Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Next week, but we got no idea about the who or the where,” Prez answered. “We’ll figure it out, but you know Bruton. He only told us what he felt like we needed to know.”
“Yeah, he was a real gem about that.”
“Maybe there was a reason for that. For all we know, we’re worrying over nothing,” Clutch suggested. “It’s not like his death wasn’t plastered all over the fucking news. Surely whoever he was working with saw it.”
He was right.
Everyone was talking about it.
I couldn’t really blame them. It wasn’t every day that a councilman died in our small town, much less one who was gunned down in broad daylight. Add in the fact that he was shot over an accident due to a traffic light he’d petitioned for, and you had a real story on your hands.
But it’s only half the story.
None of them knew he was a notorious arms dealer who worked with some of the most dangerous men in the world. I wasn’t sold on going into business with Bruton in the first place. We didn’t know much about the guy—just that he’d gone to an extreme to get us all on board, and since then, he’d been a blessing and a curse. He’d really come through for us when we had an issue with the Demarco brothers, only to turn around and buy us trouble with the Stingers.
He had us do a drop in their territory, and they weren’t happy about it. Even tried to get a hold of Savage’s ol’ lady and their kid, but yet again, Bruton swooped in and took care of it. That’s when I learned just how cold and heartless our new partner could be—which made it all that much harder to believe that he was shot by an everyday citizen over a fucking traffic light.
I didn’t give a fuck how the guy died.
He was gone, and all he’d left us with was some dying last words that made no sense to any of us—which led me to say, “But there’s no way to be sure that they saw it or if they even cared. They could still be expecting the shipment, and when they don’t get it, they’re gonna come looking for it.”
“Rooster is right,” Prez agreed. “We got no idea what they’re expecting or what Bruton told ‘em.”
“So, we just wait here like a bunch of sittin’ ducks and see if they come lookin’ for their shit?”
“We’ve still got some time before the delivery is due.” Prez turned to Bones as he said, “We need to work fast and find out everything we need to know about Bruton and his business dealings. Even if that means going through every fucking email and receipt that has ever passed his hands.”
“I’m on it,” Bones assured him.
Big was quick to add, “And I’ll be there to help any way I can.”
“Appreciate that, brother.”
“I’ll be there, too.” Torch shrugged. “I don’t know what I’ll do, but I’ll help if I can.”
Prez nodded, then stood as he told us, “None of us are happy about the way things have played out with Bruton, but these are the cards we’ve been dealt, and we’ve gotta act accordingly. Be careful out there and don’t take any unnecessary chances.”
Without saying anything more, he slammed the gavel on the table and dismissed church. The brothers quickly started to disperse, and those who could stick around began filing into the bar. I followed Savage and Smokey up to the front counter, and we all sat down next to Cotton. We hadn’t even opened our beer when Cotton turned to Savage and asked, “How’s Londyn doing with the big move?”
“Good.” He popped the cap as he continued, “She finally got Dalton’s room the way she wants it and has moved to organizing the bathroom.”
“Which means she’s moving out most of your stuff,” Cotton chuckled.
“Oh, yeah. My stuff has come and gone.” Savage shook his head. “Never seen so many different kinds of shampoo and lotions. Won’t be long and I’ll be swimming in the stuff.”
“It’s the same way with your mother... I have my drawer, and she has the rest.”
“I need to claim a drawer.”
“If it’s not already gone.” Cotton smiled as he asked, “What about Dalton? How’s he doing?”
“He’s adjusting.”
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“Cause I’m not.” Savage shook his head and shrugged. “I was kind of hoping we could just step right into all this family shit, and that would be that. But there’s a lot to it, and I have no fucking clue what I’m doing.”
“I’m sure you’re doing better than you think.”
“I don’t know.” Savage turned to his father. “The other night I was just minding my own business, watching TV, and he crawled in my lap. I felt like my chest was gonna explode. Hell, it damn near brought tears to my eyes. What the hell is that?”