Page 6 of Hidden Desires
“I’d think twice before you go causing shit with the Shadow Vipers. Our crew has many friends, and a small-time criminal like yourself has no chance standing up against a crew with our reputation. I suggest that you take this, here, as a learning opportunity and never reach out to the Shadow Vipers again.”
A glimmer on the man’s hand caught Ace’s attention.
The man wore a thick gold ring with a dragon’s head on top. In place of its eyes were tiny rubies that seemed to come alive when reflected in the light.
Ace stepped up to the furious man and pulled the ring from his finger.
“Consider this payment for gas and wasting our time.” Ace slid the ring on his pointer finger and admired how the dragon appeared to smile back at him. Yes, this ring would do nicely on his hand.
He turned and began walking back toward Caden.
“Ace! Watch out!” Caden shouted, eyes going wide as he dropped the final case at his feet.
A sick, gurgling sound emerged right beside Ace.
Ace spun around, startled and confused. He grimaced as he stared into the dying eyes of a man with a dagger sticking out of his throat.
Eyes wide open, the man stared back at Ace, motionless, appearing confused, as he struggled to breathe.
Blade ran up beside Ace and grabbed him by the arms.
“You, okay?” he asked quickly, fear and panic spilling from his mouth.
Ace nodded, still stunned, as he watched the man beside him drop to his knees and then fall onto his stomach. The man kept shaking as he fought to take his last breaths.
A large pool of red spread outward from the man’s neck, slowly sliding toward where Ace stood watching.
“You sure?” Blade asked once again, stepping in front of Ace, and trying to get his attention.
Blade gave him another shake.
Recognition finally set in.
“Oh, yeah. I’m… good.” Ace glanced down at the dead man once more.
He hadn’t seen him sneak up beside him.
Had he really just come that close to death?
“Yeah. I’m fine.” Ace looked up at Blade, finally focusing. “Whatever you do, don’t tell Marcus about this.”
If his big brother and fearless crew leader ever found out how close he had come to dying, he would never be allowed on another crew run again.
Blade shot a glance at Caden as if seeking his opinion.
“I’m serious,” Ace snapped. “Don’t either of you fucking tell Marcus about this.”
Nodding, Blade seemed to relax before returning to Cade to finish up.
Ace stole one last look at the injured gangster who was still trying to yank the dagger out of his hand.
How was he going to explain to his brother that they were returning home with a truckload of unsold merchandise, and that there was a warehouse somewhere filled with dead and bleeding wannabe gangsters?
His brother didn’t like it when things didn’t go as planned.
2
BLADE
