Page 116 of Hidden Ties

“They’d take one look at you and call the cops.”

Amusement filled Sandman’s grim features. “Think so? I don’t.”

Creed didn’t think so, either. He had just said it to piss Sandman off, which he had learned was impossible. The brother didn’t ever let his emotions get carried away enough to get angry.

Slinging the gym bag strap over his shoulder, Sandman went to his bike, where he transferred the jewelry into his saddlebag.

“You must be keeping track of the new recruits to have recognized Sarge.” Wraith kicked a piece of broken glass away from his tire.

“Just because I don’t talk to you, doesn’t mean I don’t talk to Lynx.”

“Fuck, she can never keep her mouth shut.”

“Or…” he suggested, “you could never bar her from the club.”

Wraith gave a low laugh. “She isn’t as easy to get rid of as you were.”

His hands clenched in his jacket pocket. “You threatened to get Sandman to slit my throat if I didn’t leave.”

“I wanted you to go to college,” Wraith said unrepentantly. “You were too smart to waste your life hanging out at the club. I’m not as smart as you. I gave you a way out before it was too late. Besides, you knew I wouldn’t have killed you. Sandman would have just given you a scar to remember what happens when you tell me no.”

Creed looked at him like he was crazy. “You know you’re fucked up, right?”

A harsh sound filled the air. “Tell me something I don’t know. You want to tell me you’re not?”

Clenching his jaw, Creed remained silent.

“I guess not.” Wraith let his harsh façade drop, showing him the brother he had grown up idolizing. “I don’t give a fuck if you hate me. I made the right decision. You had too much smart inside of you to piss your life away. You would have been doing hard time before you were twenty. What I don’t get is why you’re still so pissed off. You make a shit ton of money using thateducation you swore you didn’t want. I wish you’d quit doing shit like you did tonight, but I guess I can’t have it all.”

Creed didn’t drop his own façade, still angry about the choice that had been made for him.

“I guess not.” Creed nodded his head to where Sandman was closing his saddlebag. “Who do you have for a buyer?”

“I have it taken care of.” Wraith easily slipped back into the emotionless bastard Creed was more familiar with.

“The cops are going to be on the lookout for those pieces. Kaston Castillo has placed a huge reward to find out who is responsible for stealing his property.”

“I didn’t steal them; I’m fencing them.” Unconcerned, Wraith took out a pack of cigarettes.

“Castillo is smart. You fence that jewelry to the wrong person,” he warned, “he’ll find out who he bought them from before he kills them.”

“Fucker shouldn’t have put his shit in a storage unit.” Lighting the cigarette, Wraith blew the smoke in his direction.

“He received information that the FBI was about to execute a warrant on his residence. It was supposed to be for a couple of days. Whoever broke into his house was good, but they will get caught. Castillo has offered a hundred grand for the information as to who it was.”

“Then I’m glad I’m not the one who stole them.” Wraith took another drag of his cigarette. “Should I be worried you’re going to snitch to him I bought them?”

“No.”

Wraith dropped his cigarette to the ground, grounding it out under the heel of a boot.

“Aren’t you afraid of being caught with the necklace?” he countered.

“No. I’msmartenough to cover my tracks. I’m not afraid, because the necklace I took didn’t belong to Castillo. I know whoit belongs to. If you don’t want me to tell you who the buyer is, let me handle the sale so it won’t lead back to the Phantoms.”

“I’ll consider your offer.” Wraith went to where Sandman was retrieving the empty gym bag, then brought it back to him.

“Wraith, listen to me; you don’t want to draw Castillo’s attention. He’s an evil motherfucker.”

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