Page 26 of Prettiest Little Thief (Band of Thieves #1)
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.”
He scoffed and sat back in his chair, the hinges squeaking. “You have some balls coming to my compound and making demands. Mind you, after you shot Rocco.”
My elbows came to rest on my knees as I glared at him.
“Rocco is a piece of shit woman beater. He touched what’s mine.
I’m sure you would have done the same thing.
” The fury of finding Monroe after a night in the dungeons started to leak back into me.
Beneath my skin and into my veins. I would do anything to keep Monroe safe. Anything.
Charles tapped his finger on the arm of his seat. “Maybe when I was younger and led around by my dick.”
My jaw clenched hard, making my teeth ache. I did my damndest not to throw myself across his desk and kill him. Strangle him with my bare hands and watch the light go out of his eyes. Then I would spit on his fucking corpse .
“Monroe will be my wife before tomorrow is over. This will be handled tonight, and you and your men will never make contact with her again. Is that clear?”
Charles chuckled. “You know, you’re an asshole, but I like you. You remind me of my brother.” He reached forward and pulled open a drawer. Raf and Fox both cocked their pistols, and when I glanced at Charles’s guard against the wall, there was glee sparkling in his eyes.
“Whoa. I’m just getting a stogie.” Charles held up his hands to show us the cigar and lighter he withdrew from his desk.
The men beside me relaxed as he settled back and lit the end, puffing.
Smoke curled into the air, a layer of haze surrounding him.
“I’ll take your money, and her debt will be paid.
I’ll get the word out to the boys to stand down and stop searching for her. ”
Rafael threw a large bag full of money onto the table and backed up again.
“Any other requests, Lucas?” Charles asked with a teasing nature.
“Tell Rocco, if I see him anywhere, it won’t be his knees he has to worry about.” I pushed to my feet and stalked out of the office, Fox and Rafael in tow.