Page 70 of Velvet and Valor
“Interesting, Ming Xa seems to believe that they belong to her,” I say pointedly. “Something tells me that your far east associates wouldn’t appreciate you laying claim to them. I gotta tell you Moor, meddling with the Triad? A total fuck around and find out situation.”
“I will admit my business associates from the East are a bit more…hands on than I expected,” Moorcrock says. “But I’m quite determined to get my merchandise. I take it you understand determination, Mr. Sawyer?”
“You can tell by my current location just what I’m capable of when I’m determined enough.”
“Oh, I’m quite familiar with your capabilities, Axel,” he replies. “You’re a Bonafide war hero. A veritable one man army. Anyone would be a fool to have you for an enemy.”
“Then why are you putting yourself squarely in my crosshairs?” I ask.
No response for a long moment. The injured guard shifts on the floor and I glare at him dangerously. He holds his hands up.
“My back hurts,” he says. “I was just trying to sit up.”
I nod and motion for him to continue.
“I asked you a question, Moorcrock,” I say into the phone.
“It is your dear June that has placed us all in this precarious position Mr. Sawyer. And as such, it would be in your best interest to assist in rectifying the situation.”
“Why in the world would I help a criminal prick like you?”
“I’ll counter you with my own question,” he says. “How much is Platinum Security paying you?”
“Enough,” I reply.
“I see. Let me explain something to you, Mr. Sawyer. In my experience, there is no such thing as ‘enough’ money.”
I snort. “Yeah, I would expect someone like you to say that.”
“Come now, Mr. Sawyer. There’s no need to be impolite,” Moorcrock says. “I’m not some comic book villain, or even the criminal kingpin you paint me out to be.”
“Then what are you, exactly?” I ask. “Your background is so skimpy it must have been purged. Who were you before you became a ‘humble thief,’ Mr. Moorcrock?”
“I was much like you, Mr. Sawyer,” he replies. “A soldier, fighting wars for men too cowardly to suit up in fatigues themselves. Men who wanted to make sure the flow of money into their coffers never ceased. No, that’s not good enough. They wanted the flow of money to continuously increase, in perpetuity.”
“Yeah yeah, unsustainable system, late stage capitalism, blah blah,” I say. “I’ve heard all of the prevailing economic theories in the trenches, Mr. Moorcrock. I’m not in the mood for a sociopolitical debate. I just want you to leave my client alone. That’s it.”
“Your client?” he snickers softly. “You and I both know she means a great deal more to you than that, Mr. Sawyer.”
“I’m strictly professional,” I say, my heart beating faster in my chest.
“Are you? Then, I suppose it’s a matter of professional interest that you sleep with all of your clients. Or is it just the ravishing ones?”
I swallow a nasty retort, clenching my hand into a fist.
“My relationship or lack thereof with Ms. Mayweather is irrelevant,” I say. “All that matters is, if you don’t leave her alone, I’m going to come after you and ask you to stop. And if you don’t, I’m not going to use words to make sure it happens.”
“You’re going to use bullets?” he taunts. “Or perhaps your fists? I’ve been threatened so many times, Mr. Sawyer. So very many times. It becomes tiresome. And believe me, I’ve been threatened by men far more articulate than yourself.”
“Now who’s being rude?” I say. “Look, dude. I’ve been trying to be cool about this, I really have. But this is your last warning. If you fuck with June again?—”
“I’ll be signing my own death warrant?” he asks sweetly.
“Oh, that’s it?—”
“We have June, Mr. Sawyer.”
I stop, my blood freezing in my veins.
