“You heard me. O’Dell’s are movin’ in on our guns. The dope will be next. Is this news to you?”
He sighed into the phone.“Ace wouldn’t do that. He’s loyal. It’s not like he needs the money.”
“No? Maybe it’s not about the money, Finn. Maybe it’s about thepower. And if he wouldn’t do that, then tell me why I’m about to go bust up a little meet-cute at his warehouse with Jonas and Kendall fucking O’Dell.”
“There’s no way. And if you’re right, Malek…that’s the last place you need to be, brother. They’ll kill you quicker than—”
“No, they won’t. If you wanna play my role, then meet me at the location I’m about to send you and own it like a righthand should. But to be clear…you’ll never be me, Finley. And I wouldn’t wish it on you.”
“Mal—”
Call ended.
I counted at least five cars around this shithole. I parked the Nova in the woods about a five-minute hike from the warehouse and snuck into the back where several wooden crates of various model pew-pew’s are waiting to be shipped out to our buyers. Thing is…this shipment should have already been gone. It was documented and invoiced over a week ago.
These fucking snakes…
At least it’s making a good cover for me to play spy while they hash out whatever in the middle of the space. I can see Jonas in yet another tailored gray suit…and Kendall—Ha…Kendall’s little hand is still wrapped in bandages. I’d give anything to douse it in gasoline and strike a match. Only problem with this warehouse is that it’s built out of cheap metal and sets every sound bouncing off of every wall in it. I can’t make out a clear word or tell who’s sayin’ what. Never been much of a lip reader, except when it comes to a pair below the waist.Wink.
I crouched down, following another row of crates, and made sure my shadow wasn’t visible under the dim fluorescent lights flickering over me. I’m trying to keep quiet, but they’ve got the place blanketed in old, moldy hay. It’s forcing me to move only when somebody’s talking loud enough to mask the sound.
“If Nolan was smart, he’d kill the old bastard and stop frontin’ trades that we all know is a smokescreen. I’m not interested in paneling a pishin’ contest, Jonas.”
Jonas took a step towards Ace, sticking his hands in his pockets and sporting the same crooked smile he used to use to get under my skin. The kind that practically shows the silver spoon up his tight ass. “Not askin’ ya to. What my ole’ man does is his own business. Let him dig his own grave. Callum thinks this batch is already overseas, does he not? He’s got his money. His little princess is the bargainin’ chip that seals this deal, anyway. She’s got a little over a week left of her freedom. It’s all in place.”
“Sound confident about that, lad. You forget that ‘yer little chip is protected by theprince, and if you were at least a shade brighter than ‘yer father, you’d not underestimate the unstable mind of a reaper.”
Well, I’ll take that as a compliment, Acey boy. Not wrong.
“I’m not worried about Malek. He’s easy to track. Key player on that side is still on the chessboard.” Key player…the dipshit must not have noticed that Conor wasn’t present at the banquet. Just shows how much the fucker thinks he knows.
Ace smiled broadly, glancing at Kendall’s bandaged hand. “The way I hear it, youshouldbe worried about him. Callum Byrne is a bold enough line to cross, Jonas. But the risk I’m takin’ with Malek is somethin’ even I,myself, am wise enough to consider processin’. He’s rogue. Which makes him even more unpredictable. The price has doubled.”
“That’s horse shite,” Jonas bit.
“Maybe. But if you want to snatch the reins on the distribution of these guns, you’ll need me, Jonas O’Dell. I’m the only supplier with enough reach to spread it past Belfast, or Ireland itself for that matter. I’ve got prospects waitin’ in Edinburgh, greater London,andParis. If you wanna have ‘yer name stamped on the label, you gotta learn how to be a big boy. That means playin’ smarter in the sandbox, lad.”
The son of a cunt only offered to push us through Irish soil…never past it. Didn’t even offer the chance. The merge was just as much bullshit as I thought it was, and goddamn my father for not seein’ it. Bridget is just a piece on the board, and now I don’t even have a clue as to howbiga piece.
“How much more?” Jonas asked.
“Fifty.”
Kendall growled under his breath, pressing his gimp hand to his holster. Jonas looked ready to blow a gasket, but threw a hand out to settle his baby brother and back him off.
“Done. Two weeks. Gimme that and we move to push the dollar. Deal?”
Ace eyed him for a long minute, but grunted his approval and reached a hand out. I’ve got a good mind to hack it the fuck off. They shook on it, and I took it as my cue to slip out the back before everybody dispersed. I took a gamble. Out of the cars parked out here, I recognized at least two that looked to have some shiny new back windows. I guessed the gaudy, silver SUV likely belonged to Jonas. Seems like a prissy ride. So that had to mean that the dark blue one was Kendall’s. Time to make a decision. I’ve already got an edge with baby brother’s trigger hand being a bit…faulty.
Mischievous face.
He’ll be my little bitch tonight. I’m gonna save Jonas for Bridget. Especially now. I snuck around the back of Kendall’s truck and as luck would have it…the hatch is unlocked. I got in and laid down beside an arsenal of weapons that probably cost him a small fortune. Good. It’ll make me one when I hock it. I stayed low, listening to car doors slamming and gravel crunching as the rest of the lot left the party. When Kendall didn’t immediately get inside, I wondered if maybe I had the wrong truck. I peeked over the back glass, and he was talking to Jonas, who clapped him on the shoulder before climbing into hisdriver’s side. He’s coming now. I reached into the waist of my jeans, getting my fairly new, serrated hunting knife and started preparing myself. Viper has the first day off I’ve seen on her schedule in a while. She won’t be happy about having to clean one night after we buried Igor’s little harlot…but I’ll make it up to her.
Kendall was cussing in Irish growls when he finally dumped himself into the truck. He made a call, and I heard Jonas’s car leaving beside us. I waited, gripping the handle of my knife and thinking about all the ways I’d watch him bleed out. My palms are itching.
“Aye. We’re done. Two weeks, and I’ve got the okay to fly out with the guns…I know. It’s gonna cost us, but I’m comin’ home, mate. ‘Yer arse is as good as mine.” I raised an eyebrow, slowly turning my head behind the seat and cracking a slow smile.Wait…is he…“Mmm…it’ll be raw. Two years too long. They’ll find cum in our ribcage after the weekend. Aye, send it. I’ll send ‘ye mine. Fuckin’ right, ‘ye will.Slán, little bitch.” I could hear the smile in his voice. Sothat’sthe real reason he tried to sway Bridget from choosing him at the banquet. Shoulda known. I bit down on my lip, smiling like a jackal.
He made himself busy, apparently getting ready to have a modeling gig with his little cock, and I took that opportunity to silently creep over the back seat, and crouch behind the driver’s side. I waited until I knew he had it out and heard the digital shutter start popping off, and then…I made my move. And fuck, does it feel good. Kendall had his tiny pecker in his hand, phone hovering at—well, I’ll give him this one—acleverfucking angle. I’ll have to remember this little trick. I whipped my knife around the headrest, pressing it to his Adam’s apple, and inching him back against the seat while we met eyes in the rear-view mirror. I grinned at him, sporting my dimple.
