Ruthless King (New Orleans Malones #4)

Chapter 27

27

L ater on that night, Regent sat in the chair and watched her sleep.

This was crazy.

Gerald was still downstairs. He should leave her here with him and go get some things done.

Fires seemed to be popping up all around him, and he had the feeling they were on the cusp of something big.

Yet here he was, putting everything else on pause while he took care of this crazy, sassy-mouthed, gorgeous, secretive girl.

After her nap, she’d been far quieter. She’d read for a while, ate a light dinner courtesy of Gerald, then fallen asleep again after some more medication.

For some reason, she wasn’t fighting him about him being here anymore. Which he was grateful for.

Perhaps he should have threatened to spank her a while ago? It might have made her more obedient.

A message popped up on his phone. Basilien.

Shit. More drugs and money stolen from some of the street pushers? What the fuck?

Who was doing this? Could it be Patrick? But he’d need to have help. A lot of help.

Another message came through. They’d caught one of the fuckers who’d attacked one of the street dealers tonight.

Fucking finally.

He stood, then he glanced down at Jilly.

It didn’t feel right leaving her. But she was asleep and this was business.

Should he let his feelings for her get in the way of business?

Two parts of him warred.

Leaning over her, he kissed her forehead lightly. Then, feeling like a huge asshole, he left the room.

She would be fine. Hell, she probably wouldn’t even wake up. And Gerald would be there, along with several of his men outside.

Nothing would happen to her.

Regent got into the back of his car with Victor.

Jose turned to look at them both. “Did you find anything out, boss?”

Regent glanced at Victor. “Yes, but it makes little sense.” Even after hours of torturing the little bastard, his story hadn’t changed. “He said he’s not part of any gang or organization.”

Victor looked up from his phone. “I sent his information to Jardin earlier. He said he checked out. No known gang affiliations. He’s got priors for theft and assault.”

“What about the other two?” Regent asked, tapping his fingers on his leg. “The one’s that died?”

He’d kill for a smoke right about now, but he’d told Jilly he was giving it up. So that’s what he would do. He’d do his best to never break a promise to her.

For the past week, he’d had his more experienced guys tailing some of the street pushers. It had stretched their resources, but he’d hoped another attack would happen. And that they’d be prepared to catch the bastards.

Four guys had attacked one of the street dealers. One had gotten away. One was dead in their torture chamber. The last two were dead.

“Both of them had a criminal history, but neither of them were affiliated with a gang,” Victor said.

“But this can’t have been random,” Jose said.

“No,” Regent said. “It wasn’t. Some guy came up to them and offered them good money for attacking our street pushers.”

“Who?” Jose asked, his voice darkening.

“He didn’t know. He described him, but it was a generic description. A white guy. Around six feet. Slim build. Nicely dressed, but he wore a ski-mask.”

“Could be anyone,” Victor said.

“What was the purpose, though?” Jose asked. “Just to get the money and drugs? It doesn’t make much sense.”

“Apparently, these guys were allowed to keep those. It seems to be more about creating chaos. Which leads me to think it’s Patrick.”

Victor grunted. “He hasn’t been spotted anywhere. Our guy at Sexy Sins hasn’t seen him. Want me to send someone to lean on the dancer?”

He hated to do that . . . and it could tip Patrick off.

“No. Let’s wait. Have her watched.”

Victor nodded as Regent’s phone rang. He frowned as he saw it was Gerald.

“Gerald? What is it? Is Jilly all right?”

“Ah, I wouldn’t say she’s all right, no.”

“What happened?” He sat up straighter and then looked at Jose, who nodded, understanding what he wanted without words.

To get him back to Jilly as quickly as possible.

“She woke up with a nightmare. She was . . . inconsolable. I attempted to calm her down, but she seems afraid of me.”

“I’m on my way. Just keep her calm.”

“The only way I can do that is to stay away. But I’ll make sure she doesn’t leave.”

Damn it! He knew he shouldn’t have left her.

Regent rushed into the house and up the stairs. He’d told Jose to wait to take Gerald home.

The older man was waiting for him at the top of the stairs.

“She’s in the bedroom?”

Gerald looked sad as he nodded. “Yes.”

“Jose is waiting downstairs. He’ll take you home. Thank you for staying with her.”

“I hope she isn’t too upset.” Gerald started down the stairs.

Regent took a deep breath, then let himself into her bedroom. He was ready for her to be upset with him for leaving.

Why had he left while she was ill?

He felt like a monster.

What he wasn’t prepared for was an empty room. Where was she?

Had she somehow gotten past Gerald?

Then he heard a muffled whimper from the closet. His heart skipped a beat as he walked over and opened the doors.

Shock flooded him as he saw her huddled on the floor. She shied back with a cry, her arms coming up to protect her head.

“Don’t hurt me!”

“Baby,” he whispered. “I would never.”

Suddenly, he realized that he was likely intimidating her by standing over her. He sat on his bottom, keeping some space between them.

She had her legs bent and curled up against her chest. Her face was buried in her knees, but he could hear small whimpers coming from her.

“Baby. My sweet girl. It’s me. It’s Regent. Can you look at me, please?”

“He was here,” she said in a scared voice.

“Who was, baby?” Did she mean Gerald? Shit. He should have woken her and told her that he was leaving.

But he’d hoped she would sleep through and wouldn’t realize he had left.

“My father.”

Shock flooded him. “No, baby. He’s dead.”

“He isn’t. He isn’t. He was here. In my room.”

Anger filled him. Sharp and fierce. Fucking Orlando Crane. If he could murder him again, he would.

Of course, no one knew that he was the one to kill Crane. After he’d taken out his own father.

Not even his brothers.

But after he’d heard their plan to marry Lottie to some Colombian drug lord. Yeah, he’d had no choice.

No one threatened his sister.

That was a truth he’d thought he would take to his grave.

“He’s dead, baby. I saw his dead body myself.”

She shook so hard that it was scaring him. Was she having delusions? Had she thought Gerald was Orlando? He supposed that in the dark, Gerald could’ve been mistaken for that bastard.

“He’s not. He’s here! He’s back!”

Fuck.

“Jilly, look at me.”

Nothing.

“Look at me. Right now.” He hated how harsh he sounded, but it was necessary.

Raising her head, she gaped at him.

“He is dead. I saw his dead body.”

She shook her head and he reached out to grab her shoulders.

“He is, Jilly, because I killed him myself!”

She froze in his arms. Fuck. What was she going to think of him now? Would she be scared? Blame him for her father’s death?

“You killed him?”

“Yes. I shot him and my father.”

“Promise?” she said in a quiet voice.

“I promise, baby. That was Gerald you saw. Not your father.”

A sob escaped her and to his shock, she threw herself at him. “Promise. Promise me.”

He gathered her close, cursing her father. Cursing himself for leaving her.

She was so hot, but he didn’t move. He just needed to hold her.

“I promise. He’s dead. He’s never coming back. And he will never hurt you again.”