I hesitate for just a second before I tighten my lips and make my way to the vacant chair next to Teddy. Max goes back to reading whatever is on his phone and sips his coffee. I look over at Dean who hasn’t looked at me since his first glance when I entered the room. I want to yell at him for the way he spoke to me this morning, but I decided against it. I’m sure I’ll get the opportunity before the day is over; besides, I still owe him after he decided knocking me out was a good idea. I can feel Teddy staring at me from the corner of my eye, but I try to ignore him for now. I choose to fixate my gaze back to Max.
“Okay Maxi Pad, now what?” I take a slice of toast and pop its corner in my mouth.
“When will this insipid nickname tire?” Max grinds out.
“When the vein in your neck stops pulsing at the sound of it.” I shrug and begin to add some fruit to my plate.
It looks like the men have finished eating and are now just sipping on their coffee. However, Teddy isn’t drinking coffee. “Is that chocolate milk?” I practically shriek.
“Yes,” They all say in unison.
“Oh my gosh, I love chocolate milk.” I practically groan, hoping they’ll take the hint and get it from the fridge. But instead, they just shake their heads and straighten in their chairs. “Is there anymore?” I ask, pushing to get some of this goddamn chocolate milk. I haven’t had chocolate milk in months.
“You can have the rest of mine,” Teddy pushes his glass towards me.
“Holy fuck, thank you!” I take the glass and take a single sip to just savor it. When I finally look back up, I find shock covered faces-- even the stoic Dean.
“Whaaat?” I drag out the word, suddenly on edge.
“I can’t believe he did that.” Brandon mutters, basically to himself.
I just shoot my confused glance to Max, hoping someone will answer. After a beat, Max finally sighs and answers, “Teddy doesn’t let anyone touch the chocolate milk.” This barely answers the question.
“Bullshit!” Brandon laughs, “Last time I looked at the gallon in the fridge, he tried to choke me!” This catches my attention.
I shoot Teddy a tentative look, “You aren’t going to choke me now, are you?”
“Not unless you want me to, little devil.” He winks. Well… that sends electricity straight to my core, making me clench my thighs. Brandon catches the movement and smirks but mercifully doesn’t comment on it.
I force away the feeling again and correct my face, “You’d have to catch me first.” I shoot him a wink as I take another sip from the chocolate milk.
Nobody says anything for a moment, and of course it’s Max to break the silence. “We have a few items on the schedule today, starting with the enforcements. Dean, I’d like you to take Teddy with you today. Carl’s Laundromat on 1st street and the nail salon on 5th street haven’t paid up in two months. I gave them both leeway last month, but it’s time for them to pay up. I can’t have people thinking we’re forgiving. Teddy, make sure you scare the shit out of them.”
“Pay you for what?” I chime in, trying to catch up to the conversation.
Max looks frustrated with my interruption, but answers me anyway, “For protection. Whether it be from smaller gangs or from law enforcement, many businesses pay us as means for protection. And when they don’t pay, we have to… remind them just howprotectivewe are.” I only nod, and continue to listen while I enjoy my drink, occasionally passing it to Teddy so we can share.
“By any means necessary, we need their missed payments. And Brandon,” Max continues. “I need you to look into our personnel. If we had one leak, I’m sure we have another. You can start with security and then make your way through the lower ranks.” He glances down at his watch and back to Brandon. “After what we learned from Teddy’s interrogation, I think we need to look into Jax at the factory. Apparently, information isn’t the only thing being leaked.”
Jackson White, Jax for short. I’ve heard of him. I know he works in packaging and shipping at the Karmas’ warehouse in east Seattle. I also know for a fact that he’s leaking their product. But what Max just said tells me a lot more than he realizes. Not only do I now know that they have some serious security issues, especially if Jax has gotten away with this for over six months. I also now know that Max isn’t aware of Jax’s other dealings. In fact, he was my next target.
Jax doesn’t just sell the stolen product, but he is also using it to drug girls for the Cambions Circle, more specifically prostitutes, and handing them off to another guy I have yet to identify.
“Zoe, are you even listening?” Max chastises.
“Sorry, yeah. What happened?” I blink away my thoughts.
“I was saying that you and I will be heading downtown this evening. There is a new wing opening in the art museum and we donate yearly, so I have to make an appearance. You will have to be my date.” He explains.
“That’s it?” I snort. “You want me to be your date? The guys get to go do actual work and I have to play show pony for the evening? What am I supposed to do all day?” I scoff.
Max’s jaw ticks in annoyance, and all I want in the world is to see this man break. But he fixed his expression and smiled back at me, “Well, you and I will train this morning. I’d at least like to evaluate your skills in a defensive situation. I’ll take you to the gym in about thirty minutes. I’ve seen what you can do with some weapons, but how are you with firearms?” He asks.
“I’m good with a pistol but I prefer an AR-15, why do you ask?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Just curious.” He winks and stands from his seat. “I’ll give you a few more minutes, once you’re done eating, we’ll head out.” He turns on his heel and saunters off.
I look at the men still sitting with me and they just continue to stare in my direction, mixed expressions. Teddy looks like he’s ready to take me on the breakfast table in front of his brothers, where Brandon looks like he’s still trying to understand what I am, and when my eyes land on Dean… Well, Dean looks like he’s ready to kill me.
