A Hateful Negotiation

Chapter Twenty-Nine Blake

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Blake

Being scared would be a normal response to a situation like this.

“No.” I wasn’t normal.

He surged toward me, raising his voice at the same time he raised his gun. “What’d you say to me, bitch?”

I flicked a glance toward Levi. He only lifted his eyebrows up at me.

We were literally one block from one of Creighton’s buildings.

Lassiter was just outside. It was inevitable that his men would be alerted, so the only real thing I needed to do was not get shot before Creighton would end this.

What I actually did was start thinking about the aftermath because I already knew how this would play out.

I didn’t know the exact details or specifics, but once Creighton knew what was happening here, he’d send the alert out.

Whichever of his guys was closest would bust in here.

It would probably be Lassiter, and if that was the case, he’d come in shooting.

After that, the robbery guys would be educated on their mistake, and they’d either shit their pants or they’d be smart and run for their lives.

Either way, the robbery would be interrupted.

Now, what happened beyond that, I didn’t know.

It’d be contingent on a few factors, and none of them I could predict.

“Oh, shit! Shit! Fuck no. Oh—fuckingshityouguyswe’resosfucked.” The third robber had pulled out his phone and was looking down at it.

I started laughing.

“Blake!” Palma hissed, horrified.

I shook my head. I couldn’t stop laughing.

“Dude.” The second robber went over to his friend.

The first one got in my face. “Shut your Motherfucking Whore Mouth, Do You Hear Me?”

“Phil—No!” the third robber screamed.

The first one, the one screaming in my face, stopped and twisted around. “What do you—”

“Shut up! You have no idea—” The third guy moved closer, taking me in, and he visibly gulped. “We’re going to die.”

That was when the front door ripped open and Lassiter came in, gun drawn.

Levi and I moved at the same time.

Before the other two could turn on Lassiter, I rammed my knee up in the third guy’s groin.

He doubled over, a half screech strangling out of him while Levi punched the other one in the face.

Both were incapacitated right away. After shooting out a camera set up in the corner, Lassiter went straight for the third guy. “Put the gun down. Now.”

“Yo. I—” He gulped again but put the gun down.

Lassiter ripped off his ski mask. The guy was trembling, and he was as pale as a ghost. His hands were shaking as he held them up. “I’m one of you.”

“Fuck no, you’re not.” Lassiter motioned to the counter. “Sit your ass down.” He turned, snapping his fingers. “Levi.”

“On it.”

They got to work. Lassiter produced zip ties from his pocket, and there was no comment about why he would have zip ties on him because of course he would. They used them on the other two guys. Their ski masks were left in place, but I knew it was because they’d be pulled off at another location.

Palma was still crying. There were no other customers, which was a small blessing. The only other two people were the cook and a server girl. Both were sitting with the others.

I knew what was coming next.

I knew, but I didn’t want to think it.

Closing my eyes, I began to dissociate. If I was outside of my body, it wasn’t as if it were happening, but I was still there.

All of this had been for nothing. I was witnessing it disintegrating before my eyes.

My planning. My hopes. I tried. I really tried to have a normal life, but all of it had been for nothing because—the door opened again.

More of Creighton’s men came in. I recognized my watcher, along with three guys who’d been acting as security at the fights. Lassiter motioned them over, pointing to the two that they had zip-tied. “Take them out.”

“Wait. What are you doing?” Marshall started to stand up.

I flinched when Levi shoved him back down.

Marshall looked so confused. Heath wasn’t.

Palma gasped. “What?” She was looking at Levi as if he’d grown three heads and turned green. “What’s going on?”

“Just,” Heath spoke up, then faltered. He cursed under his breath, shaking his head. “Just be quiet for a minute. Okay? We’ll be fine. Just, shut up and don’t say a thing.”

Marshall made a protesting sound.

Heath whipped his head around. “I mean it. Not a goddamn word. You have no idea who—just shut the fuck up. There’s no narcs here.” His eyes lifted, growing hostile as Levi towered over him.

Levi gave Heath a smug look of approval. “That’s a good little Nogoskeski.” He put his finger in Heath’s forehead and pushed him back. “You know the drill. I’ll be sure to let big bro know how helpful you were. Both of them.” Levi winked at Heath.

