Page 83 of Blade

Marching up to his room, I noticed the guard outside was Officer Marquez. Wasn’t that a coincidence?

“Hello, Miguel, how’s the family?” Holding out my hand to him, he gave it a firm shake.

“Hey, Blade. Family’s good. Manny wants to play hockey this year at the rec center.”

“He does?”

Well… well… well. Isn’t this convenient?

“I hear hockey can be expensive. All that gear can add up quickly.”

“It sure can,” he confirmed, cocking his eyebrow at me before adding, “There are four of us families that have kids wanting to play hockey.”

I understood what he meant, loud and clear.

“Sounds like the rec center could use a hefty donation to make sure none of those kids need anything.”

Those kids would have everything they needed.

The Silver Shadows were not above bribing law enforcement when the need arose, but situations like this just kept everything cleaner.

“That would be great, Blade. I’m sure the rec center would really appreciate it.” He looked down both ends of the hallway. “If you will excuse me for a minute, nature calls.”

“I understand. Take your time, Miguel.”

He knew I wouldn’t hurt Grant, not anything permanent anyway.

I just needed to have a little talk with him.

Pushing the door open, I stepped in and inspected the body lying on the bed. I clenched my fists, wishing I could pummel him into the mattress. I reminded myself I was here to talk and kicked the bottom of his bed to wake him up.

“Hey!” Grant sat up, looking for whatever disturbed his slumber.

When his eyes landed on me, he paled. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you.”

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you.”

“That’s fine. You can just listen.” My hand reached out for his throat, and I squeezed. “I know what you tried to do, asshole. I saw the video.”

“What video?” he croaked out, his face turning red.

“The video from the cameras in the parking lot of the steakhouse where you tried to rape my woman, asshole.”

“Not… your… woman,” he rasped as I squeezed harder before loosening my grip.

Couldn’t have him passing out before I was done.

“Mine,” he grunted.

“Fuck no, she isn’t. She’s mine,” I sneered. “She’s always been mine and she will always be mine. Now listen to me, you son of a bitch. You thought what my brothers did to you was bad? Just you wait until you’re out on bail, motherfucker. Then you’re mine.”

I got into his face to make sure he heard every word.

“You see, my brothers beat your ass but left you alive for me. I don’t like you, Grant. I’ve never liked you. Until now I’ve left you to whatever the hell it is you do, ‘cause I know it ain’t just real estate. But the minute you put your sleazy hands on my girl,against her will,” I growled, “you signed your death warrant.”

Grant tried unsuccessfully to get out of my grasp.

---