Stone steps back, and his pristine white shirt is covered in blood. Another guard appears out of nowhere with a duffel bag.I watch as Stone strips out of his clothes and dumps the bloody pants and shirt in a plastic bag.
“Thank you, cousin,” he says to the new guard. He’s given a towel, and he wipes his head and chest. He throws that towel in the bag, too, before he puts on an oversized jumpsuit. “Make it look like a suicide,” he says to the guard. “Bedsheets. He lost the will to live after he was beaten up a few days ago.” His cousin nods, and Stone pulls out a wad of cash from his bag to pay the guards. Once I give the guard my portion of the payment, he hands Stone the duffel bag, and we walk out.
We don’t speak after leaving the jail. Preacher heads toward the highway as if he’s going home, but Ripley and I take two different paths to the old diner where we first met.
We’re seated in the back for ten minutes before Steel and Stone arrive. Stone is back, wearing an outfit identical to the one he wore before he fucked up Brennan.
“Gentleman.” Stone gives us a curt nod. His brother does the same. Steel sits next to me, and Stone grabs a chair from a nearby table. “I’m tired, Steel’s going to get right to the point.”
I’m sick of dealing with weird fucking siblings, is my first thought, but at least the Titans are united. They would never have a breach like the Brennans.
“We have a need, and you will fulfill it.” Steele Titan doesn’t waste time. “You owe us.”
“What the fuck do we owe you for?” The question comes from Ripley, but he should already know the answer.
“We don’t deal with drug money,” I remind our guests.
“Tough shit.” Stone Titan doesn’t mince words either. “Since when are you so fucking ethical? Drug money made you.Wemade you. That little shitty diner your daddy was running was about to be shut down until we approached him. It’s time to come back home, Hunt.”
“Not a matter of ethics. It’s a matter of survival.”
“And we want to survive as much as you, Dax.” Steel inches closer. “You,” he gestures at Ripley, “Almost beat Brennan to death and pointed the finger at us, and we handled it. Hell, I don’t blame you. Any man who would dare to put his hands on my wife will sign his own death certificate, but that doesn’t negate one very important detail.” He jabs his index finger on the linoleum table. “You fucking owe us.” He leans back. “It’s business, gentleman, and you will be well compensated. You can leave the hustle after this, should you desire. We are.”
“Brennan hurt your daughter, Steel, and we informed you. King gave him a good dose of street justice. I say we are fucking even.”
“King didn’t do that shit for my daughter. Let’s be real. He did what he did for his wife. Have you ever met a Titan woman? My daughter almost shot his eye out,” Steel says. “Regardless, we took the blame for you. As I said, this will be the last time.”
Bullshit. They’ve been saying that for almost a decade. They’ve had ample opportunity, and each time they stay because the money is just too good. Eventually, their luck will run out, and I want no part of it.
“It’s true.” It’s like Stone can read my mind. “I’m out, and these fucking losers can’t do shit without me.” He looks at his brother, and Steel nods. “We’re rich enough. My kids are almost grown. It’s time I sit back and enjoy life. Maybe find a woman.”
I almost choke at his last statement. “I’ll warn all the women of the world, then.” Stone’s brows crease. “I think you should stick to getting a dog.”
“You think King can get a woman, and I can’t?” Stone seems affronted by the thought.
“Those seem to be the facts,” I state. “Ripley didn’t just get a woman. Getting a woman is easy, but King’s kept his. Can you do that?”
“If getting a woman is so easy, how come I can’t get one?” Preacher tosses his hands in frustration.
“Because you’re a fucking weirdo,” Steel snaps. “Who the fuck would want to be with you?”
“How much?” Ripley asks, totally ignoring our conversation.
“How much are you going to make, or how much cash do we have?” Steel asks.
“Both,” I answer for my friend.
“Enough to retire you.” Steel looks around. “God, I wish I had a cigarette, but Nadine will go upside my head.” He pulls a stick of gum out of his pocket and puts it in his mouth. “Always a fucking disappointment.”
“Fifteen percent. That’s my price tag.” It’s three times as much.
“Fuck outta here. We’ll meet you in the middle at seven point five.” Stone looks at his watch and appears bored, but I know he’s not. His left cheek twitches, and I know he’s doing calculations in his head.
“I don’t want any parts of this.”
“Tough shit, Hunt. Tough fucking shit.” Steel looks at Ripley. “You want the Brennans coming after your woman. What’s her name again? Eden? Beautiful name.” Steel smirks. “Beautiful woman. Didn’t think she would be your type, though.” His lips twitch after the last statement.
“Leave my wife’s name out your fucking mouth.” Ripley is about two seconds from pulling out his gun, and the Titans are not ones to back down, so I need to diffuse this quickly.
