Page 11 of Up in Flames

I turn my back, walk to the other side of the room, spin, and fold my arms over my chest. “Unfortunately,Ithink itisyourproblem, Pyke.” Reaching into my back pocket for my cell, I hit call on the contact and place it on speaker. It rings, and Trap looks to me like he has no idea what I’m playing at, but Morgan smiles widebecause he gets it.

Trap has so much to learn.

The cell rings, and finally, it picks up. “Yo, Bachelor maintenance. Your man Alfie on the line,” Alfie, one of my soldiers, states while Pyke looks at me wide-eyed.

“Alfie, Cain here. Do you have the package?”

He laughs. “Yes, sir, all tied up in a nice, pretty little bow.”

I glance at Trap, then over to Pyke. “Open the package, Alfie.”

“With pleasure,” he sneers.

A piercing, harrowing scream echoes down the line. Pyke grunts, standing taller as he glares at me, his breathing coming in short, sharp bursts.

“Oh God. Stop. Please stop!” A shrill female voice screams, and Pyke’s jaw clenches. His hands ball into fists, and he lunges at me, but Morgan holds him back.

“Fuck! Call him off, Cain. Tell him to stop hurting her,” Pyke calls out as another ear-piercing scream echoes down the line. Pyke whimpers as his body sags in Morgan’s arms while his face falls in fear.

“You’ll tell Zorko his deals are exclusive with us?”

Another scream.

Pyke nods, dropping to his knees.

Morgan chuckles, and Trap grins. Fucker looks like he’s enjoying this.

A flash of Makaylie’s face runs through my mind, and I stumble. Taking a deep breath, I try to right myself.

What in the fucking hell was that?

Thank fuck, no one noticed!

“Yes. Yes, I’ll do anything. Please… just stop hurting my angel.”

I nod, bring my cell up to my mouth, and sigh. “Alfie, halt!” I say it loud and clear so he can hear my command over her agonizing screams.

Suddenly, everything dies down to small whimpers.

The cell phone sounds like it’s being picked up, and I hear. “What would you like me to do with the package, Cain?”

I stare at Pyke for a second. “Tend to her wounds, then drop her home. Keep her warm, and give her a meal. Make her feel secure, Alfie. Let her know she’s safe.”

“Yes, sir,” he replies, then ends the call.

As Pyke pants frantically, almost on the verge of tears, I shove my cell in my jeans pocket and walk over to him. He’s still on his knees on the floor, taking in deep, heavy breaths, and I sigh, running my hand through his hair as he tries to come to terms with what’s just happened.

“The thing is, Pyke, the Baton Rouge Bachelors aren’t just any elite establishment. We are a brotherhood. We are masterminds. And wewilloutwit you every. Damn. Time.” I give him a contorted smile. “You think you come to us with new information. Trust me, we already know what you’ll say before you do. If you’re going to be on Zorko’s side, a sniveling little weasel, then be prepared for turmoil. Hecannotbe trusted. Being on his side will only bring pain to your family and loved ones as you’ve witnessed tonight.” I narrow my eyes. “Just something for you to think about, Pyke. Go home. Tell Zorko to maintain his business dealings with us. Tell your wife you love her, and hold her tight. But don’t worry, wewon’tcome after her again unlessyoucome tomewith bad news.” I watch his eyes flash with realization. “So, don’t come to me with bad news again. Got it!”

A single curt nod is all I get.

With a smile, I grab his collar, pulling him off the floor and into a standing position. He exhales as I look into his eyes. While watching the anguish wash over his face, I wrap my arm around him, pulling him to my side. “Look, your girl will be a while before she arrives home. Alfie’s going to make sure she is taken care of medically. I promise. Come… have a cigar with me?”

He slumps his body and shrugs.

“Good man.”

CHAPTER FOUR

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