Page 76 of Unhinged
Arrow gets to her first, scooping her up like she weighs nothing. He carries her to an empty chair, easing her down as she winces.
I’m already on her. “You’re a goddamn wild card. You’re flighty. You’re reckless. You’re an idiot.”
She blinks at me, lashes still damp with sweat. “You done?”
“Not even close.”
She leans back, eyes flicking over my shoulder. “Put a pause on it. Nikola’s headed this way.”
I turn. The alpha from earlier steps up, eyes on me, then holds out a hand.
I take it. His grip’s firm. Measured. Like someone who just watched exactly what our omega can do—and respects it.
"Nikola," he introduces himself. “I just bought this club and the bar.”
Acid raises an eyebrow. “Why?”
Nikola smiles, unfazed. “Heard there’s room for more players in town.”
I step forward. "You heard wrong."
Nikola shrugs, an arrogant smile still in place. “A shame, then, since I already own both buildings. My business is thriving here. Would be a shame to shut it down. In fact, I have no plans to do so.”
Brydgett's voice cuts through the tension. “What do you want? What could the mafia possibly want in this small little town?”
Nikola raises an eyebrow. “How did you know I was mafia?”
“Your name is Nikola, that screams mafia, not to mention the suit, and your whole look is giving Italian mob boss vibes,” Brydgette interrupts.
Nikola laughs, deep and low. "As I said, I’ve been here a few times. I like the space back here. But up front? That’s another story. I like this town. There’s room to grow. Was I lied to?"
"You were," I answered, my tone cold. "We’re in charge here. We let the cartel do their thing if they stay out of our way. Lately, though? It’s been harder, and now you’re here. So tell me, Nikola. What do you really want?"
"We should discuss this in private," Nikola says, nodding toward the back. "Follow me."
He leads us and a few of his men to a door that opens into the alley behind the warehouse. The door clicks shut, and Nikola turns, his expression shifting from casual to something darker.
"The cartel took my sister. Trafficking. I want to find her—and I’ll burn them all to the ground in the process."
Acid lets out a huff. "You have the manpower for that?"
"I do."
"Then what? You come here, wage a war, and leave?"
Nikola shakes his head. "No. I want to stay here. Keep my business."
"What business?" I ask.
"Drugs, money, fighting..." Nikola waves a hand at the warehouse.
"We control the drug trade here," I snap. "Except for tar and crank. We don’t allow that. But someone’s distributing it, and that’s why we’re here. We want to know who and why."
"So, if I agree to keep my drugs out of here and clear out the trafficking ring, maybe we can have a truce," Nikola suggests. "I launder my money through the bar, host my fights and wagers, even get my party supplies from you."
"What do you want?" I ask, eyeing him warily.
"Coke, Smoke, LSD, Molly, Shrooms, and Angel Dust."
