“You stupid, weak little shit,” He snarled.
I watched my lieutenant as he tried to shrink into the wall as my father stepped closer. The fuck, I’m paying this man to help me fight a war and he scared of my fucking dad.
“We made a promise. That girl is owed. They paid us. They protected us. You gave your word she’d be delivered to marry into their family. And you can’t even fucking grab a six-year-old?!”
“She’s seven.” I growled, spitting blood. “It was supposed to be easy. We had Nova. She was the bait.”
“And now she’s home, and your sisters a corpse. And you’re on your knees.” He shouted, his voice like poison.
“I’ll fix it.” I groaned, eye glistening.
“No. You’ll do exactly as I say. Or I’ll shoot you myself and try to salvage this deal without you.” He said, shaking his head in disappointment.
My breathing hitched as my father turned to the lieutenant.
“What did they lose?”
“Twelve men, sir and Kennedy. The safehouse in the hollow was also burned to the ground.” My lieutenant said, licking his lips.
“Crew made you look weak. The partners are furious. They’re threatening to kill us all if they don’t get the girl by next month. That was the deal. Their son is coming of age soon and the girl will need to be groomed to be the perfect wife, subservient and submissive. They want her now so they can begin her training.” He said, eyes locked on mine.
My stomach rolled. I’d heard rumors about what they did with the girls they bought. But Timberly was supposed to be myleverage to make all his family's dreams come true. My father leaned in closer.
“You fucked us. So now you’ll fix it. I don’t care how. I don’t care if you kill Crew in front of her and drag her screaming from the ashes. But you will deliver.” He seethed.
My mouth trembled at the malice in his tone.
“And Nova?” I asked. Hoping he would say I could still have her for my own.
“Fuck her, break her, sell her. Kill her if you want. I don’t give a fuck. She’s worthless now that your brat’s with Crew. But the girl is non-negotiable.” He commanded his voice flat.
My eyes narrowed as I wiped blood from my mouth and straightened.
“I’ll get her.”
“Good.” My father smiled thinly.
He picked up the maps, brushing dirt off his suit jacket.
“I’m bringing in help. Some of our old contacts. You’ve proven you can’t handle this alone.”
“Who?” I said teeth grinding.
“Killers. Mercenaries. People who don’t give a fuck about Crew’s reputation. Oh, and a special friend of the Valdez family. Make sure she has all she needs to do her job.” His eyes glistened as he spoke.
“That’ll start a war.” I swallowed hard.
“It already is, dear boy.” He said, clapping me on the shoulder.
He walked smoothly to the door and then turned and stopped.
“Clean yourself up. When they see you next, you’ll be leading an army.” He paused. “And Kyle?”
I blinked.
“Don’t ever mention Kennedy to me again. She’s dead weight. Focus on Timberly.”
I watched him as he left, his words making my heart pound. I could still see Nova’s face twisted in hate when I held her captive. And could almost imagine Crew’s cold eyes as he shot Kennedy. I shivered at the thought. The rage left me bent over the table, breathing hard.
