AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No war. Not fucking meant as provocative.” This man strikes me as one who wants it straight, who doesn’t put up with games unless he sets them. So, I just come out with it.
I know I’m risking my life, my career, all of it.
But if it keeps my Avah safe, then I’ll do it.
I’ll lay down my fucking life for her.
I’ll destroy everything to do with me to save her and the De Lucas.
Third option is nuclear.
“I’m here to make an offer. If I can’t prove this isn’t an attack on you, take me. She’s innocent, and you do business with her father.”
There’s a spark in his blue-black eyes. “Do business with most everyone, including yours.”
“In my van is someone you might be interested in.”
“You did business on my land, Abruzzi. That’s war, or a death sentence. Up to you. Because I’ve got a free day, be happy to stretch those shooting fingers, or you know, indulge in some light torture.”
I shrug and toss my keys to the big man who’s at my right. “Van.”
“Well?”
I look at Grady. He doesn’t even glance at the guys on either side of me. “Ant? Get the gift from the van. Sean? Bring that shit here.”
Thing is, I’m betting the computer just backs up what I’m seeing in the book. O’Grady leaves that but leafs through the ledger.
That’s classic and not very good money laundering. But there are other things I think have been hidden, and I’m betting those things are to do with the sex ring. Yeah, every instinct tells me that. But to see it? I don’t know if it’ll hold up.
“What if this on my orders?”
“Maybe it is, and my deal still stands. Me over my family and my woman. They have nothing to do with it. At all. I wanted her safe and figured I found out someone’s skimming from you. He’s related to El Cabeza.”
O’Grady’s eyes cut to mine.
“There are girls—”
“I’m going to stop you right there. If they don’t fuck with me, I don’t fuck with them. What I do fuck with and with extreme and deadly prejudice is people skimming off the top. I don’t take kindly to illegal shit I don’t make profit from on my land.”
I nod. Fuck. I don’t know if this guy knows or cares about a trafficking ring. And the photo? I think I’m keeping that.
El Cabeza wanted it. Or should I say Rhett because he was in it. Avah didn’t recognize him in the photo. I did because I was looking.
The bruised and bloody Rhett is pushed forward and he sprawls to the floor of the bar.
“Keep off my fucking property. Your girl moves out now. Keep out of my business. If I see you, it better only be with business Lowlanders have with De Luca. If you don’t—”
I nod. “Got it.”
O’Grady waves a hand. “I’ll deal with this.”
With that, I turn and leave.
* * *
“Oh my God!” Avah flings herself at me the moment I step in my door. She’s shaking. There’s fury, relief, and a softness in her voice that pierces something deep within.
“I’m good, babe, I’m good.”
