Page 110 of Raven

“Shipments through Zion go through Raven. Tsariuk has no business talking to you about that.”

Butcher’s widening smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “That’s what I told him. This is what I’m telling you, Mr. Crone. There is some sort of misunderstanding here. I hope you sort it out.”

His sleaziness makes my blood boil. He is smarter than most criminals I know. Not every criminal is willing to diminish his worth in front of his partners and enemies or play a victim for the sake of manipulation. Butcher is a narcissist, but he is also a fucking genius. And now I don’t know if he really was contacted by Tsariuk or not, if they had that conversation, and if they did, I’m pretty sure Tsariuk has other business on this island besides some bullshit shipments.

Fuck

Fuck.

Fuck!

“Bye-bye now!” Butcher says sweetly and grins as I cut the call. “Well, Raven? This town seems a bit complicated these days. There are some disturbances I have a hard time keeping under control. Maybe we can make a deal.”

And that’s when I realize there won’t be another deal with Butcher. There can’t be any deals. He doesn’t honor any, nor does he give a shit about Ayana’s authority anymore.

I nod toward Cunningham and look Butcher straight in the eyes. “Give me that guy. He needs to pay for what he did. Then we talk about the deal.”

“Oh, I don’t think so. He is quite useful.”

This is not diplomacy. This is a provocation. And I am done dancing to Butcher’s violin.

“Last chance, Butcher. I don’t like traitors. Neither do you.”

“Unless they have valuable info.”

“He is a murderer and scum,” I repeat harshly.

Spit lands at my feet, and I shift my eyes to Cunningham, who scowls at me and says, “Careful there. Unless you want your pretty lady to end up in Port Mrei and make rounds among… scum.” He chuckles maliciously.

And the words make me see red.

I am patient. I’ve played this game for too long. I’ve given Butcher enough time to make things work. But if they want war? They will get war. And if I can’t fight against them all, I will eliminate them one by one.

This is a rash decision. But he just threatened Maddy.

In a second, I snatch my automatic gun, point at Cunningham, and fire.

The bullet goes right through his forehead, throwing him back.

“Hold still!” someone shouts as guns are drawn and my guards point their guns at the barrels of Butcher’s men.

I lower my gun as I meet Butcher’s eyes. He only smiles at me, his gaze hardening. I know what it means. We both do.

“Hold still!” someone shouts from behind me.

Butcher knows it’s not his territory. So, he starts slowly stepping back, his men with cocked guns following. The gates start closing, leaving Cunningham’s dead body, which no one claims, right behind them.

“Fuck,” one of the guards whispers.

Indeed. But this was a long time coming.

And the last thing I see before the gates close is Butcher’s face, no smile, his eyes on me as he draws his forefinger in a straight line across his neck.

The silent war between Ayana and Port Mrei started a while ago.

But now, it is openly declared.

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