Series: Shame On You Series by Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51495 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51495 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
I’ve never felt this hollow, never felt this numb to the growing rage. As I lift the beer to my lips, all I can think is that I wish I were home with Braelynn.
“It’s important that we stay,” Carter murmurs to me. No longer in all black, he wears his typical suit. Daniel and Jase are down in the basement; we told the men we’ve been there all day and the two of them are wrapping up details of a new deal with a notorious business partner, dubbed N.
As far as they all know, we’ve been here since nearly 6:00 a.m. “When the news breaks,” Carter tells me as if I need reminding, “we need eyes on us here.”
“I know,” I tell him easily and lean back in my seat in the corner booth.
Carter’s curt nod is followed by a gesture to the bartender, Mia. She’s been working all night and the only one here not in the business with us. She knows the deal though. Not that it matters. Tonight I don’t trust a damn soul but my brothers and maybe a few of these guys I’ve known all my life.
It doesn’t stop the thoughts from racing though. Someone in here, who I’ve trusted, is a fucking rat.
“Any update from the lawyer?” Jeffery asks, sliding a chair over. Nicholas is behind him. “I let him know the cops are fucking harassing us.”
“They got no right coming in here like they are,” Nicholas adds. The two are security, broad chested, tall, and nothing but muscle.
“We’ll be able to give you a heads up the next time they’re on their way,” Carter answers and I simply watch for their reaction. Every little detail. Every muscle twitch.
“It’s been nonstop, especially that fucker McKinley.” They’re mostly relaxed given the context, but Nicholas has peeled back the label on his beer bottle.
My men are rattled. Cops come and go; we’ve dealt with this shit before. But for Ronnie and Hale to be dead only weeks ago and now with the reputation of rats, tensions are running high.
I’m sure they’re all thinking the same things: What if they told the cops about me? What if the cops are going to get me next?
“How are you going to know they’re coming?” Nicholas questions, his brow pinched.
Strike fucking one Nicholas. Everyone knows you don’t ask questions. Surely not from the fucking boss. Jeffery arches his neck to look back at his friend, clearly taken aback that he would ask.
“Not your concern,” Nate comes up from behind and gives a smug grin. “You don’t have anything to worry about,” he tells them easily, although Nicholas’s expression morphs to one of realization. “Sorry, boss. Of course,” he says and is quick to scurry off after bowing his head. Jeffery follows, thanking us for our time.
“May I?” Nate asks, gesturing to the seat across from us and Carter nods.
I don’t miss how Jeffery elbows his friend and the stress clearly written on Nicholas’s face. Every moment that passes with this bullshit hanging over our heads is one step closer to chaos and collapse. The two share a shot and the moment passes.
“The judge who signed off on the subpoena to be deposed,” Nate questions as he takes his seat. “What are we going to do with him?”
Nate fixes everything. He’s solid and stable. Although he’s also an asshole and a prick more often than not. What he does, he does well, and that is to take care of problems often without question. Of everyone here, he knows the most. And he knows shit that has never been leaked.
Just then my phone pings and Carter’s does as well.
Nervousness pricks through me as I read the caption of the article. I smirk, not letting on, and answer for Carter, “You going to take care of him like you did the cop?”
“Like who?” Nate questions, his lips turning down. I pass him my phone with the breaking news still on my screen. Carter calls out to Mia and she changes the TV station. The screen is quickly filled with video of the aftermath and a woman in a blue blouse covering the breaking news.
“Oh shit,” I watch his reaction as he grins at the news. My attention turns to the other men, waiting for one of them to give themselves away. As if it would be that easy.
Nate scratches the back of his head, pulling his jacket up and the motion catches my attention. “I mean if that's what you want for the judge…I think he should be in the house when it happens? Right? And just to make sure you know, that wasn’t me. I wouldn’t do anything without the green light,” Nate says.
Carter chuckles and I take a swig, barely swallowing before Nicholas comments once again. “They’re going to come in asking questions about that aren’t they?” Strike two.