Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 115964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
He left and Abram appeared in his place, standing so I could see him. He had a phone in his hand, and he gave me a searing look. “You just got incredibly lucky. You know that, right?”
I did.
Man, did I know.
I grunted, wincing. “I liked the yellow suit.” He was wearing a dark blue suit this time.
He snorted, but didn’t answer.
I laid back down, needing to trust that Raize would come through somehow to get me back. I didn’t know how he’d do it.
The guy finished my arm. “I treated you for any infection and gave you a shot, just in case of rabies. You should be good. You’re stitched up, but keep them covered for another day or two. After that, let the air heal you. The stitches will dissolve themselves.”
I raised my eyebrows. Dissolvable stitches. How fancy.
Then Abram spoke into the phone. “Raize, we have something of yours.”
21
Ash
The meet was in the middle of a dirt road, somewhere far out of the city. They’d kept me blindfolded in the van, and only when we’d parked, did they open the door and yank me out. When I could see again, Estrada was standing in the front. Abram was with him. A guy I didn’t recognize was holding me by the arm, and there were six others positioned around the van. Estrada had literally surrounded himself with men, and looking around, I could see why they picked this site.
It was flat desert around us. The hills were far away. Not many trees.
We could see Raize coming long before he pulled up. He brought two vehicles—his truck and the car. When he got out, Jake and Cavers came with him. Cavers had a large bag.
Raize stopped thirty yards away from Estrada, but Cavers came forward and dropped the bag at Estrada’s feet. Then he bent over and unzipped it, spreading the sides so Estrada could see what was in there.
After he’d had a look, Cavers picked the bag up and returned to stand beside Raize.
Jake moved out until he had a clear line on me—or on the guy holding my arm.
“Raize.” Estrada put his hands in his suit pockets, the epitome of calm and confident. “It’s been a long time.”
Raize’s eyes went to mine, held, and then he blinked, the same cold, dead look on his face.
He focused on Estrada. “Give her to me.”
“Who is she to you?”
“None of your business.”
“That makes me want to know even more.” He glanced around. “I’m surprised at you. You brought only two men? That doesn’t seem like the Raize I knew.” He gestured around. “I’ve learned from you. Picked this place on purpose—didn’t want you to have a sniper anywhere within range.” He sounded smug.
Raize smirked. “Right.”
Abram jerked where he stood, and the guy holding my arm tightened his grip, just a reflex before loosening. These guys were on edge.
“I want my employee.”
“For what? What’s she worth to you?”
Raize’s eyes narrowed. “My man showed you the bag of money. A trade.”
“I don’t need money. Give me something I need.” Estrada’s hand returned to his pocket. He turned, standing so he could see me as well as Raize. He looked between us. “I know you know I didn’t send Macca. Oscar shouldn’t have moved on my behalf, but then again, you made sure to create a job opening for yourself, didn’t you? Oscar’s family will be displeased with you, displeased with your boss.”
Raize’s tone was even, almost monotone. “I’ll pass along that message.”
“You wanted a meet. Let’s have the meet now, and if I decide to take you up on your offer,” Estrada looked my way, analyzing me, “you can have your woman back. She killed one of my men. Did you know that?”
Raize didn’t react, but Cavers’ head moved back a centimeter and Jake’s hands flexed, forming fists.
“Interesting,” Estrada remarked. “You’ve never given much away, but now you’re worse.”
“You still want me dead?”
“Of course.” Estrada flashed a smile, and that seemed the most genuine thing he’d said. “But you know me. Business is business. You took out one of my men, and you knew Oscar ran his own women. That wasn’t part of my business. I’m assuming you’ve been sent to offer your employer to take Oscar’s place? He was my distributor into the US. That’s the whole reason for your trip south. Am I correct?”
“You are. My boss would like to offer distribution starting here and extending toward the northeast in the US.”
“But we already have distributors there. Why would we need more?”
Cavers frowned. Jake’s eyes narrowed again.
“As of this morning, you don’t,” Raize said.
Estrada’s face jerked back toward Raize, and his entire body stiffened. “What?”
“You employed the 63rds. You don’t anymore.”
Estrada’s mouth thinned. “Do I want to ask what happened to them?”
“They’re dead.”
A dark cloud formed over Estrada. He lowered his head. “I don’t do business like this. I won’t be forced into an alliance. You know this, better than anyone.”