Page 55 of Fixate

Not like that, you fuck.

The weak as in the men who backstab to get their way. It’s despicable knowing they try to switch sides or pretend to be some kind of spy. This isn’t the fucking movies. That shit doesn’t work out here in the real world.

Exhibit A.

Our dumb rat was finding out why you don’t cross men in the Cosa Nostra. It was a fool’s choice.

“You should just tell him. We’ve got all night. Ricardo is handling the rest of the shipment so you’re just our plaything. If he finishes though—” I whistled instead of finishing my sentence.

No need to elaborate about the man who was clearly nowhere near done getting his anger out.

I’d seen many sides of Pharrell through the years. He’d hired me a few times, and others we’d just happened to wind up in the same places. I couldn't remember a single time he’d been this hungry for blood.

It was like he had a point to prove to everyone.

Made sense given the shit his dead wife had done. I never liked the bitch. Always made me feel like she was keeping secrets from us all.

She had to go ahead and prove me right after all.

Fuck.

“You should know by now I’m a patient man. I can do this all night.” Pharrell wiped sweat from his brow. A blood trail formed in the wake of the movement. I wasn’t sure if it was from his split knuckles or from the man he’d been tearing apart.

The entire situation was fucked up. Ricardo’s plan had seemed ridiculous when he first mentioned it. And though I liked that he caught this bastard, I fucking hated that we didn’t get any intel in the switch. At least his employer’s name would do us good.

“How’s it going?” Ricardo asked as he stepped into the room.

I raised my brow at him, then grinned to show how much I was enjoying myself. Even without hitting the rat myself, I felt the thrill of a good beatdown moving through me.

“Having the time of our lives tonight. You?”

He shook his head, then moved to stand beside Pharrell. I wondered if he realized how often he did that — walk into a room and move straight to the other man.

Some would say it’s a show of loyalty. I suspected it was more.

I’d have to keep watch over them both since the boss had a soft spot for the newbie. Not like I had other plans for nowanyway. I’d shut down all contract offers for the time being while I helped Pharrell settle.

Don’t ask me why.

It just felt like the right thing to do.

I liked the guy. No, not like that.

He was good people.

“Has he said anything at all?” Ricardo asked Pharrell.

The other man frowned as he kicked the man bolted to the floor. “He’s keeping his mouth shut well for someone who won’t make it out of here alive. That’s some fucked up loyalty.”

Ricardo hummed, then pushed past Pharrell to take in the rat. “I wonder,” he said softly.

Next thing I knew, he’s got a knife in his hand, and he cut through clothing. The shirt fell away, revealing a bruised and tattooed torso. The pants were removed right after. Left in just his underwear, the rat looked pitiful.

I chuckled as I circled him like the predator I was. One nod from Pharrell, and I’d get to have my version of fun with him. He’d be my pet to play with for as long as I pleased.

“What are you doing?” Pharrell growled.

I looked over to see Ricardo running his hands over the other man’s body. Where he’d been quiet before, the touch seemed to send him into a frenzy.