52
So
Cade
The day passes too slowly for me. For one useless reason.
I want to see Amanda.
She’s been in the gym with Mikael, and if his day goes anything like Ace’s, they’re having sex.
I’m jealous about it. Seeing Ace yesterday with his burdens undone had my teeth grinding. He looked at peace for the first time since I’ve known him. I wanted to knock his teeth out over it. I don’t think it would be as much of an issue if I were included in the roster she’s starting. The way she looks at me right now says that day might never come.
I deserve it; I know that. Just as much as I deserve the bruising over my ribs. I didn’t fight Ace when he lost it on me for taking his phone. I accepted everything he gave because I broke inside at the thought of her betraying us.
My cell phone rings, startling me out of my wandering thoughts. Everyone in the at-home office glances over at me as they stop what they’re discussing. Probably something I should have been paying attention to.
What has happened to me?
I glance at the number and frown at the display. Unknown with no number or state listed.
“Answer it,” Jake leans over to read the same thing I am. I nudge him away in irritation and do.
“Hello, Cade.”
My brows furrow at the familiar voice.
“Blue?” I ask, glancing at Jake again. “How did you get this number?”
“I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”
It looks like my question won’t get answered. I put it on speaker and say, “I’d like to not have any news.”
“Too bad,” he says blandly.
“What is it?” Gabe pipes up from the head of the table. He’s on his laptop, looking for invoices leading to the properties held by shell companies to track back to people.
“Hey, Junior,” Blue says without missing a beat. “Matthias senior is in town for a reason, and you aren’t it. That’s the good news.”
“I’m assuming there’s a bad news?” He leans back in his chair and loosens his tie.
“Yeah. A team has been taking jobs on the side and he’s tracked them here. A cleanup crew is on the way to our location.”
“Shit,” Ace shakes his head.
“While he’s here, he can take all the plants inside the company home with him,” Jake shrugs, focusing on his laptop again.
“You wish,” Blue replies with a sigh.
“Who has been hiring them?” I have a sick feeling in my gut that says I already know.
“Unknown source. The rumors we’ve heard say the bad seeds are pissed. They did a few jobs and didn’t get paid.”
I look at Jake, our minds in sync.
“Can you locate the buyer? Or buyers?” I ask and rub a finger over my ear. The same old move I used to have before a big play in football, minutes before I put my helmet on.
Jake sees the move and starts nodding.
“Jakob has gotten too lazy,” Blue mutters with a huff of breath. “Yeah, I’m bored as fuck, so I’ll get on it.”
The disconnect follows, leaving us in silence.
“Come on, Cadey, say it,” Jake urges me.
“I feel good about this one.”
“Yes!” Jake yells in my ear and slaps me on the back. “Load up on weapons. A breakthrough is coming.”
Gabe’s cell rings before Jake’s voice can taper off.
“Hello, Mr. Owen,” Gabe’s eyes meet mine as a smirk takes over his lips.
After a little cold banter, he gets off the phone and glances around the table.
“Monday lunch meeting with Mr. Owen. To give me a tour of the mansion. He recommended I reschedule any pressing meetings for the rest of the day after.”
“I’m sure every single one of us knows that the team hired out was paid for by these assholes. That puts a little curve in our interests,” I tell him flatly.
“They offed Blake,” Ace sneers. “They owe us for that one. Manda, at the very least.”
“Set that aside,” Jake chides him gently. “You’re assuming that they’re going to be at the meeting?”
“They won’t be there, but they’ll be around,” I mutter with a tired sigh. “You’ll need all of us, Gabe.”
He makes a thoughtful sound, his gaze distant. For a second, I see a brief flicker of fear in his face. Whatever he’s thinking about isn’t good. If it’s the same thought as mine, it isn’t.
With all of us gone, what the fuck is Amanda going to do?