Reign (The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #3)(86)

I’m betting he’s still single.

Bry steps forward. “Give me the gun, Howie.”

“You don’t tell me what to do, little brother.”

Bry exhales heavily. “I’m telling you that if you don’t give me the gun, and let Lo go, you won’t live to see the next hour, because there’s a pissed-off VERO assassin on his way here and he will shoot first and ask questions later.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That guy who’s been after you about the recording. That’s who.”

Howie tsks. “He’s not with VERO. He’s ex-FBI. A PI hired by The Sainthood to get that tape back.”

So that’s why he’s holding onto that footage. He thinks it’s of some worth to Sinner. I know Diesel was trying to help, and that he can’t blow his cover, but he’s unwittingly sent out a completely different message.

“That’s a front,” Theo says. “But he is who Bryant says he is and every bit as dangerous.”

“And he’s not the only one,” Saint adds. “Because the longer you keep my wife hostage, the less I care about what you have to say and the more I dream about riddling your body with bullets.”

“Shut up, Saintly,” I hiss, because he’s going to get us all killed. “We want to hear what Howie has to say, because he hates Sinner as much as we do. This is stupid, and we’re wasting valuable time. We are not enemies, and I’m not hurt.” I arch my neck, looking back at Howie. “I promise no harm will come to you if you untie me and put your gun down. Look into my eyes, and see the truth there.”

I’m not expecting it to work, so I’m as shocked as the others when he removes the gun, tucking it into the back waistband of his jeans. “Your turn,” Howie says, eyeballing my guys.

I stare them down until they’ve lowered their weapons and the threat in the air has dissipated. Howie crouches behind me, pulling out my knife, using it to cut the tape around my wrists.

My legs are wobbly as I push myself to standing, and Saint darts forward, scooping me into his arms while growling at Howie.

Flipping my palm up, I bore a hole in Howie’s skull until he sheaths my knife and hands it back to me. I grip it in one hand as I cling to Saint, wrapping my arms and legs around him, because I don’t trust him not to lose the plot and start World War Three in this motel room. Saint sits down on the bed, and I reposition myself so my legs are dangling across his, in a more acceptable manner. I place my knife on the bed beside us.

“Call your VERO agent off,” Howie says. “I didn’t agree to any meeting with him.”

“Already done.” Theo confirms what I already know, because there’s no way Diesel has made it back from Europe yet. Plus, the guys would only call on him if they needed backup, which they don’t.

Bry was calling his brother’s bluff, and it paid off. I nod in Bry’s direction, conveying my thanks.

“You should know,” I say, eyeing Howie from my seat on Saint’s lap. “That Sinner doesn’t care about that recording. We are the ones who want it back. If you hand it to the authorities, he’d probably pat you on the back and thank you for getting rid of a problem for him.”

Bry folds his arms across his body, leaning back against the wall, fixing his brother with an “I told you so” look.

Howie shakes his head. “Sinner would do anything to protect his flesh and blood. It’s why…” He stops himself midsentence, leaning forward on the back of the chair, stabbing Saint with a curious look.

“Why what?” Saint grits out.

“Why wouldn’t he do everything to protect his only son?” Howie asks instead of answering Saint’s question.

“He’s never cared about me,” Saint admits, his voice devoid of emotion. “Even now, he only tolerates me because he’s arrogant enough to want someone carrying his name to continue a tradition of leadership within The Sainthood.”

“I’ve heard stories. I know what you guys do.”

“We do what we have to, to survive,” Galen snaps. “That doesn’t mean any of us like it or choose it.”





CHAPTER 34


“DON’T YOU GET it?” Caz says. “We were born into this world. All of us, but Theo. Even then, he had little choice when his parents disowned him. Sinner preys on those who are vulnerable, and he manipulates people into carrying out his will.”

“He’s very good at it,” I add. “And he traps people into corners so there is no way out. That’s why he’s able to get the wider membership to agree to test-drive sex trafficking as a new business model.” My tone drips with disgust, and the air is heavy with tension.

Howie’s jaw flexes as he stares at Saint in a way that’s starting to make me uncomfortable. If he makes one move against my man, I will flatten his ass to the floor and slice his skin to shreds before he’s even blinked.

“My brother has told me you’re a prick. How are you any different from your father?”

Saint turns his head to Bry, arching a brow, seemingly nonplussed about the comparison, but we all know the rage bubbling under the surface, because there is nothing Saint hates more than being compared to that sick psycho bastard.

Bry levels Saint with an earnest look, not shying away from the truth. “You know you’re a prick. I didn’t tell any lies, but my brother seems to have misinterpreted it.” Bry walks over to Howie, standing in front of him. “Yes, Saint’s a prick. So is Galen. So am I. Lo is a complete bitch at times.”