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Bull waited on the man’s front lawn, knowing his presence would speed shit along.
Pat was too busy laughing back on his bike. It was a nice neighborhood Dylan lived in.
Glancing at the house, he caught sight of a couple of kids looking down at him from the windows upstairs. He ignored them.
Dylan walked out of the house, complete with his sheriff jacket, looking mightily pissed off.
No words were needed as Bull went back to his bike, straddling his machine, turning over the engine, and following behind Dylan.
They arrived at the station in ten minutes, and Bull parked his bike then walked into the main building close behind Dylan. The old bat known as Grace was on the main reception. A cigarette dangled from her lips.
Dylan tutted. “I’ve told you not to smoke, Grace.”
“I wiped your shit-covered ass when you were a boy, Dylan. Don’t tell me what to do. I’m too old to follow orders.”
Bull snorted. “Hey, Grace.”
“The reprobates are here. Are you two finally getting thrown into a cell?”
He winked at her, and Grace sneered even more.
Dylan shook his head. “I don’t know why the fuck I keep her around. She does nothing but cause trouble.”
They entered Dylan’s office, and he shut the door. Pat pulled out a device and Bull smirked.
“Keep that on you at all times?” Bull asked.
“You never know who is listening.” He checked for any bugs or anything that would allow someone to hear their conversation. “We’re clear.”
“Shit, Bull, what mess have you gotten into?”
“Cartel.”
Dylan tensed up.
“Before you start, this isn’t my business. This has to do with my dad. The Vito Crew, you heard of them?”
“Yeah, I heard of them. They used to come through town when your dad was in charge. My old man tried to get a handle on the situation when he was sheriff and found himself in a grave.”
It was one of the reasons he and Dylan had an understanding. Bull had gone to Dylan with his problem, and between them, they made his arrangement that allowed them to exist in the same town peacefully.
So far, nothing had caused him shit—until now.
Bull was vague with the details. Ranford’s name had Dylan reaching for the map. “Heard of Ranford’s activity. Rumors are rife about his ability to keep the cartel back, which works in our favor.” Dylan grabbed a pen and traced a path through Ranford’s turf, which led the cartel straight to Carnage. “This is a great distribution site. We’re far enough away from any crap. My dad talked about this all the time. Bored my mom half to death with his constant rantings about how easy it would be for drug lords and whatnot to take position in Carnage. It’s a prime spot.”
He looked at the map and couldn’t deny it. This was exactly what the cartel wanted.
“I need you to run background checks of every single person who has come to town. Take extra care when it comes to the guy who owns the gym.”
“Jase?” Dylan asked. “You think he’s part of it?”
“I think it’s a little convenient how he’s new in town and has taken a special interest in Maddie.”
“Your ex.”
Bull gritted his teeth. “Just do it.”
Chapter Nineteen
“It’s festive,” Maddie said, looking at the tree in the corner.
“It’s small as fuck and you know it,” Grant said.
She glared at him. “When are you going to find a new place to live in?”
“Why? You’re not enjoying my company?” he asked, sitting down on the sofa. Every night they made it up together for him to sleep on, and every morning, he wrapped it all up.
“I just … aren’t you like … I don’t know … wanting female company?”
“You’re asking me if I want to go out and fuck?”
“You don’t have to be crude,” she said, picking up the boxes and carrying them toward the door. It was way too cold, and she would take them out to the recycling in a moment.
She walked into the kitchen and put the kettle on.
Coffee with cream and sugar was off the menu, but Jase had given her these herbal tea bags. She picked one out and sniffed it. It looked odd.
“What are you doing?” Grant asked. “We’re supposed to be having a movie marathon.” December first, and she was spending it with the guy who had bullied her, her ex’s brother. Where had her life gone wrong?
“I’m making myself some tea.” She held up the tea bag. “Want one?”
“Hell no,” he said. “What is that?”
“Herbal tea,” Maddie said. “Jase gave it to me. It is supposed to be healthier than coffee.” She wrinkled her nose.
“You know, just because it is supposed to be healthier doesn’t mean it is.”
She shrugged. “I’ll trust my personal trainer, thank you very much.”
She put the tea bag into the water and poured hot water over it.
“Why?” he asked.
