Ruthless King (New Orleans Malones #4)

Chapter 51

51

J illy was practically dancing around for joy as she entered her house.

Regent had finally agreed to let her see her friends. They were all coming here to help her pack up some things.

He hadn’t been so pleased about that part since he wanted to hire people to pack everything up. And have her friends come to his house.

But she didn’t want them to be intimidated by the huge mansion she now lived in. Maybe after she explained things properly. They’d texted her a lot, especially after Sasha was arrested two weeks ago for hitting Lowell and killing him.

In a stolen car.

She’d been terrified Sasha would talk. But apparently, she was claiming to have amnesia.

Jilly wasn’t sure how much was true. But Regent told her not to worry. That everything was under control.

Mrs. Y had been very upset, which was the other reason she’d wanted to have this get-together. To show her friends she was all right and to cheer Mrs. Yards up.

Plus, she’d also learned that Regent had a big birthday coming up and she wanted her friends help planning it. Gracen, Lottie, Thea, and Aston wanted in on the birthday planning as well.

They had to keep it a secret from Regent, though.

“Where do you want this stuff, Jilly?”

She glanced over at Henri, one of Regent’s men. Regent was thinking of making him her bodyguard. Which she really didn’t think she needed.

“Um, put them in the kitchen. I’ll get all the drinks and nibbles ready. You don’t have to stay with me.”

“Yeah, Jilly. I do.”

He was so stone-faced that she couldn’t see him fitting in. But, oh well.

There was also a guard at the front of the house and one at the back. She didn’t know why that was necessary. It seemed like overkill.

But, Regent insisted.

She started setting everything up.

“Jilly! There’s a guy out here getting frisky with Scott and he’s about to explode.”

She rushed out into the hallway to see Dan and Scott getting the pat-down from Ryan. Another of Regent’s men.

“Ryan! They’re my friends!”

“Just following the rules,” Ryan replied as he let them past.

Scott scowled while Dan gave her a ‘what the fuck?’ look. She shrugged. This was going to take some explaining.

“You can pat me down all like, young man,” Mrs. Y said as she stepped up to the porch.

Ryan smiled at her. But still gave her a pat down.

“Sorry about that,” Jilly said as she led them into the kitchen.

“Don’t be sorry,” Mrs. Yards said. “Most fun I’ve had in years.” She set her knitting bag on the floor as she sat.

“What the fuck is going on?” Scott demanded. He was glaring at Henri. “Who is he?”

“This is Henri. My bodyguard.”

“What the hell? What is going on?” Dan asked.

“Sit down. Get a drink and I’ll tell you.”

She’d discussed with Regent what to tell them. He’d said to tell them that he had family money and a number of businesses. He’d said they might know who his family was but not to get into any discussions about it.

And to say nothing about Sasha.

So that’s what she did. She went through it all, including quitting her job and moving in with Regent.

“I don’t like this,” Scott said predictably.

“I think it’s romantic,” Dan said with a sigh. “He took care of her while she was ill. And she’s loved him most of her life.”

Scott grunted and glanced at Henri. “I’ve heard things about the Malones. Not good things.”

“I love him, Scott. And I won’t hear anyone say anything bad about him. I want us to be friends, so please don’t make me choose between you all.”

Dan scowled at Scott while Mrs. Yards continued to knit. “Well, I’m just glad the drought is broken. Did you make good use of my gifts, dear?”

“Um, well, actually, we did.”

Mrs. Yards grinned. “I knew you had it in you. I just wish Sasha was here. I never thought she’d steal a car and drive drunk. And to run over some poor man and kill him! What was his name?”

“Kenny Malcolm,” Dan said.

Regent had told her that the cops would use his real name. Which was just as well. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain to her friends how Sasha had run over her ex-boyfriend.

“At least I found another renter,” Mrs. Yards said.

“You did?” she asked. “Who?”

“Lovely young man. I asked him to come over to help you pack and he agreed. I’ve told him all about you. He should be here soon, actually.”

“Here I am, Mrs. Y.”

Jilly turned at a strange popping noise, and she didn’t even register what had happened for a start. Not until she saw Henri lying on the floor with blood on his stomach.

