Page 39 of Savage Little Secret

Even if she hates me for it.

I stash the letter in the nightstand drawer before grabbing another set of car keys and heading out. I need some help from an unlikely ally, but this is what the world has come to. My friends have become my enemies, and my enemies might just become my friends.

That’s the only way to survive in this world.

I rush into the antique shop, spotting Isaak in the same spot as before with some old food wrappers around his feet and another magazine in his hands. “I’ll take over, Isaak. I need you to go watch over the East Grove property.”

Isaak rises to his feet with a confused look on his face. “Denis mentioned to me that he’s no longer guarding your place. You said that he didn’t have to worry about Cara escaping anymore.”

Damn Denis and his mouth. How can I trust any of my men when they gossip more than high school girls?

“I haven’t announced it yet,” I tell him. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to anyone. I need to tell the Council myself.”

Isaak looks surprised, but he nods. “Yes, sir. What are you going to do with him?”

I glance through the doorway at Brendan, who has his head hung, looking rough once more. I’ve got just the thing to perk him up. “I’m going to take care of him too. I just need a little more information first.”

The side of Isaak’s mouth turns up. “Are you sure you don’t want any help? At least to move the bodies? Don’t want them stinking up the place.”

“I’ll call when I’m ready for help. Just keep it quiet for now,” I assure him.

Isaak nods. “Sounds good. I’ll have my phone on me.”

I sigh in relief once he walks away. He’d better keep his mouth shut.

Brendan lifts his head once I step into the room, his eyes widening as he tries to lean away from me. “You finally come to kill me too?”

“Keep it down,” I scold him as I reach into my back pocket.

“No! No!” Brendan cries out as he starts thrashing around in his chair, nearly knocking it over.

I slam my hand down on his shoulder, pinning the chair legs back down to the floor. “I said keep it down! Do you want me to kill you?”

Brendan’s breathing sounds labored, his clothes damp from blood and sweat. “No… don’t…please…”

I pull an oxy out of my pocket and shove it into his mouth. “Take this and relax.”

Brendan tenses in surprise at first, but he quickly swallows the pill. “Why are you giving me this? What else do you want from me?”

“No more questions,” I reply as I take a pocketknife out of my other pocket.

“No! Wait!” Brendan cries out as he cowers, his eyes squeezing shut as he waits to be cut.

Instead, I cut the rope holding his wrists to the chair arms.

Brendan pops open one eye, shock written all over his face. “What are you doing? Is this a trick?”

“I don’t have time for tricks,” I tell him as I cut through the ropes around his ankles before taking a step back and pointing the knife at him. “Cara’s alive. I let her go, and now I need your help,” I admit.

“She’s alive? No shit?” Brendan frowns as he slowly rises from the chair. “What could I possibly do?”

There’s no turning back now.

“Set up a meeting with O’Malley.”

15

Dmitri