Page 39 of Up in Flames

“Yellow?” he says cheerily.

“Morgan, I have the Governor with me. He’s been averybad boy. So let’s show him what being bad means for him.”

Morgan smirks and then turns the camera onto Malone’s son, lying face down on the carpet next to empty plastic bags with white power smeared all over his nose, completely passed out. I sigh.It’s not a good sight.I’m not sure if he’s lapsed into a deep sleep or gone further, but either way, the Governor is about to feel the wrath of the Bachelors.

Turning the iPad to face the Governor, his eyes bug open wide, and he lets out a muffled wail as he grabs at the device, pulling it out of my hands to inspect the screen closer. His chest is heaving, and his face contorts in clear pain as his mouth twists in anguish. He lets out a heavy sigh and shakes his head. “Caleb?” he murmurs, almost like he’s too scared to talk loudly and wake him.

“He’s out, Governor. He’s got a pulse. It’s weak, but he should be okay…I think,” Morgan suggests, and Malone lets out a stifled sob.

“You fucking bastard, Cain. He’s been sober for eighteen months.”

My neck twinges as a thread of guilt washes over me.

What the hell was that? I used to thrive on this shit.

Even though the governor is a piece of fucking crap, and he deserves the pain he’s in now, Caleb doesn’t, and that thought is what’s getting to me.

Makaylie is making me weak.

She’s making me feel.

To do this job properly while I’m here, Ican’tthink of her.

I have to detach from the Cain Iwantto be and be the Cain Ineedto be.

“Youdid this, Governor,not me. This punishment is all onyou. The money in your Cayman Islands account has been transferred to us as payment for the unauthorized trading you did behind our backs. You will cease and desist any further dealings from now on. Plus, your association with us from here on out is null and void. You will no longer be allowed access to the parlor, the women, the drugs, the money, the trade, our men, or have any interaction with any of the Baton Rouge Bachelors once you leave this facility. If you mention anything about the Bachelors to anyone, including the press, we will tellallyour dirty little secrets.” I give him a threatening smirk. “And we meanall.We also have access to your email, business and personal, as well as bank accounts, plus a hell of a lot of security footage of you doing, well, alotof questionable shit.Don’t. Test. Us. Again.That wife of yours isverypretty. She would fetch a hefty sum in Mexico or Thailand.”

His face twists in a distorted rage, but his words don’t convey his feelings. “I understand. I won’t mention your establishment to anyone as long as my son doesn’t die. So you better ensure he lives through this drug binge, Cain.”

I grab Malone by his collar, lifting him off the seat so forcefully that the chair falls backward beneath him. He grits his teeth as I glare and stare him down. “Youeverthreaten me again, Governor, I’ll not only put your son in the ground, but I’ll put you right there beside him, then cut off your dick to send to your wife as a present. You might hold power in the Senate, but inthisbuilding, I’m the boss…got it?”

He snorts out of his nose like he’s having difficulty keeping himself under control, but he simply nods and yanks out of my grip. “I’ll show myself out.”

I huff out a puff of air exasperatedly. “Alfie will show you out. It’s always nice doing business with you, Governor. Good luck on your race to the White House…” I pause. “I’ll vote for the other guy.”

He turns, heading for the door. Alfie steps up to his side as Trap moves aside and lets them leave.

I take a deep breath and start pacing the yellow room in my rage.

“You doing all right, Cain?” Trap asks.

I look at him and raise a brow. “What’s it to you?”

He chuckles and takes a breath. “You seem… I dunno… a little all over the place. Like you almost had a look of regret about what you did to his stupid kid. You appeared weak.”

“I don’t need you hounding me about my facial expressions in the yellow room. I have enough to deal with.”

“Has it got something to do with why you’re not around as much?”

I think to Makaylie and her motherfucking roommate, Joey.

Shaking my head, my muscles tense up, and my neck starts to pulse with anger at the thought of her with him right now. “It’s none of your fucking business, Trap. What are you? My mother?”

He laughs and slaps my shoulder. “Fuck no, but you need to get your head in the game, Cain. Boss will notice if you’re off. You know that as well as I do. If you’re not taking on the brunt of the work, some awesome fucker who’s third in charge will come up and take your fucking job from right under you.”

I raise my brow at his forwardness. “Is that a threat?”

“No. Just letting you know you better be present.” He chuckles.

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