“I’m an outcast to them. The evil one. The fuck up. And he’s about to get what is rightfully mine. I can’t let that happen. He will die first, princess.”
Why he’s calling me princess has me perplexed. My mom is a princess, not me. I know very little about this life; only what I’ve been told. And no one has told me about him. I can see why. He’s an enemy who has obviously been waiting to strike.
“You look a little mixed up there, Calla.”
The sudden use of my given name shocks me; however, I will not show my fear. I’m the daughter of John Greer. No way will I let my fear be known to this man. I trust my family. Whatever reasons they had for banishing him from the family, I stand by them.
“You’re sick! That’s your brother! He’s my family. You won’t get away with this. Whatever vendetta you have, you may as well give it up now. My dad will find you, you son of a bitch, and when he does, you’re going to wish he hadn’t.”
“You mentioned family. I’m your blood, princess. You know, it really is too bad you and I are on opposite sides. A beautiful woman with a sharp mind can be very dangerous. I could see myself actually liking you.”
“Screw you. You’re not my family. If you mean nothing to them, then you mean even less to me.”
Malice is what I feel for this man, although he’s not really a man at all. I’m now within an inch of his face. His undamaged eye scans me meticulously, observing my strength. All of it comes from being the daughter of John and Priscilla Greer. I may not have known the true lives they have lead, but one thing they taught me was to never show your fear.
“You’re a snake. A cowardly one, at that. I promise you, cousin, you’re going to die from your own venom.”
“Snakes strike when you least expect, Calla. I want you gone just as much as I want my brother gone. And as far as John goes, I want him to come. It’s just too bad that by the time he does find us, my dear little brother will be dead and so will you. I have plans for you. You’ll be gone before they get here and if we’re not, I’ll take care of him. It’s about time he retires, anyway.”
“Fuck off. He’ll destroy you,” I spit at him.
“I’m going to let that slide, just this once. John’s good. Very good. But don’t think for one second that I’m not better. Now, you have a show to watch. Unless you want me to shoot you up with more of this?”
He pulls a syringe out of his back pocket.
“I’m not watching shit. And you can take that and shove it straight up your ass.”
He quirks his brows and shoves the syringe into his pocket again.
“Is my heroin not good enough for you? Do you want something better? Cocaine, perhaps? Crack? You name it, I’ve got it.”
I’m momentarily shocked speechless.
“No cocaine, either? That’s too bad. Did you know cocaine can heighten your sexual arousal? It delays your orgasm but it increases your sex drive. Raymond over there would like nothing more than to show you just how much it improves his sexual performance. Would you like me to let him show you?”
He grips my chin and jerks my head towards this man named Raymond.
“Go to hell, both of you!”
“You know, I’ve had it with your mouth. Raymond, bring me some tape and put that chair over there right next to my brother. She’s going to watch.”
I struggle against him when he lifts me up and carries me over to the chair. Manny’s head is now slumped down, the blood on his face now dried up. I squeeze my eyes shut as tightly as I can. I fight to get away. My hands are pulled severely behind my back. This time, I feel my shoulder pop. Pain shoots down my arm and I cry out. Neither of these unhinged men pay any attention as they tie my hands behind my back and tape my mouth shut.
“Secure her good, Raymond,” Royal firmly commands.