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“What do we have?” I say to Tony once I get to the compound. I don’t want this to take long. I just want to get back home, back to my little wasp. I’m still finding it hard to wrap my head around last night's events.

“He broke into your property last night; we caught him in the act. We drugged him and brought him here. His car was parked down the road from yours, so I had Jeff drive it over.” Tony says, interrupting my thoughts.

“Who is he?” I ask, annoyed.

“Jack Ashford, sir.”

“Ah so, Jacky boy decided to grow some balls after all these years, did he?” I have known that Jack has been watching my family for quite a few years now. It must have something to do with my father. Do I care? No... Jack and my father can kill each other for all care. I had been hoping he would find something to take down the old man. I even left him some breadcrumbs, but no. Nothing. I wonder what has made him man up now, after all this time.

“Go clear out his apartment. I want all his paperwork boxed up and sent to mine.”

“But, sir.”

“But, sir, nothing. All the files on his computer and hard drives as well. Make sure you leave no stone unturned; I want you to go through it with a fine-tooth comb.”

“Yes, sir...and, sir, your father rang. He will be here within the hour; do you want me to...”

“No, no, Tony. I can handle him. You go and supervise everything. No wasting time. Once it is all clean, drug him again and drop him back to his apartment, the car too. And, Tony, not a word about this to the old man, you hear me?”

“Yes, sir, of course,” he replies, before making his way out.

I hate waiting. It always makes me feel itchy, yet the old man loves to make me suffer. Hopefully, someday soon, he will meet his end, and sooner rather than later. After I feel like I’ve counted every brick on the goddamn walls, he eventually shows up, an hour and forty-five minutes later, with his holier than thou attitude still intact. This man grates on me more than anyone else does. And hate is the subtlest word I would use.

“How’s it going, old man?” I say smirking. I know he despises being called that, and that’s why I do it.

“I have two more men coming in tomorrow. I want them questioned first. I want you to get every single piece of information you can out of them. It’s time sensitive, so I need it done quickly.”

“So, you want them to talk. But you want it done quickly... You know better than I do, old man, that shit takes time.”

“I don’t care what you think. I want it done, fast. Understood? You do what I say, boy, what part of that do you not understand? You know exactly what will happen if you don't.” He tries to get up into my face as he speaks, but I step back from him.

“Keep your hair on, old man, well...whatever you have left of it. I will do it, but I can’t promise the outcome. What kind of information do you want from them? What is it regarding?”

“You don't get to ask questions regarding my business.”

“You launder money through your dry-cleaning business and dabble in drugs; you're not fucking royalty,” I bark at him, getting pissed off.

“You, boy!” he shouts, trying to get up into my face again. “You will do what you are told and not ask any questions. Otherwise, I will torture her, and send you the video. Maybe, just maybe, I will cut her tongue out. What do you think?”

Unable to control my anger, I yank him up by his collar, lifting him completely off the floor. I am absolutely fuming with rage. I would give anything to be able to rip his head off his body right now, but I can't. I toss him to the floor instead and start walking out, not looking back.

“First thing tomorrow, be here,” he yells out as I make my way back through the double doors. I don’t reply, I just keep walking, not wanting to be anywhere near that piece of shit right now. I can’t lose it, and if I stay, I know I will.

I pull out my phone once I have completely left the building. I call Linda, wanting to check on my little wasp. I not only want to see what she’s doing, but also check if she needs anything. Linda informs me that she’s doing well and will text me a list of what she may need. I get in the car, waiting for the message to come through. Completely taken back that once the message comes through it only has one item on it.

Sir, she has only requested a Kindle. She says that she’s sick of reading from her phone because it doesn’t feel right.

I can’t help but chuckle.

Ok Linda, if she requests anything else let me know.

Of course, sir. Right away.

I don’t drive off right away, I sit thinking, where the fuck do I get one of those, and for the life of me I can’t think. Maybe...

Taylor, where would I buy a Kindle?

A Kindle, sir? Maybe try a bookshop?

Thanks, call me once you are finished.

Will do, sir.

Why didn't I think of that? There’s one down the street from where she works. I remember noticing it when I was there before. I drive off, making my way to the bookshop, wondering if I should pick her up something to eat while I’m at it.