Page 48 of On Broken Wings

After hitting send, I deleted the message and climbed out of bed. I slipped my boxers and shorts back on before grabbing my shirt, and inching my way to the door. Before slipping out into the hallway, I took one last look at Jenni and cursed myself for doing this. It would be worth it though. After tonight, I could tell her the truth and we could be a real couple I didn’t have to hide.

I tugged my shirt over my head and strode towards the door. Just as my fingers wrapped around the knob, Mason stopped me in my tracks. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t lay you out right here?”

My shoulders slumped as I slowly turned to face him. “It’s work. I can’t tell you what it is, but it’s important. I’ll explain later.” I yanked the door open and rushed out, leaving with no more explanation. I just hoped that I wasn’t ruining whatever this was. Jenni and I were just getting started, and I couldn’t seem to keep the bombs away no matter how hard I tried.

Chapter 21

Evan

After leaving Jenni’s place, I rushed to the warehouse to meet Vince. I didn’t have my usual black attire on, but the fuck if I cared at the moment. It was three in the morning, and he got me out of bed. When I pulled into the lot, I whipped the car into a parking spot near the back, and then leaned over to grab my gun out of the glove box. I loaded the clip, and then placed a backup in my pocket before climbing out of the car. After tucking the gun in the back of my shorts, I strode over to the door that I usually met Michael at.

Right before I lifted my hand to knock and announce myself, it cracked open. It wasn’t Michael that I was met with though, but Dean. “Hey.” He nodded as he opened it further, and let me pass by him.

“Where’s Michael?” I glanced around.

“You didn’t hear?” Dean smirked. “Fucker got busted.” His shoulders shook from a silent laugh.

“You don’t say.” I smirked. The truth was, I thought this might be a possibility. I’d set Michael up last week in the hopes that he’d take the bait. I guess he did, and now he was in lock up.

“He’s why we’re meeting in the middle of the night apparently. Boss is worried that we might have a rat in the mix.” Dean began following me to the back room where Vince usually held his meetings.

“Sounds like paranoia to me,” I scoffed.

“Call it what you want, he’s pissed.” Dean stopped short and almost ran into me. There, in the middle of the room, was a table filled with white bricks, and on the other side of it was Vince.

“Nice of you ladies to join me.” Vince narrowed his eyes at me. “Iron Man?” He flicked his finger, causing me to look down and remember that I hadn’t changed.

“You called me at three in the morning. I grabbed the first thing I could,” I grumbled as I rolled my eyes.

“We need to blend in.” He slammed his palms on the table, causing it to rattle and Dean to jump.

“You think dressing in all black blends in?” I jerked my head back. “I go to college. College kids dress like this, Old Man.” I jammed my finger in the air at him. I was pushing his buttons, but I was tired of this bullshit and I was getting to the point of not caring anymore.

“Watch it, boy!” He matched my stance. “You’ll be drinking your next meal if you talk to me like that again.”

I blew out a deep breath and lifted my brows in acceptance. “Why are we here again?”

“This,” he waved his hands over the table, “is four million dollars, boys.” His lips spread into a devious smile. “I’m looking to turn it into ten.”

“And we needed to be here at three in the morning for this?” I stared him straight in the eyes, challenging his decision.

“We have a rat among us. I intend to find it.” He shrugged as he waltzed over to where the duffles were piled. “Come get your product.” He tossed the duffles on the table and motioned for us to start packing.

“Why isn’t this cut yet?” I placed a brick in the bag.

“Micky got pinched. You’re cutting your own shit now.” Vince sat back down and crossed one leg over the other knee as he grinned at us.

“You trust us to cut it to your liking?” Dean’s eyes went wide.

“No.” Vince chuckled. “Cut it my way, or I’ll cut you…piece by piece, and toss you in the river.”

“Bro.” I swatted his arm. “Shut the fuck up, and let’s go.” I finished packing my duffle and turned to head back to my car. I had a bad feeling about this whole exchange and I needed to touch base with Toni. Vince was getting ballsy and I was actually starting to feel the possibility of being discovered.

ooooooooo

“It’s about fucking time!” I roared when Toni came through the door to the safe house I was currently waiting in.

“Calm down!” she hissed as she glanced around before leading me into one of the bedrooms.

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