“So you’re in?”
“I’m probably as crazy as you are, but I’m willing to hear you out.”
“Okay,” I shook my head, excitedly.
Rhea thought for a moment and then sighed. “You can count my uncle out, he won’t buy hot items like that. What about your connections?”
I shrugged and then something clicked. I looked up at her and raised a brow. She stared at me and without me saying a word, she realized what I was thinking and began to shake her head.
“It’s a bad idea, Steph.”
I bit down on my lip. “You know he’s the one resource we have who may be interested in buying.”
“Making deals with someone like that could go sour fast.”
“Rancid is a piece of shit who will get his hands on anything of value, Rhea. Colt could convince him to buy it.”
“You haven’t talked to your brother since that shit went down.”
“I know. And as much as I hate him for what he did to Jameson, and to my father and his good name, he is still my brother. And goddamn it he owes me.”
“Are you going to tell your dad?”
I gave her a side glance. “He’ll kill me.”
She nodded in agreement. “Yeah, but at least you could give him a heads up on what your plans are. Just in case.”
“I’ll talk to him eventually. Right now, we have our priorities. I’ll get in contact with Colt, and we’ll figure it out. For now, handle your business here.”
I got up to leave when I remembered the most important thing. “Hey, do you think the HLMC could do me a favor?”
“It doesn’t hurt to ask.”
“There’s a little boy. Obsidian’s little brother. They have her threatened with killing him if she leaves. Is there a way they could help?”
Roulette nodded. “They don’t play when it comes to children. I’m sure they could help in that area. Let me make a few calls and I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks, babe.”
“Oh, and Steph,” she called out to me as I waited for the elevator.
“Yeah?”
“Watch your back! I’m not going to your funeral, bitch.”
I laughed as I got on the elevator. She was a crude bitch, but I loved her.
Chapter 6
Duchess
The warehouse reeked of stale oil, must, and rusted steel. Alan had nearly thirty million dollars in new assets buried beneath stacks of unmarked crates on the outskirts of East L.A., and I had a ticking clock strapped to my chest. Every second I waited was a chance for Calen Killic to start poking his nose where it didn’t belong.
I knew that when I moved, I needed to make sure I wasn't being followed. I had one move left, and I hated that it led me back to the one person I swore I’d never speak to again.
My thumb hovered over Colt’s name. Colton Winters had been named the VP of the Royal Bastards at the same time Elrik Jameson had been named President. Unfortunately for Jameson, Rancid took his vengeance and made him a murderer. He exiled him, and as of now, no one had heard from him. On the other hand, his supposed best friend maintained his title by doing God knows what under Rancid’s demands. The worst part about it all was that Colt Winters was my older brother, and the last thing I ever said to him was to drop dead for shaming the family. That was five years ago. But blood was still blood, and right now, blood was all I had left.
The phone rang once. Twice. Three times.
