Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Pascal sneers and shakes his head. “What makes you think you can give me orders like that?”
“It’s a warning, not an order. When this is through, you will be gone.”
“Don’t be a fool.” His eyes narrow. “You still need me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Your drugs are good, and I built a robust import network around them, but I can find other suppliers. I’ve already started making inroads with the Hayes, and there are others. The cartels, the Italians, the Russians.”
Pascal’s smile fades away as what I’m saying registers. “If you keep talking like that, I will pull my support from you.”
I laugh, bitter and rage-filled, and I know I’m making a mistake right now. Even if this was always my long-term play, this is absolutely not the time to do it, but I don’t care.
Brianne’s upstairs in bed with a concussion because of me.
Because I let this old bastard make decisions for me.
Never again.
“You’re done, Pascal. We’ll finish this fight, and then we’re through. Am I clear?”
“Julien,” Jean whispers, eyes wide with fright. “Think for a second.”
I shove my friend away with a snarl. “I’ve thought long and hard. You and I are through, old man. You are nothing.”
Pascal’s smirk comes back as I storm out of the room. “You’re a fool, boy. You’ll come crawling back. We both know you need me!”
Fuck him. I want to shove a rusty screwdriver into his eye socket and twist. The bastard doesn’t know what he’s talking about or what this city means.
Chicago is my home, not his, and from here on out, I’m calling the shots.
“Spread the word,” I say to Jean once he hurries to my side. We walk back up into the main house together. “Tell the men. Pascal’s troops can’t be trusted anymore. I want two of ours for every one of his in this house at all times. We’re in full-on civil war mode, do you hear me?”
“This is going to be bad,” Jean murmurs, shaking his head.
I grab my friend’s shoulder. “If we’re going to walk away from this fight in one piece, this is how it has to go down. Are you with me?” I squeeze tight, staring into his face. We’ve been scrapping, stealing, and getting into trouble together for a very long time, ever since before Pascal took me in, and Jean’s the only person I trust most in the world.
He nods once, looking fierce, just the way I knew he would.
“Good.” I squeeze again and release him. “Now, I’m going to be with my wife. Reach out to Ronan and tell him I want a meeting tomorrow.”
“I can do that.”
“We’re going to win this, brother.” I nod to him and turn away. “Just have faith.”
Chapter 25
Brianne
My headache is mostly gone the next morning. I feel decent on the car ride into Hayes territory. Not perfect, but better. Julien took me into the hospital and the doctor did a whole bunch of tests, all of which came out clean, and I got to spend a little time with Kim before Julien hustled me back to the mansion.
The vibes are tense, but Julien got what he wanted.
We shared a bed.
He didn’t touch me last night. I think he’s worried he might hurt me or something. I kept on my side and listened to him breathing, not really able to sleep. The mansion feels like a prison camp—there are guards everywhere, dozens of them patrolling the halls, and half of them are staring at the other half like they all plan on shooting each other soon. I don’t know what to make of it, and Julien wasn’t interested in explaining.
At least now I’m back on familiar ground. Julien parks out front of Ronan’s house. It’s Monday morning and the breakfast is small compared to the weekends, mostly just intimates and inner-circle members. I still feel weirdly nervous as I walk up the steps and head inside.
These people are supposed to be my family. Not my blood family—but close enough. I grew up with the guys here, the cousins and the uncles, and I have a lot of fond memories of Hayes cookouts and parties.
But now they look at me like I’m a stranger.
Maybe I am. Maybe I’ve changed that much in the last few weeks now that I’m finally out from underneath my father’s abuse that they don’t recognize the woman I’ve become.
Ronan’s in a meeting when we arrive, which means we’re forced to wait in the dining room. Julien puts his chair immediately next to mine, so close that our thighs are touching, and he stares protectively at anyone who happens to walk past.
“You don’t need to act like a guard dog, you know,” I tell him, whispering so nobody can overhear. “We’re safe, remember?”
“I’m not trying to protect you from Dusan right now.”
“You think someone in my own family will hurt me?”