Page 5 of Conquering Oz

Sales. There was different terminology when it came to product.

Oz jerked his gaze and glared. “Pushing drugs?”

“Yes. It looks like they started with more product and made some sales as they moved through the state.”

Oz’s jaw squared. Not only were they doing an illegal transfer without his permission or compensation, they’d taken an even bigger risk with sales.

“Anything else?”

Cyrus stepped up beside Ridge and smirked. “It seems these boys were partying along the way too. Dipping into the product. Van is a mess with remnants sprinkled everywhere.”

Fucking idiots.

Oz studied the man. His head was still bowed. Oz didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. Whether the man was keeping his gaze down out of fear, or not wanting to see the massacre of his mates, it wouldn’t last long. Eventually, the silence would overcome him, and sheer panic would set in, forcing him to face his fate. Seconds ticked by before his body shook, and he lifted his head, looking Oz directly in the eye. His bottom lip trembled, his throat bobbed, and he immediately dropped his gaze once again.

Oz turned to his second in command. “He didn’t name Garner?”

Nash folded his arms, eyeing the man. “No. Just the nephew, Karl, who authorized the sales, but nothing coming directly from Garner. I’m thinking the kid is trying to make a name for himself.”

Oz scoffed.If that was the case, well done, asshole.

Oz didn’t know the man kneeling in front of him. He’d never laid eyes on him, nor the other three in the room. He didn’t know their names, if they had families, if this was a first dip into illegal activities, or if they were seasoned. None of it mattered. They had crossed the Underground. There was only one ending.

“Look at me.” Oz growled, waiting on the man to lift his head. Seconds passed by without any movement. Caine lunged forward, and as if the man sensed it, he craned his neck, blood streaming down his face as he looked up, meeting Oz’s stare.

“Consider my state” —Oz paused, hardening his gaze— “invitation only.”

Rules and boundaries were what kept the organization running smoothly under his reign. He was following in the same footsteps as the man before him. Oz had learned everything from Sal Caruso. Studied him from the first day they’d met. A mentor of sorts. And a father figure down the road. When Oz started working with Sal, he didn’t have a vision of someday taking over. But he’d earned it.

“It-It’s a m-misunderstanding, and I—” A sharp kick to his ribs from Caine had the man keeled over, spurting blood from his mouth. Oz didn’t even flinch. He never did.

Caine leaned over, grabbed the man by the back of the neck, and forced him to straighten. The man struggled, weaving side to side. He never let up on his grasp, forcing him to arch his neck and face Oz.

“No one told you to fucking speak.” Caine growled, his tone sending a message.

Oz waited and watched the huddled mass of a man shake in fear.You chose this.

“You had no issue coming into my territory without permission. I have to assume you knew the risks. Now you’re dealt the consequences,” Oz said.

The man opened his mouth and started coughing, blood spilling past his lips. He could barely form a coherent sentence and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. His face strained, and he tried to breathe. There was no doubt Caine had broken a rib.Maybe two.

Oz sighed, sharing a look with Nash. He’d give it another minute, then end this debacle. Rarely did anyone give him worthwhile information. Oz never expected it. Most people associated with the Underground were willing to die for the sake of honor. But not all.

“It’s not our product.” The man spurted blood as he fell forward, bracing his arms on the concrete.

Oz narrowed his gaze. “No, it’s not. Now it’s mine.”

The man’s face paled as he struggled to talk. “I can’t walk in without the shipment.”

Fool.He wouldn’t be walking anywhere. His status as the last man standing was about to come to an abrupt halt. One of the most valuable rules for keeping the Underground safe—no witnesses. It was a lesson Oz had learned early on and never wavered from following.

“That won’t be an issue.” Oz gestured to Caine. One simple nod would end a life in less than five seconds. It was good to be King.

“Wait, wait…”

Oz slowly turned, facing the man. There was always a plea. One last ditch effort to save their own lives. Being in the Underground, Oz had heard it all. Weak, desperate people would betray anyone and everyone they held dear to save themselves. But not all people. Every once in a while he’d come across someone not willing to sell out another and protect themselves at all costs. Even when the price was their own life. That earned his respect, though it didn’t allow for any leniency. At least it was an honorable death. That had to account for something.

Through his blood drenched lips, the man spurted, “What if I have information?”

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