The other guys were picking up the two robbers and carried them outside. Doors were slammed shut a moment later, and the screech of tires sounded next.

“Whe-where are they taking them?” Palma shrunk down when Levi looked her way. She hugged her knees to herself, but she was still thinking. She was questioning things. She wasn’t so scared that she ceased thinking.

It was a trickle. A small one, but I felt a spark of warmth start in my chest. It grew and stretched, and slowly, painfully, I was back in my own body. I hadn’t dissociated from this situation for too long, and I gasped, silently.

Palma turned her head, her eyes widening. “Blake. Are you okay?” She tried scrambling toward me, but Marshall and Heath both reached for her, holding her down.

Levi had also moved to block her, standing between us, but when he saw the others were holding her back, he relaxed before stepping to me.

Lassiter was on his phone, standing by the last remaining robber. He was watching me as he continued typing on his phone with one hand.

“Blake.” Levi dropped his voice so the others couldn’t hear.

I ignored him.

I hated this next part. Hated it. Bitterness and resentment and regret all began to burn inside of me.

Mix it with anger and loathing and knowing how this would change everything.

It already had. Palma had been my friend.

Or she could’ve been a friend. She was a roommate.

Marshall. Even Heath. All of it was gone now.

They would demand an explanation. Heath would give it to them. A normal response would be to call the police. No cops were being called in this situation. Creighton would handle it, just like he always did. And in the process, he’d destroy yet another attempt I made at living some sort of normalcy.

By the time that door opened, and by the time the usual reaction happened whenever Creighton was present, I was beyond giving a fuck. I watched it all, barely staying in my body, but this time from my own fury.

Levi straightened, his cocky attitude falling away.

The robber snapped to attention, jerking to his feet so quickly that he almost fell.

Lassiter reached out, steadying him, his eyes going to Creighton, a knowing wariness there as well.

Heath turned away for a moment.

The only two other reactions I cared about were Marshall and Palma. Both were confused, but interest swirled in Palma’s eyes. It was mixed with other expressions. Being scared. Nervous. Not knowing what was happening, but knowing that Creighton was someone.

A flash of attraction was there too. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, but I caught it. I even understood it. How could I not?

Then the last, recognition.

Her eyes darted to mine.

After that, I couldn’t look at her anymore. I didn’t want to see the accusation or the horror when she would realize my connection to these men. My stomach churned, and I forced my gaze away, accidentally meeting Creighton’s, who was watching me.

He’d stopped, just inside the door. “Are you okay?”

I barely restrained myself from glaring at him, which Creighton read from me because he grinned, laughing softly. “You must be since you look like you want to murder me.”

Levi shot me a grin. Even Lassiter glanced my way, somewhat amused.

I growled at them all.

He glanced over. “They touched her?”

“No,” I said at the same time Levi overrode me, “He shoved her shoulder. She’s fine.”

I glared at him.

Levi shrugged at me, and I knew what he was thinking. Creighton would see it anyways. He’d look at the security footage before Lassiter shot out the camera. If he hadn’t already viewed it.

“Blake,” Palma whispered, trying to lean forward around Marshall and Heath. Both of them hushed her. She ducked her head down, looking like she was going to argue, but Heath grabbed her head and put his mouth to her ear. He was talking urgently to her, and whatever he was saying, she quieted.

I tore my gaze away. God. Why did I do this to myself? Try to make friends and then the inevitable would happen. Creighton would come in and destroy everything. Every single time.

I only had two options. Fake my death or give in. Pain seared me. I couldn’t do either of them.

I’d be cutting myself in half.

Creighton spared me another look before going to stand in front of the robber. The guy was visibly shaking, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pissed himself soon. As if on my same wavelength, Levi, Lassiter, and Creighton took a step back from the guy.

“You’re one of mine, I’m told.”

“Ye-yes, sir. I joined yesterday.” His voice pitched but then came out rushed, pleading.

“It was my buddy’s idea. He wanted one last score.

He’s set to go upstate on Monday. I didn’t want to help, said it was against your rules, but he didn’t care.

He’s been my buddy for fifteen years. I’m sorry, Mr. Lane. I-I-I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

I couldn’t look. The desperation in his voice was too much.

