Page 1 of Shadows and Whispers
prologue…
ELIAS
“This is on you,son. You will have to spend the rest of your life making this up to the family.”
My chest constricted. I glanced at the casket that held my baby brother Lucas. At twenty-five, a life was lost and the blood was on my hands. I was there with him that night. I was the one who should have protected him.
But he died.
“No, I’ll spend the rest of my life knowing that I can’t.”
I couldn’t stomach the accusatory looks on my family’s faces so I avoided them altogether. With one last glance at the grave where my brother now rested, I walked away from my family and the only life I’d ever known with no intention of ever returning…
ONE
elias
“Here.”I cringed as I tugged the black tee over my body. My ribs and kidneys hurt like hell and the muscles in my arms were sore as shit but the high had settled my mind.
At least temporarily.
I accepted the black envelope that held my payout. Thirty grand. Brawler would have cleared at least ten. Not enough for the beating I’d put on him but I understood that everyone’s circumstances were different. He needed the money and likely wanted a chance to try and take down the one person no one had the ability to beat.
Me.
Wouldn’t happen. I would never lose. The darkness and internal rage that crawled through me would guarantee a win each and every time I stepped in the cage. I didn’t do it for the money. I needed to feel and this was the only way I knew how. At least without damaging anyone in the process.
“Boss has a job for you. You gonna be able to manage after that?” Kev smirked and I glared at him briefly before grabbing my hoodie which I pulled on, grinding my teeth from the sharp pains that vibrated through my body.
“Yeah, what’s the job?”
“Reg. He’s late again. Second time in a month. Needs a reminder of how stupid that is.”
So fucking hardheaded. Arrogant and stupid. You didn’t get to be both. Especially not when you relied on others to survive.
“How much of a reminder,” I muttered, slipping into my black jean jacket. Fuck, I might need to get my kidneys looked at.
“Enough that he can still cover his weekly payments but will be mindful about being late with them.”
I tossed my chin and was on my way to the door. The chill of the night air brushed across my face as I made my way to my bike. It was parked near the back of the building like always. No one fucked with my shit. They didn’t want the consequences. Most knew who I was and my role working for Reno. He was a business professional and criminal. Pushed massive quantities of illegal drugs through his legal businesses and I was the reason no one fucked with him or his money. If they tried, they dealt with me, the devil in human form. The menace with no conscience. The dark soul who didn’t mind getting his hands dirty.
My father would be so fucking proud.
Astride my bike, I pulled my helmet down on my head, then braced through the soreness of my body. I needed a long hot shower then my bed. The last thing I wanted to do was go beat the shit out of Reg but that was where I was going. Reno wouldn’t care if I handled it tonight or tomorrow as long as it was handled. I didn’t like things lingering.
My foot hit the kickstand and I leaned forward, balancing my bike while I twisted the throttle, embracing the vibrations of the engine. Twenty-minute drive. Ten minutes with Reg. I could be home in an hour max.
* * *
“The fuck…” I yanked Reg away from the bar, fisted his shirt with one hand, while my other cracked the shit out of his jaw. His eyes went wide then settled into anger as he tried his best to maneuver his way out of my grasp. Security headed our way but I landed another meaningful punch and growled at the jolt of pain that pierced through me.
“Tell them to move the fuck around or this will be worse than it already is.”
“Go. I can handle this.”
He knew better than to be placed into the position to deal with the consequences of his security’s bad choices. Their faces tensed and I watched as they paused, attempting to decide what their next move would be. Reg noticed too and made sure that move wasn’t to intervene.
“I said I fucking got this. Go.”