Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
I got that Bruton was a powerful, dangerous businessman who’d worked with many other powerful, dangerous men, but I wanted nothing more than to put my fist down his throat when he said, “We can do this one of two ways. You can go after them on your own, as can I, or we can advance with our partnership as planned and do it together.”
“And if we work together?”
“We will pool resources and more than likely put an end to this whole thing sooner than later.” Bruton crossed his arms, and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was about to say something I wasn’t going to like. “Personally, I hope you boys go with the latter, and I hope you decide to do so soon.”
“We’ll talk it over.”
“While you’re talking things over, it’s time for you boys to decide if we are moving forward with our partnership. The thirty days are up.” He scoffed before adding, “They’ve been up.”
“Well, we’ve been a little distracted,” Savage grumbled.
“That we have,” Cotton interjected. “But we will get your answer to you by the end of the week.”
“I can give you the extra time, but I’m going to need something from you.”
“And what is that?”
“My buyers have been waiting patiently for their shipment, and it is time that they received it.”
“What does that have to do with us?” Savage snapped.
“He wants us to make the delivery.” I looked over to Savage, and he didn’t seem pleased with the idea. I was tired of sitting around waiting for the Demarco’s return, so I offered, “I can do it.”
Cotton turned and looked at me like I’d lost my fucking mind. “Come again?”
“I’ll do it.” Cotton’s expression didn’t change, so I added, “I’m not trying to overstep, Prez, but it’s gotta be done. We need the time, and he needs the delivery.”
Cotton thought for a moment, then turned to Bruton and asked, “Where’s the load going?”
“Forks... It’s about two hours from here. I can have the buyers there and waiting whenever you’re ready.”
“Fine. We’ll take care of it, but if there is even the slightest hitch, we’re done. All ties to you will be severed.”
“Understood,” Bruton answered confidently. “When would you want to meet?”
“The sooner, the better.”
“I’ll make the arrangements.”
Bruton took out his phone, then stepped away to make the call. Cotton then turned to Torch and said, “You’re going with Wrath. I want you both ready within the hour.”
“You got it, Prez.”
Once Cotton set his mind to something, there was no changing it, so I didn’t bother arguing. I simply nodded in agreement. A few hours later, Torch and I were loaded up in my SUV and pulling through the Fury gate. I glanced up at the rearview mirror at Bruton’s cargo in the back, making sure it was secured. We’d gone over every inch of it, again and again, and there were no trackers to be found. That should’ve made me feel better, but it didn’t.
The last meet was still fresh on my mind, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d made a mistake volunteering to do it again. It was too late now. The brothers were counting on Torch and me to get the job done, and that’s exactly what we were going to do—even if it meant putting our lives on the line.
The winding roads stretched out before us, lined with towering trees that seemed to whisper warnings as we passed. They didn’t do much to help the knot that was growing in the pit of my stomach. Noting my unease, Torch turned to me and asked, “How long did it take for you to realize that the last drop was going south?”
“About two seconds in. That’s when the bodies started dropping.”
“No shit?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t pretty.”
“Any chance of that happening again?”
“I certainly hope not.”
I knew the chances were slim, but the possibility was still there. The men we were about to meet had direct ties with Bruton. That alone told me they weren’t good old country folks who made it to church every Sunday. These men would be nothing of the sort, but then again, neither were we.
We’d been driving for just over an hour when we finally arrived at the designated meeting point—an old barn tucked away from prying eyes. I parked the SUV and killed the engine, and an eerie silence fell over us, amplifying my unease. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before Bruton’s buyers pulled up next to us, and the driver rolled down his window. “Mr. B. send you?”
“Yeah.”
He gave me a nod, then parked. Before we got out, I turned to Torch and ordered, “Stay close and don’t say a word.”
He nodded, then followed me to the back of the truck. I told myself it was just like any other meet as the two men approached. Both were wearing all black and were built like fucking linebackers. Their jaws were tight, and neither said a word as they watched me open the trunk. It was a tense moment, filled with unspoken threats and potential consequences.