Page 50 of Prettiest Little Thief
Lucas dug right in and surprised me at every turn with his kindness and caring. The protection he promised me was something I didn’t deserve.
I swallowed hard. “Okay.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lucas
On the eve of our wedding, I had a fuck ton of things to take care of. I squared away all of the actual wedding things, and when Monroe wasn’t around, I called my accountant and demanded he withdraw eighty grand immediately.
With no space for error, I took it upon myself to drive to the Crimson’s compound with Fox, Rafael, and some of his team, who followed behind us. Just in case. The last time, we had left a mess behind for Charles and his shithead minions to clean up.
What did Monroe call them again? The Tweedles? The name still made me grin as I pulled up to the guard station and rolled down the dark tinted window of my car. The dipshit must have recognized me because he drew his gun the moment my face came into view. But so did Fox from the passenger seat. The barrel pointed just past me at the man.
I didn’t so much as flinch as I said, “We need to see Charles. Now.”
“You’re the motherfucker who shot Rocco.” He lifted his Glock.
“So, you do remember me. Then you would do well to remember what happens to people who fuck with me and mine,” I growled through my teeth. “Besides, I have a feeling Charles will be more than happy to see me.”
“And why is that?” Another man stalked up next to the guard who held us at gunpoint, a hand on the gun holstered at his hip.
“Call him up. Tell him I have the money he wants.” I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles bleached white.
Without removing his aim from me, he used his two-way radio and mumbled into the speaker. Garbled words came through, and the first guard’s nostrils flared as he dropped his weapon. “Open the gate,” he said to his partner.
A few moments later, the gates creaked open. Fox only disengaged his gun after we were safely on the other side of the property.
“I’m glad they didn’t shoot,” Raf said as he leaned forward between the front seats. His massive body couldn’t fit completely through, but I saw the glint of his gun in the low light, letting me know he had been ready if they had. He put the safety back on and sat back in his seat again.
“Fuck, me too.” Fox ran a hand over his face.
“Relax. Don’t let them see how stressed you are,” I said.
“Easy for you to say, Lucas. You’ve always had a poker face.”
“Learned it from my dad.” I stopped the car in front of the entrance steps, and the plan was for just the three of us to head inside and talk to the Crimson leader. The remaining men were to keep watch outside and be available to storm the house in the event my meeting didn’t go well.
The man who unchained Monroe waited at the entrance of the house. A smirk was present on his face, and I cocked a brow as we strode toward him.
“Something amusing to you?” Rafael asked, his voice gruff.
“Very,” he replied.
“You’ll have to enlighten us to what you’re so entertained by.” I gripped the handgun that was at my side. The Tweedle’s eyes followed the movement, but his smirk didn’t fall.
What the fuck is up with this guy?
“I just liked how shit got handled the last time you guys were here. Can’t wait to see what happens tonight.” He chuckled.
“Sick fucker,” Rafael mumbled.
Charles’s minion led us into the office where his boss sat at his desk. The Crimson leader’s face was already red with anger, his brows slammed down and jaw ticking. “Lucas Knight. I would say nice to see you, but obviously this is business related.”
“Same.” I took up a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk, flanked by Fox and Rafael, who remained standing.
“So, you have my money?” Charles asked.
“I do. But I want there to be an understanding before we settle this.”
