“I’m not dealing with you either,” Dax counters. “My conditions were no drugs or trafficking.”
I look at the brothers, determined to find any signs of duplicity. I’m still not convinced they didn’t know, but Preacher couldn’t find any evidence that they did. Either way, they’re sloppy. If this were to get out, it wouldn’t look good for them either. Their import export business would be subject to investigation.
“We’ll pay you an additional two percent,” Reed offers.
It’s a generous offer. Two percent on top of everything they make. Tax-free.
“Gentleman,” Dax says, “I agreed to this meeting out of respect for our business relationship, which is dead. You need to get your house in order.”
“When the fuck did you get all these morals?” Reed gets closer, and I reach into my waistband for my Glock. He raises his hands and steps back. “Now, let’s not go crazy.” He tilts his head toward his brother, who pulls out a revolver.
“It’s over,” Dax says. “Find someone else to wash your money.”
“We like doing business with you,” Reed says through clenched teeth.
Dax tilts his head. He walks ahead of me, and I walk backwards until we get to the door.
“I’m not sure they didn’t know,” I say about an hour later, inside the abandoned convenience store where we do business.
“No evidence they did,” Preacher says. “I’ve read their emails and bugged their office. Nothing.”
“Doesn’t mean they didn’t, but not our problem anymore.” Dax tosses one of his stress balls in the air and catches it.
“I don’t trust Brennan.” They know which Brennan I mean, and they both nod. “We should keep someone on him for a while.”
“Done,” Dax says. “How long until his proclivities are exposed?”
We dislike relying on the police for anything, but this is one instance where we will. Anonymously, of course.
“It’s already being handled. It won’t lead back to us,” Preacher promises, but I don’t see how it won’t, since they know that we know. “Trust me. I’ve got it covered.”
It’s like Preacher can read my mind sometimes. I give him a curt nod of appreciation. Preacher sits on the couch and rubs behind Finch’s ear.
Having had enough, I announce, “Alright, I’m heading out.”
Chapter 48
Rip
The laughing and giggling are not something I’ll ever get used to. Not in my home. The only laugh I want to hear belongs to Eden, and the loud cackling followed by a snort is not coming from my girl.
I find them at the pool. All three of them are in there, talking and laughing at once. Eden’s eyes find mine, and I hold her stare. If the other two weren’t here, I’d strip naked and fuck her in the pool, but I can’t do that.
I go back inside. After changing into a pair of swim trunks, I return to the pool and dive in for the first time since I moved into the house.
“Hi, friend,” the preacher’s daughter says.
As usual, I ignore her. The other one doesn’t speak to me while I swim in Eden’s direction. As I get closer, she moves back until she hits the edge of the pool. I wrap my arm around her waist, pull her into my body, and lift her until she wraps her legs around me. My hand lands on her ass, and I finally do what I’vebeen dreaming about since I saw her last. I kiss her the way a man kisses his woman. She kisses me back, and her hands find their way into my damp hair.
She moans in my mouth, and my body comes alive. After a series of loud throat clearings, I end the kiss.
“Hey, baby,” I whisper.
“Hey,” she responds with a blush. “Welcome home.”
I don’t answer. I look into her eyes and glance at her plump lips. I lean closer, but I don’t kiss her again for fear I won’t be able to stop. “Forever,” I whisper.
“Forever, baby.” She hugs me, and I’ve never felt a more perfect moment. I wrap my arms tightly around her, unwilling to ever let her go. Her stomach growls, and she looks into my face, embarrassed.
