Page 52 of Run

“Want me to come back, boss?” he said.

“Nah, gimme a minute.” Tommy grabbed handfuls of the slut’s hair and forced her to finish up to his schedule.

Cutter heard her scared whimpers and watched her struggle as Tommy took what he wanted with no care as to whether she liked it or not. With an approving chuckle, Cutter sat in the guest seat on the other side of the desk.

Tommy grunted as he finished, then pushed the woman away. “Get the fuck out of here,” he told her as he zipped up his pants.

She crawled away before staggering to her feet and running for the door.

“Be back next week,” Tommy shouted after her.

Cutter caught her sob as the door closed behind her.

“What you got for me?” Tommy said as he rested his elbows on his wide leather-topped desk.

Cutter crossed his legs. “We hit the Albanians and that shit street gang, the MCs, and made sure they learned their lesson. I don’t think there was any misunderstanding.”

“Good.” Tommy reached for the box of cigars on his desk, opened the lid, and offered one to Cutter, who refused. “What about Elle? Marcus found her yet?”

“You’re not going to like what I have to tell you about that,” Cutter said. “You sure you want to know?”

Tommy’s eyes were shark-like. “What?”

“Had one of my men follow Abasi, figured he was the weak link. Marcus and Abasi cornered a couple of people your girl knows and used them to flush her out.”

“What’s not to like about that?”

Cutter sat up straighter, looking his oldest friend in the eye. “They left the people alive when they were done. Then they took off with Elle and some other guy—not sure who he is yet, but I’m digging. My guy lost them. I can see there’s no sign of them here, and they haven’t surfaced in any of our other locations.”

The air in the room thickened as Tommy reached for his phone. “No messages,” he said as he peered at the screen. “How long ago was this?”

“Couple of hours,” Cutter said.

“You think he’s playing me?” His words were encased in ice.

Cutter spread his hands. “I’m just telling you what I know. Marcus and Abasi have the girl, and they’ve disappeared. Maybe he’s questioning her, and he’ll turn up later to tell you what he found out.”

“He should have called,” Tommy said.

“I would have, but kids these days…” He shrugged.

Tommy stabbed at his phone before putting it to his ear. His eyes turned to flint when he spoke. “Marcus, call me as soon as you get this. I want an update on your sister.”

“Maybe you should tell him we know he found her?” Cutter suggested, knowing full well that would be the last thing Tommy would do.

“No. We wait. Let’s see what the boy has to say when he finally turns up.”

“It’s your call, boss.” He reached toward the desk. “You know, I think I will have a cigar,” he said as he helped himself.

21

“Does your father know about this place?” Callum asked as his team took position throughout the living area of the terraced house.

Marcus glanced over at him as he opened the fridge. “You’ve got your safe houses. I’ve got mine. Beer?” He held up a bottle.

“Think I’ll pass,” Callum said in reply.

“Suit yourself.” Marcus popped the cap from his bottle and drank deeply. “Elle? You want one?”