It doesn’t take long. Ray comes running from upstairs, Armen from down the hall. Both already have their guns drawn, eyes wide and scanning for threats.
Ray reaches me first. “What’s going on?”
“Thebrothersare here,” I growl, practically snarling at the front door now, every muscle coiled and ready to rip their heads off.
Armen’s eyes widen. “What?”
Ray lets out a sharp whistle, two fingers in his mouth. Like dogs responding to a command, a whole bunch of my men come running from different directions, guns already in hand, looking to me for orders.
I don’t waste words. “The Vanderburn’s are here. Keep your gunsinyour hands. Don’t shoot unless I say soorunless there’s a clear threat, we don’t know what they want. I want four of you to pat them down thoroughly… those fuckers ain’t bringing anything into our home, you understand? Strip them if you have to.”
They all nod sharply. “Yes, boss.”
Four of them immediately move to flank the front door. I point at the rest. “The rest of you cover the other exits. I don’t trust these people.”
They scatter without hesitation. Armen and Ray fall in on either side of me as the doorbell chimes.
I inhale once, slow and controlled, then nod at one of the men by the door. “Open it.”
The door swings open. Mitch and James step inside. Their eyes go wide the second they see me standing here. They’ve never met me in person before, why would they? I don’t waste my time on small-time rats like them; theywerebehaving. They probably didn’t realise how tall I am, how strong, how intimidatingly covered in ink I look when I’m this pissed off.
Mitch murmurs, “Shit,” under his breath.
My four guys move in immediately, patting them down vigorously. One of them, Mave, takes a folder from James’ hand and continues the search.
James starts, “Mr. Sinc…”
“No,” I cut him off, the single word firm and ice-cold, the kind of tone that saysshut the fuck up.
I snatch the folder from Mave and flip it open. The first page is a list of properties, all in Finn’s name. I flick through quickly: bank statements, more properties, and vehicles. At the back there’s more. I snap it shut and look back up at them, eyes narrowed.
Mave nods at me. “They’re clear, boss.”
I nod back, then hold the folder up. “Explain.”
I’m purposely not wasting words on them. I’m still waiting to see what they want before I decide whether to kill them on the spot.
James stammers, “Uh… i-it’s… everything we have on Finn.”
I frown and glance at Ray. Ray shrugs, equally confused.
I look back at them and spit, “What?”
Mitch steps forward slightly, palms up in a placating gesture. “We want to make a deal.”
My blood boils. I storm forward and shove Mitch hard against the wall. Guns instantly click off safety; all pointed at James so I can do what I need to do.
I press my forearm against Mitch’s throat, pinning him there. “You come intomyhomeand ask me for a fuckingdeal?! Your ratty little brother stole what’smine. Do you have any fucking ideawhoChristopher is?!”
Mitch weakly shakes his head under my grip.
I laugh, low and dangerous. “Oh, and toaddto that… about four hours ago the fucker blew up one of my properties! Yetyouthinkyou can make a deal!”
Mitch swallows against my arm and taps it desperately, hoping for air. I growl, making him flinch, then drop him to the floor. He crumples, coughing.
I spin on James, furious. James speaks quickly, like he’s trying to please me. “We’re giving you Finn… you can have him… please, we just want to stay, to rebuild.”
I lean down to his height and narrow my eyes. “You’re beingdisloyalto yourownblood?”
