Page 45 of Cain

“Maxwell was a traitor. He deserved it.”

“And yet here we are.” I lean in on my desk, my gaze piercing his. “Maxwell’s dead, but my guns are still floating somewhere on the Atlantic. So, tell me—who else is going to disappoint me today?”

“No one else, boss.” His sick and twisted expression relaxes instantly. “The shipment arrives tomorrow morning.” His lashes flicker, and his eyes dart all over the place, avoiding looking at me. “You have my word.”

“Careful, Landon. You might be enjoying your job, but I can assure you that I enjoy it more.”

He gulps. Look how the tables turn. The lion seems like a scared little kitty.

“I know.” He falters. “It won’t happen again.”

“I’m sure it won’t.” I lean back. “Because if it does, you’ll be floating in the harbor alongside those crates.” I click my tongue. “Am I clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Good. Does Torres know how stupid his attempt was?”

“I don’t think so. You killed the messenger, remember?”

I hum, recalling that night. “Send a message. I want to spice things up.”

His sinister smirk returns on his face. “How loud?”

“Dig out his head and send it. I want to meet this parasite myself and see what he knows.”

“But you didn’t chop it off.”

I raise a brow. “Fix my mistake.”

He nods, satisfied. “Of course, boss.”

I set the cube back on the desk, feeling his gaze burn into me.

“What’s with that cube, anyway?” he asks. Fool.

“Mind your business.”

He clenches his jaw. “Of course,” he says, his voice tight, but I can feel the fury behind his words because I scolded him.

“Now go. I have some calls to make.” He stands up, straightening his black blazer. “Tomorrow, I’ll spend almost all day at the office.”

“Do you need me?”

I inhale through clenched teeth. “No, you have a day off.”

“What about your guest?”

My gaze turns dark. “What about her?”

“I can stay here and watch her.”

“No.”

He scoffs. “Trust me. I’ve gotthis.”

“How foolish of you, Landon. I don’t trust anyone, and you know it. Especially around her. Not you, not Eleanor. Hell, not even myself.”

He lowers his head before turning to leave. “Understood.”