Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
They might not even want us to look for it.
Dima’s man finished with checking me and nodded. “He’s clear.”
I headed over to my chair and lowered into it.
Next, Chen stepped up for his turn. He seemed more relaxed about the whole process, his posture casual as Dima’s guards went through the same motions. They examined his jacket and pants with the same care, occasionally glancing at each other to signal that there was no findings.
Dima spoke, “You are a lucky man, Lei.”
“Am I?”
“You’ve gained three new sisters today and each one I must say is absolutely fascinating.”
Banks spoke from the other side, “He didn’t gain anything yet. He still has to go through me.”
I’ll never give her back.
Marcelo moved to take his seat across from me.
Dima’s men began their inspection of Banks.
I scowled at Moni’s cousin. “Do you know that your calling for this little unofficial meeting is pathetic?”
“That’s not the question you should be asking.” Banks opened the front of his green jacket. “What you should be asking, is if I give a fuck what you think?”
“Naw. I already know the answer to that.”
You’re lucky that Moni’s blood runs through your veins or you would be on borrowed time just like Marcelo.
Banks glared at me as if he heard my thoughts.
Meanwhile, the security check on Banks was anything but routine. It wasn’t long before they uncovered a collection of concealed weapons and items.
First, they pulled out a pair of gold-spiked knuckles from one of Banks’ pockets. The gleaming metal caught the light and I could see Dima’s eyes narrow slightly, though he remained outwardly composed.
Next, they retrieved a small axe, its handle wrapped in worn leather. The axe was sharp and menacing, clearly intended for more than just decorative purposes.
I smirked. “An axe? Really?”
“Just to cut ribs.” Banks’s expression remained impassive as the guards continued their search.
The men moved on to find a pistol, expertly hidden in a compartment of Banks’ jacket.
"Wow.” I shook my head. “A bit paranoid. Don’t you think?”
“Never that.”
Dima stopped petting the cat. “You called this meeting, Banks, a meeting that you knew that you could not have weapons at.”
Banks shrugged. “I had no idea that was there.”
Bullshit.
The pistol was carefully examined and unloaded before being set aside.
Finally, they discovered a knife strapped to Banks’ ankle. The blade was small but sharp and it had been expertly concealed.
When Banks sat down, I eyed him. “You thought you were going to kill me in the East?”
“Why would I want to kill you, Lei?” Banks pulled out a toothpick from his pocket and placed it between his lips. “A brother like me just wants to feel protected wherever he goes. You see the news lately? Brothers can’t go anywhere without motherfuckers coming for them.”
“Bring a gun to the East again and we’re going to have problems.”
“You’re scared of that? No way. That was just a little baby gun.” He gestured to it as Dima’s men took the weapon away. “The bullet would have just been a little scratch. Nothing serious.”
“I’m not the type of man you want to scratch.”
“No?” Banks pulled out the toothpick and leaned forward. “You don’t have any itches that need tending to?”
I curved my lips into a smile. “If I did have an itch, Moni would be the one to take care of it.”
And then I leaned forward and licked my lips. “And. . .she’s really good at taking care of me.”
That got the exact reaction I wanted.
Marcelo’s calm left and was replaced by a tense, rigid posture as he formed his fingers into fists and his knuckles went white.
Dima’s men patted down Gunner and the big guy didn’t watch them. Instead, he narrowed his gaze at me and hunched up his shoulders like he was about to come over and fight.
But it was Banks that would give my favorite reaction. For his part, he tried his best to play it cool, but the way his eyes flicked towards the guards and then back to me suggesting he was waiting for the opportunity to launch over the table and choke the shit out of me.
Dima returned to stroking his cat like an evil lord in a comic book. “I will remind you all that there is no violence at Syndicate meetings. Any initiator of the first attack will be sitting in my special dungeon in the North for the required time I see fit. That member’s particular gang will also get penalized.”
Dima did a big show of inhaling. “And with the way the food smells and the music sounds, wouldn’t that be a pity to miss this great event?”
None of them responded or glanced his way, those three just kept their eyes on me.
Come on, fellas. Let’s fucking go. Take the first step and I’ll finish it.
Banks made a move, but it wasn’t the one I wanted.