Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
I pull around the circular driveway, stopping by the front door, and Bane steps out. I shut off the car, and step out to greet him.
Bane’s already helping Posey out of the car.
“What happened?” I ask him, wanting all the details of what went down at the club tonight.
Bane looks at Posey, and then smiles. “Let’s get her inside, and we can discuss a few things,” he says, like he can’t be bothered to share any information with her. Like she’s a five-year-old.
It makes me sick.
I follow him into his mansion, and I head into his office as he walks Posey up the stairs. While I’m inside, I roam over the many books he has displayed on his bookshelves.
Before long he joins me, and I study him. He’s tall, taller than me by at least an inch, and that’s saying something as I’m six-foot-three. He’s got dark, beady eyes that appear like he’s up to no good.
“Posey’s safe. Thank you for keeping her,” he says, and I can tell this isn’t a man who says thank you often.
I nod. “Her safety is my number one concern.” I quickly add on, “Everyone’s safety at the club is my concern.” I don’t want him thinking that I only care about Posey.
Even though that’s exactly how I feel.
I swear it’s like he can read my every thought, but I won’t let him intimidate me.
“I have concerns. I feel somebody in my outfit is trying to get to me. The physical altercation at the club is only a small act of what’s been going on in my restaurant downtown.”
I recall hearing about a few murders happening downtown in the past few weeks, but haven’t looked too much into it. Now I fear for Posey’s safety even more. “What are you doing about it?”
He chuckles as he stares at me. He takes a moment before he begins to speak. “It takes patience to sniff out a rat. When I was younger I’d own the streets, and if anyone was misbehaving I’d deal with them. Today things are evolving. Changing. The whole fucking country’s gone mad.”
“I’ll agree with you there.”
“Times are changing, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to change with it or watch my kingdom crumble.”
“Where does Posey fall into everything?” I know a man like Bane doesn’t love her. He only works with calculations. Posey is a prize to him. A mere trophy.
He hoists a sense of pride upon his shoulders. “She’s to be my queen. My wife. But she won’t need to concern herself with my daily affairs.”
I nod. “I get it. And her safety?”
“Once I pluck out this rat from my army, things will return to normal.” He’s mad, I can tell. His hands ball into fists at his sides.
I pull my phone out of my pocket when I feel it vibrate. It’s a text from Dev. I relay the info of the text to Bane, “They apprehended a few suspects. Nicholai Orlov being one of them.”
Bane paces his small study. “I knew this shit would happen. I’m getting sick of this. A sniveling rat is a part of my crew, and obviously working with the Russians, and I don’t know who it is.”
I wish I could help him sniff out the rat. Mainly for Posey’s concern. I want her safe above all. “What are your plans?”
Bane studies me for a long moment as he pours himself a drink from a small bar. He motions at me, silently asking me if I want a drink.
I decline, politely.
“As I see it,” Bane starts. “I’ve got to figure out what the rat wants and then it’ll help me narrow it down.”
I nod. “I’m sure he wants what every rat wants.”
“What’s that?” Bane asks before taking a sip of his whiskey.
“Your crown.”
There’s something that flickers behind his eyes, and I stick one hand into my pocket. As much as I couldn’t care less about this man’s rat problems, I care about Posey.
“I’m having a party here this weekend. I’d like for you to come. I think having somebody on the outside looking in will help me judge everyone.”
I nod. “I’ll be here. Just tell me what to look for.”
Bane smiles. “Look for anyone being suspicious.”
“I can do that.”
After a few more minutes, Bane walks me out the front door, giving me the details for his party. He’s calling it a party for Posey. Like an engagement party, and it makes me mad listening to him talk about her.
As soon as I’m in my car, I don’t head in the direction of my condo. Instead, I head to the outskirts of town. To Posey’s father’s house.
Something’s been bothering me since I saw his address. I figured Posey came from money. When she told me she met Bane through her father, I assumed her father would be someone influential.