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I shake Sloan’s hand before he walks out of the door. Once he’s gone, I release a breath. The cartel is getting bold. They’re slowly making their way into my territory and waiting to see if I’ll respond. For now, I’m going to leave things be. I’ll meet with my brother, and we will figure out a plan.
I saunter into the kitchen and see the twins standing at the island while Carl shuffles around, preparing for tonight. He slices cheese and arranges it on a tray with grapes, sausage, and nuts. The man is old enough to be my father and takes pride in all he can do, it’s almost easy to forget he’s a skilled and calculated killer.
“That looks great, Carl,” I praise him.
“Thanks. We don’t get your brother around much. Have to do something nice to maybe persuade him to come around more often.”
“You know why that isn’t plausible, Carl,” Lucas speaks up.
The old man rolls his eyes. “Don’t talk to me like I’m some old, weak, dementia patient. I know why it isn’t plausible, but he can pull strings we can’t. We may have everyone in Northridge Heights paid off, but that doesn’t extend to the surrounding cities. If we happen to get caught up on his territory in Westdell, I want to make sure we will be okay, and he will use those strings he has to keep shit cool.”
Lucas puts up his hands in surrender, shooting his eyes to the floor. “My bad.”
“You know we will be fine on his territory, Carl. He and I have an understanding.”
Carl arranges another bunch of cheese into a fan around the grapes, then sets his hands flat on the counter. “You, boss. You.” He points at me. “There is no relation of him to us. He has no reason to keep his word once you’re gone, and we all know that time is coming. I gotta watch out for me and mine too.” He motions to the twins.
Normally his words would strike a nerve with me, but he’s right. I’ll be gone soon. It gives me some relief that he will watch over the twins, because although they may be twenty-seven-year-old grown men, they still don’t know their thinking head from the brain in their dick most days.
“Okay. Point made,” I laugh. “Do what you do. Luke, Jules—” I turn my attention to the twins. “—let’s go discuss business while Carl puts things together for later.”
They both nod and follow me out of the room. We shuffle up the stairs, passing the theater room, sitting room, and the guest room I took Charlie to after the night at the club. I wanted her to feel safe and not on high alert being in my own personal room. The huge tub was a bonus too.
We make it to my office and gather into the room. I sit behind my big oak wood desk as the twins settle into the chairs on the opposite sides. “I have a plan, but Charlie is to know nothing until it happens, do you understand?” I look back and forth to the both of them.
They look at each other and then to me. “What are you planning?” Lucas says, speaking for the both of them.