She screamed and the gun turned toward her.

“Now, now, none of that. I didn’t quietly take out your other guards, only to have you scream and bring more people running. Let’s try to keep the deaths to a minimum.”

Her heart thundered, panic filling her as he walked into the room.

“Rex? What are you doing?” Mrs. Yards asked as Trip moved behind her chair.

He held the gun up against the old woman’s head. Scott, who had been rising sat back down at the gesture while Dan whimpered beside him.

“I’ve come to do the neighborly thing and meet Jilly here. Although we have met before, we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Patrick McMahon.”

“I know,” she said hoarsely.

“You said your name was Rex,” Mrs. Yards said. “You’re a plumber.”

“Catch up, old lady. It was a ruse. I moved in with you in order to be close by when Jilly came back. Or Regent. It was good of you to invite me over to this, though. Made things so much easier.”

What was she going to do?

She stared at Patrick, looking for a weakness. While he appeared pale and shaky, he was too close to Mrs. Yards for her to do anything.

“You should let them go. It’s me you want,” she said shakily.

“So that they can run and tell the cops? I don’t think so. No, they can all just stay here. I want you to hand over your phone. I’m going to message your boyfriend. Get him here. Then the three of you will have to be disposed of, I’m afraid,” he said to Dan, Scott and Mrs. Yards.

She couldn’t let that happen.

Reaching down, she grabbed her phone from her bag. She spotted the can of mace that Regent had given her a few days ago. It looked like a lipstick.

She shook as she glanced over at Henri. Could she do this?

Picking up her phone, she hid the lipstick against it. Then she stood and walked toward Patrick. As she moved, she caught Mrs. Yards gaze. The other woman gave her a tiny nod, as if she knew what Jilly was planning.

As she lifted her phone, he leaned forward and the gun moved away from Mrs. Yards’ head. Jilly pressed the sprayer on the mace with a cry. Mrs. Yards ducked and then turned, thrusting her knitting needle up toward his eye.

He roared in pain and Scott jumped him, fighting him for the gun.

“Run!” Scott roared. “Dan, run!”

Jilly took off, holding onto Mrs. Yards. But instead of heading out the front door, she moved toward the tunnels. The entrance was in a spare downstairs bedroom at the back of the house. Pulling open the closet doors, she reached down and drew up the trapdoor.

“What are you doing? We need to call the cops!” Dan cried. “My phone is back there! Scott!”

“We need to go now. Mrs. Y. Go!” The older woman climbed down into the tunnel.

There was the sound of a pain-filled scream and she paled. Turning to Dan, she waved at him frantically. “Get in! Now.”

Dan climbed in as she heard someone coming down the hall. Jilly closed the closet door before she climbed down into the tunnel. Quickly, she set her phone to flashlight.

“Come on, we have to go.”

“What about Scott?” Dan cried.

“Shh. We’ll go back for him.”

It might have been Scott coming for them. But somehow, she doubted it. Jilly didn’t know how long they had until Patrick found the entrance, so she hustled them along. Her mother had made her go through them so many times that she knew these tunnels like the back of her hand. Or, she had when she was younger. She was just hoping that gave them enough of an advantage.

Jilly took them down a side tunnel and then paused, trying to decide which way to go. There were several ways she could choose, but she didn’t know whether to go to Regent’s house.

And there was no reception down here so she couldn’t call him.

“I need to turn off the light,” she whispered. “There’s a ladder up here that leads to a sealed exit. I might be able to get reception at the top.”

“I’m scared,” Dan whispered.

“Just hold on to Mrs. Yards, and I’ll lead her.”

She took them to the ladder, moving as quickly as she dared. “Wait here.”

“Ohhh, Jilly. What have we here? Where do these tunnels lead? You can’t escape me. Come out, come out wherever you are.”

Fucking asshole. She moved up the ladder.

Yes! Reception.

A few texts came through. She checked the last from Regent.

Regent: Jilly! Answer my calls. I can’t get hold of Henri. What’s going on?

So he knew something was wrong. Good.

Jilly: Patrick found us. Henri, Scott, and the others need help. We’re in tunnels hiding. Don’t call me.

