Page 113 of Love Him Like Water

“You got a name?”

“Coal.”

“You’re not from here.” It wasn’t really a question. Fact of the matter was, if there was a kid this tough in the area, there was no way I wouldn’t have known about him, wouldn’t have tried to recruit him myself.

“No. Camden,” he admitted.

That made sense. That was a rough area too. Like me and mine, he’d likely been on those streets young, likely working as a scout for drug dealers or other organized crime syndicates.

“How long you been here?”

“Couple weeks.”

“Right. Okay. And you’re freelancing,” I guessed.

“Don’t need no fucking boss.”

“Everyone has a boss,” I said, shrugging. “Except me,” I added. “Think you came here not knowing shit about how things work around here.”

“You might be a boss,” he said. “But that don’t mean you don’t got people who want to change that.”

“Clearly,” I said, shaking my head. “What I’m saying here is… they’re not gonna fucking win. Maybe this would have been a different story a few months ago. Before I created an alliance with all the other of the five families,” I told him, watching his mind work behind his green eyes. “Now, a move against me, is a move against all of us. Whoever you are working for, they’re bringing down the wrath of the entire fucking mob on them. Even if they kill me, they don’t win. That’s not how this plays out.”

He sat there for a minute, digesting this.

No, he wasn’t from the city.

But anyone raised by the streets understood the hierarchy of organized crime.

It wasn’t just the boss involved here. It was the capos, the soldiers, the associates. Of every goddamn family. Hundreds of fucking men. Ready to exact revenge.

Coal watched me, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he moved his mouth side to side.

“What if I told you that this alliance you’re boasting about is the reason I am here?”

“I’d say I’m not surprised. Lot of people haven’t been thrilled about it.”

“And if I told you this guy will do anything to get to you.”

“Seems like he’s working toward that.”

“No,” Coal said, shaking his head. “Anything. Hurt… anyone.”

“He’s gonna make a move on my people?” I asked, mind racing with how many soldiers and capos could be out there on the streets right now, unaware, unprotected.

Coal sucked in a deep breath, then winced as it expanded his lungs enough to make his ribs scream.

“If I say anything else, I want something in return.”

“What do you want?” I asked.

“My life,” he said.

“Don’t worry, kid, I was going to give you that, but also take that from you no matter what.”

“What?”

“You’re gonna live. But your life is gonna belong to me,” I told him. “You work your way up like anyone else. Associate to soldier to capo. You’re a fucking piece of work,” I went on. “Lot like I was at your age.”

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