by Penelope Sky
“You never know.” I shrugged.
He took the gun from my hand. “Alright.” He turned it on its side. “You see this black button? Slide it to the right when you want to release the safety. Do it.”
I took it from him and repeated his movements.
“Now, turn it back on.”
I slid the button back into place.
He took the gun back from me and yanked on the barrel so the gun opened, showing the bullets inside. “You just drop your bullets there to load it. I’ll give you some before you leave tomorrow.” He closed the gun again then placed it in my hand, positioning my fingers so I gripped the gun correctly. “Your forefinger goes here. Then you squeeze the trigger. Safety is on, so go ahead.”
I pulled the trigger, but nothing happened.
“And that’s about it. You can keep this gun since you picked it out.” He took the gun from my hand and placed it on his nightstand.
“You don’t want to teach me to aim?”
He turned to me, his blue eyes on mine. “Baby, if someone really threatens you, I know you won’t miss.” His arm moved around my waist, and he pulled me close, his head resting on mine. “But nothing is going to happen. I give you my word.”
I pressed my cheek against his shoulder, loving the warm heat against my skin. “No one would try to hurt me because you’re seeing me?”
He released me and looked down at me. “I don’t talk about my personal life at work.”
“So, no one knows I exist?”
“One of my guys, but that’s it.” He spotted the disappointment in my gaze. “It’s not because I want it to be that way. I just think it’s best if people know as little about my life as possible. Not everyone underneath me wants me to be the leader.”
“Really?” He was a strong, hard man. He was honest and fair. And he could be terrifying without even raising his voice.
“If everyone likes you, that means you aren’t making tough decisions. And if you aren’t making tough decisions…” He shrugged. “Then you aren’t the leader the Skull Kings need.”
His words reminded me of the conversation Damien had with Hades, a detail I’d forgotten about because it wasn’t relevant at the time. “When I overheard Damien and Hades talking, they mentioned something else…”
Heath watched me, deadly serious. His playful mood had evaporated, and it was all business now.
“I can’t remember exactly what Damien said, but Hades said if he took you out, the Skull Kings would hunt him down, but he said he made a deal with someone so that wouldn’t happen…Fox? Box? I can’t remember what he said. It was a weird name, and he said it right as Hades was leaving.”
Heath didn’t react overtly, but his entire body subtly tightened, his blue eyes focusing on a more intense level, like those names meant something to him. “Vox.”
“Yes. Something like he would take your place…”
He stared right into my eyes, but he didn’t seem to be seeing at all. Now, he was a different man, immune to my nearly naked body, no longer living in the same reality as I was. Seconds passed before he abruptly left the bed and walked into his closet.
“Heath?”
He ignored me as he got dressed. He pulled on jeans and a long-sleeved shirt before placing a black leather jacket on top, clearly intending to be outside in the cold tonight. He came back out, shoving a gun into the back of his jeans.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before—”
“I have to go.” He left the bedroom and walked down the hallway.
I didn’t have time to get dressed, so I followed after him in my underwear. “Heath, what’s happening?”
He reached the stairs that led to the basement, but he stopped to look at me. “I’ve got to take care of something. Go home. I have no idea when I’ll be back.”
“What’s happening?”
“One of my own plotted against me. I’m going to put a bullet in his fucking head.” His expression was tight, the veins noticeable on his forehead and neck. His size had increased, like an animal on the defense.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’m sorry I forgot—”
“You don’t owe me an apology.” He turned to the stairs.
I grabbed him by the arm. “Wait.”
He didn’t come back, but he didn’t keep walking.
“Are you going to be alright?”
He pulled his arm out of my grasp. “I’ll be fine.”
“But…”
He kept walking. “I’ll call you when it’s finished.” He reached the landing and looked up at me. “Don’t call me. I’ll be busy.” Then he walked out and left me alone in his house. Our fun night had been ruined. A part of me wished I hadn’t said anything, but a bigger part of me wished I’d told him sooner.
Nine
Heath
When all that shit had gone down, all I’d cared about was the phone call.
The moment Catalina betrayed her family to save my life.
I didn’t think about Damien’s intentions, how he would navigate life once I’d been killed. I just assumed that he was too impulsive to think about the repercussions of my death, that he wanted me to pay for what I did, regardless of the consequences that would follow.
But now I knew the truth.
Vox.
He’d plotted against me, took advantage of the opportunity to take my place on the throne. He didn’t necessarily plan my execution, but he was disloyal by not telling me about it.
I descended to the Underground and couldn’t believe my luck when I found Vox sitting there, chatting with his cronies by the fire with a woman on his lap. Their mugs of newly brewed beer were in front of them.
I pulled out my gun and shot him in the arm, carefully avoiding the innocent bartender on his lap.
Every man in that room cowered down once the gunshot rang out, their heads snapping in my direction as I walked across the room.
The woman screamed and ran away, blood all over her bare tits.
