Page 60 of Death's Deal

“I’m not asking for more. Only what they require now. Now, I need to know what your decision was.” He peers at his watch once more. “‘N’ now is when I need to know. The boss is asking for a call and I have ten minutes before they open the flood gates, taking your clubs, families and homes.”

Each of us stays silent. Piper takes a seat on Cap’s lap as he reclines on a chaise, as Busta takes the seat Murianos recently occupied. Flipping a chair back over, Joker takes a seat across from him. Motioning for Toni to join me, she takes a seat on the armrest.

“I’ll ask once more and I expect an answer,” Johnson clips tersely.

“We’re not volunteering for this choice—”

“Yes. N’ your clubs chose. This decision was made with and without you.” Pacing for a moment, Johnson comes back with a quieter tone. “I can tell by your pushback the clubs decided and you’re not comfortable with the choice.” Turning from us, gathering his phone, he taps away. Raising the phone to his ear, as they answer. “It’s done. Yes, sir. I will. Of course. Are you sure? Okay. Yes. Thank you, sir,” he states tersely, hanging up the line and pocketing his phone once more.

“My boss wants me to make sure she understands this fully, and that all of you know there is nothing you can do to change this.” He looks at each of us. “I hate that it is happening too.” Pulling his gun free, checking the safety is off, Johnson addresses us, as he points it in my and Busta’s direction. “I don’t want any trouble from each of you.” Eyeing his gathered agents, he orders, “Be prepared. Guns at the ready, and if any of these guys make a move, shoot to slow them.”

“Yeah, like that’s going to save you,” Busta quips. “None of us are getting free of the blowback from this fight. Might as well put it between my eyes, as not much is going to slow me down.”

“She is going to hate everyone,” Piper clips off. “I know I would. Especially you.” Her gaze is transfixed on me. Piper knows this better than any of us. It’s indentured servitude to a monster, and we can’t do a thing about it.

It sends a quiver through my soul.

My sister is going to be owned by the devil and I handed her over.

As we watch, all sitting uncomfortably and anxiously waiting for what is about to happen next, two excessively large assholes walk in. One holds the bag from my ride that houses the Queen’s book, while the other holds my sister’s arm tightly, directing her. Jaz in her usual arrogant way strides across the empty dance floor with her head held high and poised to kill. Following along, Miss and Gunner step through behind her with two men escorting each themselves.

Feeling my ire sky rocket, my anger seething to the surface and my hatred crawling at my skin to be released, I move to stand. Before I can, two men cock and point their weapons at Antonia. The asshole closest sneers, “Don’t. It’s not worth her life.” I have to choose between my sister and the woman I’ve loved my whole life? Not much of a choice. I’m fucked and Johnson’s goons know it. Gotta give it to Johnson, he brought a squadron of steroid-jacked motherfuckers to control us. If it weren’t for the guns, we wouldn’t be outnumbered and we’d be a match for them, for sure.

“Does anyone want to pipe up n’ tell me what this is about?” J clips off as she traverses the space.

Each of us silently calculate our chances at escaping this unscathed.

We can’t.

We know it.

Chapter 33

Jazmine

I’m more than annoyed. I’m fuming.

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