Page 38 of Destroyer

"No. The Slayer has standards. But I not allowed to fuck up his enemies without asking first." I give a happy shrug.

"I'm not his enemy. I just have standards about who owns these paintings."

"What are your standards based on? Age? Accent?" Porter defends me. "Just sell us the painting and we'll be out of your hair."

My snort of laughter ruins any chance Porter had of convincing him, but come on, telling a bald guy we'll be out of his hair is hilarious.

"That's it, get out before I call the cops," he yells at us.

"Oh no. He is going to call the police and tell them we is wanting to buy a painting. Such bad boys we are," I taunt. But I do head for the door.

"I can't believe he did that to us," Porter huffs as we leave.

I want to demand that Porter gives me a lift to Malik's house so I can ask the Russian for any information on this place, but after my performance at Piotr's club, I need to limit my contact with them. Gregory and I have started weaving a dangerous game, and I'm not going to slip up over something as small as a painting.

"Will you drop me at Gregory's House please. I will ask him to buy the painting."

"Of course." Porter smiles proudly at me, like he's amazed at my decision to take the moral highroad here. Oh, how little he knows what me and my other brother get up to when we are alone.

Chapter twenty-four

Nico

PorterandGregoryarevery different when it comes to their approach to being big brothers. With Porter, it's like he's adopted a puppy. He wants responsibility, but really has no idea. He's sweet and innocent, and we live in the wrong world for that. He trusts me to simply ask Gregory to buy me a painting. This family would skin him alive if it wasn’t for Knox. Yet, he is such an amazing person, still smiling for all he's worth while the business nips at his feet like a pack of hungry piranhas. He is trusting and loyal, funny and easy going. Porter is definitely my favourite brother. That is why I am sending him home and taking my other brother back with me to fuck shit up.

Gregory is the complete opposite of Porter. He is deceitful and lies like a pro. But he is sloppy and careless; I can see why Carter considered him a liability. Gregory thinks he's clever; he thinks he has me fooled but I see him for the man he is. I haven't decided if he is playing some kind of angle for his father, but he was certainly keen enough to take Carter down as part of my plan. I know he is working for Edward, and going behind Knox's back, because I am too. But he seems quite happy with my plan to take Edward down, an event which is the master part of my plan.

"You are grinning like an evil genius," Gregory greets me. "What is your plan and how do I get involved?"

"I was buying a present for Mr Caeo, but shop man refused to sell it. Want to come and fuck him up with me?"

"Who wouldn't want that?" Gregory gives me a laugh that doesn't seem to fit with his comment and then darts off to grab the tools of the trade that we're going to need.

I almost feel sorry for this man.

Almost. But not sorry enough.

We reach the shop just before closing time, Gregory enters through the front, and I sneak in around the back. I'm good at snooping around off camera. If Gregory doesn't sort out the one at the front, that is on him.

I can hear Gregory discussing the painting, and his reaction to hearing he isn't worthy either. I'm not sure if this guy is running a money laundering service or if he's just too stuck up to sell us his paintings, but it's going to be exciting to find out.

My snooping is cut short by pained cries and moments later, Gregory drags the man through to where I'm snooping about.

"You?" The poor guy in Gregory's grip recognises me.

"I was just hoping a different brother could be buying painting for me." I frown at Gregory; this isn’t what we came for.

He was supposed to buy the painting, and then I would appear and take the painting from Gregory, while sticking my finger up at him.

We didn't discuss what would happen if the man wouldn't sell Gregory the painting. I suppose I would have brought Knox or Edward. He would have to sell to someone like them.

"So why don't you sell your painting, huh?" Gregory presses his knife against the man's throat.

"Shit. No. Not is this the way to buy painting." I need to distance myself from this. If this guy is dirty, then we can threaten him, and he won't report us. It's all part of doing business with the cartel. But if he is working for someone, he'll get protection from them which will come back to bite us in the arse. I am a small target, perfect to use as a way of sending a message to someone. Tiffany Ellis made that perfectly clear. My own half-sister! Geez, now there is a thought!

I need to stay off the CCTV. I need to stay out of this.

"I'm just going to shit him up a bit. Teach him not to be so damn bigoted over selling his damn pictures."

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