The Syndicates: A Dark Mafia Romance Collection

by Raven Scott

  “No, but if she got it in the park, it’s probably a pigeon or a crow or it could even be a seagull. I really didn’t stick around to look. I saw the blood and the feathers and . . . no . . . just no.” Shivering as goosebumps washed over my body under my clothes, I leaned forward to set my purse on the table, then Oran slung his arm over my shoulders when I sat back. Closing my eyes, I took a huge, stabilizing breath and sunk into the sofa while disbelief tickled the edges of my scope of comprehension. “I can’t believe that happened. I can’t believe she did that. Who looks at a dead bird and wants to bring it home and chop off its head as a keepsake? That’s part of her condition— she gets an idea and doesn’t think why she shouldn’t do it.”

  “Did you ever consider sending her to a private school?” Snorting roughly, I shot Oran a ‘duh’ look and he arched a brow quizzically. “What?”

  “I don’t have the money for a private school, Oran. Even if I did, I don’t know if I could even get her to go. She had such a horrible time— high schoolers are vicious, and Sarah talks without thinking and is really awkward, and she offends a lot of people without meaning to. I pulled her out because she got punched for telling a girl her skirt, which definitely didn’t cover anything, made her look like a slut. This was in November, and Sarah has refused to go back.”

  “Ah, right. I don’t have a lot of experience with sisters. I only have brothers.” Oran absently twirled a lock of my hair around his finger, and I leaned my head on his chest to feel his heart beating steady and strong. “On a somewhat different topic, I apologize for bringing Kara up the other day. I shouldn’t have thrown her in your face. And you were right— I was the one making it into something it wasn’t.”

  “What was she like?” Posing the question cautiously, I knew I was treading on thin ice. Oran inhaled deeply against my cheek. “You don’t have to talk about her if you don’t want to.”

  “No, no, Kara was . . . she was really . . . quiet. You two are polar opposites. She was quiet, and she faded easily into the background. She actually . . . at the time, she’d been married to a cop who liked using her as a punching bag.” My heart throbbed painfully in my chest at the admission, and Oran’s voice went a little deadpanned as he exhaled. Warmth flowed down the back of my neck and I closed my eyes to focus on everything I couldn’t see. “At the time, I was really not an okay guy. I felt cheated in life, like everyone owed me and my potential. I hated my brother and my father because I felt like I could do better than them. Kara and I were roommates, basically, but a lot deeper, if that makes sense. Most of the time, she had no opinion. She was just glad to be safe from that dick.

  “I realized she was always alone, so I hired her two best friends. As fucked up as that sounds now, it was a good decision at the time. For a couple of years, everything was going great and the three of them got along really well, beyond just being paid to hang out together. But I got involved with a girl and didn’t realize her true intentions. Kara told me she didn’t like this new girl, that something about her made her uneasy, and that I should cut her off. I thought I couldn’t make a bad decision, and I couldn’t possibly be wrong.” Venom dribbled from his tongue at that and I held my breath as he tangled his fingers in my hair loosely. Oran’s chest warmed under his shirt, as if the notion of it still made him so ashamed and angry, and he pursed his lips against my crown. “Kara was right— that bitch was rotten, but I refused to think I could make a mistake. Kara, Erin, and Emily died as a result. It’s something I can never forgive myself for.”

  “What happened to the other girl?” He inhaled deeply, sharply, lifting his head to stare at the ceiling. I glanced up to watch his jaw work. The muscles in his neck flexed, and I licked my lips heavily as the silence stretched into discomfort.

  “I beat Roquelle to death.” Tensing as an impossibly loud alarm rang in my head, I pulled back just as Oran tilted his head down and his dark, guarded eyes met mine. “Do you want to leave?”

  “Y-you just willingly . . . admit . . . you really did that? And you just tell me?” I stammered a little in my shock, and Oran’s jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth together. “You know you can go to prison—”

  “Do you want to leave, May?” Cutting me off, Oran’s expression became stony as my chin threatened to pierce a hole in my sternum. “You can. I won’t stop you. I told you because you asked, but as much emphasis as I put on my own wrongdoings, Roquelle actively caused Kara’s death just as much as I did by being ignorant and egotistical.”

