don’t have to manipulate the cameras to steal minutes here and there. I don’t have to sneak in on the rare occasion he left the house and didn’t demand that I drive him. And I don’t have to worry about making an excuse if someone walks in.

I’m here. I can work freely. And I’m not leaving until I have what I need.

Mywifeis asleep in Damian’s bedroom. She barely said two words to me when she came out of the bathroom fully dressed in sweats and a tee with wet hair. Not that I was worried about her stripping down in front of me—she doesn’t want to be here anymore than I want her here—but I sure as hell don’t need the guys manning the security cameras jacking off to the sight of her.

Who am I kidding, she wouldn’t have to strip down for them to do that. That’s why I’m going to trash the cameras the minute she wakes.

She downed a bottle of water and stuffed her face from the platter of food that June delivered while she was in the shower. By the time I got cleaned up and came back, she was passed out on the sofa in Damian’s bedroom.

I ignored the cameras, left her there, and took the bed. I was too fucking tired to worry about anyone watching me sleep.

I’m used to people watching me at this point.

They’re always watching. It’s their job.

What they don’t know is, I’m watching them right back.

When Landyn wakes, not only are the cameras going, but so are the bugs I planted last year. Damian was a sick fuck. He enjoyed watching what he did in that room, whether it was consensual or not.

And often, it was not.

He didn’t give a shit who saw it. In fact, he got off on that too. It was his chance to prove to everyone around him he was powerful enough to do what he wanted.

And he did a lot.

But not anymore.

I look up when there’s a knock at the door. “Come in.”

The double doors from the upstairs hall open. “Hey, Boz—I mean boss. Sorry. Habit.”

I need to play the part. With that comes acting as powerful as everyone around here expects. If I have to be an asshole doing it, so be it. But I also need certain people to trust me.

And this kid is one of them. Plus, I like him. It pisses me off he’s here. He’s too young and has too much potential.

I shake my head at the eighteen-year-old biker wannabe. “My position might’ve changed, Ricky, but when we’re alone, you can still call me Boz.”

“Thanks, man. You called for me?” The tension rolls off his shoulders as he exhales. Everyone is used to Damian’s volatility. No one knew when he’d go off or what it would be about, and this kid has heard the tales. Ricky Monroe has only been working at the house for a few weeks. It was my idea to bring him in as a direct line of communication to the Jackals.

“Sit.”

Ricky closes the door and moves to a leather chair. His boss, Logan Pritchett, has been a member of The Violet Jackals for years, working his way to the top. Logan recruited Ricky into the club recently. Dennis Alba isn’t the only organized crime group who wants a piece of the Marino pie. Contracting with outside organizations allowed Damian to keep his hands clean. He spread his work far and wide to make sure all his stones were spread thin. The fact that so many crime rings are tied to Damian, makes this case one of a kind. Not only will I get the revenge I want, I’ll take down organizations like the Albas and the Jackals too. They’ll drop like dominos, one after the other.

I’m banking on the fact each one will do what they can to rat out the other when the time comes.

I’m not there yet. But having complete access to Damian’s business, I’m a hell of a lot closer than I was yesterday.

“Heard you married Mr. Marino’s fiancée,” Ricky says, as he pushes a lock of his dirty blond hair from his forehead.

I minimize the spreadsheets I was studying and lean back in my chair. “I did.”

He hikes a brow and I can’t tell if he’s shocked or impressed, but his answer says it all. “Badass. Even if it is kind of whacked.”

I tip my head to one side and glance around the office. “Señor Marino knows I’m his best bet at running the business right now. No one was closer to Damian than I was. It’s my way to honor him.”

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