Vox cupped his arm with his palm and grimaced, refusing to let out a scream even though a bullet had pierced his arm all the way through.
His men stilled, watching him then watching me, unsure what was going to happen.
I made my way to him, taking my time as the silence surrounded us, as the fire made the only noise in the room. I walked up to him, seeing him staring at me with fury, looking past those thick eyebrows as he panted through the pain, the blood dripping down his arm. “Tell them what you did.” I raised the gun and pointed it at his head.
He was silent, refusing to cooperate.
“Then I’ll tell them.” I lowered the gun. “You plotted to overthrow me. When Damien took me out, you intended to take my seat on the throne. You know that’s a crime punishable by death.”
He didn’t rise from his seat on the bench, continuing to his grip his arm to stop the bleeding. He kept his mouth shut, refusing to beg for his life, refusing to admit he did anything wrong.
All the men stared, unsure what would happen.
I’d already shot one of my men and that had cost me popularity points, plus Vox was one of the better Skull Kings, in terms of enforcing laws and collecting payments. So, I had a better idea to punish him, one that would work out for me and heighten the opinion of the men underneath me. “So, this is what we’re going to do.” I moved past him and walked up the steps to the wall behind my throne. I pulled out the blade from my pocket and approached the wall.
The Wall of Traitors.
A few names were already there, carved into the wall even though those people were long gone, but the memories of them were forever tainted by the inscription. I slammed the tip of my knife into the wall and took my time, making sure the cuts were deep, that they would never fade in time.
V.
The men were so quiet, I could hear the knife slice into the wood.
O.
If Vox could pull out a gun and shoot me, he would. But he was outnumbered by all the men who w
ere loyal to me.
X.
I sheathed my knife and turned back to him. “You’re forever known as a traitor—and traitors can never be king.” I snapped my fingers. “Get your ass up here.”
He stared at me from his seat, his look venomous.
Steel rose from a different table and wrapped his arm around Vox’s neck. “The Skull King just gave you a command.” He dragged him off the bench and onto the floor. “Get your ass up.” He kicked him hard in the side.
Vox moaned as he continued to grip his arm.
The humiliation must have been overwhelming, to feel all your comrades look down on you like you were garbage.
He finally pushed himself up and stared at me.
I snapped my fingers. “I’ll shoot you again.”
He finally moved, walking up the steps as he gripped his wound.
I yanked his hand free of his shoulder and slammed it against the wall, making his blood smear across his name, fill the crevices so the stain would dry and last forever, so all the Skull Kings could see it every goddamn day.
When the deed was done, I released him. “I now pronounce you a traitor. You’ll live as a traitor. And you’ll die as a traitor.”
When I pulled into the garage, her car was still there.
I’d told her to go home.
I entered my house and took the stairs to the second floor.
She must have heard my arrival because she ran to the top of the stairs, relief moving into her eyes when she saw me, saw that I was unharmed, that I was in one piece. “Thank god…”
I reached the top level and walked past her. “I told you to go home.” I turned my back on her and grabbed a bottle of vodka before I filled my glass to the brim. I took a deep drink, trying to wash away the bullshit I’d just had to deal with.
She was quiet for a long time. “I had to make sure you were okay…”
“I’m fine.” I took another drink and turned around, seeing her in my shirt. I crossed my arms over my chest and tilted my chin to the floor, staring at the hardwood floor beneath my feet. “I told you I would call.”
“And you didn’t.” She didn’t come close to me, crossing her arms over her chest. “I couldn’t go home and go to sleep. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about you until it was over.”
My hands gripped the counter on either side of me, the drink sitting in front of me.
She slowly came closer to me, approaching me with hesitation.
I didn’t know why I was being such a dick to her. I was still high on adrenaline, a little drunk from all the booze, and just pissed off about the whole thing. I was angry at myself for not figuring it out on my own, and I was pissed off that Vox was too powerful for me to kill. I punished him in a humiliating way, and if he stepped out of line again, I could kill him—with no resistance.
She moved a little closer, her eyes on my face.
I wouldn’t look at her.
Then she spoke, her voice a whisper, and she tore down all my walls. “Babe…”
I closed my eyes when I heard that nickname, the possessive title that made me feel like the luckiest bastard in the entire fucking world. I released the air I’d been holding in my lungs and lifted my gaze to meet hers.
She moved closer, her hands moving to my arms, so she could feel me, squeeze me through my clothes to make sure I wasn’t hurt. Her hands glided to my chest then stroked down, making sure everything was exactly as she remembered. The concern in her gaze was undeniable, so sincere that she looked even more beautiful than ever before. She was relieved, but there was still pain in her eyes, like her worst fears were still fresh in her mind.
My problem with Vox was finished, so there was no reason to think about it anymore. I walked in the door and had the most exceptional woman waiting for me, worrying about me. What other man could say something like that? “Baby, I’m okay.”
