“Mind telling me where we’re headed?” I finally ask when he takes a hard left into a parking lot.
“The car.” Hazard lights blink on a black Suburban.
“That ego is still alive and well, I see.” I slip off my backpack before climbing into the passenger seat.
“As alive and annoying as that snarky mouth.” Declan throws the truck into reverse, and we’re on our way. To where, only he knows. He seems to want to keep all information privy.
Which isn’t helpful to me in the least bit.
“So now that we’re in close, private quarters, want to read me in so I know I’m not walking straight into my untimely death?”
Declan exercises his right to remain silent as we drive.
My patience is seriously starting to wear as thin as a stretched-out piece of taffy.
“Would that be so bad?” He glares at the road in front of him. We’re heading out of the city but staying close to the river’s edge.
“For me, yes, for you? Ronan would determine that.”
The mention of Ronan’s name seems to agitate him slightly. He tenses, sighs, and tightens his grip around the black steering wheel, causing the leather to creek.
“Fine,” he surprisingly caves.Hallelujah.And I didn't even need to draw my gun. A few more minutes of his willful opposition, and I would have. “The guy’s name is Jury Mullins, or Fatty, as we know him. He runs a shipping dock that Ronan works guns and drugs out of. Been in business with the family for years, but Fatty started getting greedy and skimming off the top. Ronan got wind. It should have been an easy in and out for me. Fatty is a big pussy. Doesn’t like conflict. Or at least, he didn’t.”
“Is that where you got that pretty gash on your face?” I ask.
Declan nods, none too happy.
“The crazy motherfucker came after me with a fishhook the size of his meaty hand.” He lets go of the steering wheel and holds up a curved finger. “I wanted to kill him right then, but I needed to know where he stashed the money. He wouldn’t talk, stubborn fucking fat man. So, I cased him for a few days. Followed him, and his associates. And I finally tracked down the loot. It’s at one of his warehouses on the dock. He’s not the brightest spark, if you ask me. There’s a couple of armed guards inside. Nothing I can’t handle on my own. I told Ronan I had it covered. But here you are anyway.” He huffs, making no qualms about my presence. I should really feel offended, but I don’t. Fuck him.
“So, me being here will just make it that much quicker and easier to get Ronan’s money and be gone.” I put my foot up on the dashboard, rest my elbow on my knee, and finger-brush my dark bangs.
“It better be. Ronan can’t stop fucking talking about you. You better live up to the hype.”
“Baby, I will exceed your expectations,” I assure him.
Declan dares to sneak a glance at me. I smile at him. All confidence.
“Fantastic.” The sarcasm is painfully evident. I’m beginning to find some amusement in his prickly attitude. I get the feeling he’s the type of guy who finds everything wrong with the world, blames everyone else for his problems, and gets offended way too easily.
You know how I see those people? Fun to fuck with.
Declan parks behind some CONEXs stacked three high. The position is cleverly hidden, but still provides us with a decent view of the building.
I get why he thinks Fatty isn’t the sharpest pencil in the box. The warehouse is mostly windows and doors. Lots of entrances and exits, and a challenge to secure. If I wanted to keep my stolen money safe, this definitelywouldn’t be the first place I pick.
“So, what’s the plan?” I’m on the edge of my seat here.
Declan shares his first genuine grin with me. It’s shit-eating and devious. He nods his head and opens the driver’s side door. Walking around the back of the truck, he pops the trunk. I follow, inspecting the sparse contents in the cab. One black briefcase and a roll of paper.
“This is your plan?” I’m not impressed.
“Yup.” He grabs for the case and opens it gently.
“Holy shit.” I immediately recognize what’s inside. “You’re going to blow the place up?”
“Nah, I’m just going to open it up a bit. Give Fatty a nice view of the river.”
“That’s a lot of C-4. It’s going to do more than open the building upa bit.”
