Page 11 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)
Chapter Ten
Alexander
T he door closes behind me, and the sound of my sister and Kennedy laughing together brings a smile to my face.
For the past thirty minutes, I’ve been completely enamored with the woman Kennedy is.
I shouldn’t want more time with her, but I couldn’t help myself from asking for more.
There was suspicion in her eyes, that I’m sure was mirrored in mine, but I also recognized curiosity.
Instead of heading back to my office, I make my way to the basement of the lounge to meet Patrick.
The rooms below are made specifically for people who come to my club thinking they can cause trouble, or for VIP members who step out of line.
Today, it’s for men who try to attack women in alleyways.
Kennedy didn’t want anything to do with him, but I held him here in case she did.
I walk through the door to find Thomas Cane right where I left him—tied to a chair with his hands behind his back, and tears streaming down his face.
His nose is broken and the bruising under his eyes is already beginning to show.
I want nothing more than to bash this fucker’s teeth in because he dared lay a hand on her.
He claimed he was drunk, and this wasn’t something he’d ever done before, so Patrick did some research on him and nothing about his record says he’s a repeat offender.
That information alone is the only thing keeping him alive.
Seeing the damage I’ve already caused doesn’t lessen my need to beat him again. Kennedy definitely broke one of his ribs the other night, and I relish in causing more pain to what she had already inflicted.
The room reeks from this asshole’s lack of ability to hold his bowels, but I guess it’s tough when getting the shit beat out of you. Patrick acknowledges my presence with a nod and goes back to whatever has his attention on his phone.
Thomas sniffles as he sees me moving towards him. Hands in my pockets, I step up to him, looking down my nose at the sorry excuse for a human.
“It’s your lucky day. The woman you sexually assaulted doesn’t want retribution. So, you’re free to go.”
The cry of relief instantly leaves his mouth as more tears stream down his cheeks.
“Get Bruno or Scottie down here to take care of him,” I say to Patrick as I turn back to the door, intending to return to my office.
“Boss, we have a situation.”
Patrick follows me out of the cedar-block room, still looking down at his phone. He’s in deep concentration, and he looks pissed off.
“What is it?”
“Bruno just said that Justice is here and asking for you.”
I stop in my tracks, unsure if I heard him correctly. There’s no way I just heard the name of Xavier Ross’s second in command on my property. “As in Justice Shipley?”
“Do you know more than one Justice?”
I want to punch him in the throat for that smart-ass remark, but I would expect nothing else.
“What the fuck is he doing here?”
My mind immediately moves to Tori and where she could be—I need to make sure she stays put. The next thought that follows shocks the shit out of me, but I need to know if Kennedy is still in the building. It suddenly becomes just as important to keep her away from the associate of my past.
“I don’t know, but he’s asking for you and I think we should find out why.”
“Tell Bruno I’m on my way to the front. Find Tori and make sure she says out of sight. If Kennedy is still in the building, ensure the same for her. I don’t care what excuse you need to make.”
Patrick nods his head and follows the hall leading to Tori’s office. He’s always been of the mindset that we should face The Reapers head on. But we made a deal that’s almost fulfilled, and I’m not going to cause unnecessary bloodshed.
I’m walking across the main floor of Emerald Nights when I spot Justice sitting in one of the booths with his leg stretched out and Bruno staring him down. I observe him for a moment, watching as he takes in the business we’ve created here, and I wonder what he sees.
“What are you doing here, Justice?”
There is no time for pleasantries as I would prefer to never see this man, or anyone else related to the cabal, ever again.
“Long time, old friend. This is a swanky little place you have here.”
“Answer the question or get the fuck out.”
Bruno hasn’t left but stands at my side in case I need back-up handling this situation. Justice’s blue eyes narrow as he looks me up and down, taking in the suit and my casual stance. On the outside, I know I appear unruffled by his appearance. Internally, I’m shook.
Now isn’t the time for The Reapers to call in their last orders for me.
“At no point do we need an excuse to check in on you,” he says with a snarl.
When I was still involved with The Reapers, Justice was the pretty boy of the bunch.
His light skin and curly hair were like a flashing neon sign when we would go out to the clubs.
But that pretty package hides the sadistic evil of the man underneath.
You don’t become second in command of a mercenary group without some brutal kills under your belt.
“Bruno, head out front. We’re good here.”
He begins to leave without a word and Justice’s scowl transforms into an evil grin, as though he made a difference. If it wasn’t for the war I would cause, I would put a bullet through his brain and not think twice.
“Actually, I will just follow your man, here, to the exit. There isn’t a reason for my visit today; we were just in the area for work and Xavier wanted me to check in on his favorite little bitch.”
Lucky for me, name calling doesn’t get under my skin, and he gave me the exact information that I need: The Reapers are in town on another mission and not here for me.
“Message received. Now, run back to your leader and tell him what you saw. We both know it’s the only thing you’re good for.”
He makes a step towards me, but Bruno is there, grabbing his arm and pulling him back in the direction of the exit.
There’s a fire burning in his eyes and I give him a genuine smile.
Once he’s left, I take a deep breath, running my hands through my hair.
It will be impossible for me to rest until they are out of the city.
The evening is moving at a snail’s pace. That could just be my mind, fixated on the time waiting for Kennedy’s arrival. The last place my mind should be is on a woman, but thinking about her is a nice reprieve from the business I’m currently working through.
I’m checking my watch again when my cell rings and an unknown number appears on my screen.
“This is Alexander.”
“Alexander, it’s Michael Ellis. Do you have a moment?” A heavy southern accent filters through the line.
Michael Ellis, one of our VIP members that’s been on our list since the opening of our membership. He typically goes through Tori for his scheduling, so this call is a surprise.
“How can I help you?”
“I’m in need of a new arm’s dealer. Word came to me yesterday that Antonio Garcia is no longer with us. I’m hoping you have another dealer you can connect me with.”
Well, that’s a new membership spot open on the roster.
“Interesting. Do you have information on who was behind the kill?”
The line goes silent, and I have to check to make sure we’re still connected before he speaks again.
“I’m hearing that Ashton Rose had him taken out. The information I received said Death’s Shadow’s calling card was sent to his supplier.” His voice is gruffer than when this conversation started.
I know who Ashton Rose is, but I’ve never met the man.
From what I hear, he rarely leaves his property.
His hold on the southern drug trade is known far and wide because of how fiercely he protects his territories.
He’s made a lot of enemies, but he also has an assassin that does all the dirty work.
No one knows who the assassin is or how he’s kept their identity hidden this long.
I never trust a man who’s afraid to get his hands dirty.
“Thanks for the heads up. I think I have a supplier in mind that I can connect you with. Let me speak with him, and I’ll arrange a meeting for you two to talk logistics.”
He expresses his gratitude before signing off. It’s a coincidence that the arm’s dealer I was referring to is already in the lounge.
Next, I send a note to Tori, letting her know I need a moment with Marco Leva before he leaves.
My energy is completely drained with the rollercoaster of situations I’ve dealt with today, especially after coming into work earlier than normal.
The only thing keeping me in this building a bit longer, is the promise of Kennedy coming through the doors.
Like an answer to my prayers, Patrick sends me a text letting me know that Kennedy has arrived.