The Devious King

by B L Mute

  “This is our warehouse. We keep most of our weapon supply here. The rifles and pistols we sell come through here before being distributed to our buyers.”

  I listen as he talks and walks at the same time, dragging me along behind him.

  “We don’t sell to anyone here in town, with the exception of Emil. Our guns get sent all over the world. People in Mexico, Ireland, even China buy them. Cedric knew people from all walks of life. He traveled the globe going to car shows, meeting new people, and pitching them offers they couldn’t refuse. He had a knack for being able to pick out criminals in a room.” He laughs, then walks us through the door.

  The inside doesn’t seem nearly as big as the outside. Steel beams run across the ceiling, metal walls encase us, and wooden cedar boxes sit stacked messily all over the floor, some with Chinese or Japanese markings on them in bold red font.

  My eyes bounce around the entire warehouse, taking in every detail. The bank didn’t really get to me. I mean, it’s money. Who is bothered by money? But this… this is most definitely illegal. I should feel wrong or have a sense to tell someone, but I don’t. I feel at peace, relaxed, and it kind of scares me.

  This, and everything I have with Teddy, is the polar opposite of how my dad raised me. Or maybe, this is exactly why he raised me the way he did. Not his stellar moral code, or his intense desire for the right kind of justice, but the way he taught me to defend myself, and ultimately kill. Maybe he knew I would end up in the same web he did and wanted me to be prepared.

  I close my eyes and breathe in the air that is mixed with cedar, unburnt gunpowder, and Teddy’s scent, letting my shoulders relax even further. “I feel at home.” I open my eyes and look at Teddy. His head is lowered as he stares at me with complete admiration, and it hits me.

  I would walk through the depths of hell for him and let the flames eat me alive with a smile on my face. This. This is where I belong.

  The look on Charlie’s face is one I haven’t seen before. “I feel at home,” she breathes.

  I lower my head and look at her from hooded eyes. There it is. It’s like something has clicked in her head and she’s coming to terms with it. It’s different from the switch I’ve seen before. It isn’t followed with anger or a need to prove herself. No. Her hair is falling in long waves around her shoulders as her face shows complete serenity. Her body is relaxed, and her hands are loose.

  For years I’ve watched her, and for the past month I’ve waited. I knew she had what it takes to reign beside me. Of course, my kingdom isn’t one you find in fairy tales. It doesn’t have lush meadows and a castle. Instead, it’s built on corruption, lies, and murder. To be supreme, you have to fight your way to the top and kill everyone who tries to stop you.

  I kiss the top of her head, breathing in the faint smell of her shampoo. “I’ve waited too long for you, Monkshood.”

  I want to continue and tell her that although the wait has been long, the short time we’ve had together has been better. I just wish it wasn’t numbered.

  “I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.” She squeezes around my waist, trying to pull herself closer to me even though we’re as close as we can get.

  I step back, creating a few inches between us, then tilt her head toward me with my index and thumb. “I think I may love you, and that is a dangerous thing.”

  She drops her hands from my waist and leans her head to the side, letting question and confusion shine bright in her eyes.

  I kiss her pouty lips softly, forcing myself not to get lost in the feel, then look back at her and continue. “Because I love you, I will kill for you. I won’t hesitate for even a second, and because of that, I may get killed for you. A true king’s death, defending his queen.” I lean into her and kiss her lips again before dragging my lips to her cheek and burying myself in her hair.

  I wish I could tell her that will be happening sooner rather than later, but I can’t. Things are already complicated enough, and I can’t let her try to stop me. All she’s wanted was answers to his dad’s murder. To bring down the person who took away the only man she ever loved until now.

  Men like me aren’t supposed to feel. We are groomed to be cold, ruthless, and vacant. Having feelings only complicates things, but Charlie was a complication I saw coming and invited. I let my guard down and lured her to me. It was a careless mistake on my end, and now I get to pay the price. I’m going to be the monster and take away another man she loves, a man who loves her. Before this war can rage any further, I’m going to take myself out.

  “I’d follow you anywhere, even in death,” she whispers.

