Page 95 of Rematch
Adrian released his grip on Carter’s neck and shoved him towards his fallen partner. “Tell his ass to be there within the next hour.”
Coughing and gasping for air, Carter stumbled towards his partner, still nursing his bleeding hand, and helped him up.
As they hurried off, we went through the back door and into the restaurant. Back inside, the hum of the restaurant felt a world away from what had just gone down. We made a beeline for our table where the girls were still sitting with noticeable creases between their brows.
“Come on,” Adrian told Kiara. He grabbed her hand and helped her out of the booth. “We’re leaving.”
“What? Why?” Audrey asked. She scooted out and grabbed my outstretched hand. “Max, what’s going on?”
“I’ll explain later,” I promised as we shuffled behind Adrian and Kiara. I led her through the doors and followed my cousin across the street towards one of the black SUVs waiting there. “The driver is going to take you back to my place,” I told her as I opened the other passenger door and helped her up into the seat. “Wait for me there.”
Audrey’s brows pinched together in confusion, her lips parting to speak again.
I shut the door before she could.
I hated leaving her in the dark, but I had no choice. The less she knew right now, the better.
On the ride to the warehouse, I called Tysir, Wesley and some of my other men to meet us there. I wanted to be prepared in case Elias came in on some bullshit. I doubted he actually wanted to talk. If anything, it was a ruse to get my guard down. Little did he know, I was smarter than that.
The location I chose was actually one of the buildings we used for our fight nights. Knowing the octagon was there made me feel more in my element. I paced back and forth within the cage while we waited for the assholes to show up, preparing myself.
One of the men at the door whistled, signaling our guests’ arrival.
Three men ambled into the doorway, donning their signature skull tattoos and guns on their waistbands. My men quickly cocked their guns at the sight of their weapons.
“Relax,” the man in the middle said, holding up his hands. “We’re here to have a civil conversation.”
“Leave the weapons outside, then.”
Nodding, the man and his crew pulled the guns out of their waistbands and dropped them on the other side of the doorway.
It wasn’t until all of them were patted down and cleared that they were let inside.
In the light, I recognized the man in the middle by his gray streaked hair and scar in the middle of his forehead. I’d seen him on a few occasions when my father let me observe distribution meetings. My father didn’t have friends, but he was always more laid back around this particular buyer. Probably because he’s been in the game just as long as my father has - and he always gave more than the cut they agreed on. From the way he confidently strutted inside with no gun, he probably assumed their good rapport extended to me. He couldn’t be more wrong.
“Maximiliano,” he greeted as he climbed up into the octagon, shooting me a wide smile. “Good to see you again.”
“It’s Max,” I corrected.
“Right. I forgot you’re all grown up now.” His eyes drifted to Adrian. “And you’ve bought a Ruiz with you?” He outstretched his hand as he walked towards Adrian. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I must say I was a big fan of your father - may his soul rest in peace.”
Adrian didn’t even glance at his hand. “Hm.”
He quickly let his hand fall and brushed it against his pants, hoping we wouldn’t notice the awkwardness lingering in the air.“Listen, boys, I came here today to clear the air. I think there’s been some miscommunication.”
I raised a brow in disbelief, but I let him finish.
“You see, Jayden and his mother owe me a whole lot of money. I lent my assistance for years, and as we both know, good deeds aren’t free. It’s not fair if they reap the benefits of my kindness without giving anything in return while others break their backs to pay me back. I let them off a lot easier than most because…well, I still care about them. We became close after all those years - almost like a family. If it were anyone else, they would be dead already.”
My jaw clenched at the thought.
His eyes caught the movement, and the end of his lip tugged upward. He forced it back down to maintain his serious expression. “When Jayden came to me, he was worried sick about his mother. He was willing to do anything for me to let her off my hook. So, I was fair and gave him a choice of jobs: the corner or the rings. He chose the latter. Imagine my surprise when he abandons his duties a few months later.”
“He’s still making the same money,” I replied. “So, you shouldn’t have a problem.”
“I do, actually. Because he’s not doing what I told him to. This isn’t about the money. This is about the lesson I’m trying to teach him: actions have consequences; even if they’re not your own. Since his dad wasn’t around to do it, somebody else has to.”
I almost rolled my eyes. “Well, I’m taking over from here. Respect that, and you’ll keep getting your money.”
