AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He’s the one with the suit,” Marek said, his fingers tightening around mine, as if the mere sight of the man triggered his fight-or-flight reflex. “The big guy next to him is Omar. He’s Alonzo’s right hand. But you can tell all the Kings by the purple crowns tattooed on their neck.”
“Thank you.” I committed the man’s face to memory and pulled away from the curb, hitting the button on the steering wheel for the voice command. “Call Valery.”
Marek glanced at me but didn’t say anything. He might have known I was going to take care of Alonzo but he didn’t need to be privy to the details. Just like Delirium, the less he knew, the safer he was in the long run.
“Privet?” Valery answered.
“Get Anton and Maxim and meet me at our warehouse on the South Side. The old Romano place.”
“What’s going on?”
“We have a meeting with a local drug lord tonight.”
“Should I call the rest of the men?”
I chuckled. “No. They’re thugs. Besides, this is their one chance to fall in line. If we show up with too many men, it could be seen as hostile.”
“What time?”
I glanced at the clock. “Two hours.”
“Got it.” He disconnected.
“Do I want to know what you’re planning?” Marek asked.
“Protecting you, like I said.” I squeezed his hand.
* * *
After sunset,my personal crew and I pulled up to the Neon Diner again. Alonzo was still there, lording over his gaggle of people. We made it inside before they paid any attention to the fact their inner sanctum was about to be breached. When one of them realized we were headed in their direction, half a dozen guns came flying upward, pointing at the four of us like we were supposed to be scared.
“Who the fuck are you? Walking in here like you own the fucking place,” Alonzo asked, making a show of looking us up and down.
I smirked and gestured Anton forward. He popped open a briefcase full of money and showed it to Alonzo before snapping it shut again and shoving it into the arms of one of his underlings.
“I don’t know you,” Alonzo continued, squinting at me. “And I sure as hell don’t want money from someone I don’t know.”
“Axel Wright? Marek Sommers? This is what they owe,” I said, gesturing to the briefcase, “plus interest. As of now, your business with them is finished.”
A sneer of a smile stretched across his face. “Oh, is that right? Well, let me tell you something about your little boy toys. As long as they’re in my neighborhood, they work forme. And pretty soon, I’ll be turning out those little ones just like their big brothers. I’m sure Marek can teach themallthe tricks he knows.”
Rage erupted inside of me. I ground my molars, keeping my anger contained. It wasn’t the time, but very soon he’d pay for that remark.
“I guess you don’t hear so well, Your Majesty. Allow me to rephrase.” I slid a glance over my shoulder at Valery. He unzipped the duffel bag in his hand and reached inside, flinging the contents across the diner.
A severed head landed in the center of Alonzo’s table. Blood and food splattered everywhere. A glass of water fell over, dripping steadily onto the floor. The men startled and jumped away from the table, some visibly horrified while others retrained their guns on us.
“You Russian fuck,” Alonzo snarled, wiping the front of his suit with a napkin, a smear of blood or ketchup staining his yellow shirt. “You’re going to regret that.”
“He was just an errand boy,” I nodded to the head. “I have one of your lieutenants in my keeping as we speak. Omar, I believe he called himself?” I pretended to look at Valery for clarification. “It was hard to hear over the screaming.” I shoved my hands into my pockets and swaggered forward a step, regardless of the guns pressing at me from each side. “Let me be clear. If you go near that family again, I will dismember every single person at this fucking table starting with you. Do you understand me?”
Alonzo’s lip curled and he gave me another once-over. “Yeah. I understand you.”
“Good. Enjoy the rest of your meal.” I glanced pointedly at the head, nestled in a basket of french fries, and pivoted on my heel.
A rustling erupted behind me, chains swinging and chairs scraping over the black and white linoleum.
I didn’t stop nor did I turn around.
