“Sounds too easy,” Ripley says. “They’re trying to do the same thing to us.”
“Except they don’t have me. You do. They can’t get us. Our businesses are legit, and our things are wrapped up in so many layers and accounts that they’ll never find anything. I used to be a digital forensics expert for the feds. I know what they look for.”
“What about the Titans?” King’s left cheek twitches.
“They are a lot harder to frame. They are almost as good as I am.” He cackles. “But unlike the Brennans, they are a family of their word. There’s honor amongst those criminals.”
“King?”
“We’re already in bed with them. I’m more concerned about the Brennans and getting rid of them. The Titans don’t worry me as much. I don’t like them, but all those greedy fucks think about is money. They’re all about business. They’ve never tried to hurt my wife.”
His nostrils flare after that last statement. With King, it’s always going to be personal when it comes to the Brennans, and he’ll have no issues sleeping when they’re all gone.
“Another thing to consider is that the Brennans employ a lot of people in their operations. It’s just the three of us.” I don’t have to say more. They know what I mean. There’s a trust between us. I chose these guys because I saw something in them.This is my business, but we run it together. My plan was always to keep a small, tight circle.
The Brennans don’t, and that will contribute to their downfall.
“I’ve already thought of it.” Preacher lists six members of the Brennans’ operation that would easily flip and snitch to the police to save their own ass. “The Titans run a family business, and they would sooner die than turn on each other. We get rid of the Brennans, and we’re good, but I don’t think we should show all our cards to the Titans. Let’s pretend to let them take the lead. Of course, we’ll have our own plan in place.”
“Speaking of the Titans, they presented me with a legitimate business opportunity, I think we should look into. If we do this, it will be good for our pockets and for Shadow Cove.”
“King, you headed back home tonight?” I check my watch and note that it’s been over two hours since I got here.
“Nah. Eden’s here. We’re staying for a few days. She’s waiting for me at our Airbnb.”
I leave soon after and head to the elevator. That’s when I notice that I have three missed calls from Cori in the last half hour.
I call her back, and she picks up on the first ring.
“Where are you?” she practically yells. “Can you get here, please?”
“What’s wrong?” All I hear is Finch’s barking, and I hope she’s not freaking out over the dog. The elevator doors swing open, and when I step in, the call drops. In the two minutes it takes to get to my floor, my heart nearly flies out of my chest.
I sprint down the hall to our unit, and when I get there, I hear the loud cries of a baby. I open the door, and Cori runs toward me with a screaming baby in her hands. She shoves Ruby into my arms, and the cries lessen, but she’s still unsettled. Finch runs around, barks, and growls.
“That fucking loser came over, and I knew I shouldn’t have let him in. He waited until I went to the bathroom and ran out, leaving his baby here. I came out, and that mongrel almost ate Ruby. Almost bit her head right off, and now Devin won’t answer his phone.” She stomps away. “And she’s got a shitty diaper and no clean diapers in her bag.” She takes the diaper bag and holds it upside down. Only a few articles of clothing fall out. “And all the clothes are dirty. Fucking useless piece of crap.”
Ruby’s yells get louder, so I rub her back. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Uncle Dax is here.” I kiss her temple. “We need to get you some diapers.” I kiss her again, and the loud cries turn into soft whimpers. “Sweetheart, go to the store next door and get her some diapers.”
Cori’s nostrils flare, but she stomps away and returns holding her sneakers and a jacket. “I didn’t even get to take my nap. This is what I get for trying to be nice to his sorry ass. It won’t happen again.”
“Do you know what size diapers to get?” Her head whips back, and she looks at me as if she’s horrified.
“They come in different sizes?”
I sigh and roll my eyes to the ceiling. “Get size three. Get wipes too and some clothes. Get size twelve to eighteen months in the clothes. Hurry. I don’t want her to get a rash.”
Cori heads to the door, and Finch follows.
“You are not coming.” She looks down and points at the dog, who lowers her head and whimpers. She returns fifteen minutes later. After handing me the bag of diapers and wipes, I takeRuby into the bathroom, clean her, and give her a bath. Cori laid out a few onesies for her, so I put her in one. She’s exhausted by the time I finish, and she falls asleep in my arms. I position her in the middle of the bed and surround her with pillows to keep her from rolling off.
Finch lies on the floor, and after rubbing behind her ears, I leave them in the bedroom.
I find my annoyed wife on the couch with one arm thrown over her face. I sit at the end and put her feet on my lap.
“I’m not about to babysit for his sorry ass.”
“She’s sleeping.” I rub her feet the way I know she likes. “And she’s so sweet.”
