Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“Better than good.” Seamus sounds elated. “This fucking truck is packed with the good stuff. I’m talking high-grade heroin. My guys are testing it now, and they are very pleased.”
“We’re talking a multi-million shipment.”
“Tens of millions, most likely. This is a fucking jackpot.”
“Russians are going to be very eager to get this back.”
“We’ll see about that. I might want to keep a taste. You know, for my trouble.”
“Whatever you need, brother.”
“See what we can accomplish when we work together?”
I smile to myself, feeling strong and proud. “Damn right. Glad I’m back in the fold.”
“See you back home.”
The connection goes dead. I take out the earpiece and shove it into my pocket, grinning to myself.
I can’t remember the last time I worked a job with other people. I’ve been a solo hunter, working from the shadows, scaring the shit out of New York with my ruthless kills. Normally, I get up close and strangle my victims.
Tonight was different. I was a part of something bigger. A cog in a machine raining hell down on my enemies.
And I fucking liked it.
I didn’t know working with my brothers could feel this good.
Honestly, I didn’t know it could feel like anything at all.
My car’s parked about ten minutes south. I take my time and make a phone call as I head in that direction, enjoying this newfound sense of accomplishment.
“What do you want?” Taras’s voice sounds hushed, like he’s whispering. I can hear laughter in the background. I’m guessing he’s at some fancy party right now with all his powerful Russian friends while I’m out on the street fucking him deep in his puckered little ass.
“Out to dinner?” I ask gruffly. “It’s funny. I’ve always found when there’s an important shipment coming through, it’s better to be there in person.”
A short pause. I hear him cursing quietly in Russian and the noise of the restaurant fades. “What the fuck did you do?” he snarls.
“It’s mine now, Taras. What’s your father going to say when he hears that you fucked this up?”
“I’m going to cut your goddamn throat.”
“Actually, you’re going to get down on your knees and grovel.”
“Like fucking hell. You’ve gone too far now, Whelan scum. I don’t care who you are or what you can do. This means war.”
“Well, that’s one reaction. But there’s another way.” I pause for a moment and listen to his heavy, angry breathing. Poor bastard might have a heart attack here and now. That’d be a real pain in the ass. I still need him. “You are going to get your father in a room with my old man. We’re going to cut a deal.”
“Why the fuck would I do that?” he explodes.
“Because your life is on the line. Either I’ll kill you or your father will. And with the money we stand to make selling all your lovely drugs, we’ll arm our entire family to the teeth and make sure we bury your fucking organization deep in the earth.” Another pause. Sounds like the fucker’s having an aneurysm over there. “Or you can be smart.”
“This will never work.”
I reach my car and open the trunk. The gun fits perfectly nestled under a tarp. “Your father got to his position for a reason. He’s not stupid. He knows we have the upper hand.”
“Then why negotiate?”
I smile as I climb in behind the wheel. “Because I’m a family man now. My wife doesn’t want me to kill you and all your relatives. Not that she’ll stop me, but she won’t be happy, and I hate disappointing her.”
He barks a disbelieving laugh. “You’re fucking crazy.”
“Probably, which means a crazy fucker’s holding a knife to your throat. What’s it going to be? Twist around and get yourself killed?”
There’s another silence. Finally, he lets out a frustrated growl. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Make it happen. Tell your father to send a message to mine in the next two days. If we don’t hear anything, I’ll assume the war is on, and you know where my first stop’s going to be.”
“Even if we make peace, I won’t ever forget this,” Taras says softly. “I’m not the kind of man that forgives.”
I cluck my tongue, shaking my head. “God, you’re so fucking stupid. Good luck with that grudge.”
I hang up the phone and lean back.
What a lovely night’s work.
Bianca might not love all the blood on my hands, but she’ll be happy when this is all over.
Chapter 37
Cormac
Bianca wrings her hands together, looking nervous. “Did it have to be here?” she whispers, craning her neck toward the large conference room.
“Your office was the best place, honestly. It’s going to play a part in the deal we’re about to cut.”
“How’s that?” She frowns at me but holds up a hand before I can reply. “Actually, I don’t want to know. I’m just here to sign my name on paperwork, remember?”