He kept begging, trying to plead his case until Creighton was done. “Enough.”

The guy stopped, though blubbering sounds still slipped out.

“You have others on your plan?”

“Y-y-yes, sir.”

“Who’s on your plan?”

Sometimes people came to Creighton because they had families to support.

When they were plugged into his money system, that money could be allotted so it would go to those loved ones.

It helped keep Creighton’s people loyal even if they were taken by an enemy or caught by law enforcement.

Once they joined, they began earning right away.

The money flowed, and it flowed well. Creighton had a system for people who weren’t loyal.

I never stuck around to find out exactly what it was, but I knew it was so few.

No one wanted to be cut off from the money they got working for Creighton.

The guy was still stuttering as he answered, “M-my mom and my sister. My sister’s got a kid coming. They’re not doing so well. Her old man, he’s upstate, too, and a real piece of work, if you know what I mean.”

The silence in the room was palpable.

My chest was tight.

“Blake,” Creighton spoke my name, softly.

I heaved a silent sigh but lifted my gaze. I knew what he was asking. Should he let this man live or not?

I found myself wincing as I met Creighton’s gaze, and my eyelids shuttered. I didn’t want Creighton to kill this man. Not in front of my roommates.

He gave me a small nod, focusing back on the guy.

“Your name?”

“Craig, sir. Uh . . . Do you want my last name?”

“Craig, you came in here alone. Do you understand me?”

Relief hit me hard. Creighton was giving him a break. He wasn’t going to kill him. He was giving him the story to recite to the authorities.

The guy bobbed his head up and down. Quickly. Eagerly. “Uh. Y-ye-yes sir, I did this alone. You’re right, sir.”

“Your two friends did not come in here with you. It was your idea. You were desperate for money to help your sister, her kid, and your mom.”

“Yeah—yeah. That’s why I joined your—okay. Yes, sir.” His voice dropped. “I acted alone. It was all my idea.”

“The security cameras weren’t working. When the police arrive, you will confess. You’ll be taken in. Are you okay with a public defender or should I send a lawyer for you?”

Craig’s head popped up. “You’re going to help me fight the charge?”

“No. You’re going to plead guilty, but my lawyer can help with a plea deal.

But that’s up to you. Whatever your sentence is, you’ll do the time.

You’ll be a good inmate. If you get parole or probation, you’ll follow the rules.

I will have men wherever you end up so you’ll be protected.

If you run into problems, you’ll need to let us know.

You’ll take the fall for this, but you’ll be fine.

You’ll continue earning so your mom, sister, and her child will be financially supported.

Do you understand this? You were never here with your two friends. It was you and you alone.”

He swallowed. “Yes, sir. I understand, sir.”

“Good.” Creighton seemed to inspect my roommates’ faces before addressing the cook and server. He motioned for them to stand. “I’m sorry this happened in your place of employment.”

“It’s no problem, Mr. Lane.” The cook jumped up and held out his hand.

He and the girl had seemed shaky, but there was a lack of fear on their faces.

He shook Creighton’s hand, then Levi’s and Lassiter’s.

Lassiter held out a wad of bills for the man, who took it before touching the server’s back.

She was more cautious, sending Creighton, Levi, and Lassiter furtive looks, but she and the cook left quickly.

They knew the drill. Of course they knew the drill.

They were a block away from one of Creighton’s buildings.

This would be considered his territory. Every business on this street was protected under Creighton’s watch.

Police sirens could be heard.

Creighton stood there, his gaze returning to me.

I hated everything about this. That I was here. That my housemates were as well. That they witnessed Creighton in action.

The police were getting closer. The sirens were louder.

“Boss.” Lassiter went to the door, holding it open.

More of Creighton’s men were outside, waiting by an SUV.

“Levi, you’ll stay behind.”

“No problemo.” He dropped down and crossed his legs, right next to Palma, who eyed him. She edged away.

Creighton came to stand in front of me, his eyes darkening. He lifted a hand, tracing a finger down the side of my face. It was such a light and soft touch, and I couldn’t stop a tremble from going through me.

He saw it, his eyes darkening even more, but he didn’t comment on it. His eyes went to my shoulder and held there. “He shouldn’t have touched you.”