Page 117 of Taint My Soul

“You think this is a revenge plan?”

“Yes. I followed Cyrus for two days, and I got into his apartment. Found some of the murder evidence he has on David Layton. The murder of Mason’s parents.”

“I know why Cyrus’s doing this.” For his son. That must have been his plan all along, but Vincent hijacked it for his own selfish interest. Perhaps that’s why Cyrus had come for me, because his plans had changed under Vincent, who was even more power hungry.

“He has nothing on Vincent Bishop. I believe this is a power move from Vincent. If his family hears that he dismantled a mafia organization, especially their long-time enemies, he could step back into the power he’s been denied.”

“So, the common factor in all of this fucking revenge plan is Mason.”

“I believe he’s the spy. He’s working with them to find something that could launch an investigation into your family.”

“He’s not doing this willingly.”

“Yes, he’s not.” Ali says. “They put him right at your doorstep through Madame. I traced huge payments into an offshore account registered in her name. If he gets close to you, he could get something strong enough to bring your family down.”

My fists clench as realization dawns on me. Mason never wanted any of this. He was forced into it, and goddamn, he must have also been forced to sign the contract that set our dynamic. I was so fucking blinded by my interests that I just couldn’t truly see it, even though I’d sensed something was off that night. “Fuck.” I curse and slam my fist into the side of the car.

“Thank you very much, Ali.”

“Of course, boss. I’m always at your beck and call.” He extends his hand, and I take it in a firm handshake.

I get out of his car and watch as he drives out of the premises. My head whips up to the building in front of me. The Red Horn Club. I trusted Madame, and yet she aligned herself with the same people trying to take everything from me.

She’ll bear the consequences of the choices she made.

My phone buzzes, and I pick up the call from Virgil. “Hello.”

“What’s up, brother?”

“We got Vincent and Neo. Cyrus and David are nowhere to be found. I’m on my way to the Red Vault.”

“Neo killed those boys. Make sure he doesn’t make it to the Red Vault alive, and I need you to take care of Madame, too.”

“Aye, sir.”

I enter my car and reverse out of the parking space, following the driveway into the city. My thoughts ruminate on everything I have learned. I have all the pieces of the puzzle together, and I have to play the outcome carefully, so everyone who thought they could stand against me gets eliminated.

Mason’s caught up in this…

He has my mercy. Hell, he has my everything.

But my father, Tobias, would never do that. He would take everything and everyone connected to this down.

It’s better to burn the land infested with pests than try to save one perfect plant.

If I’m not careful enough, I could lose him…

It’s hard to admit, but I’m afraid of losing the one thing that matters to me. Not the empire. Not the money. But him. I don’t know how this happened, but I let myself fall for him.

For his light. His darkness. Every part of him.

My thoughts brew through the storm as the car zooms down the highway. The city blurs from my peripheral vision. My father raised me in Kingston City. Taught me everything I know. Taught me to be formidable. To be a man.

But he never taught me how to love. He never showed me what love meant as a father. Only control and power. I’m not saying I love Mason, but I see myself having a future with him. I have to be careful. I have to end this game as meticulously as I can, so I can keep Mason safe.

It doesn’t take long, and I arrive at the house. When I step in, it’s awfully quiet, exactly the way I left everything. I drop the keys and envelopes on the table, and I walk into the room where I’d left Mason. He’s lying on his side, half of his body covered by the sheets. I pull off my shirt and climb into the bed, lifting the sheets and draping them over his body.

I look up at the ceiling, arm positioned above my head as I try to fall asleep, but I can’t. All I can think of is the disaster that they forced Mason into. And how I participated in it.