I adjust myself, and then I’m the first one out of the car. I’ve been on edge all day, longer than that, really, and I need this. They all slide out of the car behind me, my pulse running a damn marathon as I literally fight myself not to bounce onmy feet.
Dean pulls the door open. It’s Chandler behind the counter this time—Axel’s cousin. The second he sees us, he pales, and he reaches for something, but Cillian’s gun is already pointed at him. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Chandler curses, then holds his hands up. “It wasn’t me. I told Axel not to fuck with you guys!”
“Did you tell us that he was, though?” Dean asks, Tiernan watching, analyzing.
“He’s my cousin,” Chandler defends.
“And we’re your gods,” Tiernan answers coldly. “Is he here?”
“In the back.”
“Anyone with him?” I ask. The more the better, if you ask me.
“No. He’s alone.” Chandler shifts on his feet. “Please, man. Don’t fucking hurt me. I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
“We should kill you for that,” Cillian sneers. “You’re going to sell your guy out like that?”
“You just told me I should have come to you!”
“You should have, but that also makes you a sellout to your family. That’s what happens when you get involved with the wrong people. Who is he working with?” Tiernan walks closer. He doesn’t even have his gun out.
“Some guy named Jay. That’s all I know.” He shakes his head. “Please, Tiernan. I’ll fix it. We have money. I’ll make sure you get paid.”
T sighs. “We don’t need money. It’s the principle. You owe us, yes. It’s a matter of respect and honor. You should pay your debts because it’s the right thing to do, not because you don’t want to die. I already see you as a dishonorable man. Why would I want to do business with you?”
“It’s not…fuck.” He grabs his hair and pulls.
“Lock the door, Ror,” Tiernan orders.
I do as he says, then flip the sign toCLOSEDand shut the blinds on the windows and the glass door.
Tiernan grabs Chandler by the back of the head, slamming it down, his face knocking against the counter. Blood spurts from his nose.
“Ouch! Holy shit!” Chandler screams, my body feeling more and more electrified by the second.
“What the fuck is going on out here?” Axel comes down the hallway, but the second he sees us, he turns and tries to run away. I take off after him, shoving him into the wall, pressing his face against it, gun to his back.
“Oh, hey. How are you?” I ask. “I feel like it’s a good day to die.”
He tries to shove away from me, to work himself free.
“You should be careful, Axel, or I might pull the trigger too soon…like…oops.” I shoot him in the leg, making him cry out.
“Jesus, Ror. Already?” Cillian asks.
“He was annoying me.” I grin at him.
“Let’s get them in the office.” Tiernan walks in ahead of us. I drag Axel behind him, while Dean gets Chandler. We shove them both onto the couch in the office, Axel crying and holding his leg. “Talk,” Tiernan orders.
“Fuck you!” Axel spits.
Tiernan looks at me and nods. I grin, taking three steps forward and punching him in the face. “Fuck who?” I ask. “Can I cut something off him?”
“What? Fuck that. You’re a crazy motherfucker!”
Ignoring Axel, I pull out a knife.