  “I-I don’t know.” I realized in that moment I definitely should leave, but I just couldn’t make my body move. If this Roquelle chick really caused Kara’s death . . . Tearing my eyes away from Oran, I pulled my knees up to my chin and rubbed my face with my hands before wrapping them around my legs. “I don’t know.”

  “If someone killed your sister, what would be enough for you?” Sucking in a sharp breath, I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head as the leather seat of the semi-circular sofa creaked loudly. “Roquelle knew who I was. Her intent was malicious. It might not be a justification, but she planned to fuck me over, and Kara got in the way.”

  “I hope I never have to figure out what would be enough for me, Oran.” My heart stuttered at the notion that Oran was right, though— if someone came into Sarah’s life to hurt her and managed to do so, nothing would be enough. I’d fucking lose it. Life in prison wouldn’t be enough. I couldn’t say for sure that I wouldn’t do the same thing, and that was what was so scary. If it happened to me, wouldn’t I take matters into my own hands, even if it didn’t go as far as he had?

  Before I could open my mouth, Oran’s phone started to ring and buzz against the coffee tabletop, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. For a second, he didn’t move, and I wondered if he was just going to ignore it before he reached forward and snatched the device. Cracking open my eyes, I hid my frown behind my knees as my mind churned a mile a minute.

  “Hello?” Sour surprise rose his brows and he glanced at me before holding up a finger in wait. “Natasha, what’s up? How are you feeling? I am busy, yes. I don’t think right now is a good t—”

  Oran cut off, holding the phone out with confusion glistening in his eyes, and he absently pushed his glasses up above his frown. Setting his phone on the coffee table again, he half turned to me to prop his elbow on the back of the sofa, and I gulped down the dense lump in my throat.

  “I’ll give that to you, Oran. I don’t know what I would do in that situation. But I . . . I mean—” His cell phone buzzed and trilled again, and Oran breathed fire through flared nostrils as he grabbed the thing only to pause when he looked at the caller I.D.

  “I have to take this. It’s work. You know, the pizza’s not here yet, and you obviously can’t go home, May, so just hang out here. Poke around if it makes you feel better. Eat. I’ll text you.” Standing up as he spoke, Oran didn’t even give me the chance to open my mouth before he walked to the front door of his apartment. Pausing as he answered the call, he turned to me briefly to nod. “The pizza’s paid for. It should be here any minute.”

  18

  Oran

  “Carlyle . . . ” Standing on the sidewalk, I ran my free hand through my hair roughly, and awkwardness burrowed deep into my chest. “What’s up?”

  “It’s been a while, Oran. How are you doing? How’s Seattle treating you?” Briefly covering my frown with the back of my hand, I took off my glasses as I sat down on the stoop of my apartment. To be honest, it was more like a triplex, but . . . shaking my head at the distraction, I took a breath as anxiety curdled my blood.

  “I’m okay. I’m doing alright. Actually, I just saw Natasha the other day at Dr. Laura’s. That was a pleasant surprise. Did Candice get back to you, yet?” I didn’t really want to believe Carlyle was calling me just to check on me, and I clenched my teeth hard. “I haven’t heard from her in a few days, myself.”

  “I did. She’s still combing through the information Jerry sent her, but I find it
hard to believe Diamon’s plan would be so damn obvious.” Pausing as a car swerved to park in front of my place, I shuffled as the pizza guy emerged with his bag. Gesturing at my door absently, I waited until he strode past me before speaking up.

  “Carlyle, I don’t want to be paranoid, but who the hell is so stupid?”

  “Well, according to Candice, they’re really that stupid. From her report, taking a boat down the river was a good idea, and the event went off without much fuss, but the downside to that is we’re no closer to finding out why we’re being bombarded.” I cupped my chin and Carlyle hummed as the line crackled. “Of course, there’s always the nuisance value of it, and maybe there’s no ‘why’ or plan. Maybe Diamon is just taking shots into the dark.”

