Page 122 of Depraved

“You have to, man. PC will want to know how close we are to finding Alyx.”

I glanced at him. “And why his streets are currently soiled with Pythons.”

“That too.”

I swiped the screen and answered. “It’s a bit early for business, ain’t it, PC?”

“It’s been too long, Granite. Where’s my daughter?”

“Relax. We’re on top of it.”

“Don’t you tell me to relax.” I pulled the receiver from my ear and shot Ink a worried look. “My daughter goes missing, and suddenly I have a fucking war on my streets.”

“I told you it was going to get dirty, and you agreed.”

“That was before you fucking handed the Sixes over to those bastards.”

My spine chilled, and I bit the side of my cheek.

“That’s right, Granite. I know about your trade with the Pythons. These are my streets, remember? Nothing happens here without me knowing about it. Question is, what did they give you in return?”

I balled my fists and ground my teeth, wanting to crack the fucking concrete wall. Ink cleared his throat, distracting me, and pulled a face, telling me to keep my shit together.

I took a deep breath. “It’s all part of the plan.”

“What plan?” The PC’s tone was rubbing me the wrong way, and it took every ounce of control I had to not lash back.

“Just let me do my thing, okay?”

“You said you’ll get my daughter back,” he bellowed through the receiver.

“And I will.”

“We don’t even know if she’s still alive.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. With all the shit that was happening, I was too focused on Alyx and Neon and killing Pythons. I didn’t have time to think how to handle the PC.

“She’s alive. I guarantee it.”

“How? How can you guarantee it?”

Ink pulled out his phone and pointed at the camera before heading down the hall.

“I got pictures. I’ll get a messenger boy to deliver it in a few hours.”

“Granite,” the PC’s voice was hard yet laced with concern, “if I don’t get my daughter back⁠—”

“You’ll get Alyx back. I’ll make sure of it.”

I hung up, and the urge to crush my phone in my palm was overwhelming. How the fuck did I lose control of everything so goddamn fast?

“Who was that?”

Jesus. I spun around, and Alyx stared at me with those innocent blue eyes.

“Who were talking to?”

“No one.”