Broken by His Hand - Piper Stone Page 0,21

I finally asked.

“That’s a very good question. To join the inner circle. To become a part of controlling what happened with that information.” Pops lifted a single eyebrow. “In order to destroy those creating any problems.”

“And who is a part of your inner circle?”

He pushed the envelope across the desk. “Inside you will find everything you need to maintain the club, including important documentation about bank accounts, corporate holdings. You will know when it’s time to use it. Until then, you make certain you keep this safe.”

“Yes, sir, but—”

“No buts, son,” he said, cutting me off. “Club Darkness has an important place in the bowels of one of the richest and most powerful cities in the entire world. What you do with it will be your choice, but I caution you to choose wisely. As far as the inner circle, that is information I’d not comfortable providing.”

I exhaled as his haunting words remained in the forefront of my mind. Less than six months later both he and my mother had died in a tragic accident.

“Understood,” I said under my breath as I eyed my brothers. My father had died before realizing just how much they were like him, and more so with time. Why did I have a very bad feeling that all three of us were about to face a challenge that would test our resolve?

As well as risk our lives?

“Open the damn box, Michael. I have a bad feeling we’re being played.” Gregory had a demanding tone in his voice.

I shot him a look before slicing the blade across the tape, gingerly opening the flaps. When I peered inside, I almost burst into laughter. “What the hell?” As I pulled a box of dog biscuits from crimson red tissue paper, I shook my head.

“There has to be some mistake,” Christopher huffed.

“There’s a note,” Gregory added as he grabbed the box of Milk-Bones, tearing it open and pouring several onto the desk.

Someone was definitely playing a joke, barely showing a glimpse of their hand. As I opened the crisp white linen, I was surprised at the calligraphy just as much as the words written.

A treat for your pet... Use them frugally lest she become unruly.

“What in God’s name is that shit?” Christopher jerked the note out of my hand.

My thoughts immediately drifted to Sophia, but the box had arrived before I’d met her. Anger rolled deep into my psyche and I had a terrible feeling this was only the beginning.

As my cell phone rang, a round of annoyance rushed into my system. After grabbing it, I eyed the screen, uncertain of the number. However, I wasn’t going to shy away from any situation, no matter the circumstances. Whoever the jokester was had fucked with the wrong person.

“Michael Dunmore,” I barked.

“Mr. Dunmore? This is Nathan Landow from State Farm Insurance.”

“Yes, Mr. Landow? What can I do for you?”

“It’s about your car. I did an inspection.”

“Yes,” I commented, barely paying any attention, still eyeing the dog treats as if they would have an additional answer as to the sender. When Mr. Landow issued the last few words, I jerked my head in my brothers’ direction. “Repeat the last statement for me.”

Seconds later, I pushed the box aside.

“What the hell is going on?” Gregory demanded.

“It would seem the game has just taken a dark turn,” I half whispered. “The wreck was no accident.”

* * *

Bullet holes.

While the mangled car made it somewhat difficult to make out the armor driven holes, once they were identified, it was obvious what we were looking at.

Gregory bent down as I shifted away from the vehicle, trying to remember every detail of what happened just before the wreck.

“You didn’t see anyone last night?” Gregory asked, anger in his tone.

“I was on a fairly crowded street and it was getting dark. No, there was no one who stood out holding a high velocity rifle in their hands.”

Gregory tipped his head, narrowing his eyes. “You’re certain it’s a rifle?”

“I know my weapons, brother.” I walked around the car, studying all sides. The shooter had purposely been aiming for the driver’s side. There was no such thing as coincidences.

“I don’t like this at all.”

“Neither do I. However, we can’t jump to conclusions.”

As he stood, Gregory gave me a harsh look. “How quickly you forget what happened only a few months ago.”

Bristling, I shifted closer, studying his face. After having almost been framed for sex trafficking, we’d all remained on edge. “And you know better. Whatever is going on is just