  I chuckle knowing she doesn’t mean that. I wouldn’t expect anything less than her avenging me, carrying on my name. She is my queen, and long may she reign.

  I pull back again and cup her cheeks in my hands, then push my lips to hers. Her tongue twirls with my own as my hands move from her face and down her body. My dick throbs in my pants, begging to be released. As I reach down and lower my zipper, the warehouse door opens swiftly.

  I growl and break away from Charlie, then look to the door. Lucas and Julius stroll in casually with small grins on their faces. “We can come back, boss,” Lucas huffs.

  “Not necessary.” I slip my zipper back up and curse him in my head for being a cockblock.

  They make it to where Charlie and I stand. Julius takes a spot beside me, remaining silent and unmoving, while Lucas stops in front of Charlie.

  “Tell me, Flower, ever use one of these?” He looks behind him and pushes the lid to one of the cedar boxes to the ground. He reaches in and pulls out an AR-15.

  Charlie lowers her eyes and grins. I think Lucas underestimates her knowledge, and it’s comical. She was raised by a cop who taught her about gun safety and shit, but what he doesn’t know is her weekends as a teen were spent inside the evidence room of the station, not at football games or the mall.

  She would teach herself how to disassemble and reassemble every gun that came through, with gloves of course. With her dad on the endless hunt for the cartel leader, she had nothing better to do. Betty, the woman who keeps inventory for the evidence room and watches everyone who comes in and out, is a sweet lady. A sweet lady with an uncontrollable taste for expensive things. Lucky for her, I wanted details of what Charlie did inside the station since I couldn’t waltz right in, and she wanted money to fund all of her expensive shopping. It was a win-win and a little detail I’ve always kept to myself.

  Charlie takes the gun from Lucas and makes sure that it is clear. With a smirk of her own, she slides her hand to the butt of the rifle. She removes the rear takedown pin, followed by the charging handle and the bolt carrier. Meanwhile, her confidence exudes, and the smirk on her face withholds the laughter that is on the verge of erupting. She moves on to the last step by removing the buffer spring and buffer. Once she’s done, she takes every piece and slides it back together perfectly, and quickly.

  Lucas looks at her with a raised brow and nods. “Okay, you’re a badass. Noted.” He makes a check with his finger. Charlie just rolls her eyes and looks at me with a grin.

  “Are you ready to go home?” I ask, hoping like hell she says yes so I can finish what I started before we were so rudely interrupted.

  It’s like she can read my mind. Her green eyes light up with mischief as she nods.

  I put my hand around her waist and pull her close to me, then start walking out. “I assume Carl is outside for you both,” I shout, directed to the twins. “Go home with him. We will meet you there.”

  Teddy veers down a winding road that cuts its way through a tunnel of leaning trees. The headlights bounce off the yellow lines and reflectors in the road, sending quick sparkles rushing underneath us. I roll my window down and let the night air invade the car as the tree line thins, giving way to a vast countryside draped in moonlight. My hair whips around my face, and the horses under the hood race as Teddy pushes the gas pedal harder, sending us flying faster down the road. I lean my head o
ut the window and bask in all the events that unfolded today. Things could be much worse at this point, but they aren’t. I’m choosing to only focus on the good things.

  Teddy loves me and trusts me. For now, that’s enough for me. All the shit with Omar can sit in the back of my mind. If he tells the cartel who I am, so be it. I’ll bring the wrath of a million hells with me to fight them.

  As we get closer to home, Teddy’s phone rings. “Hello?… Who is it?… Fuck, I’ll be there soon.”

  All of the happiness we worked to build up after leaving Omar’s is shattered around him when he ends the call and throws his phone to the back seat.

  “What’s going on?” I roll my window up and turn my body toward him.

  “Someone is at the warehouse. I need to go check it out.” His voice holds no emotion.

  “But we were just there.”

  “I know. That’s what makes it so weird. It’s like they were watching and waiting until we left.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense. Don’t you all have some sort of security in place?” I wave my hand around.

