Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
11
TYSON
It’s been a few days since Marco reported that my guys had been jacked. Since then, two more pairs of my guys have been robbed of their money and product then killed. That’s six men down as well as a lot of product and a lot of cash in the wind. And still no sign of Rico and Dawson. They’ve managed to avoid me and my guys. Maybe they’re a little craftier and more resourceful than I gave them credit for.
“Turn right here.”
“Got it, boss.”
Zeus makes the turn and smoothly cruises down the street. We pass some of my guys who are out working their corners. Ever since my first guys got hit, I’ve had a spotter post up discreetly to keep an eye on things. Their job is simple. If somebody comes to take what’s mine, they’ve been told to put them down. I’d personally rather have Rico and Dawson on their knees in front of me so I could put them down myself, just so I could see the fear in their eyes for myself, but whatever gets them off the street works for me.
The longer they’re out there killing my guys and stealing from me, the worse it’s going to get. The longer they’re free to do what they’re doing without retribution, the weaker I will look. And if that happens, it’s going to invite more trouble. No doubt, there will be others who think they can step in and try to take advantage of me. Others who think they can take from me without having to fear me cracking back on them.
“Not going to fucking happen,” I mutter.
“You say something, boss?”
“Nothing important.”
As we cruise past another corner, I give my guys and the spotter a wave as we roll by. Everything looks fine. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. My cell phone rings, so I pull it out of my pocket and see it’s Marco. I connect the call and press the phone to my ear.
“Talk to me,” I say.
“All’s clear,” he says. “Everybody’s checked in, and nothing is amiss out there.”
I frown. They’ve hit regularly since I kicked them out of my office and told them to pound sand. They’ve stolen a good amount of product from me, but not enough to start up on their own. If they’re looking to stake a claim to the business, which is what I’ve come to think they’re doing, they’re going to need a lot more money and product to get themselves off the ground.
“They’re out there,” I say.
“I know you’re convinced it’s Rico and Dawson, but—”
“I’m sure it is.”
“They’re fucking idiots,” Marco says.
“Which is why they think they can steal from me without repercussion.”
Marco is silent on the other end of the line. We’ve had this conversation a few times already, and I know he disagrees with me. He doesn’t think Rico and Dawson have the balls to take a run at me and keeps trying to convince me that we need to look elsewhere for the culprits.
They both think they’re tough guys. They think they have the smarts to run the business. And they both have an axe to grind with me. Granted, a lot of other people do too, but I haven’t gotten into it with anybody but those two fucking clowns recently.
“Rico and Dawson aren’t anywhere near clever enough to be pulling this kind of shit then flying under the radar. You know how they are,” Marco says. “If this is really them, you know they’d be out there running their fucking mouths. They can’t help themselves.”
“Maybe they’ve learned a thing or two and understand the necessity of flying under the radar until they’re ready to make their big move.”
“I really think you need to reach out to guys like Rodney and Hector—guys you drove out of the city. I really think they’re behind this,” Marco says.
“I’m sure it’s not. And if they’re not, I don’t want to tip them off that we’re getting hit. That’s only going to make us look weak and encourage them to take a run at us.”
“But if it is them and you don’t do something to put them in check, that’s going to make you look even worse. It’s going to make you look weaker.”
I’m silent for a long moment, letting his words sink in. I mean, he’s not wrong about that. If it is them and I don’t put them on notice, it’s going to make them think they can pull whatever shit they want to pull. It’s a fine line I have to tread here. I sigh and run a hand over my face.
“All right, I’m still convinced it’s those two fucking clowns, so we’re going to keep looking for them, and we’re going to ramp up the pressure,” I say. “And while we’re doing that, I want you to back channel with your contacts. Ask around and find out if Rodney or Hector are looking to make a move, but do it quietly, Marco.”