Regent: Head to the house. Right. Now.

Jilly chewed her lip as she moved back down the stairs.

Then, she took Mrs. Yards’ hand and led them farther into the tunnels. But it wasn’t long before the older woman started to slow, her breathing becoming labored.

“I can’t go on,” Mrs. Y whispered. “Leave me.”

“No.” That wasn’t happening. They’d already lost Henri and Scott. No one else was being left behind.

Her heart couldn’t take it, especially not after her other recent losses. Sasha’s betrayal and Kimmy’s death were still so raw.

“Come on, Jilly!” Patrick called out. “Give yourself up!”

Jilly had to fight the urge to scream back at him. To tell him to shut up.

“Don’t you want to save your friend? He was still alive when I left, but he was bleeding badly. We could go back and save him.”

Dan made a choked noise.

Jilly put her hand over her stomach, feeling ill.

Oh God, Scott.

What was she going to do if something had happened to him? What would Dan do?

You can’t think about that now. You have to keep going. You have to keep them safe. If you don’t, Scott’s sacrifice will be in vain.

Keep going. Keep moving.

She had this. She totally had this.

I’m so scared.

“He’s trying to get you to reveal where we are,” she whispered back to Dan. “Be quiet.”

Jilly kept moving forward, pulling Mrs. Yards with her. They were going too slowly. They wouldn’t make it to the entrance to Regent’s house without Patrick catching them.

And she needed to lead him around first. Hopefully giving Regent enough time to get a plan into place.

She really, really wished Regent was with her right now. He’d know what to do.

Well, you don’t have him, so you’ll need to think of something yourself. And fast.

Good. Right. She needed a plan. Suddenly, it came to her.

“Follow me. I have an idea.”

A short tunnel that led off this one was coming up on the right. But the entrance was hidden behind a false wall. It would be a tight fit for the two of them, but it would keep them safe in the meantime.

Putting her free hand on the side of the tunnel, she ran it along until she felt the space.

“Come.” She gestured to them. “You both need to slide in and stay quiet.”

“What about you?” Mrs. Yards asked.

“I’m going to lead him away from you both.”

“Come with us,” Dan whispered. “He’ll give up.”

Jilly shook her head. “No, he won’t. I’ll lead him away. Hide. Please, Dan. Look after Mrs. Y.”

Jilly couldn’t bear it if something happened to them now. She was close to losing it over Scott. And she was the one that Patrick wanted. Not them.

Both of them hugged her, then hid behind the false wall. And she moved back to the main hallway. Now she could move faster. She raced toward the house, hoping Regent knew what he was doing.

Pausing, she tried to listen to where Patrick was.

Please let him get lost in here.

“Come out and play, Jilly. You don’t want anyone else dying, do you?”

God. What an asshole!

No way was she giving herself up to him.

Jilly kept moving. It would take a while to get to Regent. But Patrick couldn’t be far behind her.

Just keep calm.

Keep moving.

With her heart racing, she kept running as quietly as she could. The tunnels were dark, the air stale and damp. But every time her brain wanted her to second guess herself, instinct or memory or something kicked in, and she managed to find her way.

Please let Dan and Mrs. Yards be okay.

“I know you’re up ahead, Jilly. I can hear you panting. I can feel your fear. You’re moving faster. Did you ditch the old lady? Smart . . . I wonder where she is, though?”

Ignore him.

He can’t find them. He’s chasing you.

Jilly tried to keep her breathing under control, which wasn’t that easy.

Seriously, she needed to go to the gym or something.

Pausing, she took a moment to get her bearings. Was that a noise?

Oh God.

How close was he?

“I can see you,” he sang. “I’m going to have to punish you for this, you realize.”

Jilly turned and started to sprint. She had to push herself. Her heart raced, her muscles ached. Just when she was certain that she must have made a wrong turn somewhere, she saw a shadow up ahead.

She came to a sudden stop, panting heavily. Fear flooded her.

But he couldn’t have gotten ahead of her, right?

“Sweet girl.” His voice was quiet, but she’d know it anywhere.

Thank you, God! Thank you!

Jilly raced for him and he caught her, holding her close to him.