When she knew my anger was gone, she stepped closer, her arms wrapping around my neck. Her forehead nestled into my neck and she hugged me, held me close, her fingers pressing into my warm skin so she could feel my pulse. She rested her face in my chest, breathing deep and steady like she’d just found the peace she’d been looking for.
My arms circled her waist, and I rested my chin on her forehead, enjoying our silent companionship, the deep affection that wrapped around us both. My hand cupped the back of her head, and I pressed a kiss to her forehead, closing my eyes as I felt this tiny woman in my arms. Peace descended over my soul, a silence I’d never encountered before. She drove me crazy, turned me into a man I didn’t recognize, but she also gave me this…whatever it was. My arms tightened around her, and I pulled her closer, my arm squeezing her harder because I never wanted to let her go.
Never.
The truck pulled up to the entrance.
Steel unbuckled his safety belt.
I grabbed his arm and steadied him. “I’m going alone this time.”
He stilled, his eyes narrowing. “You’re gonna carry all that cash by yourself?”
I dropped my hand and looked out the front windshield. “I’ll call if I need you.” I opened the sliding door and hopped out. When I reached the sidewalk, I turned around to look at the adjacent roof, to see if the snipers were still there—even though I knew Damien wouldn’t pull that shit again.
It’d been over a month since the last time I was there. I’d dreaded it every moment of every day, but now I had to face it. With my gun in the back of my jeans, I entered the warehouse, taking the stairs until I descended to the bottom floor.
His cooks were making the meth in the rear, while his other workers bagged and prepared to ship everything. They looked at me, watched me, but they didn’t do a damn thing about it.
I entered Damien’s office, finding more than just two bags of money.
Now there were twenty.
Damien was behind his desk, the bruise on his head absent because it had healed. One hand rested on the desk, and he tapped his fingers against the surface, as if he was bored waiting for me to show up and make good on my word.
I looked at the bags, kicked a few to make sure they were full.
Damien’s hostility had increased since our last visit, and that was obvious without him speaking a single word. His look was more than enough.
I dropped into the chair facing his desk.
He sighed quietly, frustrated I didn’t just take the money and leave, frustrated that he would have to hear me speak. He couldn’t contain his rage, his green eyes like poisonous venom that he wanted to launch at me.
My knees were wide apart, and I propped one elbow on the armrest, my closed fist resting against the side of my face. I stared at him, feeling his rage rise in the room like smoke to the ceiling.
He finally addressed me. “Aren’t your men going to check the bags?”
“Yes. But we’re going to talk first.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “You won, Heath. Just take your shit and go.”
My feelings for Catalina made me look at him differently, especially since he had the exact same eyes she did. I remembered the soft way he spoke to her, the way he offered to take care of her even though she wasn’t his responsibility. All my hatred for him died in that moment…and the only person I hated was myself. “This is the last time I’m collecting payment from you.”
He took a deep breath, like he assumed that was some kind of threat. “You’re going to kill me. You expect me to beg for my life?”
“No. I just don’t want to do business with someone like you.”
He was still, not breathing.
“Vox has been punished—in the most humiliating way possible.” I still preferred to kill him, but that opportunity may come later.
“And now it’s my turn,” he said with a bored voice. “Shut up and get it over with.”
He still didn’t get it. “I’m not going to kill you, Damien.”
His eyes narrowed.
“I’m dissolving this business relationship.”
“Business relationship?” he asked. “Robbing someone doesn’t constitute a business relationship.”
I ignored the jab. “I’m not coming here anymore, Damien. I won’t collect payment. I won’t see your fucking face. This is over—simple as that.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket so I could call Steel.
Damien was quiet, staring at me for a while as if he didn’t understand what I said. “After all of this, all the shit we’ve been through, you’re just gonna stop?” He cocked his head slightly. “What the fuck, Heath?”
“I don’t want to be in business with someone who plots against me like that,” I said calmly. “Who uses my own man against me. With the termination of this relationship, you will no longer get services from me, and as time goes on, I think you’ll understand exactly what I’m talking about.” With no representation, competitors would move in—knowing I would do nothing to stop them. Damien would be completely on his own. Hopefully, he could handle it.
Damien stared at me for a long time, reading between the lines. “What the fuck am I missing here?”
I held his gaze.
“You collect millions from me every time you come by. You’re just gonna walk away?”
“It’s never been about money, Damien.” I rose out of the chair.
He shook his head slightly. “So, I never have to see your face again?”
Time would tell. “Probably not.”
He leaned back against the chair, more disgruntled by this twist instead of the idea of me killing him. “You’re tricking me.”
“No.”
“Just a month ago, you said you were going to collect all my profits for the next three months…and now you don’t want a damn thing from me?”
Damien was smarter than I gave him credit for. Anyone else would just accept the terms because they were happy to keep their cash, but Damien had a suspicious mind. I pulled out my phone and called Steel. “Ready for you.” I hung up.
Damien rose from his chair. “I asked you a question.”
I unzipped all of the bags. “And I already gave you an answer. It’s not my fault you’re too stupid to understand what I’m saying.”