Page 15 of Rough Start

“They were sick of inflation, so they insisted on trying the goods before buying,” Grier added.

“That’s insulting,” Max said, rapping a knuckle on the table.

“That’s what Kye said,” Grier continued. “He played it cool, though, let them try a gram. Even offered to buy out all their diluted stock while they thought over the decision.” Max gave Kye an angry look, but before he could say anything Kye chimed back in.

“What the west side didn’t know was that we were already meeting with the north and east who jumped at the offer. We gave them their bulk order at sixty-percent the cost with the understanding they were not to cross territories or buy from their old manufacturers, and they had to surrender their old stock.”

“So, we got the monopoly in two territories?”

“Three,” Grier added excitedly. “South side heard about our offer and jumped at it. By the time west side came around, they were iced out of every district and had no back stock. Kye charged them double the price for half the supplies. They had no choice but to agree.”

“Ha!” Max exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table, the colored poker chips rattling. “That’ll teach ‘em to question our quality.”

“It gets better,” Grier practically shouted. “They were so desperate to keep up with the other districts, they put down payment on the next four months of purchase plus ten percent if we sell to them first. Word spread to Watertown we were driving a hard bargain, and they straight up offered over our asking price to ensure business.”

“What about the diluted drugs?”

“We dropped them at our warehouse. Roz said he could melt them down, filter them, and have them ready for redistribution in a week or so,” Kye finished.

“Boys, you did damn good,” Max said proudly as he stood and placed a fatherly hand on each of their shoulders. “Here I thought I’d sent you on a typical recon, but you surprised me. Get your bikes to the shop to get cleaned up. I’m going to think up a fat reward for you two.” Grier was quick to race off, but Kye was halted by Max’s strong hand still on his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, son. You’ve done well this last month with us. Never thought Hal could tell his own face from the ass-end of a dog, but he sure saw talent in you.”

“Thanks, Max,” Kye said sincerely. Whether he’d admit it to himself or not, he was eager for the approval of the hulking man.

“Why don’t you meet me in the bunker after you drop your gear off? I have a surprise for you.” Kye only nodded before heading out front. It only took him a few minutes to get his bike to the shop and retrieve his backpack. The first thing he did was pull out his cell phone and send off a quick text.

Back from my college visit, beautiful. Can’t wait to see you.

He had just entered the bunker where a few extra bedrooms were located for those who chose to sleep over or were too drunk to leave when he got her reply.

Meet me at the tree?

Knowing his foster parents weren’t expecting him until later, Kye was ready to send his reply when a hand pulled him into the closest room.

“What the…” His words were cut off by a set of red lips pressed against his. After a moment of standing in shock, he pushed the person off and flicked on the light. Standing in front of him, in nothing but a bra and jean shorts, was the blonde from before. “I think you got the wrong room,” Kye said and began opening the door.

“Oh no, I’m in the right place.” She laughed and closed the door with a firm push of her hand. Kye turned and got a full face view of her chest as she pinned her hands on either side of him.

“Shouldn’t you be looking for Max?” he asked, feeling blood rush in his ears.

“Who do you think sent me?” she asked, trailing a manicured finger down his chest. “Surprise,” she teased, and Kye felt his face pale as she started kissing his neck.

“Listen, I’m, uh… flattered, but no thanks,” he stuttered as he took her by the arms and held her at a distance. Her ruby red lips pursed into a pout, and she must have had something in her eye the way her lashes started fluttering.

“You don’t like me?”

“I have a girl.”

“Oh, is that all?” she said, laughing and wrapping her arms around his neck. “Honey, every guy out there has a girl. This isn’t marriage, it’s payment.” She yanked him down for a hard kiss, and the way her body pressed against him so firmly made all lucid thought fly out of his brain. She smelled strongly of sweet perfume. Her skin was warm, and her tongue was hot as it entered his mouth.

“Really, I can’t. I can’t,” Kye said as strongly as he could. Having taken her by the hips to move him off of her, he was only vaguely aware he had yet to remove them.

“Listen,” she said sternly, her doe eyes going narrow. “You’re new here, so you don’t quite understand what’s at stake. I’m Max’s when I ride up with the others from Vermont. If he’s offered to share with you, that’s a big deal,” she said, prodding him in the chest. “Not only will Max be offended if you refuse, but he’s also going to be pissed. Know what that means for me? I lose position. Do you know how hard I worked to get from blow jobs to arm candy? I’m not about to lose that because you want to take the moral high ground. If you think he’s just going to be angry with me, you’re wrong. He’s going to be plenty pissed at you too. You’ll be scraping gum off the bottom of the pool table the rest of your life if you don’t play your cards right. So…” she said, taking a step back from him, “…be a good boy”— she continued as she unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor— “…and just say ‘thank you’ after we’re all done.”

She closed the gap and started kissing him again. Her fingers moved quickly as they unbuttoned his shirt, and the heat of her bare chest against his made parts of him go rigid. Kye couldn’t help the groan as she slid one hand down his pants and began rubbing him.

“That’s it,” she said in his ear before biting his earlobe. She took hold of his pants by the belt and turned to push him down onto the cot. Like a cat in heat, she straddled him and began yanking his pants down. Kye felt powerless against his fragile position in the gang and to his own hormones that were screaming for more of this eager woman. His resolve relented the moment his pants were off and her mouth found more than just his lips to devour. Laying back on the bed, every nerve in his body tingling, he didn’t see his cell phone on the floor as it silently rang with a picture of Eliana lit up on the screen.

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