Page 43 of Tainted King

“A message. But it only says ‘Meet me at 7489.’ I’m guessing they have codes for their locations.”

Frustrated, I typed on my phone, making sure our IT guy was ready to take the phone apart. I paid my staff enough to demand odd work hours.

Turning to Gabriel, I slid my phone back in my pocket. “We need everyone to put all their efforts into finding the head of this operation. We only travel in pairs. Nobody takes any stupid risks, especially not to get their dicks wet. Your hand will do fine for tonight. No more dates.”

Gabriel’s face turned red. He hated being told what to do, no matter how much sense it made.

Jude stopped abusing the phone he’d found and stepped between us, holding both hands up. “Okay, let’s all take a deep breath. We’re all stressed. No need to escalate things.”

He turned to Gabriel. “Say you understand, because we’re all working toward the same goal.”

Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest, raising a brow.

With a sigh, Jude turned to me. “Now compromise so lover boy won’t get tendonitis.”

“I don’t have to compromise. I’m the boss.”

I turned and walked out, ignoring Jude’s groan and Gabriel’s pointed silence.

He thought I got off on telling him what to do. And of course it gave me pleasure knowing he had to do what I told him to. But I would gladly give it all up if it meant I was free to do what I wanted.

I went back to the car, giving my brothers five minutes before I’d drive off without them. I scrolled through my unread messages, but there was only one I wanted to read.

Quinn: I miss you.

She’d texted an hour ago. The need to talk to her burned a hole in my chest. I knew I shouldn’t do it, but I called her anyway. It was three in the morning, but she still picked up on the second ring.

“Hey.” Her voice was raspy from sleep, and I wanted nothing more than to be there with her. This would be my last call. A clean cut was the only way I’d be able to let go of her. Tonight had been a wake-up call.

“I know it’s late, but I needed to hear your voice.” And wasn’t that the truth? I relaxed into the seat, knowing she was okay.

“You can call any time. I’ll always want to talk to you, no matter what time it is.”

Fuck my life, and fuck our timing.

“How did things go at the restaurant today?”

Sheets rustled, and then she came back on the line. “They went great. I filed the claim with my insurance, and they’re sending someone out tomorrow. And we have most of the supplies to fix the place up again.”

I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t end things yet. I needed a little more time. Even if it made me a selfish bastard. I needed to see her again, and then we’d go our separate ways.

“That’s great. You still think you’ll get a chance to come out to Chicago?”

Holding my breath like the pathetic sack I’d become, I waited for her answer.

“Definitely. Amara and Vlad know what they’re doing. There’s a lot of stuff we still have to order. But I can do that from anywhere.”

The relief I felt would have bowled me over had I not already been sitting down. “Good. That’s good.”

I’d never struggled to find the right words before Quinn. She turned my insides into a pathetic mess.

“Long day?”

“Every day without you is a long day.”

The confession came out hoarse, and I cleared my throat. She was the only one to bring out a vulnerability in me. If only I wasn’t on a course to crush her. If only I was a better man.

“I can’t wait to see you.”

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