Page 99 of Truths

“We treat others how we'd like to be treated. If the roles were reversed, we'd like to think someone would bring this to us. Besides, the only issue we had with the Irish was because of the fucked-up plan Ivan and O'Malley came up with,” TK says.

“I would like to say I would do that, but I honestly don't know. Probably not. You allowed me to have a part in this, and for that, I am grateful. I've also looked into some of the men who were very loyal to O'Malley and found many who were still carrying out his plans, even after he was killed as part of our truce.”

Smirking, Jennings raises his eyebrows. “Are we to assume that the past tense you said it in means they've been taken care of?”

“Very much so, yes.”

“Good.”

“Which also helped me. Had you not said anything, I'd still have a target I didn't know about on my back. So, I would like to extend an olive branch of sorts. I would like to offer to be your new supplier. It may take me some time to acquire some of the large caliber items I know you're accustomed to, but I will makeit happen. And with your expanded distribution, I think we can prove to be very profitable for each other.”

Looking at TK, Jennings pauses before answering. They'd briefly discussed what they'd do if they were offered a new deal with the Irish, and they agreed it was worth seeing what can be negotiated.

“What kind of deal would we be walking into?”

“Terms are negotiable, but we would sell to you with thirty-five percent profits on revenue with at least a twenty percent above whole price.”

“That's steeper than the deal we have with the RIO right now. Assuming they aren't truly involved with Ivan's plan, which I sincerely doubt, they're likely to bend over backwards to try and keep us. They gave us a discounted price to keep us with them after the shitstorm that was O'Malley, and I have a feeling it will be extended indefinitely,” Jennings says.

Collin nods. “Talk it over with your men and send back what you feel would be a fair deal. We can open up discussions from there.”

“If we opt not to climb into bed with you because we may want to stick with the devil we know, where does that leave us with you?” TK asks.

The glasses get refilled, and Collin lifts his glass to his lips. “I have no problems with the Deranged Drifters. May even help out with a favor if there seems to be a benefit for me down the line. But there will be no retribution. Business is business.”

“Works for us,” Jennings says and clinks glasses with them again as screams fill the room from the basement. “Sounds like Psycho grabbed Eleanor.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Black Valley

Psycho

Psycho holds the door open for Dax as they walk into a rundown restaurant named Sanford's, and they see Ryan sitting at a table alone.

“How'd you get him here?” Dax asks, his voice low.

“Sent a message from Ivan's phone,” Psycho says, and he knows he wears a menacing smirk.

They walk around and sit across from Ryan, his face covered with prison ink and a few missing teeth. It takes him a few moments before he recognizes Psycho, and he leans back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Carson Todd. Why am I not surprised? Come to welcome me home? Open arms and all that?”

“Oh, yeah, the family misses you. They want you to join them real soon for dinner.”

“Considering you killed our family, I assume this means you came here to kill me?”

“Meeting someone, Ryan?”

Shaking his head, he just smiles, his eyes never leaving Psycho's. He's one of the few people who could potentially give him a run for his money in the sick and twisted torture department. “Nope. Just stopped in for a drink.”

Psycho laughs and looks around the room. “You know, this is the fullest I've ever seen this place.”

“Really?” Dax asks. “Not many people come in here?”

He shakes his head. “No, it's a dump. Which tells me Ryan's lying. He's here to meet someone. Could it be Ivan?”

“I don't know anyone by that name,” Ryan says.

“Really?” he asks, pulling out Ivan's cell phone. He calls the number he texted the day before, and it rings on the table with Ivan's name on the screen. “Looks like you have a man you've never heard of saved in your phone.”

---