Page 5

I drop my bag and Sunday runs to me, throwing her arms around my waist and burying her head in my chest. Holding her, I let a tear free, a final one for her, and for the things I’m about to say. She’s so warm and small against me. My Sunday. The end of the week, the beginning of my life. “I promise.”

“Well, that’s one way to do it!” Felton barks out a laugh, and I pull in breaths as I stare down at Chip’s body. He may have been an asshole, but he was an important asshole, and I just killed him.

Fuck.

I catch Sunday’s eye. She’s gripping the arms of her chair, eyes wide, the red blotches on her chest and neck now glowing.

I couldn’t have picked a worse way to show her that I’m no longer the boy she loved.

Darcy cackles and strides over to Sunday, taking her by the hand and dragging her into the house. My heart lurches and I go to follow, but Felton places his hand on my chest. I feel like breaking every one of his fingers, but I resist, staring after Sunday until Darcy pulls her out of sight.

Felton chuckles. “Easy, Big Guy, Darcy’s just taking her to your room. She’ll be waiting for you.”

As Felton announces it’s time to head inside, I process the last few minutes of my life.

Two men take Chip’s body away, and I need to brace for the impact of his murder. If I had my phone, I could contact the head of this operation, Tracker. He could start damage control because the quicker we get a handle on this, the more likely my cover will stay intact.

The guests filter inside. I follow, casting a glance down the hallway where Sunday disappeared.

We’re seated in a lounge with low brown leather sofas and an unlit fireplace. Felton goes to the bar in the corner to play host, and I take a seat on a couch, running my thumb over my lighter, counting scratches I’ve counted a hundred times before.

How the hell did Sunday end up here? Our parents were mixed up in some less than-legal-shit when we were kids, but not to this extreme. Unless her dad got himself into more trouble than usual. He was always a fuck up, and maybe Sunday is paying the price for it.

“You’re about to be golden boy,” Nile Pitcher says as he sits beside me, crossing one leg over the other. He’s a drug dealer who has recently been distributing fentanyl. Word is he despises the Maddox family, but he’s smart enough to bury that hate in favor of the connections he gains at these meetings. I meet his eye, my brow furrowed. “You haven’t heard? The Fenningtons have been wanting Chip out for a while. His behavior has been costing them business, apparently.” He leans back into the sofa, getting himself comfortable. “You probably just became their new best friend.”

Well, that’s a god damn relief. I could’ve started a war, and even though Felton would be on my side, that isn’t exactly my objective.

As always, I say nothing.

When everyone has a drink in hand, most pair off to talk quietly, discussing deals that will make them millions at the expense of others. Nile stays beside me, and Felton sits on the coffee table in front of us, picking up where Nile left off about the Fenningtons.

“It’s gonna go down well. I knew it was a good idea to bring you here.” Felton swallows the rest of his drink, placing the glass to his side and bracing his forearms on his thighs. “They’re good friends to have. Not as good as me, but close enough.”

He says that like he has any power over his father’s business. The most Felton does is babysit during these events, and that responsibility is hanging on by a thread.

My gaze flicks to the hallway again when I hear heels. Darcy appears, but she’s alone.

“Don’t worry, Cagey Boy,” she croons as she sits on Felton’s knee. “Your gift is wrapped and waiting for you.” Felton kisses her neck and she rests her arm on his shoulder, keeping her eyes on me. “Felly, did you tell him how happy Daddy will be?”

“Nope,” he murmurs into her neck, his other hand trailing up her dress.

Darcy takes Felton’s wrist and guides him higher as she parts her legs. Nile makes the smart move and excuses himself, but I’m expected to stay behind and watch this show unfold.

Felton enjoys these tests. He’d kill anyone who saw Darcy this way, I’ve seen him do it, but he has no issue with me witnessing it. I’ve seen far more than I ever wanted to.

“Daddy Maddox hated Chip,” Darcy says, a little breathless as Felton sucks on her neck and does something with his fingers that she clearly enjoys. “Once he finds out Chip is gone, he’ll like you a lot.”

I search her face, looking for deception, because Darcy likes games, too. She’s toyed with me since the day we met, even flirted with me in front of Felton, as if trying to drive us apart. He doesn’t rise to the bait, though. In fact, I think he enjoys the idea of us together, but Darcy is a little too unhinged for my taste.

“And we all like keeping Daddy happy, don’t we?” A vicious grin spreads across her face, and when Felton removes his hand from her dress, she sucks on his fingers, eyes still locked on me. “Want to taste, Cagey Boy?”

Felton chuckles. “Stop teasing him, D.”

Some of the other guests are calling it a night and making their way to their rooms, so I take the cue to leave. I stand, and Felton’s smile becomes a pout.

“You don’t want to stay for drinks?” He asks, returning his hand to Darcy’s thigh.

“No, he wants to play with his toy,” Darcy sighs. “He’ll forget all about us now.” Fucking hopefully. “Felton, I want to go for a swim.” She hops up and strides away, already unfastening her dress and letting it fall to the floor before she’s even left the room.