Page 40 of Addicted

“What you just say?” I asked.

Devonte puffed out his chest, trying to look tough.

“I said we was outnumbered,” he repeated. “Ain’t our fault—”

I pulled my gun from my waistband and shot him in the head before he could finish the sentence. The sound of the gunshot echoed through the warehouse. Devonte’s body dropped to the floor, blood pooling around his head. I stood over him and put two more bullets in him. The other soldiers flinched, their eyes wide with terror.

I stared down at Devonte’s body, then looked atthe remaining soldiers.

“That’s how y’all feel too?” I asked, my voice calm.

They all shook their heads quickly.

“No, boss.”

“Nah, we good.”

I holstered my gun and looked at Kenzo.

“Get this shit cleaned up,” I said. “And find out who the fuck is leaking information.”

Kenzo nodded, pulling out his phone.

I turned back to the soldiers.

“Y’all got one job,” I said. “Protect my shit. And y’all couldn’t even do that. So now y’all gon’ work double shifts ‘til I say so. No days off. I don’t even care if yo’ baby mama call, my nigga. I want my shit back. Am I fuckin’ clear?”

They all nodded nervously.

“Yes, boss.”

“We got you, boss.”

“Good,” I said. “Now get the fuck out.”

They scrambled toward the exit, leaving Devonte’s body on the floor.

After they left, the clean-up crew came and got rid of the body. Then it was just me, Kenzo, Antoine, Deacon, and Wes. Kenzo walked over to me, his expression serious.

“You good?” he asked.

I didn’t answer.

My mind was racing. Three robberies in a month. A traitor in my organization. Soldiers getting sloppy. And on top of all that, I had Indie locked up at the crash pad, driving me fuckin’ crazy.

I needed to get my head right. I needed to focus on business. But all I could think about was her.

“I’m good,” I said finally, even though that was a lie.

Kenzo didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push it.

“We gon’ figure this shit out,” he said in a low tone, so only I could hear. “I got eyes on Wes. If it’s him, we’ll know soon.”

I nodded.

“Aight,” I said, turning to the others. “Y’all can go. I’ll hit y’all up tomorrow.”

They all dapped us up and left. Kenzo stayed behind.