Page 39 of Branches of Betrayal

Adrian rolled his eyes behind Poplar, squeezing his shoulders with more force. “You’re not very bright, are you, Eddie? If youdon’tgive us Hernandez, you’re going to be dead anyway.”

He let out a whimper before nodding. “Okay, fine. We meet at 2208 South Livra Boulevard every Thursday at eleven. Usually just a drop off, but he’s always there before we turn up, and he makes us leave first.”

Peyton nodded at Harris, who let go of Poplar’s shoulders. “And manpower? Is he alone or does he usually bring a team?”

Eddie Poplar slunk back in the chair, looking from Hadina to Peyton. He was weighing up his options, but quickly came to the conclusion that he wasn’t escaping this.

“Usually alone. Sometimes he’ll bring someone but it’s rare. He always has a gun holstered at his waist and on show, but I don’t know if he’s packing anything else.”

“Thank you for your honesty,” Hadina stated. “Now that we have that covered, it’s time for you to pay for some of the damage you’ve caused.”

The young man’s eyes widened and he began thrashing in his chair. “No! No! I didn’t do shit. I told you what you wanted to know!”

Peyton rolled her eyes, looking at Hadina for a second before she swung the knife in an arc, creating a gash in Poplar’s bicep. Hadina’s core constricted as she watched the bloodlust come to the forefront of Peyton’s mind, albeit temporarily.

“You’re a stupid motherfucker,” Peyton snapped. “Everything you do—selling on the streets, or luring young kids away, or even keeping quiet when you know your boss is doingsome dodgy shit—impacts on other people. Andeverythingyour boss stands for is evilness, cruelty, and vileness. You, Mr Eddie Poplar, are directly responsible. Because you do the shit you’re told and you don’t think twice.”

Poplar screamed, sobbing and looking at the blood trailing down his arm.

“Hadina, I’m ready to leave now.”

Hadina didn’t say anything, simply slid her hand into Peyton’s and led them both back to the car. Adrian followed them out, wiping his bloodied hand on a rag.

“Damn, Pey, you’re feisty when you want to be. You kicked ass back there.” He held up his hand and Peyton high-fived him, making Hadina smirk.

“You know what you have to do?” Hadina asked Harris, leveling her gaze at him. It always amused her when she got to be stern with him. “Don’t want you to fuck this up for us.”

Adrian flipped her off. “Poplar is going to rest easy here. Ume said she wanted to introduce herself so he’ll be well taken care of. I’ll make sure to put a first aid kit or two on the table. And while she does that, I’m gathering a few of the team and we’ll plan out our little rendezvous with Hernandez.”

Hadina nodded once. She didn’t always need to use words with Harris, and most of the time he knew what he had to do anyway. They’d worked together for so long, and had been family long before that. He was the best of Adis & Co., though she would never say that to his face.

“Can we go now?” Peyton asked.

“Of course,tentadora.” Hadina unlocked the car and watched Peyton slide into the passenger seat. She was about to get in the car herself when a thought popped into her head. She turned back to Adrian. “Check in with Piper, okay?”

A worried look flashed across his face and it was the confirmation Hadina needed. “Why? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine,” Hadina said, a smirk pulling at her lips. “But something tells me she’d be happy to hear from you and know you’re okay.”

Adrian ran his hands through the thick mess of dark hair atop his head. “Don’t meddle, Hadi.”

“Me? I would never.” She winked at him, seeing the small blush forming on his cheeks. “You both deserve to be happy. But never hurt her or I will personally gut you like a fish, brother or no brother.”

He pressed a hand to his heart, feigning emotion. “Oh my, Hadina, I had no idea you thought so highly of me. Should I start calling you sister now?”

“Sure. But I won’t be responsible for the knife that ultimately lodges in your throat.”

Harris laughed and turned his back, walking into the warehouse.

It was funny that for most of her life, Hadina had known Adrian Harris, had seen him like a brother, but had never said the words. Sure, she’d implied it, but admitting something like that was always a weakness in her eyes. But now, Peyton had widened her heart and broadened her emotional scale. Perhaps it was time she started showing those she loved just how much they meant to her.

Hopping into the driver’s seat, Hadina immediately pulled Peyton in for a deep kiss. Her lips still tingled every time and it was a feeling she hoped would last forever.

“What was that for?”

“It wasn’t for anything. It’s because I love you, and I would never pry my lips away from yours if I didn’t have to.”

Peyton blushed, tucking a strand of her golden hair behind her ear. “I love you, Hadina.”

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