  “That’s a lot of ‘maybes’, but they’re all plausible. From what I know from working under Dad, ever since the old man started to lose his mind, things for them have gone downhill fast.” Carlyle was great at the big picture. I sat back a little to inhale the lingering scent of pizza. The guy swept past me onto the sidewalk and I turned to find May staring at me from the open doorway. “So, let me know if you need anything, but I have to go.”

  “I will. And Oran?” Standing up only to pause, I frowned when Carlyle hesitated, and my chest tightened as blood drummed in my ears. “I hope you’re doing okay.”

  “Me too. I’ll talk to you later.” Climbing the few steps to the walkway between the U-shaped building, I slid my phone in my pocket and trained my gaze on May. Holding the two medium pizzas, she leaned against the door frame with a confused expression on her face. “What?”

  “Were you just going to sit out here until I let you back in?” Nodding, I stuffed my hands in my pockets with a slight shrug, and May frowned as her eyes flashed hazel. “Why?”

  “What does that mean— why? I thought you’d want the space considering what I just heaped on you, May. It was just good timing, I thought, that I had that phone call.” May licked her lips nervously, but I had no idea what else I was supposed to say. “I’ll have a car come pick you up if you want to leave.”

  “Where am I supposed to go? I mean, Sarah’s elbow deep in a dead bird right now, so I can’t go home.” But you don’t want to stay here. The unspoken words hung heavily between us, and I held her gaze as the anxiety flooding my system intensified. For a long moment, May just stared, and my heart beat harder and harder until she turned to retreat into my apartment. My cheek twitched when she left the door open and I silently debated my options before following her.

  “I don’t know how I’m supposed to take that.” Perching herself on the sofa, May set the boxes on the coffee table, and I stood by the arm rest as she sighed heavily. “Today has just been a rollercoaster of things I’d never thought I’d see or hear.”

  “Does it make you nervous, knowing?” The probe made her still and I inhaled a shallow breath as May busied herself with opening the top box. “May, you don’t owe me anything. I know I haven’t exactly been a divine blessing on your life. It’s entirely understandable if you’re too fed up with me.”

  “I just . . . this is not what I imagined I’d learn when I called you, okay. I wish I hadn’t asked about Kara. I’m not gonna make that mistake again.” I rolled my jaw at that and my legs stiffened as I sat on the arm rest of the sofa. Holding her forehead in her palms, May blew out a breath, and I frowned darkly as an ugliness spread across my chest. “Right now, I just want to eat and sleep. And, like, throw up at the idea of what catastrophe is going on at my apartment right now. Let’s talk about something else. Who was that girl who called you just before? Did you have plans?”

  “Who, Natasha? She’s my brother’s girlfriend’s sister, and she’s an even more rough subject to talk about. I would not suggest barking up that tree.” May shot me the most withering glare imaginable and my mouth dried as I held up my hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. I haven’t spent any time with her, but, as I said, she’s my brother’s girlfriend’s sister, so we know of each other. She’s also married, so don’t get any ideas that I’m interested in her.”

  “I never said you were interested in her. Why would being married mean she’s unavailable? People cheat all the time.” May was itching for a fight, about everything, about anything, and I frowned under furrowed brows. There were a few reasons she was wrong, but I sure as fuck wasn’t going to tell her anything about Natasha right now. Carefully picking up a slice of pepperoni, she huffed as I struggled to find an appropriate response.

  “Why would I be interested in her when I’m interested in you?” That sounds alright, right? May froze, mouth open, pizza poised, and I committed the picture to memory before she tilted her head at me. “Trust me, May. Even if I was, she’s not capable of cheating. Do you have so little faith in relationships? Did someone cheat on you in the past?”

  “Yeah. It happened in college. Who would’ve thought a liberal arts major had the spine, huh?” My brows rose at that and May stuffed the tip of her slice in her mouth with a soft groan. “This is so good.”

  “So, you have a sister for a daughter, a job you hate, a guy you can’t make up your mind about, and parents who don’t give a shit.”

  “Don’t forget a dead bird in my sink.” Mumbling around her mouthful, May scrunched up her face in disgust, and I nodded firmly. Amusement clung to my ribs like tar while she took another big bite and hummed in satisfaction.

