Kitty was his.And not because she’d been his maid.The hand on his desk balled into a fist and for a moment fury was too strong to fight.
“He is small time,” General said, his voice even and sound.“You would easily outnumber him…”
He was the only one here using reason.King knew it and it killed him.The only way he’d gotten here was by using reason.He kept his gaze on the General, waiting for him to add the ‘however’ he knew was coming.
The ‘however’ that he and the others were too angry to consider.
“However,” the General added with a wry twist of his lips.“The question is, do you want to expand your territory?And are you willing to go up against the other gangs out near the docks?”
King nodded, more grateful than ever for the General’s logical mind when his own was nowhere to be found.
He had a point.They could easily take down this Maloney cad, but then what?Did he really want to put men in danger and strain his resources to hold power over a useless piece of land by the docks?Everyone knew that territory was constantly being fought over…
“Who’s his biggest rival?”
Tracker straightened.“Fellow by the name of Wayne Garfield,” he said.“He owns the pubs nearby and wants the whorehouses and gaming hells in Marloney’s territory.”
King nodded, his gaze shifting to Beast who, like always, seemed to be on the same page.“Make an ally and lose an enemy,” he said.“Not a bad plan.”
The General nodded.“Two birds, one stone.”
Loula sighed with disappointment.“Will I still get to see Maloney rot?”
Tracker dipped his head to hide a smile.
King couldn’t smile because his insides were too tight with rage at the thought of Maloney.
He’d kicked her.He’d kicked his Kitty when she was down.
He shut his eyes.He had to stop thinking of her as his.She’d been his for a night, but she wasn’t his forever.
But she could be…
He slammed a hand on the desk, making everyone start.“Bring me this Garfield,” he said to Tracker.“Tell him I need a word.”
Tracker nodded and moved to the door.
She couldn’t be his.It was stupid to even think it.She’d lied to him, dammit.And he still didn’t know why.And besides that, she messed with his head.She made him act out of emotion rather than reason.
LIke right now.He knew the right thing to do, and yet everything in him wanted to deal with Maloney himself.
“I’ll be off,” the General said, Loula falling into step beside him.
Beast shifted, but he didn’t leave.He was waiting for orders.Like he knew King couldn’t let this go.
Like he knew King would have his vengeance even before he’d decided himself.
King exhaled sharply.“I want Maloney dead.We’ll let the world believe Garfield took him down, back him when he goes in to take over.”His nostrils flared.“But Maloney will die.”
“I’ll handle it—”
“No,” King said, that cold fury washing over him anew.“He’s mine.”