Page 64 of When Sinners Fear

There’s no comeback to that, and we sit again for a while longer. I can’t remember the last time I was here. The place suits him now, though. Dark corners and surfaces covered with nothing. Even with Lexi’s touches of femininity, it’s still his home – still his aura. Our aura, I guess. There’s no way Peyton’s home country cooking fits into that impression of villainy.

“We need you back, Knox. I can’t have you beating on everything that comes near you unless we need it beating. And I can't have you ripping girls to shreds for the hell of it either. Reed’s girl or not. None of them are for that.”

“That bitch means shit to our profit margin, and even if she did, I wouldn't give a damn.”

He chuckles. "Now that sounded like Elias talking." Yeah,well, there's a damn sight more of him in me now than there was before. “Naja’s life does mean something until we’ve dealt with Reed. She’s a bargaining tool if we need it. How are we gonna get you back where you should be?”

“I need Logan’s phone number.”

“Why?”

“He told me to call when I was healed. Said he’d have information waiting.”

He looks me over, as if he’s got a world of thinking to do about that. It’s quiet for a while, and I’m not surprised given his underlying hatred for the guy. I don’t even know if I can trust what Logan offered, but any route to Reed is one I’m willing to take.

“Are you healed?” he eventually asks.

“Enough.”

He gets his phone out and passes it to me. “Help yourself. Might as well get it done.”

Inputting the number into mine, I dial, stand, walk for the kitchen, and wait for the answer.

It comes on the eighth ring.

“This better be Knox or I’m hanging up.”

“It’s me.” I listen to him as he moves somewhere, closing a door soon after.

“Reed will be in Hunts Point on November 15th. I’ll send you the location. He’ll think it’s a drop he’s doing for me. I’ll set the meet for nine at night. My men will back off when you make yourself known. There might be another thing you want to get hold of.”

“Yeah? What?”

“A girl. She’s in London. Naja’s sister. From what I know, she's the last piece you need." A smile broadens on my face. “You touch the man she’s staying with, or his woman, or anything to do with him and his family, and this peace between us will be over, Knox. I will come for every one of you.” I look over at Abel through the glass between us, knowing his thoughts on being threatened and damn glad he can’t hear that threat.

“Who’s the guy?”

“Landon Broderick. My lawyer. He got mixed up in this because of Reed and some past problems. I got bored listening, but, like I said, I owed him a favour. I’m done being held to that obligation now. I’d rather it was all dead and buried.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll send you two addresses he might be at. The girl will be somewhere near.” I nod and lean on the countertop, waiting for more from him if he feels it’s useful to me. Nothing else comes.

The phone cuts out, as Abel turns into the kitchen area. “Well?” I relay the information as systematically as it was given to me. No emotion involved. “You trust that information?”

“I have no reason not to. I’m alive because of him.”

“You were nearly dead because of him, too.” He heads back into the lounge to pick up more booze. “He’s a confusing son of a bitch. I’d like him if I didn’t hate him so much.” Looks like we’re drinking some more. Right now, that’s fine by me.

CHAPTER TWENTY - FOUR

PEYTON

Knox’s house is remote and isolated.

I’d only half taken that in when we first arrived.

But it’s also secure.