Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
I am aware that recently some shipments have been going astray, and our buyers are demanding an explanation. Gordon assures me they are going missing after they leave our hands, and the problem is not ours. I don’t entirely trust my father’s right-hand man, so I thought I would do some digging around and do a stock-check for myself.
I’ve been running the day-to-day side of the business since Da took ill. He’s not been in the office for a while now, but he is still working with me behind the scenes when he feels well enough. The organisation and the men who work for it will always belong to my father, and I hope one day he will be strong enough to take back the reins.
I’ve managed to keep our noses clean since taking over as boss. There hasn’t been the violence and killings like there were when my father was solely in charge, and the men who work for us have stayed out of jail.
Hadrian’s arrival can only mean one of two things—Da has been doing some deals behind the scenes that I’m not aware of, or someone has fucked up and our organisation is responsible for the missing shipments. I’ve a feeling there’s a storm’s about to rage along the Tyne, and I’m going to have to find a way to ride it out.
My stomach knots with anxiety that something is wrong. Even though this isn’t the life I would’ve chosen for myself, I want to make Da proud. He’s entrusted me with the shipments and with the men who have only ever answered to him, and he trusts me to make the right decisions for our future.
When I pull up to the house I grew up in, our security opens the gates to let me through. I’d planned to go back to my place, the one I bought as a hideaway, but I need to see Gordon. He’s been investigating the missing shipments for me, but he hasn’t found anything yet, which means he’s either hiding shite from me, or he’s actually as useless as I believe him to be.
Killing the engine, I hop out of the car and head to the front door, which opens before I reach it. Standing in front of me is Gordon. Since my father’s health started to decline, Gordon has never left Da’s side. He didn’t want my father to step back from the business, and he’s never accepted me as the boss. I know he believes that he should’ve been put in charge while my father is ill and is angry that Da chose me.
I always feel that Gordon is watching me, judging me. He’s the type of man who believes women should be pregnant and preparing meals in the kitchen, rather than running around with a gun and in charge.
“Where ye been?” Gordon asks as he steps aside to let me into the house.
Frustration blooms in my gut, but I don’t snap at him. The last time I did, I learnt he doesn’t take kindly to women standing up for themselves.
“Out,” I tell him simply.
I make my way into the kitchen, and he follows close behind. The house isn’t nearly big enough as far as I’m concerned. If it was, I’d be able to escape his beady fucking eyes. Those black orbs probe into me, trying to break the shield I’ve surrounded myself with.
“You know the business needs a man with a level head. Someone like me.” His reminder that he wants to take over is clear. He may not come right out and demand it, but I know that’s what he wants.
I fill the kettle with water and click it on to boil. If I could throw the scalding liquid in Gordon’s face, I would. But I know it would bring hell down on me, and that’s the last thing I want.
“If you’d bring me the information I asked you to find, it would give me more confidence in your abilities,” I throw back as anger takes a hold of me.
I’m still shaken from seeing Hadrian. If he’s back, then I’m sure his brother is too. My father hired the twins to collect for him, and they were good at what they did. Hades loved it, but Hadrian always had guilt and regret dancing in his eyes.
The twins were the most popular young men in South Shields, maybe even Newcastle, when they first moved up. Everyone knew and respected Hadrian and Hades. It was as if they had magnets attached. Girls wanted to be with them, and lads wanted to be them.
“I hear there are some people looking for your father,” Gordon says then, and I halt all movement.
Gordon hasn’t replied to my query about his investigation, but he’s clearly heard about the twins being back in town.
Shit.
I was hoping to keep it a secret from him, but I should’ve known it wouldn’t be long before he found out.