Chapter Seven
Carbon
WAKING UP, IT takesme a few minutes to realize I’m in the house of Dominic.He needs help with a shipment coming in because some of his lately have been taken or attempted to be taken from his men.I don’t know what the hell is going on with his rivals, but they need to get rid of the asshole that’s fucking with them.Dominic doesn’t typically let anyone get close enough to him to fuck with anything in his business or personal life.Instead, he’s ruthless and allows no mercy to be shown for any reason.This time, he’s the one who’s being hesitant and doesn’t seem to want to find the fucker coming for him.I don’t know what the hell is going on, but today is the day I figure everything out.
We’ve been here for two weeks now and I want to be home with my family.Peyton has been off since she found that note on her car and hasn’t left the compound for any reason.Seth and the other Prospects are going to get her groceries and anything else she needs from the store.Marie and my mom are cooking her meals when she’s too exhausted or not feeling the best because of the pregnancy.Everyone on the compound is lending a hand and stepping up to be there for her in my absence.They’re taking over my responsibilities when they shouldn’t.I’m the one who should be there taking care of my ol’ lady and I’m the only one not doing anything to help her.
When we talk on the phone, I can hear the fear in her voice.She’s scared of more than just the note on her SUV.I know my girl enough to realize something else is going on with her.If it were something with the kids or twins, she’d tell me without hesitation.Whatever she’s thinking or feeling is personal and about no one but her.Or maybe me.This is the first time I’ve been away from her since we got together and she has no clue that I see no other woman but her.For me, there’s never going to be anyone but her.Peyton is the love of my life and I will do anything for her.Even if it means pissing off Dominic and Rooster.
Getting dressed since I took a shower late last night, I immediately go in search of Dominic to figure out what the fuck is going on with him.I find him in the dining room with a plate full of food in front of him.He’s sitting there as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Dominic, what the fuck is goin’ on?We’ve been here for two weeks now and we’re no closer to leavin’ than when we got here.My ol’ lady is pregnant with my twins and she has someone leavin’ notes on her vehicle.I’m goin’ home one way or another so I suggest you figure who’s after your shipments so we can help you take them down.I’ll be lettin’ Rooster know I’m ready to head home too,” I state, my voice hard and cold as I remain standing in front of the cartel leader with no thought to him killing me or anything else he might do.
I’m not prepared to watch him drop his head in defeat as his fork clatters to the table in front of him.He closes his eyes and his shoulders droop as if he’s been carrying the weight of the world on his back for longer than he’ll ever admit to anyone.
“I think I know who it is,” Dominic says, his voice defeated as he finally looks up at me.“My sister has been tryin’ to take over from me since she turned twenty-one.Every time I think I’ve gotten through to her, she does somethin’ else.Or pays to have somethin’ else done.Sendin’ her away hasn’t done anythin’ to stop her from tryin’ to control everythin’ that happens here.She’s fuckin’ crazy and I know my dad won’t say a damn word to her because he sees her as his little Princess and won’t believe a word against her without solid evidence.I need you to seduce my sister and get her to talk.”
“The fuck did you just say?”I growl, stepping up in his personal space and glaring down at the man I’ve respected until this very moment.“I tell you I have a pregnant ol ‘lady at home and the next moment you tell me you want me to seduce your fuckin’ sister?I’ve lost all respect for you, Dominic.I won’t seduce anyone and risk cheatin’ on my ol’ lady.”
“I don’t know how else to get her to confess,” Dominic tries again, looking up at me with wary eyes.
“It won’t be me, Dominic.You have to find a different way.My ol’ lady already has somethin’ goin’ on she won’t talk about.I’m not gonna have her thinkin’ I cheated on her because of a fuckin’ run and whatever you wanted from me,” I state, turning and leaving the room without a backward glance as Dominic slams something into the table and then I hear shattering glass.
Pulling out my phone, I call Rooster.
“What’s goin’ on, Carbon?”he answers his phone, his tone more somber than usual and I wonder what the fuck is going on back home as my instincts instantly go insane.
“Fuckin’ Dominic!That’s what’s goin’ on with me.He wants me to seduce his sister in an attempt to get her to confess.I’m not doin’ that shit, Rooster.I refuse to lose Peyton because he doesn’t have the balls to get the evidence all on his own.Peyton and our children, all four of them, mean the world to me and I don’t want anythin’ to do with this shit.I refuse, Rooster,” I state, my voice hard and cold as I look out in front of me and see nothing but images of Peyton and the kids.
“Don’t blame ya, Carbon.I wouldn’t do what he’s askin’ you to do.You thinkin’ of headin’ home now?”Rooster asks, anger filling his voice with the thought of me being asked to do something so vile.
“I wanna head home more than anythin’.We’ve been here for two fuckin’ weeks now and we’re not closer to figurin’ this shit out,” I state as my phone beeps to let me know I’ve got another call coming in.“Peyton’s callin’.I gotta go.”
Switching the call, I don’t hesitate to greet my ol’ lady.
“Tutor, it’s good to hear from you so early in the day,” I answer the phone, my voice warm and gentle as I push all thoughts of Dominic and what he wants me to do flee my mind.
“M-M-Matt,” she says, and I know my girl is crying and something horrible has happened to her.
“What’s goin’ on, Peyton?What happened?Are the twins okay?Cedric?Caydence?”I fire out rapidly as Knuckles joins me and I know he’s ready to do whatever is needed to help.