  Teddy shakes his head. “Because of it being in the heart of the industrial area, and so many people coming in and out, we don’t want to raise suspicion planting a guard at the door. The owner of the factory next door keeps an eye out for us since they operate twenty-four seven. Said he saw someone sneaking in between the posts of the gate.”

  “Then why have it there? That’s stupid. Why not get a place in the sticks somewhere, out in the middle of nowhere?”

  Teddy laughs. “Because, people don’t search for things in plain sight. They expect it to be hidden and heavily guarded. We have a few things in place to make sure no one ever leaves if they get in uninvited.”

  I swallow a lump in my throat and nod, not sure how to respond. “Well, it shouldn’t take us long to get back over there.”

  “Not us, Monkshood. I’m taking you home to the twins and having Carl take me back. I don’t know who it is or why they’re there. I’m not putting you in the crossfire.” He never lets his eyes leave the road as he talks.

  I don’t even try to argue with him. After everything with Omar and Teddy’s fear of him letting who I am slip, I know he won’t ease up. As much as I hate the thought of him going without me, I nod, agreeing, but only this time.

  Muffled screaming and banging come from the back of the SUV. I catch Carl’s eyes in the rearview mirror and smile. “Turn on the radio.”

  He nods and turns the dial, sending smooth jazz into the cab of the car. I inhale deeply and smile, pulling at the edge of my black leather gloves and removing them from my hands.

  I get lost in the slow music the rest of the drive until we are pulling into the driveway at home. The screaming has finally stopped. I exit the car, then walk to the back and open the hatch. Hugo lies still with his eyes closed, cloth gag in his mouth and both hands and feet roped together.

  “Get him inside while I change,” I instruct Carl. He grins and hikes Hugo over his shoulder.

  As he makes his way up the steps, I shout softly behind him. “Keep it quiet. My delicate flower is sleeping.” Another nod is all he gives me before pushing through the door.

  I walk back to my door of the SUV and pull out the white T-shirt and jeans I keep hidden inside, just in case. I unbutton my nice red shirt and slip it off, then do the same with my slacks. I hurry and replace them with my extra clothes, then slide my gloves back in place and close the door, walking inside barefoot.

  I close the front door softly behind me and wait a minute to make sure Charlie hasn’t heard me and gotten up. When I feel confident she’s still asleep, like Lucas told me, I slip into the room that is used specifically for these issues.

  Hugo is slumped down the metal chair with his head resting on its matching table. Carl stands behind him with his arms crossed in front of him.

  “Watch the door. If Luke or Jules come, let them in. If you see Charlie, let me know. She’s taken in enough today; she doesn’t need to see this.”

  “Got it.” He steps out of the room and closes the door, leaving only me and Hugo.

  I circle the table and pick his head up by his hair before dropping it, letting it hit the cold metal table with force. He groans in pain as blood drips from his nose.

  “Good morning, junkie,” I spit.

  Hugo isn’t a Moreno by blood, but he’s been working for them for years. He’s the only one who’s ever gotten close enough to the cartel to know a name, but he won’t speak. When I found him at my warehouse, my blood ran cold. I know he was sent to get the layout and any other important information so they could use it to bring me down, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence it happened the same day I saw Omar.

  Unfortunately for him, I have nothing to lose at this point. I know fucking him up and sending him away is a gamble, but I have a message to send. If he wants information on me and my family, I’ll give it to him.

  “Tell me one good reason I shouldn’t kill you right now,” I bite at him.

  He laughs, showing his rotted teeth and black gums. “Kill me and they’ll kill you.”

  I hunch in front of the table and plant my elbows in front of him. “Fair enough. Instead, I think I’ll just send you with a message to deliver.”

  His eyes widen when he realizes his tactics won’t work on me. Most people fear the cartel and what they’re capable of, but I don’t. Everyone has a weakness, and I happen to be the best at picking them out.

  I walk to the door and tap on it with the back of my gloved knuckle. Carl opens it and extends a tray to me with lemon juice and a razor amongst a few tools. Vice grips, bolt cutters, and a hammer sit perfectly lined on the tray, and it makes me happy. Sometimes torture is better than the actual kill.

