All they need is one good excuse to breach our truce, and all hell will break loose.
I hate not knowing if what I’m doing will be enough to survive the storm, but it will have to be.
One way or another, I’ll make sure the Paynes survive this, even if I have to drag them out by the skin of their teeth.
“Neal started working for the DA’s office,” Bernie begins. “I told you I’d get you someone on the inside, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Terrible business with the docks,” Bernie says. “But I’m sure you’ll get it sorted out. The Paynes always come out on top, eh?”
I offer Bernie a thin smile. “Indeed.”
Bernie clears his throat and lowers his voice. “I’ve taken care of everything at those addresses you gave me. You shouldn’t face any problems with your airstrips.”
“Good.”
“I was surprised, though,” Bernie continues. “It’s far easier to bring shipments through the docks, isn’t it?”
“I appreciate the concern, Bernard.” I push my chair back and stand up. “But we all have jobs to do, and you’ve more than taken care of things on your end.”
Sniveling little shit.
Why can’t he mind his business?
Bernie licks his lips. “About that, boss. … Usually, I bring this up with your man, Carlisle, but since I have you here, I think we should discuss the new terms.”
I raise an eyebrow. “New terms?”
Is he trying to shake me down on my turf?
The little fucker has more balls than I thought.
“There’s a lot more scrutiny now with the new mayor,” Bernie adds hastily. “It’s not for me. It’s for the other men. Some of them are a lot harder to intimidate.”
I turn to the drink cart, clenching my free hand into a fist. “I see.”
“I’m sure Carlisle can send a few men down to straighten things out, but with everything happening, I thought you’d want to be discreet.”
I pour myself more of the amber liquid and face Bernie, who is sweating profusely now. Slowly, I lift the glass to my lips and debate my next option. My hands itch to close around the gun tucked into the waistband of my pants, but I know I can’t afford any missteps when the new mayor remains elusive.
I’ve never met a man with his power and influence who cannot be swayed.
But I keep telling myself it’s only a matter of time before I find his Achilles heel, and when I do, I won’t hesitate to make him bleed.
I set my gun on the desk between us. Both men look like they want to bolt.
I like reminding them of who they’re dealing with.
“I’ll see to the new terms.” I sit back down and give them a smirk. “As long as you keep up your end of the bargain, we shouldn’t have a problem.”
Bernie nods a little too eagerly. “Of course, Mr. Payne. You can count on me.”
I hold a hand up, and he stops talking. “Leave us.”
Bernie jumps to his feet and pulls the door shut behind him as I reach for the gun and hold it up to the light. Neal’s eyes remain trained on the gun, but his face gives nothing away.
“I’m sure you’ve heard all sorts of things about us, Mr. Rose.”
