Page 198 of Hidden Ties

“Sorry, baby, you’re going to stay where I can see you until they get here.”

Creed walked back over to Link, who was whimpering while clutching his hand to his chest. Sage couldn’t blame him, as much as she hated him. A couple of his fingers were lying on the bloody carpet.

Creed placed the barrel of his gun under his chin. “Who paid you for the hit?”

“I don’t know his fucking name!” Link wailed.

“How did he contact you?”

“He came up to me when Tripp, Chris, and I were hanging out at Scotty’s Bar.”

Distastefully, Creed used the tip of his gun to prod Link’s mangled hand. “You agreed to kill someone without knowing who hired you?”

“Dude was flashing around a lot of green. That’s all I gave a fuck about. I can describe him to you.”

“I don’t need you to describe him. I know who he is. Is Tayla still breathing?”

Sage placed a hand over her mouth, waiting for Link’s answer.

“When I left her, she was,” he mumbled.

“You know she works for me?”

“Fucker, I don’t even know who you are.”

Creed shook his head at him pityingly. “You made the same mistakes amateurs always make. You think because you get away with some easy shit no one gives a fuck about that it makes you a professional? Would you like me to tell you where you made your mistake?”

“I don’t need you to tell me shit!”

Creed continued to talk as if Link hadn’t spoken. “You didn’t do your due diligence. You didn’t research your mark.”

“I didn’t have to. I’ve known Sage for over a year. My bitch’s always going over there.”

“You’ve known Sage for over a year, yet you were going to kill her for someone you have never met? See what I mean? You didn’t do you due diligence. You failed to take into account that while you may know some particulars about Sage, you don’t know shit about me. Like,” Creed spoke to Link as if he was actually mentoring him, “just say for shits and giggles that I have made a lucrative career of dealing with punks like you. Youdidn’t take an x-factor into account. Link, you really should have taken my offer.”

A sharp knock had Sage jumping in surprise. Listening to the way Creed was speaking to Link, she didn’t know which man she was more afraid of.

“Mr. Bryant? Travas Jackson. Sir, is everything all right?”

“Sage, open the door for Travas.”

Shakely, she got up from the couch to rush to the door. When she opened it, two men came in wearing security uniforms.

Creed didn’t remove the gun from under Link’s chin, his eyes still filled with deadly intent as they drilled into Link’s terrified ones.

“Miles, can you give me your cuffs? Then please take my wife outside of the building and call the police and ask for two ambulances. Travas, would you please check the bathroom and bedroom?” he ordered. “There is an injured woman who needs some help. Be careful. I don’t know if he has someone watching her.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Go with Miles, Sage.”

“I want to find out about Tayla.”

“I’ll tell you when I come down. Go.”

Sage left with the security guard after he gave Creed his cuffs, despite wanting to stay.

Miles was already on the phone with the dispatcher. As they walked out of the apartment door, she heard a shot fired.