“Show some respect, King. That beautiful, Black queen is safe because we took the blame.” Steel never raises his voice. He doesn’t need to. He commands a room with only his presence, but King isn’t one to take orders, especially from anyone who mentions his wife. “All we ask is for your services, complete witha big payday. You’re getting the most out of this deal, and you get to go home every day to your lovely wife.”
“Steel, this motherfucker put his hands on your daughter. We did you a fucking favor. Don’t act like you hold all the cards.”
“I might not hold all the cards, Hunt, but my hand looks a lot fucking better than yours.” We all go silent. Steel relaxes his shoulders and smiles like a man with no worries. “We’ve all worked well together in the past. What’s one more time? And since you don’t like to get your hands too dirty, we’ll take care of the rest of the Brennans should they become an issue.”
Steel sticks out his hand as if we already have a deal.
“I can take care of the Brennans,” Ripley says.
“King, you can, but let’s just say that we have more experience than you in eliminating undesirables. And you’re angry at them. You need to be clinical, not emotional.” They do have experience in handling undesirables, but my operation is not violent. Not unless we have to, and we haven’t needed to until the Brennans. “Think about it this way, if you go away for this, that beautiful wife of yours will spend years missing you.”
“Didn’t I tell you to stop talking about my wife?” King growls.
“You did. And?” Steel scoffs.
“Twelve percent, and it’s a deal.” I eye King and warn him to be quiet with just a look. I stick out my hand to Steel, but he doesn’t take it.
“Fuck no.” Stone looks up as if my demand is outrageous. “Nine, and that’s the highest.”
“Ten,” I counter. “I don’t like to deal with odd numbers. I’m going to have a family to feed soon. And I’ll want our ten percent up front in a lump sum, not over time. And this will take time, gentleman. Preacher is thorough.”
Steel cackles. “Who in their right fucking mind would settle down with you? But I guess if King can find a woman.” Hesnorts at the thought. “Fine. Ten.” His hand wraps around mine. He then extends it to Ripley, and he takes it too. “Congrats on your marriage, King. Let me know where you’re registered, and I’ll have Nadine send a gift.”
“This uncouth motherfucker has a wife, and I get to go home to a cold bed,” Stone snorts. “Life just isn’t fair sometimes.”
Chapter 19
Cori
Why not him? Why not? Is it because he runs a money laundering empire? No. I’m pretty sure I don’t give a shit about that. Who decides what’s legal and what’s not? Rich, powerful white men. So what if Daxton Hunt works the system to his benefit and gets away with it? It’s about time someone like him did.
He’s made Shadow Cove better because of it. There are employment opportunities. Property value has gone up, and the schools are better. There’s a free after-school program that I’m positive he is funding. No kid goes without a school lunch. New businesses are opening in and around Shadow Cove, and I’m sure that’s because of him.
The town is also safer. Shadow Cove was never a dangerous place, but a few years ago, there were numerous reports of car thefts and break-ins. Since he’s come to town, that’s gone away.
But he’s also heavy-handed, manipulative, and controlling. That’s my issue with the man. My father was nowhere near ascontrolling as Selene’s, but he’s manipulative. I don’t want to be with a man like that.
When he returned to my apartment in the middle of the night, he brought clothes with him, and some of his things hang in my closet. If they are still there tonight, I’m going to take them to the incinerator.
I don’t want a relationship. I want to start my own business. I hope that in a few years, I will be able to focus full-time on my wedding dress designs. And I want to do it all on my own. I’ve saved for it. I’ve planned. I’ve put together a business plan, and I’ve budgeted for it.
“What are you thinking about?” He looks straight ahead as he drives us.
“I’m not paying rent anymore.” His brows crease.
“What?”
“Can you not drive like an old lady going to a church revival? Speed it up. I’m hungry.”
“I’m doing the speed limit.”
“Where are we going?” He promised me brunch, but we already passed Paulene’s. “Are we going into Boston? I’m too hungry for such a long drive. Turn around, and let’s go to Paulene’s. They have a good brunch, and I’m thirsty. Those bottomless mimosas won’t drink themselves.” I wiggle my brows at him. “I’m not a gold digger, but I do appreciate your deep pockets when it comes time to eat.”
“I’m glad being with me provides some perks.”
“I’m not with you.”
“Yeah, okay.”
