Mafia King (Young Irish Rebels #2) - Vi Carter Page 0,61

Her clothes are gone; even the knife that she threatened me with is gone. Yet, she didn’t leave voluntarily. The bathroom looks like there was a struggle. But why struggle and take your belongings? I get back up and check the hallway before returning to the bedroom where I had watched her sleep. I had craved her peace as she had slept soundlessly beside me last night. She was a beauty that I didn’t want to let go of. Last night, I worried about the damage that I could bring to her, and now that fear has taken its rightful place in my reality.

I thought I had left her in the safest place. Clearly, I was wrong.

I do a walk-through one more time before leaving the apartment and going outside. I walk the perimeter. I think the small markings of blood on the asphalt are fresh, but it’s hard to tell. I light a cigarette as I stare down at the markings. Voices from the side of the building have me straightening and following the sound. Two security guards are out smoking. When they see me, they crush their cigarettes and look ready to bolt.

“Don’t panic, lads, I won’t tell the boss.” I grin as I approach them. They hesitate but don’t leave.

“Either of you see a red-headed girl around?”

Both shake their heads. “No, can’t say we did, Mr. O’ Reagan.”

I let a laugh splutter from my lips. “Call me, Shay.”

I slap the nearest one on the back; he’s built like the hulk, and my mind races through names. “Edward?”

His gaze shifts to the left. “Yeah.”

Scratching his neck, his hand is pretty torn up—my gut twists. Nail marks, and they are fresh.

“What happened to your hand?”

The dumb cunt is shaking his head as he pushes his hands into his dark leather jacket. He doesn’t answer.

“Your hands are all clawed,” I say before putting the cigarette out on the ground.

“I’d better go back in.” The other security man grips the door, and I don’t stop him.

“A cat.” Edward coughs up.

I jut out my chin at the departing security.

Edward shifts like he’s getting ready to leave.

“You should get a tetanus shot for that.” I pick up the cigarette off the ground and pocket it.

Edward watches me.

I straighten. “Save the planet,” I explain the cigarette.

He nods.

“I think you should get your hand seen, too.”

“I’m fine.”

“Edward, I fucking insist. I’ll take you.” I start to walk away, not wanting to force him. The building is surrounded by cameras. Cameras that happened to glitch when I went to see what happened to Emma. No doubt they weren’t glitching now.

“Really, Mr. O’Reagan.”

I glance at him over my shoulder. “I told you to call me Shay. I’m not asking, Edward.”

He looks back at the door, and I will shoot him in the fucking back if he dares to run. He turns to me and starts to walk.

“I honestly feel fine.” He rambles on like I give two fucks about how he feels. He can drop dead once I get my information out of him.

I unlock the car and climb in. He hesitates for a second before getting in, too. The car dips with his weight, and I start the engine and pull away from the parking lot. I keep looking in the rearview mirror to see if we are being followed.

“It doesn’t even hurt.”

“Did you hurt her?” I ask, and I can’t look at him. “Don’t lie to me.” I divide my attention between the road in front of me and the rearview mirror.

“No.”

My gut twists painfully. So he was involved in taking her. If I look at him, I’ll tear his fucking head off.

“Where is she now?”

“I don’t know.”

I slam my foot on the brake and turn to Edward. Color drains from his face, and I don’t hesitate as my fist collides with his flat nose. Blood gives me satisfaction as it pours down his face. He howls, holding his face, and I have to restrain myself from continuing.

“Where is she?”

“Brothel. Ludlew Street. With Tracy.” Each word is said through his pain.

I continue driving while everything inside feels hollow. They took her to a brothel.

“Who gave the order?”

Edward half cries, and I keep driving while I swing my fist into his side. The car swerves, but I pull it back onto my side of the road.

“Lucian.”

“Why?”

Edward whimpers. “I swear, I don’t know.”

He’s not lying, but that doesn’t stop me from striking him again.

“I swear!” He’s getting fucking blood all over my car. Tracy’s isn’t far away,