Page 53 of Illicit

“Fuck, man, do I look like I’m out networking? I don’t meet people. I pursue them.”

“Then what made Heath a target?” I demand. “Answer me, and I’ll toss the bag.”

I’m not worried. Jules doesn’t look frustrated, he looks bored. “You know what happens when people can’t pay their taxes? They get desperate. Hell, the older they get, the more desperate they are. The older they are, the riper the target. You’re from out of town, but it pays to be local. I’ve got friends, everywhere across the south—even the Parish Tax Office. Now, toss the money, or else be prepared to have your shit tossed.”

And there it is. I knew Jules Robichaux was no ordinary dealer.

It all fits. He’s preying on the elderly. And from what Teagan said, Heath had a lien on his property and was about to lose everything. He was desperate.

I know where Heath is. Jules is tied to drug mules, and he revealed his pipeline. Once I uncover his contact at the tax office, I can go from there. There’s no way I can ask who he sold Heath’s information to without looking like this is an interrogation.

I’m about to toss the bag to Jules when the sound of a switchblade sounds from my side.

Stocky boy thinks he’s tough.

I don’t take my eyes off him. “Settle down, man. I was about to toss the money.”

“You’re asking too many questions,” the guy grits.

“I’m asking the same questions he knew were coming.” I played football long enough, tossing the money to Jules without taking my eyes off the knife is easy. Jules must not have played sports, because he misses the bag when it hits him dead in the chest and has to scramble to pick it up off the floor. “There’s no need to be dramatic. Put the fucking knife away.”

He doesn’t put it away. He flips it around and around, showing off a dumb-ass, useless skill.

“Call off your dog, Robichaux,” I demand. “We both fulfilled our sides of the deal. I’ll go, and you’ll never have to see me again.”

“Not so fast,” Jules mutters as he flips through the money. “I helped you. I want to know how you can help me.”

I shake my head. “We don’t run in the same circles. You got your cash, and I got what I need to help Stella. There’s nothing else we have in common.”

“I don’t know about that.” Jules zips the bag and lets it drop to his feet. He kicks it behind him, as if I’m going to lunge for the cash that a drug dog would hit all day, every day. Who knows, they might just get that opportunity … if I ever get out of here. He focuses his gaze back on me. “You know about me. I know about you. You know what they say, keep your friends close and enemies under lock and key.”

I shrug and start to wonder if I’m going to have trouble getting my ass out of here. “I’m neither to you. We had a business transaction. I don’t give a shit what you do after today. I got what I wanted and appreciate the information. Enjoy your money.”

I turn for the door, but the skinny guy steps in my path.

“What now?” I ask, as if I’m as bored as Jules was a few moments ago. I could take both these guys if a gun weren’t in play. The knife depends on their skills, which I doubt there are many with these two.

The skinny guy tips his head behind me. “Mr. Robichaux has one last message for you.”

I turn to the side and look over at Jules. Having my back to anyone right now is a bad fucking idea.

Jules takes another step toward me. “I need insurance.”

“I don’t sell insurance. Call Jake,” I deadpan.

Jules is not amused. “I don’t like funny guys.”

“And I don’t like to be held against my will. I told you, my people know exactly where I am. I might not sell insurance, but my name holds power in circles bigger than yours. If I don’t report in soon, they’ll be here to get me.” I look down at my watch. “In fact, you’re almost out of time.”

Robichaux’s jaw goes tense as his cheek muscle jumps.

My head jerks when the switchblade clinks and clangs—metal on metal.

“Do you understand what’ll happen if this comes back to bite me in the ass, Crowder? I don’t give a fuck who you have at your back. They won’t find you if you cross me. There are so many places in New Orleans to get rid of a body.” He pauses and looks beyond me to the guy with the knife. “Maybe we should just do it now. Sweet Stella would be back on the market.”

The hair rises on the back of my neck at the mention of Teagan. It doesn’t matter how much I know I should keep my cool. I can’t keep my mouth shut. “If you think I won’t come for you, you have no fucking clue who you’re dealing with. You’ll never touch her.”

When Jules lifts his chin a mere centimeter, my mouth turns to cotton.

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