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He laughs, amused.
“But I’ve killed bigger fish and not lost a wink of sleep. Don’t think for one second I’d think twice about killing you and going back alone.”
“Kill me with what?” he asks, casting an eye over me. “Your mouth isn’t even near sharp enough, and I know you ain’t carrying.”
“Want to bet?”
I’m completely unarmed, but my dear old dad always told me that the idea of an impending threat was always more powerful than the actual action itself. I don’t want to hurt Sean, but I want him to worry I could if I choose to.
“Frisk me if you want.” My lips twitch with a smirk. “I dare you.”
“You’re a fucking psycho.”
The talk Beckett gave me about how no man could have me but him was very sweetly extended to his men. He was adamant about closing me off from everyone else so I can be solely his.
“You know, you boys really need to think of a new word for me. I’m starting to get bored.”
I walk away, leaving Sean with the duffle bag, and move towards the building we’ve been arguing in front of. I’ve been told nothing and been given no instruction. I just turn up, set a bag down, and let the owner do the rest. My assumption is the poor fella I killed the other day had a rapport with the people on The Company’s payroll.
“Are you coming in or staying out here?”
“I’ll be out here, Ma’am, if you need me.”
Apparently, Sean is a quick learner on the respect aspect.
I walk in and quickly notice it’s a wholesaler of wood and materials. Places like this were always a hot spot for hiding drug stashes when I was younger, but The Company got smarter, and rather than lose territory to other gangs, my father started offering protection. We kept our city in our clutches, and businesses remained able to work without the threat of being abused for more illegal activity.
“Can I help you?”
The man behind the counter watches me closely, obviously confused by my sudden appearance. I look out of place, and that raises an eyebrow.
“I’m here to collect.”
I drop the bag onto the counter and fix him with a look. My impatience is almost too much right now and I’m trying to tamp it down.
“You’re not the normal guy.”
I resist an eye roll but can’t resist the way my nostrils flare. “He’s otherwise engaged. Mr Knight sent me in his place.”
“Engaged doing what?”
I frown. “I don’t see why that’s any of your business.”
“I don’t trust anyone but Cole.”
“Well, unfortunately, you’re going to have to.”
I knew this was going too smoothly. Everyone handed over their money easily, but there’s always one that has to argue.
“Now, I have my man, Sean, on the door, so either you give me your payment and I get on my way, or Sean will show you how good he is at swinging a crowbar.”
“I pay a lot of money for protection.”
The argument, while true, lacks a lot of sense when he pays us to protect him from outside forces.
“Yes, you do, but if you’re not willing to pay this month’s instalment, what service are you entitled to?” I clasp my hands together, trying my hardest not to get as venomous as I would with other people. “If you wish, I can call Mr Knight. He can prove I work for him, or Sean can come in and get reacquainted with you.”
The owner glances towards the entrance and spots Sean idling in the doorway. I cast a glance over my shoulder and see he’s very aware of the insubordination happening, but he stays just beyond the threshold.
