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I will be the reason for another rift between the brothers and I push down any kind of sentiment. Luca is the enemy and although I got swept up in his games and dance, it didn’t quench my need for revenge or offer any peace. Luca is deluded if he thinks we could be anything more. I am literally going to burn down any chance of that happening.
I pull out the bottle filled with fuel and a cloth hanging out. With a shaky breath I put the lighter to it and throw it in onto the carpet inside. Flames immediately erupt along the carpet. I jump beside the dumpster, my knees giving way as the adrenaline kicks in. I’ve done this. Now all I have to do is run.
46
LUCA
Idon’t understand Ara. Although initially perhaps it is what I found intriguing about her, it is getting on my last fucking nerve now. I don’t want to give her what she wanted, “space.” The things I had said to her on the rooftop had been…genuine.
Two days of space I’ve given her and haven’t heard anything. What’s worse is the startling truth I want to hear from her. I am growing impatient. However, I have bigger things to deal with right now.
I sit in my office at Balmere club. My five hounds stand in front of me, unmasked. Only few see what they actually look like. Some might be surprised how young they are considering four of the five started off as delinquents. Even now, the four of them are still in college. The reasons why I took them in as my new generation of hounds was because I knew too well what it felt like; the need to unleash the beast within.
In exchange for offering them that outlet to safeguard their renowned family names, they offer me loyalty and service.
Their leader, Tony, the oldest of them, is in his early thirties and after the fight with Dmitri had been demoted from our champion fighter. I’d let these four decide who was to step up to that role.
I throw a printed image on the desk for them to look over. It’s the security footage image of two masked men who we believe had involvement with the warehouse that night. They exchange glances.
“We were able to find this footage from the same night of the cargo being stolen,” Lorenzo explains.
“This guy.” Tony taps on the red leathered jacket. “Isn’t that Ricky Carton? The one we already tortured? He always wears this jacket.”
“Doesn’t that make it too obvious,” Sky says. It might surprise some that such an elegant face can amount to such terror. His eyes are sky blue, and he has blond hair framing his features. He almost looks doll-like, endearing and sweet.
“Damn Ricky really did get shafted. Especially considering how much we mutilated him. The person with him was making sure they had an easy person to take the fall,” Tyson says sounding bored as he stares beneath his nails. Another hotshot with a bad temper. One I encourage because if a message is required, he’s always sure to make it loud and clear.
“Or do you think it’s one of us?” Kage asks. My gaze shifts to him. The red-gemmed hound. By far the most bloodthirsty one out of the group. I’d come across men like him before. Unmotivated by things such as emotion, wealth, or loyalty. The only thing that ties him to me is the promise of quenching his bloody curiosity. Which is often cutting people open.
“Anyone could wear a mask similar to ours though,” Izak addresses casually not at all fazed by the energy crackling in the room. Surprisingly of the four delinquents he was the least inclined to violence mostly because it required effort. But he was patient. Calculated even. When he found himself motivated… killing was like an artform to him.
“What are you asking of us, boss?” Tony asks as he shuffles his weight onto his better leg.
“This mask looks like a gem has been removed,” Izak says as he casually places the photo back on the desk.
“Correct.” I agree. Lorenzo and I had already made the same revelation.
“So the second was wearing a fake mask but the original one is a hound?”
“Or could be a previous generation,” I suggest. The culprits are fully clothed so it’s hard to decipher any indication of age.
The truth of the matter was, I did trust the six men in this room. All of the security for our warehouse was wiped on the night the goods were highjacked. The second time was purposefully a dead end with two men who couldn’t screw a lightbulb in even if their life depended on it. They were an easy scapegoat.
“It’s someone who knows our inner workings well enough. They’ve been leaving mild breadcrumbs since. I want you to be persuasive as you each speak with the former hounds who are alive. Mostly going over three generations. Some still work for us in some capacity. Others died during their time. Two are in a nursing home.”
An uncomfortable shudder runs over Izak. “Shit, not the old people’s home. I just can’t do it, man.”
“At least it’ll be an easy kill,” Kage says as he collects the papers.
“No killing,” I command. “Not until we have proof. I don’t want anyone giving out specific details either. No one is to know anything was stolen.”
We’d still kept that secret under wraps and I’d ensure all of them would take it to the grave.
An elegant smile crosses Sky’s features. “This could be interesting. Who knows what other secrets they might spill in the meantime.”
“Or how many might try out a little scuttle to see if they’ve still got it.” Tyson grows in enthusiasm.
“They still might kick your ass you know. You four only came onto the scene two years ago. Respect that they’re natural born killers as well,” Tony lectures but it falls on deaf ears.
