Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
I gritted my teeth.
The last thing I needed was them stirring up unnecessary trouble in the town of Glory. When we were kids, they had been the bullies of Rowe Street, terrorizing everyone. While I was glad I was on their good side, I would feel bad for the unfortunate people in the target of their rage.
Now that Banks, Marcy, and even Sid had transformed into proper citizens and opened businesses, I did not want them resorting back to any of their old, violent ways.
Yeah. I’ll need to call Banks and tell him everything.
I pulled my phone out of my purse and held the device by my side.
Soon as I got off the elevator, I would call Banks to let him know what was going on—including telling him that my father, his uncle was gone.
Sorrow grabbed at me, but I shoved it away.
I’ll cry later. Now I have tons of stuff to do.
The elevator stopped.
At least today will not be as crazy as yesterday.
With a soft hiss, the doors slid open and revealed a shocking sight that left me frozen in place.
Holy shit!!
The hotel lobby—ordinarily an elegant space of peace and quiet chatter—had been grotesquely metamorphosed into a battleground of shouting men.
Okay so. . .what the fuck?!
To my left, a sea of men in different shades of blue suits had assembled, gripping guns and odd swords. And they appeared ready to fuck somebody up. Many of them yelled.
Not a fool, I swallowed and remained on the elevator.
Mirroring them to the right was a similar sea of dangerous men, but mainly dressed in emerald green and yelling even louder.
What is going on?
I could see an unnerving array of weapons on both sides—pistols and rifles, hammers and saws.
The whole sight was something straight from some gangster horror movie.
“We should have you go back upstairs.” My guard took out his gun and was about to press the button.
“N-no.” I shook my head and put my phone in my pocket. “I think my cousin is with the people in green. He’s from the South of Paradise and I just learned that he was in town looking for me.”
He quirked his brows. “Rowe Street Mob?”
“Rowe Street what?”
“Mob.”
I blinked. “I don’t know about that. He lives on the street, but he is not a part of a mob. Perhaps. . .Banks is cool with that group and asked for their help—”
“Banks?” The guard stepped back. “That is your cousin?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “I have to make sure Banks isn’t involved in this.”
“Well. . .he is involved.” My guard widened his eyes. “Banks is Marcelo’s second-in-command so he should be over there.”
I stopped and looked at him. “Second in what?”
“Command.”
“Over this Rowe Street Mob?”
He nodded.
Oh hell no. Does Auntie know?
I stormed over there, searching for Banks in the dreadful standoff.
Banks you know better than to be involved in gangster stuff. Come on, cousin.
When I got closer, I slipped through the throngs of shouting men.
Fear built inside of me.
At least I recognized some of the men in green from either hanging out in Paradise for the summers or going to visit my cousins. When they spotted me, they backed up and went silent.
Suddenly, I spotted Banks in casual black pants and a dark green collar shirt. He had the tip of his big gun against Duck’s right cheek.
No. No. No.
Meanwhile, Duck gazed back at him, completely unfazed and with his hands folded in front of him.
My heart pounded in my chest.
I hurried forward and kept my voice steady. “Banks, don’t. Please, put the gun down.”
Sid stood next to him in green suspenders. He glanced over his shoulder. “Banks, there’s Moni. She looks okay, but she is wearing blue.”
“Blue? Why?” Banks kept his gun against Duck’s cheek and glared at him. “And you piece of shit, why didn’t you tell me she was with you?”
Duck rolled his eyes.
“Please, put the gun down, Banks.” I rushed to them.
Then, Marcy stepped into my view and blocked my path. Green eyes. Green suit. Black curls falling over his forehead. He wore an angry expression and grabbed my arm as I tried to walk to Banks.
I scowled at his hand. “What are you doing?”
He looked me up and down. “Why are you wearing blue?”
Chapter twenty-six
An Awesome Start to the Day
Monique
“Why am I wearing blue?” I held out my hands. “Are you serious right now?”
Marcy sneered. “Yes. Who put blue on you?”
“Let me go.” I pointed behind him. “And please help me tell Banks to put the gun down.”
Marcy let go, but didn’t move. Instead, he crossed his arms, blocking my way to Banks and Duck. “I don’t think you understand the gravity of the situation, Moni. We can’t just put the guns down and walk away, and you of all people cannot simply wear blue.”
“Duck and the rest of these guys are my friends.” I tried to step around Marcy, but he blocked me again. “There is no reason to have guns out like this. Can you all let me explain?”