Page 64 of Run

“How the fuck should I know?” Marcus spat out as blood poured from his hands, pooling on the table in front of him.

Tommy backhanded his son, the ring on his finger slicing his son’s cheek. “Don’t lie to me. You were spotted.”

Sweat dotted Marcus’ brow, his skin flushed as his gaze darted between his impaled hands and Tommy’s face. Shock, disbelief, fear: it was all there for anyone to read. Tommy shook his head in disgust. Too much fucking emotion, that was Marcus’ problem. The boy was ruled by it, had let it corrupt him until he couldn’t make the right decisions for the syndicate or himself.

Tommy had never had that problem. Even when his old man had beaten and cut him, he’d just waited, biding his time until he was able to slit the dickhead’s throat and walk away—after making him suffer, of course. Cutter had been there that day too. Two twelve-year-olds, learning their craft together. He never should have favored Marcus over Cutter. Forty years and he’d never once betrayed him.

“I don’t know what Cutter’s been telling you.” Marcus fought to keep his voice even. He failed. Each word was drenched in pain. “This is a setup. I don’t know where she is. I’m telling the truth.”

“No, you ain’t.” Tommy thrust his hands into his pockets and sauntered around the table to stare at Marcus from the opposite side. “You are a huge fucking disappointment to me, you know that? I groomed you to take over the business. Taught you everything I know. Let you represent me in deals. And what do I get? Your loyalty? No.” He spat out the word. “You gave it to that slut’s kid, even though she was nothing but the by-blow of a betrayal againstyour father.” He jabbed at his chest. “She betrayed me, producing some cop’s bastard instead of my kid. And you, you begged for that kid’s life. Told me you felt like she was your real sister. Told me to let her live, that I wouldn’t regret it. That you’d do anything if I spared her.” He pressed his palms to the table and leaned forward. “Anything except choose me over her.”

“This is bullshit.” Marcus squeezed out the words. His eyes had glazed over, and it was clear he was struggling to concentrate on their conversation. “I’m being set up. Cutter’s always hated me. Hated that you picked me over him.”

Tommy lifted his chin at Cutter, and a phone dropped onto the table between Marcus’ bloody hands. It showed a video taken from a camera in somebody’s doorbell a few houses down from where Elle’s weak links lived. Cutter tapped the screen, and Marcus watched himself and Abasi jump into the car with Elle and another guy.

Realization spread across Marcus’ face, followed swiftly by acceptance. He’d been around Tommy long enough to know he wouldn’t leave this room alive.

Eyes filled with hatred met Tommy’s. “You’ll never find her,” Marcus said.

Tommy sighed. “I don’t get it. I’m your father. I’ve given you everything, taught you the business, stood up for you when others thought you worthless. What’s she ever done for you? Nothing. That’s what. Not a damn thing.”

Marcus stared him down, the color fading from his face as shock set in. “She loves me.”

It was a punch to the gut. “That’s it? Love?” He shook his head in disbelief. “You tore down everything you built because some tart who isn’t even blood related loves you? Guess I didn’t teach you anything after all. It doesn’t matter now. All I care about is where you stashed the girl. If you tell me, I’ll make it quick.”

“Go to hell,” Marcus told him.

Tommy slammed his fist down onto the table, making it shudder and Marcus grimace in pain. “You were a waste of my fucking time.” He pointed at his son while looking at Cutter. “He’s all yours. If you can get him to talk, great. If not, dump his body for his sister to find. I’m done here. And buy a new fucking table.”

With that, he strode from the room. Marcus’ screams ringing in his ears.

25

“David,” Callum hissed.

Just like that, he was wide awake. Elle was snuggled into him, her face in the crook of his neck. It was reflex to hold her tighter when he saw the grim expression on Callum’s face.

“What?” he whispered.

Callum jerked his head to the other end of the room before striding over to say something to a grim-faced Ryan. There was no sign of Abasi, but water was running in the bathroom. Ryan strode silently through the door to the adjoining room, no doubt to wake Megan and Dimitri, as David gently moved Elle off him and slipped out of the bed. He took a second to pull on his boots before joining Callum.

“We’ve got a situation,” Callum whispered. “You need to deal with Elle.” He jerked his chin toward the rest of the team who were coming into the room. Even Megan was wide awake, which meant this was far more serious than he’d hoped.

“Turned the TV on a couple of minutes ago.” Callum glanced at Elle, his face pained. “BBC breakfast was interrupted with breaking news.” He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Marcus James’ body was dumped on the steps of Benson Security. Checked my phone, cops haven’t even had time to call Lake yet. They’re only now arriving on the scene. Some arsehole saw the dump and posted it online, with close ups of the damage done to Marcus.”

“Not some asshole.” David was certain. “Tommy ordered it done.”

“Likely. He’d want the news out there as a warning. For Elle.”

“Shit.” David shook his head as he watched her sleep. “She just got him back.” This news would devastate her. “Abasi?”

“He doesn’t know yet.” Callum jerked his chin toward the team. “They’re on containment.”

Yeah, because Abasi was going to lose his mind at the news.

“Tommy found out Marcus had Elle,” David said. “He’d see it as betrayal, and Tommy kills those who betray him.”

“Aye.” Callum pinched the bridge of his nose. “We’ve got seconds before Abasi comes out of the bathroom. How do you want to play this?”