Ruthless King

Thank God. Because she’d be screwed if she had to pay rent.

Face it, you’re just sad that you haven’t seen him. You were hoping that your friendship would become something more. Because you’re delusional.

That was the sad truth.

“What the fuckis going on this week?” Victor grumbled as he sat across from Regent in his study.

Regent agreed. He had no idea, but it felt like he’d been putting out fire after fire.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say that someone was deliberately creating trouble to wear us down.” He tapped his fingers against his desk.

Victor leaned forward. “You don’t think . . . Patrick isn’t back, is he?”

“I don’t know. But I have a bad feeling.” Someone had called the cops about one of their drug shipments. Luckily, most of the police force was on his payroll. Still, there were a few that might have taken it seriously.

Then, several guys had jumped one of the street dealers. Not something that would normally reach further up the chain to him . . . however, it had happened to three of their guys around the city on the same night. All of their drugs and money gone.

Next, one of their trucks had disappeared before reaching the border. With rather a large inventory of guns.

He’d sent Basilien down to investigate. Usually, he might send Victor, but he didn’t want to worry Gracen. Things had changed now that all of his brothers had women.

Which was something to be cautious about. His life was never safe. That was part of the reason he’d never had a long-term relationship. Because any woman of his would have to be under lock and key. Obsessively guarded, or they would be used to hurt or manipulate him.

Is that your excuse for keeping away from Jilly?

She was just a friend.

Uh-huh. That’s why you changed all the batteries in her smoke alarms and cleaned her kitchen last week.

Things you don’t do in your own house.

But they couldn’t be more than friends.

You can’t play on that. You need to keep a barrier up. Especially since she still seems to have a crush on you.

He had to admit to being a bit flattered, even if it had been unexpected. Seeing that hero worship in her eyes when he’d‘relocated’ Clive that he used to see when he was younger . . . yeah, he guessed it had gone to his head.

“Regent? Regent, you listening?”

“Sorry. What was that?” he asked.

“Have you heard from our inside guy in the club? Has he been keeping an eye on Kimmy?”

“I contacted him earlier today. He hasn’t seen Patrick around. That doesn’t mean he’s not here somewhere.”

“Want me to pay another visit to the club? I can speak to Kimmy.” Victor’s face was stoic as he said that. But Regent knew he didn’t like the idea of intimidating information out of the dancer.

“I’ll come with you. I think it will have more impact coming from me.”

It was the last thing he wanted to do, but he needed to know what the hell was going on. It could be a series of misfortunes. It could also be an indication that Patrick was returning.

Or it could be someone else entirely.

16

Jilly climbed down off the bus, her backpack weighing her down as she walked toward the club. She always went in through the back alleyway, putting on her mask before entering the club.

Maybe it was overkill.