Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I’m putting a bounty on Hugh’s head. A million dollars to whoever can bring him to me, dead or alive.”
I get some surprised looks. A million is a lot—but they don’t know how much cash I have in reserve right now. I’ve been frugal the last seven years, and now it’s time to spread some of that money around.
“That’s a generous offer,” Tovia says, nodding his head. “But it doesn’t change the fact that—”
The doors burst open. Two men stride into the room. One is a staff member, the head of the household, an older man named Terence. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Hayle,” Terence says, bowing his head. “This man says he was invited, but he doesn’t have an invitation.”
“I thought you’d want to hear from me, Kellen.” Clyde Garvin grins at me.
He’s one of the captains that followed Hugh after shit went down, and he’s by far the strongest of the bunch. He’s young, with light brown hair, a muscular frame, and light blue eyes. Handsome in his own way. The room bristles at his presence, and I wave poor Terence away.
Clyde remains standing near the door.
“We were just discussing your employer. I was offering my men a million dollars for Hugh’s head.”
Clyde’s eyebrows raise. “A million? Well, shit, I was going to do it for free. Guess I’m a cheap date.” He winks at me and I tighten my jaw to keep myself from wringing the fucker’s neck.
“What the hell do you mean, Clyde?” Burke asks loudly. “Why the fuck did you show your stupid damn face here?”
“Word about this meeting got out and I figured this was my chance.” Clyde’s smile slips and fades as he looks at the men around the table. “The strength of the Hayle family is gathered here in this room. The few left on the outside are weak. I followed Hugh because I thought he had answers, but I can see now that I was wrong. I didn’t know you, Kellen. You were around before my time. I should’ve met with you sooner.”
I tilt my head, studying the young captain. It’s unusual for a captain to be so young—he’s only twenty-four. My father promoted him two years ago, which was astonishing at the time, or so I heard anyway. Clyde’s capable and smart and deadly, extremely deadly. I wasn’t afraid of him when I worked the streets and ran my crew out in the city, and I’m not afraid of him now, but I’m smart enough not to start a fight with a man like him before I know I can win it.
And here, right now, in this room, I can win.
I slowly stand up.
Clyde’s chin tilts up. I see the fear in his eyes though he struggles to hide it. All men fear in the face of their doom. I’m an inch taller than him, though he matches me in muscular frame. I flex, tensing.
“You worked for my father,” I say quietly and every single man in the room hangs on my word. Even Tara’s watching me closely, nervously shifting in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs.
“I did. He was fair to me.”
“He was fair to most of his men. You remember how difficult he could be though. You remember what he was like to traitors.”
Clyde swallows. “Merciless.”
“That’s right. Our family is built on undying loyalty. That’s how the Hayle family survives and will continue to thrive. Utter, total loyalty. Do you think you are a loyal man, Clyde?”
“Yes,” he says softly. “That’s part of why I followed Hugh. I thought I was doing the right thing. The loyal thing.”
I nod and stare into his eyes. “I’m prepared to make you an offer. It’s not an offer Hugh would make and certainly not something my father would ever say. But I am not those men and this family will be different under my leadership. I want you to take my offer, leave here, and speak with everyone aligned with Hugh. Tell them what I said. Will you do it?”
He nods once. “Yes, I will. You have my word.”
“Good. Tell them I will spare everyone that abandons Hugh. I will show everyone mercy, so long as they walk away from him, come to my house, and swear loyalty to me. I will be merciful to anyone that tells me where Hugh’s hiding. And once that snake bastard is dead, I will put the family back together again. No more warring, no more fighting. We will have peace and prosperity.”
Clyde takes a sharp breath and holds out a hand. “I’ll tell them.”
“Will you be the first man to cross the lines and join my side?”
“I’d be honored.”
I shake his hand firmly. He cracks a grin and I smile back. He nods again and hurries from the room like he’s heading straight to wherever Hugh’s men are hiding out.