Phoenix

 

I scrub a hand over the stubble on my jaw as I listen to David go on about the many reasons we shouldn’t get involved with Branson. None of them are good enough for my dad or me. He wants this, and there is nothing in the world that will stop him from having his way.

“I just don’t think it’s wise, Phoenix. We could all get dragged into this, and that would only end badly. We know who we deal with for guns and drugs. Branson is an outsider,” he tells me over and over again. I get where he’s coming from but not only has my dad known Branson for many years, I have as well. The idea that he would fuck us over is preposterous. He knows who we are. As much money as he makes, we make more. The men that guard his cargo all carry weapons we’ve supplied them. The drugs he uses to subdue the girls, we sold him. We may not work with him in the human department, but we do work with him.

“Look, David. You know my dad. You know this business. You are easily expendable, but that would mean starting over. No one wants that. We want you in on this. You are the backbone of this.” Lie after fucking lie. Let me stroke that bastard’s ego so that he will agree, and I can get the fuck out of here. My head is swimming with business and all the shit that Jake told me about the pictures. Fuck.

“I get it, Phoenix, but that is a huge step. We are talking about not only kidnapping… but moving women across the country. Maybe even overseas. Do you realize the implications that would bring?” I sigh as I lean back in my chair, still scrubbing my jaw.

“David, dad’s offering you in at thirty percent. That’s on top of what you already get off the guns and drugs. You don’t take this, that’s a lot of money you’re going to lose. If he decides to jump ship on you and change you out, you’re as good as dead.” David’s eyes widen. I don’t give a shit about him. He knows he’s replaceable. As I said, we don’t want to start over and gain trust again.

“Are you threatening me, St. Clair?” He slowly stands from his chair, his hands holding the edge of his desk. I like this. The showdown. The pissing contest to see who can get it the furthest. When I stand, I mimic his stance, my hands resting on my side of his desk.

“Threats David? Come on. When have you known me to not follow through on a promise?” His eyes dance with hatred, and I love it. I love seeing it in him. There’s also fear because he knows at the age of twenty-five, I’m one of my dad’s most skilled killers.

“Forty-five.” He counters my offer. I shove off his desk and stand tall. Straightening my spine, I cross my arms over my chest.

“When did you become so damn sure of yourself?”

“I want forty-five or no deal.” God, I love a good fight, just not today. I move quickly, pulling the gun from the back of my jeans and aiming it at his head.

“I said thirty. Don’t you think if I wanted you that badly I would have offered more? Dad may like you, David, but I don’t. I never really have. You use your son, and that pisses me off. He’s my best friend, my only friend. If you so much as threaten him again, I will come back.” His mouth curves into a smile as he stands to his full height.

“Is that what this pissing match is about? Over Jake? He makes mistakes, Phoenix. You and I both know it. It’s going to come back and bite us all in the ass.” Shaking my head, I lower the gun.

“Thirty percent. Are you in?” Gritting my teeth, he huffs which only serves to make me chuckle.

“Fine. I’m in.”

“Good. I’ll send over a spreadsheet when it’s ready.” I turn on my heel, stuffing my gun into the back of my jeans and walking out of his office. I find myself glancing down the hallway to see if I can catch a glimpse of Jess while I’m here, but I don’t. I don’t know if that upsets me or not but as I head out the front door something else catches my eye. The brush sways slightly, but there is no breeze. I can see the top of her head. What the hell is she doing? I want to go over there and confront her, but I need to call my dad and fill him in on the meeting. Opting to go to my car, I climb in, keeping my gaze on the bushes while dialing him.

“Yeah?”

“He’s in at thirty. The bastard was trying to talk himself into forty-five.” My dad chuckles on the other end as I watch Jess sneaking out of the bush she was cradled in. I start the car and put it into drive.

“Stupid bastard. I knew he’d give in. I knew it. He just needed that extra push,” Dad says as I slowly let my car roll forward.

“Yeah, I think he did. What’s the plan now?” Dad sighs as I slowly follow the direction Jess is moving. She’s running but hiding behind every tree she comes to, almost like she’s afraid to get caught. Lucky for me I drove one of my new cars, and she doesn’t know it’s me yet.

“I want the girl.” My heart stops beating when the words leave his mouth.

“You will have girls soon enough,” I remind him.

“No. I have a buyer for her. I told you, she’s unique. Get her. I want her by the end of the week.” I watch Jess run around the corner before I press the gas to follow. What in the hell is she up to?

“Fine. You want her; I’ll get her.” Hanging up the phone, my heart tumbles in my chest. I toss the phone on the passenger seat and follow at a safe distance so that she won’t see me. She has my fucking interest piqued. The thought of her knowing about Jake like he said hasn’t slipped my mind. It’s still there, eating away at me. I won’t let her ruin him. I will, however, take her and let my father ruin her.

The further she runs, the more I know this is a good time to step in and grab her. When she darts down the alley, I make my move. Grabbing the medicine bag out of the backseat, I unzip it and grab a syringe. Climbing out of the car, I walk into the alley and see her standing there, hands on her knees. Cries rip the silence, slamming into my chest.

“Jess,” I say her name softly, but she jolts. Her tear-stained face comes to meet mine. Is that relief? Is she fucking relieved to see me, of all people?

“What are you doing here?” she asks, quickly glancing around.

“I could ask you the same. What’s going on? Are you ok?” She slowly shakes her head, and something inside of me wants to walk away from her. I want to run back to my car and get the hell out of here because that monster in me is calling out to touch her. To mark her. To make her mine–but it can never happen. Not now, not ever.

“No,” she says before running and slamming into my arms. I wrap my arms around her while she cries into my shirt. Holding her closely, the cries get worse. It’s almost as if she’s in pain.

“Jess…” Just saying her name feels so right. I know it’s not, but fuck does it feel it! Before I can let myself go too much further, I pull the syringe up and stab it into her neck. I hold her tightly so she can’t move–the whole time whispering into her hair, “I’m sorry, Jessica. I’m sorry.”

Once she’s limp in my arms, I lift her and carry her back to my car, making sure I’m not seen. I slide her limp body into the seat and buckle her in before jogging around to the other side and hopping in myself. Revving the engine, I pull out of there and get us as far away from here as possible. Where am I going? Do I take her straight to my dad? No, I need to get her cleaned up and presentable first. That decision is easy enough to make. I’ll take her to my place, clean her up and get her changed before taking her to Dad. He always wants the girls looking their best before they are brought in to see him. I just hope when I take her there, I can let her go.