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He stayed with his family as if he didn’t know what else to do.
“Make this easy, and I’ll spare them.”
Miles dropped his arms and slowly stepped away.
“No!” His wife tried to grab his arm. “Please don’t kill my husband…please.”
Miles didn’t look at her, as if one final look would be too much.
I grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the front of the house, ignoring their loud screams. The rest of my men moved in and secured the perimeter. I dragged Miles to the front of the house and shoved him onto the lawn.
Damien was there, looking at Miles with disgust.
I lifted my pistol and aimed at his forehead. “Kneel.”
Miles raised his arms and slowly moved to the ground.
I stepped forward, bringing the gun closer. “Your brother killed my best cook. I’m sure you know that.”
He gave a slight nod.
“So what do you think is going to happen to you?”
His entire body shook as he avoided looking at the gun. He wanted me to pull the trigger when he didn’t know it was coming, to end his life mercifully.
I wasn’t a merciful guy—and I was fucking pissed off.
“Give me your phone.”
Miles reached into his pocket and withdrew it.
Damien grabbed it and called Maddox, putting it on speakerphone.
It was almost dusk, and the cold wind had a serious bite. It stung our skin as it blew through the countryside. The phone continued to ring until that asshole finally picked up. “Miles, how’s the family?”
Miles stayed quiet.
I spoke into the phone, my aim steady. “Let me paint a picture for you. I’ve got your brother on his knees, a gun pointed to his head, and his wife and kids are sobbing inside the house. It’s time to even the score.”
Maddox was silent.
“You killed my best cook, and now I’ll kill your best brother. Does that sound even?”
More silence.
“Lucky for you, I’m just as good a diplomat as I am a killer. Get the fuck out of my territory and disappear, and your brother lives. If you don’t honor your word, then I’ll kill him and his family next time.”
Miles visibly relaxed, knowing his brother would agree to the terms and spare his life.
Maddox was still quiet, debating my offer. There was no way around the situation. He either had to cave or lose his brother…or live with the blood on his hands. He finally came to a decision. “No.”
Miles took a deep breath.
“No deal,” Maddox said. “Do what you have to do.” He hung up.
Miles lowered his head and started to hyperventilate. He had just been betrayed, his life inferior to the territory his brother wanted to conquer. In his last moments of life, he felt like nothing…nothing at all.
I almost felt so badly for him that I didn’t pull the trigger. But now Maddox turned the tables, and if I didn’t make good on my word, he would never take me seriously ever again. Word would spread that I was a pussy, and I couldn’t have that.
“I’m sorry.” I pulled the trigger.
The gunshot echoed across the countryside with a loud explosion.
Then sobs started from the house once more.
I holstered my gun and looked away from his dead body. “Bury him.” I normally wouldn’t bother, but I didn’t want his wife to see him like this. It wasn’t right.
The men got to work and dug a hole.
Screams came from the house, but they weren’t screams of pain, they were screams of terror.
I entered the house and found his wife pinned down, the kids in the corner as they watched in horror. Two of my men were undressing her.
“Get off her. Now.”
Both men obeyed.
I’d shoot them right then and there, but it wasn’t the place. “Outside.”
They left the house.
The woman yanked her clothes back on then returned to her children, shielding them with her body. She wouldn’t look at me as she trembled, traumatized by everything that had happened. She was scarred for her life…so were her children.
I walked back outside and found the men who’d taken matters into their own hands.
I killed them both. “Leave them.”
I got back into the vehicle with Damien and left the property. We drove down the dirt road until we reached the main highway. Then we began the quiet journey home. I hadn’t accomplished what I set out to do, but I had established Maddox’s mind-set. Overrunning me was his primary goal—and he wouldn’t stop for anything.
Not even family.
I turned to Damien, the man I considered to be a brother. We’d known each other forever, had been side by side through thick and thin. Everything I worked for was important, but never more important than him. “I’d rather lose everything than lose you.”
His eyes softened, and he gave a slight nod. “Me too.”
I sat on the balcony in my sweatpants, not minding the cold air as it hit my bare chest. Helena made me Indian cuisine for dinner, butter chicken with jasmine rice and naan. I took a few bites then let it get cold.
