Walsh takes a sip of his drink. "Does it? And why would I agree to that?"
"Because you're in my territory," Reaper's voice is deceptively calm. "And in Pine Haven, what I say goes."
Walsh chuckles. "Ah, the territorial imperative. How quaint."
I feel Maddie tense beside me, but she remains silent, letting Reaper handle the negotiation as planned.
"We have what you want," Reaper continues, nodding to Blade, who produces the watch from last night. "Take it and go. Consider this a professional courtesy."
Walsh examines the watch when Blade places it on the coffee table. "Interesting. This isn't one of the watches stolen from me three years ago, is it?"
"No," Maddie speaks up. "This is the one I was hired to steal last night. Your men tried to grab me instead."
"I knew you’d be there, but had no idea what was inside."
"The other watches are long gone," Maddie continues. "Sold years ago. But you can have this one as a gesture of good faith."
"Good faith," Walsh repeats, clearly amused. "From thieves and outlaws. How charming."
"So, we have a deal?" Reaper asks. "You take the watch, leave Pine Haven, and forget about any grievances with Ms. Brooks or anyone associated with her."
Walsh seems to consider this, swirling his drink. "A tempting offer. But you see, it's not just about the watches. It's about principle. Ms. Brooks and Mr. Thompson embarrassed me. In my line of work, that requires... consequences."
"Did you kill your own men?" Blade asks bluntly. "The ones who tried to grab her."
"Maybe. They were merely foot soldiers," Walsh dismisses with a wave. "Expendable."
"Let me be clear," Reaper leans forward slightly. "This isn't a negotiation. It's a courtesy call. You leave Pine Haven today, or you leave in a body bag. Your choice."
The temperature in the room drops several degrees. Walsh's security men shift their positions, hands moving toward concealed weapons. I tense, ready for whatever comes next.
But Walsh just laughs. "I do appreciate directness." He sets his glass down. "Very well. I'll take the watch and leave your charming little town."
Something doesn't feel right. It's too easy. "Just like that?" I ask skeptically.
Walsh turns his attention to me for the first time. "Ah, you must be the younger Thompson. You have your brother's suspicious nature, I see."
"When someone who sent men to kidnap my friend suddenly agrees to walk away, yeah, I get suspicious," I retort.
"Business is business," Walsh shrugs. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Today, it seems, is not my day."
"So, we're done here?" Reaper asks, clearly not trusting Walsh's easy capitulation either.
"Almost," Walsh says, picking up the watch and examining it. "I should mention… This arrangement only covers Ms. Brooks and your club. James Thompson's situation is... well, that's already in motion."
My blood runs cold. "What the fuck does that mean?"
"It means some wheels, once set in motion, cannot be stopped. Even by me," Walsh replies with a thin smile.
Before anyone can react, I lunge forward, grabbing Walsh by his expensive shirt and slamming him against the wall. "What did you do?" I demand, my face inches from his.
His security men draw their weapons, but Blade and Reaper are faster, their guns trained on the guards' heads.
"I'd answer him," Reaper suggests calmly. "My prospect has a temper."
Walsh doesn't seem particularly intimidated, despite my grip on his shirt. "Nothing personal, I assure you. Just business. Your brother crossed the wrong people. I merely... facilitated their response."
"What people?" Maddie demands, moving to stand beside me. "Who else is involved?"
