Page 69 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

"Right." I tuck the gun into my waistband.

"Take whatever you need," Ruth insists while grabbing another basket and shoving it toward me. "Did you make that tofu like I told you to?"

"Was that your recipe?" London asks her as her gaze shifts from me to Ruth.

Ruth smiles politely. "I take it you're the reason he's buying tofu?"

"Guilty," London admits, her cheeks reddening but only slightly. "It was great, by the way." London takes the basket, ignores the dead man on the floor, and chats to Ruth about tofu.

"Keep an eye on the door," Ruth tells me and turns her attention to London. "I have these new black bean burgers you might like. Here, let me show you." She guides London down an aisle, the distance between us tugging at me, itching me to move closer, to be there, just in case something happens again. I shouldn't feel this way, but having London around gives me a sense of purpose and I don't want to fuck up the one task I've been given.

Taking my phone from my pocket, I dial August's number and walk toward the door, eyeing everyone on the sidewalk as they pass.

"Arch, what's going on?" August says through the receiver.

"They sent someone to Ruth's shop."

"What are you talking about?"

"The bodega on the corner, the one in my fucking neighborhood. They sent someone to make it look like a robbery."

"Did you ever consider it was a robbery?"

"All things considered, I'm appalled you're being so dismissive."

August sighs. "Has the situation been handled?"

"Yes."

"Did you question the person?"

"He wasn't giving anything up." I recall the shock on the man's face as I pressed the gun into his temple. I ignore the part of me that missed having that control.

"I see." August clears his throat. "And you think it was the Manor brothers?"

"When I asked him who sent him, he said they'd kill him. Who else would it be if it wasn't us? I can't imagine Leo or Seven would send someone to shoot up my grocery store."

"I mean, I wouldn't put it past Seven…"

"We're brothers, we fight, we make up, that's what we do. This time was no different."

"What's the deal with the girl?"

"I didn't call you to talk about her."

"What do you want from me, Archer?"

"Nothing, August," I bite back. "I'm trying to make you aware, is all. Take it or leave it, but if we don't get a grip on this situation, who's to say they don't take over our territory? I should have known when I took a step back everything would fall to shit."

"Excuse me?" August cuts me off. "Nothing is falling to shit. Don't you dare disrespect what I'm doing here.Youare the one who resigned from your position.You'rethe one who wants nothing to do with things. I won't tolerate this from you."

A familiar man in uniform struts down the sidewalk, a few men close behind him. "I've got to go," I tell him. "The cops are here."

"Good, handle the situation," August says before I hang up the phone and return it to my pocket. I open the door, the bell chiming, and hold it for the men to enter.

"Archer." Officer Robinson shakes my hand. "This is Officer Peterson, McKenna, and Charles. You want to walk us through things?"

I glance at each guy and tip my head toward the dead man. "Came in, tried to rob the place." I pull the gun out, holding it with my shirt and wiping my prints off it before handing itto Officer Robinson. "This is what he used. Serial number is wiped," I tell him when he turns it over and looks for one.

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