Finally, she could breathe. Relief filled her even though she knew that they weren’t out of danger yet.

“Regent . . . Scott . . . Henri,” she said, panting heavily.

“Shh, I know. They’re being taken care of. Don’t worry.”

Kind of impossible to do. But she knew that there was nothing she could do for them now. She just hoped that they had medical help. That they were all right.

Please, let them be all right.

“He’s close behind. Be careful.”

“Don’t worry, baby. Everything will be okay. Head to the house. Maxim is waiting for you.”

Maxim?

Where was Victor? Jose?

“No, I won’t leave you.”

“Jilly, go.”

“I have to get Mrs. Y and Dan. They’re hiding.”

“I’ll take care of them. Now, go!”

“Aww, isn’t this sweet.”

Regent pushed her behind him as she heard Patrick speak. A light filled the tunnel, coming from the other man. He was using his phone as a flashlight as he walked closer. Was he limping? And trembling? But he still held his gun.

“This is a bit sloppy even for you, isn’t it, Patrick?” Regent asked. He didn’t sound worried, just slightly inconvenienced.

Meanwhile, she was terrified.

“Sloppy? I just killed three of your men. That’s a good day for me.”

“What are you hoping to gain from this? Why are you even doing this? It won’t get you anything.”

“What do you think I want?” Patrick asked.

“Power. Money. My life.”

Patrick scoffed. “Once, I wanted that. But now, all I want is you dead.”

“Was it you? Did you hire people to attack the street dealers? Did you call the cops? Why? That’s all petty, small shit.”

“Petty? Small? Maybe. But I wanted to fuck with you as much as I could before I died. You took everything from me! Everything that should have been mine. Even Kimmy.”

“I didn’t do anything to Kimmy,” Regent said.

“No, I did. I killed her. Because I want her with me in the afterlife. See, I’m dying. Haven’t got long to live. It’s my liver. The doctor said if I had anything to take care of, that I should do it sooner rather than later. And all I wanted to do was make you miserable. I thought about blowing up your house or going after your siblings, but then I met the gorgeous Nyx. She intrigued me, see. Imagine my surprise when I followed her home from the club and you were there to sweep her up into your arms.”

So that’s how he’d known where she lived?

“Then I met the lovely Mrs. Yards. She felt sorry for me and offered me a room to rent. Even provided the details for when Jilly would be coming back to her house. It was too easy, really. I wasn’t expecting all this, though. Clever.”

“How did you know about the shipment of drugs?”

“What shipment of drugs?”

“So that wasn’t you? What about the warehouse location for the drugs?”

“Ahh, well, some of your boys don’t know how to spot a tail. Tut-tut.” He wavered, then raised the gun. “Now, I’m sorry, but I’m getting tired. I think I need a rest, which means you need to die. See you in hell.”

There was a popping sound and she screamed as Regent fell backward, pinning her to the hard floor.

Oh God. Oh God.

Nooo! He couldn’t die on her! She wouldn’t let him! She needed him!

“Regent! Regent!” she screamed. Her voice sounded haunted, even to her own ears.

Someone thundered toward them and she whimpered, waiting for them to kill her. But then Victor’s face appeared. He held out a hand and Regent reached up to grab it.

A sob escaped her as Regent turned and gathered her up into his arms.

“How . . . why . . . what?”

“I had Victor go around and come up behind him,” he told her, hugging her tight. “And I’m wearing a bulletproof vest. Still packs a kick, though.”

“What . . . what if he’d aimed for your head!” she cried.

“He wouldn’t have risked missing him,” Victor said. “His head is too small a target.”

She burst into tears, everything hitting her at once. She’d nearly lost him. He could have died!

And all that had saved him was his small head?

All right, she knew that she was acting hysterical, but she couldn’t help it. She could hear Regent talking quietly to Victor before he turned away.

“Dan . . . Mrs. Y . . . False wall.”

“Victor will get them, baby.”

“Scott!” she cried.

“Shh, he’s alive. He got shot in the chest, so it’s serious, but he’s alive. Come on, baby. Stop crying. It will be all right. Everything will be all right.”

She hoped so.