Page 49 of King of Tides

He already looks frozen solid. His green eyes are lifeless but seem as if they’re staring right at me. I take a few more steps and squat before him.

“Damn, buddy. Who did you piss off?” I murmur.

Suddenly, I’m thrown into a vision. It’s like I’m stood back up and turned around, then placed back outside the door.

Instantly, I reach for the door in my mind to open it for Ardan to see my thoughts. I figure this would be easier than trying to explain later.

Though I’m in the vision, I can feel the pendant around my neck warming against my skin. Ardan’s agitation is also taking over my feelings. Something I didn’t know could happen.

I force myself to focus on the vision to see what I will learn about what happened here. At least, that’s what I hope will happen. I stand and watch as men in suits enter the kitchen as if they belong.

I know right away they don’t, as Candido and Pauly Ricci appear among the men, I get a bitter taste in my mouth. I think I can already tell what happened here.

“Oh boy, here we go. I’m telling you for the last time, Candido. I can’t move any more product for you through the restaurants. My brother-in-law found out and he’s ready to can my ass. If it weren’t for my sister, he would have,” the guy in the chef’s coat says.

I know it’s the vic from the freezer. He has the same dark hair and mohawk. He’s a tall guy with a broad build.

“Now see, that’s not going to work for me. I’m having trouble with distribution as it is. I can’t have my transport guys reneging on me too. Pauly, how do you think we should deal with this?

“I came for the box of clams you promised me. Not to do business,” Pauly says.

“That’s funny. I’m always doing business while you’re always stuffing your face. Bardo, let’s see if our friend understands the terms and conditions of our agreement,” Candido says as he waves forward a big blond dude.

The blond comes forward and rolls his neck from side to side then cracks his knuckles. He’s one big motherfucker. I’m taken aback when the chef knuckles up like he’s ready to take this dude on.

The blond swings, but the chef ducks and comes up with a right hook. He lands it, but the blond doesn’t even flinch.

I wince when the sound of his hand breaking reaches my ears. The blond grins as if he’s unfazed. The chef dances back as he cradles his hand to his chest.

“Damn,” I breathe.

“Ah, fuck it,” Candido says and pulls a gun, putting a bullet in the head of the chef.

“What the fuck, Candido?” Pauly growls. “What the fuck are you thinking? You can’t keep doing shit like this right now.”

“At least I’m doing something. What have you done since this bullshit started? Huh?”

“Whatever,” Pauly says shaking his head as he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and dabs at his upper lip. “You’re losing control. We need to fix the real problem. I’m sure if you speak with them, there’s a solution.

“Fuck outa here. Are you listening to the shit coming out of your mouth? You have our only option. Now make sure she does what needs to be done,” Candido seethes.

“So I’m not getting those clams, huh?”

“If you don’t get the fuck out of my face,” Candido snaps. “Clean this shit up and find me someone to handle the shipments.”

“Boss, should we call the bikers to handle it?” one of the other guys says.

“Would I be here doing this shit if the bikers were an option right now? No, you fucking moron. I want you to clean this shit up,” Candido snarls.

“You all right, Detective Salvado?”

I come out of the vision and look up at the photographer standing over me. He’s looking back at me with concern in his eyes. I shake my head clear and stand to my full height.

“I’m fine,” I say after clearing my throat.

“We need to talk. That was a super I’ve been looking for,”Ardan growls in my head.

“Is he one of the brothers?”

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