Page 46 of Stand: Part One
“The Davis brothers!” Luis called enthusiastically. “I’m glad you guys could finally make it. Please, sit.”
Daniel and I took both outside seats of the booth, crowding the cousins toward the middle and keeping an easy out for ourselves. The rest of our guards stood just outside the booth, their eyes focused on the ocean of people in front of them.
“What are you drinking?” Luis asked, beckoning at an approaching server.
“Vodka tonic,” Daniel answered, eyeing me from across the table.
“Rye and ginger,” I said, causing Daniel’s lips to snicker.
Over the years, I’d developed a strong taste for ginger that I just couldn’t quite shake.
After the server left, Luis relaxed into his seat while Theo remained just as stiff as he observed Daniel and me from across the table.
“So let’s get right to it,” Luis said. “I understand you’re in need of a new middleman.”
“Word has it you slaughtered the last one. And his family,” Theo commented.
Daniel smirked. “Yes, well, dismembering our brother tends to have that effect on us,” he retorted.
“Well, good thing we’re not in the business of murdering our business partners,” Luis chimed in. “Just moving their product for them.”
Our drinks were then set down on the table, the server quickly scurrying away and out of sight.
“How soon can you move it?” I asked, folding my hands over the table.
“Depends on how much we’re talking.”
“About 1,200 pounds,” Daniel answered.
Luis let out a slow, low whistle before he turned to look at Theo, who just shrugged.
“Once we secure the logistics, maybe as soon as next week,” Theo stated.
I nodded, satisfied with his timeline.
“Now, what do—” Gunshots rained over his voice, the sounds of screams and panic instantly overtaking the music. The crowd scattered like ants, which made it difficult to locate the source of the damn gunfire.
And then a break in the crowd revealed the last fucking thing I wanted to deal with. The same fucking thing I had warned Daniel about.
Matt moved through the dispersing crowd, a gun in his hand, flanked by eight more gunmen.
“Daniel fucking Davis!” he roared over the chaos.
God-fucking-dammit.
Moving quickly, I lifted my leg and shoved the table of our booth down to the floor, ducking just as bullets flew over our heads. Crouching behind for cover, I drew my Sig while Daniel, Theo, and Luis followed suit.
The rest of our guards scattered around the booth, ducking for cover as they began to return fire. Matt and his men quickly hid behind the bar while the rest of the screaming crowd pushed their way toward the exits.
My eyes caught Daniel’s, knowing damn well he could see my “I told you so” face.
“What the fuck is going on?” Luis shouted over the gunfire.
“Disgruntled ex-business partner,” I answered, cocking my gun and turning to take aim at the bar.
When the gunfire finally died down, I took my opportunity.
“What are you doing here, Matt!” I shouted.
