Page 27 of Cougar

“Sit. Down. If we were to take her right after word got around that she was speaking with Aletta, that would look suspicious as fuck. Do you want to give that piece of shit Connard a reason to come onto our land? Because that’s how you fucking do it! Don’t touch her.” Cowboy commands. I think he’s a giant piece of shit, but in this case, he’s correct. If we nab the bitch, it’s coming back to us.

It’s something I don’t need. Connard is already pissed I have no idea where Artem took his drugs. I’ve been trying to locate them, but every time I get close, Artem moves them. That man knows how to run a fucking business. Unfortunately, his business is cutting into my bottom line, and if The Company can’t get this all squared away, I am going to have to take it into my own hands to get rid of Artem.

He isn’t as invincible as he and everyone else believes.

He came in and planted himself into this club and this town as if he owns the fucking place, and I’m sick of it. The cocaine plus made it easy for me and my partner to grab who we needed. Artem coming in and taking back control of the drugs in this town has made it harder to grab my targets.

My last successful one was over a year ago. Two high-priced items are close, but I can’t take them without being found out. We tried.

“…. All I’m saying is we grab her in a couple of days and let them eat her!”

“I swear to fuck, Butcher. Sit your ass down.” Cowboy screams. Sever grabs Butcher and is pushed back when his so-called friend twists and punches him. First of all, they’re still going on about this? And second, he’s so damn determined to have those pigs eat Bonnie. I wouldn’t be surprised if what he really wants is a body—no matter who it belongs to.

“I will not let her get away with this!”

“I am your fucking Prez. You will listen to what I tell you.”

“I want a goddamn vote.”

Jesus-fucking-Christ. The groan I let out is mixed in with the others. They go around the room, all saying no, and then it’s my turn.

“And? What do you think? Grab her?” Cowboy asks me.

“No.”

“There you have it, Butcher. You’ve been out-voted. Sit your ass down.”

He sits down, mumbling how his piggies will get their favorite snack one way or another. Everyone continues with the meeting, but for me, for some reason, all I can think about is my last failed grab and what it would mean for me if I was found out.

I’ve been confident in this scheme for some time, but lately, that’s wavered. These guys know more than they’re letting on, and I know if I’m found out, the pigs are going to be how I’m taken care of. I absolutely refuse to be eaten by those monsters.

I have to do something about them, I will not go out that way.

They go on, and I drown them out. All I can think about is how to get away with everything and, if I can’t, how to get away with getting rid of those animals. I’m so lost in thought. I’m only taken out of my head when the gavel hits the table.

We all get up and exit. Grabbing my phone, I pull up my boss.

Me: Idk who TF ur giving the information I provide you but its knockin on my fuckin door now

Boss: What I choose to do with the information you provide me is no concern to you. You’re a puppet in this scheme. You get me what I deem is useful and nothing more.

Me: They’re catching on. Get off your high fuckin horse and remember that without me you get nothing

Boss: Again, it’s no concern to you. It’s a you problem if they’re catching on, not a me problem. You’re nothing more than a whore who dances for the dollars that I throw at you.

Boss: Do the job you’re supposed to do.

Boss: Get me the kids I need to sell to keep this business running, or you’ll be out of a job. Don’t forget, I know who you are, Seamus. You don’t know shit about me.

Boss: Get it done. Now.

There is no point in responding. They don’t care about me. I am nothing more than a pawn. The one who would take the fall if caught. It’s been years since I’ve been pulled into this. The money was too good to pass up. This club wasn’t giving me what I needed. The Company does. I deliver, and my account gets fatter. It’s a win for me. I was over the regret of agreeing to be a part of this when my first check was processed. Then the cries became nothing more than white noise.

I put my phone in my cut and start to head out. I’m ready to get out of here and figure out how I’m going to get what the boss wants.

***

*Two days later*

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