  I walk back to Hugo and set the tray on the table in front of him. He examines all of the instruments and laughs at the lemon juice. “Making lemonade?”

  I laugh with him. A deep and genuine laugh. “That’s the only thing to do with lemon juice, isn’t it?” When he sees my smile never falls, his face becomes pale.

  I grab the razor and start making small cuts all over his hands and fingers as he sends bloodcurdling screams into the room. “Come on, Hugo,” I try to soothe him. “Just tell me what you were doing and I’ll let you go.” I grin, then pop the cap of the juice and splash it over every cut.

  He screams louder for a second before falling quiet again. “Is that all you got?”

  I pick up the bolt cutters and pace the room for a second. I don’t want to kill him, but I want to show him who he’s fucking with. I walk to the door and tap it again. Carl walks in and tilts his head.

  “Hold his hand.”

  Carl doesn’t question me; he already knows what I’m going to do. Hugo starts squirming and trying to hop out of his seat. Carl throws one hand on his shoulder to hold him in place, while using his other hand to untie the ropes and spread his finger over the edge of the table.

  I grab each finger on his right hand individually with the bolt cutters. Squeezing the handles lightly, a satisfying crunch rings into the room as Hugo screams. The blades slice through his flesh like butter.

  Blood pools on the table, dripping down to the floor. “Look at the mess you’ve made.”

  I look at his face. Drool and snot run down his cheeks and chin as he sobs weakly. “T-t-they’re g-g-goin-g-g to k-k-kill you-u-u,” he stutters.

  “Tell them I’m waiting.” I curl my lips and spit in his face before clipping the rest of his fingers off easily.

  Once all his right digits are gone, I nod to Carl. He cauterizes each nub to stop the bleeding. One by one, he touches the wounds to his knife that’s been heated by his torch lighter. Hugo’s screams grow quieter and weaker.

  Still not satisfied with his punishment, I push him away from the table and slump his limp body back in the chair. I grab the hammer and swing it at his knees and relish in the sound of his bones cracking on impact. I know I won’t get a word out of him, n
ot useful ones anyway, so why not make this enjoyable at least for me.

  Out of breath and done with each knee, I look to Carl. “Go call Dr. Kelly. I don’t want him dead!”

  He nods and hurries out of the room. As I wait for him to return, I throw the hammer back on the table and rest my hands in his puddle of blood. Without thinking, I remove my hands and run them through my hair, pushing back the stray ends falling on my forehead.

  His blood runs down the side of my face, soaking into the fabric of my shirt on my neck. “Don’t you die on me, you piece of shit!” I shout, leaving the room. I slam the door behind me and take a minute to compose myself before starting down the hall.

  Carl rounds the corner as I make it to my door. “He will be here in ten minutes.”

  “Good. Get me if anything comes up.” He nods and walks back to the room where Hugo is. “And Carl,” I call behind him. He turns back to me, letting his hand hover over the doorknob, and tips his chin. “Take the twins and start clearing the warehouse. I don’t care how long it takes. I want seventy-five percent of the inventory out of there.”

  “You got it.” He slips back into the room.

  I run my hand down my face, making an even bigger mess with all of Hugo’s blood. I curse myself and pull off my shirt, doing my best to clean up before I walk into my room.

  The bedroom door creaks open, making me stir from my sleep. Teddy lurks in slowly with his head down. I watch as he moves to the bathroom and flips on the light. I slip out of the bed, adjust the jeans I never took off, and approach him. As I get closer, I notice splashes of red running down his neck. My body stills for a moment behind him. This is not my Teddy.

  His back heaves as he takes in short, sharp breaths. His hair is disheveled. The dark, slight curls aren’t slicked back. They’re messy and inconsistent. His shoulders are flexed, showing off every muscle in his back along with every vein running down his arms to his balled fists. This isn’t the Teddy I see every day. This is the Teddy everyone else gets, the Teddy everyone fears. This is Theodore Hale, leader of the Hale family Mafia. Covered in blood, yet still so beautiful.