  “Of course not. I’m just saying I understand your cynicism about everything, but if I wasn’t interested in you, I sure as shit wouldn’t go after someone as unstable as Natasha. And even if I tried, she’s not staying in Seattle. She’s just here to help get herself on a good med combination.”

  “Oh-h-h . . . so it’s just an availability concern. It’s a good thing I live fifteen minutes away.” Cocking my head, I frowned as my eyes narrowed into slits, and May glared weakly at me in challenge.

  “Don’t do this, May. You’re going to regret it.” I didn’t get it— I was trying to help her and she was picking a fight. I could’ve just stayed outside if May was going to be a bitch. Her glare didn’t drop before I sighed heavily. “May, please drop it. This is not a conversation you want to continue. Just eat your pizza and I’ll turn on the TV and grab you some wine. Sound good?”

  “Don’t try to placate me. I’m allowed to be miserable right now.” Pursing my lips thinly, I kept my mouth shut, and she took another bite before I wandered into the kitchen.

  Rubbing my neck and rolling my shoulders, a frown plastered on my face as I pulled open the stainless-steel refrigerator. May was having a terrible day and I’d made it worse by adding that confession. I can’t be too upset.

  19

  May

  “I’m sorry, Oran.” Stroking my face and neck absently, Oran hummed softly as he tore his eyes away from the television, and I rolled onto my back on the sofa. “I didn’t mean it earlier. Today just sucked overall, and I took it out on you.”

  “I shouldn’t have told you about Kara. I wanted to get it out there because I thought it was important for you to know where I’m coming from. There are definitely better times than right now.” The hairs on his knuckles tickled my jaw, and his thigh under my head was warm and firm, the same as his eyes when he looked down. “I apologize, too.”

  “My ex cheated on me with a four, so . . . ” Oran’s brows twitched in interest and I licked my lips heavily as I rolled back onto my side. Staring blankly at the television, I blustered a sigh as the huge, alcohol-fueled blur that was my college years flashed behind my lids when I blinked. “We were together for, like, a year and he screwed this girl on the regular. For some reason, I never found out. I mean, I’m definitely better looking, and I know she’s working at McDonald’s because she got kicked out for bad grades. And she lives with her parents.”

  “Seems like everyone is just plain stupid. Lucky for me, though.” We were watching a cop drama of some kind and Oran combed his fingers through my hair as that familiar business lilt colored his ton
e. “I can’t decide if I have a very stupid competitor or if whatever shady shit he’s doing is too sophisticated for me to see.”

  “He’s probably stupid. Anyone who messes with you is stupid, Oran.” I don’t know why I said that, but he seemed to appreciate it as he scratched my scalp gently. The half bottle of wine I’d drank made my brain swing, and the whole medium pizza I’d ravenously devoured made me feel heavy. Pleasantness tinged my bleary vision pink, and I liked the calm and the intimacy and the lack of expectation.

  “I haven’t been doing this very long, only a year or so, but I like it. My brother might be king of the world, but I like my little province that I rule over.” Humming softly as Oran’s warm, muscular palm covered my face, I closed my eyes again to puff a sigh. “Carlyle is definitely the kind of guy who’ll drop your ass and forget about you like you never existed. He’s got an iron will, and no one can bend it, except maybe his girlfriend, but what I know of her suggests she just doesn’t care. Me, I’ve always been second, but I realized after Kara’s death that I don’t want to be the head honcho. It’s really not that great a gig.”

  “So, the shipping stuff is just, like, a branch of the family bizz?”

  “Yes. Shipping, round the world construction of all kinds, tech— we do it all. His girlfriend makes game apps under a startup he made for her. Last year, my dad stepped down and handed it all to Carlyle, and I remember being so angry and feeling so cheated. It’s kind of funny now, how ignorant I was. It’s a shame someone had to die to make me see exactly how ignorant.” He inhaled deeply and I glided my palm up to rub his thigh as sadness lilted his tone. “I have a younger brother, too. Mateo. He’s twenty-four, younger than you, May, and he doesn’t really get it. My friend once said Mateo’s got a really bad case of rich kid syndrome. I thought that was an appropriate description.”