Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Sorry I missed your call,” Hawke says, throwing an arm over my shoulder. He holds up two fingers. “I was entertaining two women and had to wrap it up quickly when Eli called.”
Eli nods to us as we approach. “And next time, I’d rather you not answer while you’re still fucking,” he says, though it’s certainly not the first time any of us have called Hawke when he’s mid-fuck. He seems to never have the common sense to stop or just not answer.
“It was exciting to hear your two-pump wonder over the phone, though,” Jewel teases as we go inside.
Hawke laughs, putting a hand to his chest. “It’s called multitasking. What about you? What were you doing?” he asks me.
I ignore him and instead focus on the dead body on the floor beside the bar.
“What happened?” I ask Eli. He’s staring at the body of one of his security guys and the empty glass resting near his hand.
“I received a call thirty minutes ago from one of my other security guys. It happened just before last call, and they shut down and hustled everyone out straight after. I’m having someone look into what happened, but I suspect he’s been poisoned.”
Likely so with the white foam coating his mouth. His eyes are open, and I crouch down to get a better look. Although poisons aren’t my specialty, Anya certainly had us study various ways to kill people. Poison being one of them, and had us microdose as teenagers. Our mother has unorthodox practices, but I’m certain she has her reasons for it. It would appear it might finally come in handy.
“Do you think this was a targeted attack or coincidence?” Jewel asks, and it’s refreshing that we don’t have to pretend around Eli’s wife. She’s a hitwoman who is equally as dangerous as any of us.
But we all know we never leave anything to chance.
“Hate to stereotype, but poison is usually a woman’s weapon,” Hawke says, raising his hands in the air. My brother and his fat mouth. But he’s not wrong. “Maybe old mate here pissed her off.”
“And why does it have to be a woman?” Jewel asks pointedly.
I step in for my brother because articulating himself objectively has never been his strong suit. “Poison is usually used by someone who doesn’t want confrontation, whether that be they’re hiding their identity, or they feel weaker if it were to be a physical confrontation. Gender aside, this is a new security guard. He was most likely targeted at the bar after his shift. Those who have been working for Eli for a while know not to drink while they’re on the clock.” To Eli, I ask, “Have you looked through the video footage?”
I look up and see Jewel staring at me.
My eyebrows dip. “What?”
“I don’t think I’ve heard you say so much at one time before.”
“He’s super smart, right?” Hawke adds.
“More like saving your ass from sounding like an asshole,” Eli corrects. Not that I think Eli’s any better. “But we’re going through the footage now, and I’m going over his files to see if it was an attack against him personally or us. I just wanted you to both be made aware so you can keep an eye out. If there’s a repeat of this, there might be someone targeting my life.”
Jewel clicks her tongue. “What a big fucking surprise there.”
“Jealous someone else might beat you to it, wife?” Eli challenges.
She grins, and it’s sadistic. “I’ll put a bullet in anyone who tries to do that, husband. That’s my job.”
The sexual tension between them is palpable, and I stand. “Hawke and I’ll check the footage in your office and make sure this is cleaned up.” I look at the body again. Those two are about to rip at one another, and I’m not here for the show.
But more than likely, someone is after Eli. It’s not the first time someone has tried to take out the mafia boss, and it won’t be the last. But it’s my and Hawke’s job to make sure that doesn’t fucking happen.
Long nights and getting home at unusual times aren’t abnormal for me. I don’t return until ten in the morning, and a selfish part of me hopes Billie is still here. But the logical part of me that warns me to put distance between us is telling me she won’t be. I head to my room first. The bed is made, a few of the painkiller tablets have been taken, and the electrolyte drink is gone.
I lean against the doorframe with my arms folded, picturing her there last night. I wonder what time she snuck out and how much she remembers. I hear a small hiss and turn to my left to see the feral little monster slowly stepping toward me.
I sigh. How the fuck did I end up with this thing?