They either don’t like us, or don’t want to be here.Makes two of us.
“Is there a problem?” Hayes closes his fist around the end of his gun, staring at the men, his question directed toward the reaper.
Killian cracks his jaw, rolling back his shoulders. “No. Stay here.”
With that, he shoves between the assholes, shoulders crashing into theirs. Both men jump apart, saying something in Korean that Killian ignores.
We watch him go to the backseat, yanking the door open with a hard grasp, and I gasp. He doesn’t wait for an invitation and I feel like that a big no-no in the criminal underworld. Or at least a sure way to get shot. He doesn’t get in—barely bends down to speak in Korean to the buyer before slamming the door so hard, the windows rattle.
One man grunts a curse—at least I assume so. I only know English and Latin, with broken Spanish taught to me during my medical education. Whatever they’re saying is lost to us.
Killian returns to our side, shoving the men again, sneering. “Your keeper wants a word.”
When they move away, Hayes elbows Killian again, eyes worried. “This isn’t part of the deal. We’re to take the money and wait for delivery.”
“Plans change.” He lights another cigarette, drops rolling down his cheeks. He looks windswept and vengeful, a wraith looking to steal souls. “We’re not selling to them.”
“Killian—”
“What?” He grows taller, body tight with tension. “Have something to say about my judgement, Prince?”
“Fucking hell,” my fiancé curses, looking to the sky for patience. Drops clump his thick lashes and he sighs, shoulders dropping. “Why aren’t we? Is there something we should know?”
The men return, and we cut the conversation short. They drop a bag at our feet and my eyes widen.
We freeze, but Killian places the tip of his cigarette on his lip, pulling the zipper. Cash, bundles of it, stare back at us, drenched in the storm. My mouth drops open, surprised and a bit nervous.
Is this what Maeve does? Is this what happens in our clan? I’ve only seen the results of broken bodies and tired eyes, but this? This is another side.It makes it real.
They say something and Killian laughs. Shaking his head, he hands the bag to Hayes. “The answer is still no.”
A voice calls out from the window. Deeper, accented, and authoritative. “Do you speak for your master? We had a deal. I’m told the new Captain honors deals.”
“Yourdealwas with the old Captain.” He tosses the butt, blowing out smoke into the night air. “The new Captain will not have your ties.”
“Are you sure?”
“I guarantee it.” It’s a growl, and I step back. He’s a man possessed and I’m nervous to be caught in the crossfire. “Find another seller.”
“You need us,” the voice says, covered in darkness. “Without the Board, your clan is in trouble. Money is money.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“Kil-hyun.” Killian’s mood only gets darker, like the Grim Reaper looking to capture a wayward soul. “Think this through.”
“You have two minutes to leave.” Killian withdraws his knife. “O’Brien doesn’t sell to your group. Stay thefuckaway from her.”
We watch wordlessly as the voice commands something in Korean and the men withdraw quickly back to the car like a well-trained unit. Another minute passes as it rolls away, far from us and I exhale, water soaking my hair and shoulders even as I shudder from fear.
“Want to tell me what the fuck that shit was?” Hayes throws the duffel bag into Killian’s chest and it falls to the ground with a plop. “You just cost us a sale. Over what? Not liking the guy’s bodyguards?”
Giving Hayes a bored look, Killian slips the knife away, glancing at me. “You okay, Coli?”
“Fine.” I rub my arms, hands shaking. I’m soaked—toes frozen, feet waterlogged. I just want a cup of tea and my bed. “That was intense. Why did they give us the money if you didn’t sell anything?”
The reaper smiles, ignoring Hayes’ glare. “He didn’t want me to kill him.”
“I assume you know him.” Hayes picks up the bag. “Otherwise, you have a lot to explain to Maeve.”
