Chapter 59
BLAIZE
Another shipment went up in flames, and with it, my carefully crafted plans for stability.
Tensions were simmering on all sides, and the other territory leaders were openly questioning my competence.
As much as I hated to say it, they were doubting my ability to provide for them, and there were whispers of a territory war for a new leader.
Someone was out there trying to destroy me, and it was working.
If I couldn’t turn this around quickly, I risked losing everything I’d worked hard for.
The doors to the clubhouse slammed against the wall as I stormed in, the impact reverberating through the room.
Anger simmered beneath my skin like a live wire waiting to zap, and every muscle in my body coiled tight with frustration.
I didn’t have the luxury of patience right now.
If I didn’t get answers, the kingdom I created was going up in flames once again.
This meeting was called by other territory leaders, and I was going to look like a fool in front of them.
I could feel their eyes on me, but I didn’t care.
I needed answers, and I needed them now.
Someone in this room had to know something.
Allowing them to question my authority or shift the blame was not on the table.
We were beyond the point of excuses and second-guessing.
Every minute we wasted was another step closer towards disaster.
I wanted names, details, and solutions, not debates and arguments.
I was still Blaize Matthews, and no one would question my authority, even if it was on the brink of shattering.
“Blaize, why did another one of my shipments get destroyed under your watch?” Jethro growled in frustration.
I glared at the old bastard, and he deflated. “I am still the leader. I will stab you and leave you bleeding in the streets. Now, does anyone here have any information that can help find who is trying to destroy us? You’d all be wise to remember that destroying me means destroying all of us.”
The room fell into a heavy silence, but I saw a questioning look on the leader of the Blazing Bandits, a man named Garrick Riggs, casting a furtive glance towards me before diverting his eyes.
It was subtle, but unmistakable—a telltale sign he knew something.
He darted his eyes to the others, avoiding eye contact with me, but eventually, his gaze was trapped once again. I was not here to play games.
“Garrick,” I demanded, my voice slicing through the quiet, “you look like you have something to share. Out with it.”
“It’s probably nothing…but there was a couple in my town. They hid in the back booth. I never saw them, and Pat said they’ve been there a few times before. When I caught wind, they stopped showing up, but not before burning my warehouse, leaving his symbol.”
“And you failed to inform me because?”
“Blaize, I got my own shit goin’ on. The symbol didn’t even register until Hawke mentioned somethin’ the other day. I wasn’t here for the end of the Vandals. I am loyal to you, Blaize, regardless of what happened.”
I nodded, looking around the room at the rest of the men. “So, anyone else?”
“I’m going through weeks of footage to find any strange faces,” Damon started. “I’ll have something for you in a few days.”
“I know who is loyal to me, and I know who wants to take my throne from under me. I am not playing these childish games. You’re loyal or you’re dead. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Blaize,” they say in unison.
I joined Hawke in his office as the rest of the territory leaders left the clubhouse and returned to their homes.
Hawke’s gaze followed me with a mix of curiosity and something unreadable as he closed the door behind us.
He was one of the only two people who could truly read me; Hunter, however, was far more adept at it. The tension in the room was palpable.
“Have you heard anything else from Foster?”
“Other than you bein’ a pimp? No.”
I growled in frustration. “I will stab you in the balls. Who the hell is trying to ruin me?”
“Someone who fears your power. You are Blaize Matthews. Your name puts the fear of God into grown men. The only people who question you are Jethro and a few of the guys further south, but they’re irrelevant and we handle them as need be.”
“Does Elijah have any allies that could have escaped that night?”
“Everyone from that night is dead. The town burned and from the ashes rose your dominion. They trust you regardless.”
“Obviously someone doesn’t. Have extra men ready. Westhaven is going to be fine, but send them to the other territories. I’ll get with Hunter and tell her to watch the cameras.”
Someone was going to pay for what they were trying to do to me and my town.
Elijah West was worse than the filth on my boot, and I took away his reign and life as payment for his sins.
Now someone was bringing him back from the dead, and we were nowhere closer to finding out who it was or why they wanted to avenge him.
Many people died that night, a lot of innocent people, too, but no one held any ill will towards me and the aftermath.
That night was necessary to save hundreds of people and end illegal trafficking.
“Are there any new people in any of the territories?” I asked Hawke.
He shifted uncomfortably. “There was a new family to move into Garrick’s territory, but they checked out. And then Kadence, but she’s not it.”
“You keep saying that, but you won’t give me the proof that I need to believe it.”
“Look, I don’t have it all, either, but she’s a good kid, running from a shitty past. You trust me to protect you. Trust me now when I tell you that Kadence is a sweet kid, showing up at the wrong time.”
My eyes narrow, but I nodded. I didn’t like secrets, but I’d deal with this later. “I’m going to trust you, but I will kick your ass if something happens.”
“Why don’t you talk with her? I mean it’s obvious that you have feelings for her.”
I grimaced. “Feelings lead to distractions. I don’t need distractions.”
“Blaize, you’re already distracted. You might as well enjoy the distraction.”