Page 58 of Lordes

“I didn’t pick her. I just fucker how was I to know she was crazy?”

“I take it I’m here because you don’t want to give this bitch two million American dollars.”

“I don’t want to give her shit but I’m not sure I have a choice. She’s trying to pin two dead bodies on me.”

“You might not want to hear this. But you’re too pretty for jail ole blue eyes.”

“Thanks for pointing that out. But I’m aware. Fuck I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

“She underestimated you. I know you’re a lion underneath that exterior. This bitch doesn’t know who you really are.”

“I’m not sure I know who I really am.” I couldn’t believe I said that out loud.

“Listen, you’re the guy who didn’t bad and I when I showed you the dead body have a ten-year-old boy. You’re the guy that didn’t wince when I dropped a man out of twenty-story window. You’re the guy that doesn’t judge my illegal activities.”

Nicco was right. I was that guy. “She threatened to kill my grandmother and my girlfriend.”

“I got you. Don’t stress.”

“She’s been watching me. Hi don’t know for how long.”

“It’s fine. We can kidnap her kids or something.”

“No, I’m not killing any kids because their mother is trying to blackmail me.”

“Well I didn’t say killed the brats.”

“I’m not involving children”

“Okay cool.”

“Do you think her partner the Rodriguez guy is involved in this?”

“I don’t think so. Looks like they were paired up just a few months ago. But I have my guy looking into him I hope you know you’re going to have to resort to violence. She thinks you’re soft. She doesn’t know you’re connected. If you give this slimy broad to Mill she’s only going to come back for more. This will never be the end with these kinds of people.”

I knew everything Nicco was saying was the truth. I didn’t have many options. I’ve never taken in someone’s life. I knew that was the solution that Nicco was offering. I just wasn’t sure that I was going to take that option.

This shit was happening now, in real time. I had to make up my mind. I was running out of time. Was a really the lion Nicco proclaimed. Was I ready to dive into a world that I had been trying to avoid since I was a boy?

Nicco had tons of paperwork on Lauren. He had her tax forms, her disciplinary files. He even had her children’s report cards. He even had all the information on her husband. He had names, dates, and addresses. He produced all there was to know about Lauren and he did it in less than a day. Nicco had a wealth of power that I wasn’t aware of. I had never called in a favor with him so this was the first time I could see first hand how much power he wielded out in these Chicago streets.

She had two sisters that lived in Chicago. I read all I could read and I decided I didn’t want to harm anyone in her family. I wanted to only take out the bitch that came after me. I was trying to be any saint. I just didn’t want any innocent blood shed because of me.

Chapter Eighteen

LORDES

It only took Nicco a day to come out with an idea to take Lauren down. I was to go about my day like nothing was amiss. I was on board with his plan. I had to get out of this dilemma sooner because I really didn’t have a later.

I knew my Gram was safe. Nicco’s guy followed her to church and even sent live videos of my Gram to me so I knew she wasn’t in harms way. I got real time information on Bria. I knew where she was at all times and that put my mind at ease.

I was impressed by what Nicco could do. He had a tech guy that could erase any trance of my connection with Lillian Shelby and Caroline Collins. He also had someone remove all trances of my contact with Lauren. When the time was right we would strike.

When Monday rolled around I went to work like usual. I didn’t share any information with Christian although I knew he was loyal and wouldn’t tell anyone. This was my problem and I had already involved more people than I wished. So for now I was going to keep my assistant in the dark. It was better he didn’t know what I was up too or that Nicco was in town. Christian had a feeling Nicco was a shady character. I didn’t want him to put the pieces together.

I went to the bank and pretended to put in the request for a two million dollar withdrawal. If Lauren had someone watching me it appeared that I was holding up my end of the bargain.

The only correspondence I received from Lauren was from an unknown number. She was making sure that none of this traced back to her. Her text message said. [Your time is running out.]

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