Page 116

Story: Mutual Obsession

“Fuck, no?—”

Both Miles and Jake start to argue, but Bree holds her hand up to silence them, her fierce expression cutting them both off before they can get into their rants.

“If we stand any chance of being able to take down The Aristocracy, we need information. This is the best lead we’ve had in a while, and we can’t lose that by letting you kill him,” Bree explains, and although it’s clear she’s made up her mind, she doesn’t look happy about it either.

Marcus jumps into the conversation before the other guys have a chance to speak. They’re ruled by emotions right now, whereas he’s able to keep a clear head. “So you want to capture Gregg and use him to give you info on The Count? Then once you have The Count, he can give you all he knows about The Aristocracy?”

As Bree confirms the plan, Miles speaks over the top of her, scoffing. “As if they’ll tell you anything.”

Bree glares at him, her eyes darkening in a way that has me leaning back. Gone is the bright, smiling young girl that was sitting there just a second ago, and in her place is a dangerous predator, scowling at Miles like she’s seconds away from tearing him to pieces.

With her gaze firmly fixed on him, she pulls a sparkly knife out from underneath the table and casually twirls it between her fingers, as her lips lift into a twisted smile. “I can be very persuasive.” Her voice is almost sickly sweet, completely at odds with the danger she’s exuding from her very pores.

A shiver runs down my spine, and I completely believe every word she says. It’s suddenly very clear to me why Bree’s the most dangerous one in the room, and why grown men fall to their knees to obey her.

The intensity of the situation suddenly becomes too much, and my mind is racing. All I can think about is that they’re notgoing to kill Gregg, and my stomach sinks. I don’t even know when my eyes filled, but I feel a tear slip down my cheek.

The words leave my lips before I can stop them. “I’ll never be safe while he’s alive.”

Miles squeezes my hand, but Jake lets go altogether, so he can wrap his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. Although I feel safe and warm with him beside me, I’m trembling as fear and anxiety overwhelm me.

Jake looks over at Bree, and I can tell by the way he’s staring, he’s silently pleading with her, but it’s Marcus who speaks. “Maybe we can reach an agreement. When you have The Count in your possession, and you’re sure Gregg has given you everything, then you’ll allow us to finish Gregg.”

Bree and Liam exchange looks before she then glances over at Kian. After a few seconds, Liam says, “We can agree to that.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, my body deflating as my shoulders sag under the weight of Jake’s arm. Something that can only be described as a mixture of relief and hope floods my system, and it hits me that there might finally be an end to the horror that has been my life over the last few years.

Miles then says, “We also need your word that The Count won’t ever be a threat to Indie. If you need to keep him alive, he must remain in solitary confinement, where he can’t have others do his dirty work for him.

“I’m sure you trust your people, but we have no idea how far his network of spies has spread, particularly if he’s been grooming them for positions of power for years.”

The four people sitting opposite look just as disturbed by this as I am. I knew The Count had raised Gregg with the intention of using his position, but it never really occurred to me that there could be other’s in a similar situation. It makes sense, I just didn’t want to think about it.

“And when he’s of no more use, then we’d like to take him out too,” Jake adds with a snarl.

Liam’s gaze is fixed on Miles, responding to his statement. “I can assure you, while he’s in our custody, he won’t be a threat to anyone, and we will make sure we uncover every spy within his network, no matter how long it takes.”

Bree then turns to Jake, with a twisted smile on her face that makes her eyes sparkle with mischief. “If I don’t accidentally kill him, you’ll be given the opportunity to do it.”

Miles’ eyes widen in alarm as he blurts out, “Do you accidentally kill people often?”

Both Kian and Kellan burst out laughing as they nod their heads, while Liam stares at his wife with what can only be a look of pure pride. Bree simply shrugs her shoulders. “What can I say? Sometimes the knife slips.”

Both Jake and Miles look a little alarmed at the way she slides her knife along the table, and I can feel them both tense beside me. Bree ignores them and fixes her gaze on me. Her expression softens, making her seem young and friendly all over again.

“You’re being incredibly brave, and I promise, we will keep you safe. Though it appears you have more than enough people looking out for you.” It’s not hard to miss the inflection in her tone, as she flicks her gaze between the men sitting on either side of me.

I hold my breath for a second, hoping Marcus hasn’t picked up on her implication. I can feel the blush heating my cheeks, and Bree’s smile grows into a smirk when she sees it too, my body no doubt confirming her suspicions.

“Thank you.” The words come out quieter and softer than I planned, but I don’t want to give anything more away and risk Marcus finding out.

Bree nods and smiles, shuffling in her seat as she puts her knife away. “Well, if we have nothing more to discuss, I’d like to get home to my son. It’s our first time being away from him overnight, as we had to deal with another family close to here getting too big for their boots. Whilst we’ve enjoyed the time alone, I’m missing him very much now,” she admits, looking a little sad.

Liam wraps his arm around his wife, pulling her into his side. Kellan closes his laptop as he rolls his eyes. “I, on the other hand, have had the best night’s sleep in years, and couldn’t be fucking happier being away from my two for a night.”

Bree scowls at him as Kian chuckles. “Oh, I’m so telling Mia that you said that. Then I’m telling Hallie.”

As soon as he saysHallie, Kellan’s eyes widen and he looks scared. “Don’t you fucking dare.”