Chapter 1
Logan
Present
“We really gonna trust this prick, Don?” the beefy bald guy asks next to me. Now, I’m a little over six foot, but stood next to this dude I feel like Stuart fucking Little as he towers over me, making me feel three inches tall. His presence is unsettling, quite like the guy sat behind the desk in front of me.
Donovan James.
“Quiet,” he snaps at the Hulk beside me without taking his eyes off my face.
How the fuck did I end up here?
How did I end up grovelling to the worst scum of this city? I’ve done some stupid things in my thirty-four years but this is by far the stupidest, but when you’re desperate, I guess you’ll do just about anything.
My stomach is in knots, and I have to fight back the waves of nausea that crash over me, sucking in deep breaths to calm my shredded nerves, I hope I just don’t lose my nerve completely. I hope I can see this fucking thing through so I can walk out of here unscathed, preferably with both legs working.
“A month. Just give me a month, that’s all I need to get it back to you. I swear.” I have my hands thrust in my pockets hidden from view, because I’m sure if they weren’t they’d be shaking like a fucking leaf right now. I don’t scare easily, but when you’re staring into the face of the devil himself, I’m close to shitting bricks. Donovan James is one dangerous bastard, a man you do not want to cross. He and his gang are notorious throughout Chicago. They have their fingers into every business going, both legal and illegal. Donovan James is untouchable, and boy, does he know it.
This isn’t the first time I’ve done business with this guy, and I’m not here now by choice. I’m here out of sheer desperation. I’m a man with nowhere else to turn and more specifically,no one elseto turn to.
“You know, there is another way,” Donovan says coolly, reclining back in his seat, his ankles crossed as they rest on top of his desk. “You could always join me. In the past, you’ve proved to be a man I can trust, a man of your word, so be one of my guys. We take care of our own, anything you need, it’s yours."
It’s bad enough I have to grovel to him for help, but there’s no fucking way I’m getting into bed with this guy and willingly handing my life over to him. “I’m sorry, it’s just not for me, as much as I appreciate the offer... I hope you understand.”
He nods slowly. “Well, I’m a little disappointed, but I’m a fair man. I like you, Cooper, I really do.” He scrubs a hand over his face for a moment before finding my eyes. “You have yourself a month, Cooper. I’m sure you don’t need me to remind you what happens after that,” Donovan says.
His words send a shiver down my spine. “I understand. Thank you.” I force a smile.
“Mac, will you show him out?”
“Yes, Boss.” I follow behind the beefy guy called Mac.
Five other guys line the back of the room, all dressed and stood immaculately as still as statues, all hidden from view in the shadows of the room, but one guy in particular catches me attention. He shifts from one foot to the other like he’s on edge, oronsomething. He gives off a different vibe to the others.
Uncomfortable.
Nervous.
I don’t get much of a look before I’m lead out of the room and through the dark, narrow corridor of the building. It’s an empty warehouse on the bad side of town, somewhere I don’t take pleasure in visiting.
“Remember what Boss said, a month or we’ll come calling, and you definitely don’t want that,” Mac warns with a smirk as if he’s loving the idea of giving me a beating, and I can just imagine how easy it would be. He’s snap me in half like a fucking twig.
Yeah, I heard. Loud and fucking clear.
He opens the door and steps aside to let me pass, and the second I’m outside, the doors behind me slam closed, my stomach lurches and I double over, heaving. The contents of my stomach hit the gutter, the bitter, acidic taste of vomit and bile filling my mouth, turning my stomach even more as the full weight of what just happened hits me.
I didn’t really have an idea of how things were going to play out, Donovan has always been unpredictable. Catch him on a bad day and you’re as good as dead, but thankfully, today is not one of those days. Still doesn’t make it any less nerve-wracking.
I must stand there for at least ten minutes until I’m satisfied that I’m not gonna puke anymore before I make my way back to my truck. I climb in and rest my head on the steering wheel, taking deep breaths in and out to slow my heart rate and my racing mind.
How did it come to this?The question circles in my mind and I wish it would just stop.
Fuck.I need a drink.
∞∞∞
I’m in a bar downtown, it’s my usual go-to when I need to forget and drown my sorrows away with booze. It’s busy in here tonight, but I managed to get a seat at the bar. I prop my arm up on the shiny mahogany bar top and rest my chin in my hand.
