Page 16 of Bedlam

“Jade, I need you Princess.” I slur as everything spins different colors in my mind to black. Then nothing. No noise, no colors. Just death.

thirteen

Deals & Wishes

Spade

The drive to Daggerspoint is quiet. I think we both needed a minute to process everything, and I’m not going to question him just yet. That’s a Jameson thing. Ri’s been the only brother I’ve ever really known. We’ve been together our whole lives and I’m so fucking angry with him. I’m not sure when that anger will dissipate, but I suppose only time will tell.

My phone pings, taking me out of my thoughts. Reaching for it, I see it's a text from Ryder.Why did my heart skip a beat for a second when seeing his name cross my screen?The other night was hot as fuck, but I doubt anything like that will happen again, nor do I think it even meant anything.Whatever.I quickly glance at the text as we come to a red light.

Ryder: Yo man, I’m sorry about dipping out, but I got word that Ryker finally woke up. My father's funeral is tomorrow and I’ve called Slim for Jade’s ashes. I’d like to do a little something for her. Will you come?

Fuck, I can’t do this shit right now. I need to fucking focus on the meeting, then I’ll hit him back. Why do I feel like everything is falling on my shoulders and no one else’s?Nothing like feeling fucking alone at the worst possible time.

I nudge Ri’s elbow to get his attention and he looks over at me. I can’t tell what he is thinking, he seems so far away from the present. Like demons are haunting his reality. Taking a deep breath, I tell him what Ryder said.

“Those are not her ashes.” He deadpans, plucking a piece of lint from his long sleeve black shirt.

“Well, we have no proof otherwise. I don’t know what you want from me, Ri. I’m trying my best to keep it the fuck together.” I snap, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

“You’re smarter than this. Something doesn’t add up and I’m going to get to the bottom of it. So until I see her dead fucking body, then she isn’t dead.” He states, crossing his arms over his chest as we pull into the driveway of the Cyprus mansion.

“Stay in denial as long as you need, I really don’t care, because whether or not she’s dead, you’re still marrying someone else. So it doesn’t fucking matter in the end, does it?” I spew, knowing my words will just piss him off.

“Keep it up, Reid. One of these days, brother or not, I’m going to knock you on your fucking ass over that mouth of yours.” He threatens and I laugh, putting the car in park and climbing out.

“Yeah, that’s if I don’t fucking kill you first.” I say and he rolls his eyes, getting out of the car.

“You’ve gotten even mouthier over these past few months and I’m really getting sick of it, but for now, we are going to table this bullshit and show our power in front of these guys or they will eat us alive.” Ri demands and I nod.

“We have a meeting to make sure everything is running smoothly and so I can inform Caspian about The Aces. We need to keep this partnership a secret until we take over. I’m sick of our fathers being ten steps ahead of us. It’s time we flip the script, but first we need to go see Jay and bury our girl.” I growl on that last part and he sighs.

“Again. We aren’t burying shit until I see her fucking body and that's final.” He yells and I shove him.

“Shut the fuck up Ri, and calm the fuck down. You’ve been away for far too long and you are no longer in charge. Apparently, I’m the new puppet, so stand in fucking line or call an Uber.” I warn and he huffs, kicking the rocks in the gravel as we walk around the back of the mansion.

“You’re fucking lucky we are where we are.” He spits and I laugh.

“Keep telling yourself that. Now put your fucking game face on!” I command and as we turn the corner,what I see has me wanting to pull out my piece and put a bullet in Caspian’s head. This fucking guy. Harley really needs to rein him in, or maybe I’m just a sensitive prick when it comes to animals.

There are dozens of men and women surrounding a pen with chickens in it, and a dozen cages filled with dogs and cats line the fence. A few tables of men smoking, drinking, playing spades, and dominos while women dance around half naked. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought I was at a club party.

“I didn’t know they were into this type of shit.” Ri whispers and I nod, side eyeing him.

“Neither did I, and I don’t fucking like it.” I growl.

"Don’t fucking do it, we are outnumbered and I can see it written all over your face. It’s none of our business." Ri warns, expressing concern.

“We need to get this meeting done and over with, because I will lose my shit if I have to watch another dog die.” I state, looking for the man of the hour.

“Agreed.” He responds as Axel walks over to us. I put my hand out to show him respect, and he looks at my hand, then looks up at me. I try a fist bump and he still looks at me like I’m an idiot.Alrighty then.

“Where’s Carver?” He asks quietly, hearing Jays nickname fucking shocking me. We’ve worked together for a while now, so he’s privy to who all of us are, but what I didn’t know is that Axel knows Jay as The Carver.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I say, and he rolls his eyes.

“Jameson. Where is he?” He mumbles, and I take a deep breath.