by Sophia Peony
Not that anyone else would mess with Joel Clarion’s property. Joel ran the drug supplies coming in and out of the city—the man between the cartels and the local drug dealers. He’d been the only one in the area for a while, until the last couple of years when others like him started breaking into his territory. Joel began losing control of his terrain and of himself.
Mia tried to get away, but there was no help or anywhere for her to go with a child— no money, no education, no help, not even the cops since they’re on his payroll.
Even if she could get a job that would take care of all of their needs, Joel would never let her go. He liked having her around so he could fuck her whenever he liked. She didn’t really have a choice. Fighting wouldn’t stop him; it would excite him. He liked seeing her helpless, knowing he had control—that he could use her whenever he wanted, and no one would try and stop him.
She was his property, and he would never let her take away his daughter, regardless if he cared for Paige or not. Mia figured out how to beat him, though. Since the struggle excited him, when he came around, she laid and let him fuck her with no resistance or reaction. She bored him into leaving her alone.
Sure, he still came around once in a while, demanding sex, but for the most part, it kept him away from her. She took what little victory she could.
Logan knew Mia could feel his stare; he was being obvious about it. He wanted her attention, and he wanted Joel’s attention. He needed her for his plans, but fuck, he hadn’t expected to be attracted to her.
Mia Nielsen was unexpected. He knew of her, everyone who was someone did. They didn’t exactly know who she was, only that Joel Clarion had a baby mama. Logan dug further and found out more: twenty-five years old, former foster care, mother to a seven-year-old girl, and she was the only one that could get into Joel’s files.
Logan didn’t want to involve her, but he had to. He needed someone with liabilities. Most of the people who could get close enough to take the files, had no family that Logan could use against them. Mia did, though. And Logan didn’t think she cared much about Joel. From what he’d learned, Joel controlled her through her daughter, but there was no love there. Mia was just trying to survive.
If Logan offered her a way out, he’d bet she’d take it.
“Can I get you anything else?” she asked, leaning closer to be heard over the music.
He motioned for her to come closer, and she did, innocently thinking he was just a regular customer. He watched the sway of her tits as she leaned forward, her ear facing him to hear better. He leaned in too, surprising her. He stopped her from moving away with a firm hold on her arm. He knew he wasn’t hurting her, but he made sure she wouldn’t be able to pull back.
With his lips barely touching her small earlobe, he felt her gasp more than heard it. “Tell Joel, Logan Slade sends his regards.”
She tried to pull away again, and this time, he let her go. She recognized his name, her wide eyes and slightly parted mouth told him so. She looked at him like he’s crazy for being there. Like the idea of him being within enemy lines was the stupidest thing she’d ever seen. Well…it wasn’t everyday one mob boss came so blatantly into another’s territory. “You’re crazy.”
He’d give her that. “Not at all.”
“Joel won’t like you hanging around.”
“I’m just checking out the market.”
“Market? He’ll really hate that.”
“Make sure you tell him exactly what I said.”
“You should leave.”
He waited until she moved away from him to say, “I’ll see you around, Mia.”
She glanced at him again, before turning to one of the beefed-up men standing near the back hallway. He got up and headed out.
Joel Clarion will know he’d fucked with the wrong man soon enough.
Taking down Joel Clarion started as soon as he interfered with Logan’s business. He’d stolen Logan’s money, taken Makayla, and killed Matt. It took a lot for Logan not to just go in guns blazing and torturing the shit out of Joel. Matt had taken the money to save his sister but knew Joel wouldn’t keep his word. The text arrived soon after they found Frank. A single name. Joel.
It was enough for Logan to figure it out. Matt’s body had been found the next day, which meant Joel had Makayla.
Joel didn’t take the news well. His office in the club was as extravagant as everything else in his life. Expensive shit — like vases, paintings, ridiculously tacky leather furniture, and a desk that’s just as obnoxious — filled the office. Joel didn’t care what it is, if it’s expensive and a brand name he’ll get it. Joel is obsessed with having the best of everything.
“Repeat what he said,” Joel spit out through gritted teeth, his hand firmly secured around her delicate neck.
“’I’m just checking out the market,’” she repeated Logan’s words.
“That’s it?” Joel demanded.
“That’s it.” Mia didn’t blink, didn’t flinch—barely moved. Joel was in a bad mood, and knowing Logan Slade had been in his territory without anyone knowing until he’d let them know, really grinded him.
“Can I leave?”
Joel shot a flare at her. At forty-three, Joel’s hairline was receding. It wasn’t obvious yet, but she’d known him when he had a full head of hair. It was one of the few things she took pleasure in. She knew Joel was vain and knowing he couldn’t easily fix his hairline gave her something to laugh about in private.
“You leave when I’m done with you.”
“Paige is waiting, and I really don’t have anything else to add. I didn’t know who he was, I just took his order and delivered it. That’s it. He told me the rest when I was leaving to take orders from the next guy.” Mia wanted no part of Joel’s problems.
“Fine! Get out of here.” Joel literally tossed her aside with his command.
Barely managing to stay on her feet, Mia scurried out of.
Chapter Three
“She’ll do it,” Logan confirmed. It’s a guess, but Logan’s gut told him she would.
“You sure she’s not going to turn around and tell Joel the plan as soon as you leave?”
Logan understood Frank’s hesitation. It wasn’t every day they trusted anyone outside of their circle. Approaching Mia was a calculated risk, but Logan knew she’d do it because she reminded him of his mother. Not in looks because, for fuck’s sake, he wouldn’t be attracted to her if she looked like his mom.
He hadn’t been able to save his mother, but he can save Mia. She had a similar story as his mother: young woman falls for the wrong man and ends up trapped in a violent life. His mother hadn’t wanted this life for him, but it was impossible to avoid after his father had killed her. He highly doubted Mia wanted this life for Paige. She wasn’t staying in this world because she wants to. Logan’s mother had more choices than Mia did, and she chose wrong. There’s something about living a life of violence that traps a person in the cycle. Logan’s mother could have escaped Luther Slade with her children, but she’d been too weak to get out. Had his mother gotten them out, Logan could have had a chance to get out of this life.
He saw himself in Paige. His father was a thug who beat them to keep them in line. Luther Slade had been the boss of the streets Logan now controlled. Some people called Logan and his men ‘gangs’ and others call them ‘mobsters’. They’re both right. Logan’s faction is a branch of the Bratva, but with less rules. Logan became what his mother had feared and hated the most. He was his father’s son.
The difference was, he didn’t target innocent people. He did his best to keep the innocent out of his business, and he made it known that he didn’t tolerate that shit. He didn’t hire little kids to do the job, and he made sure his men knew they were his partners, not slaves. That’s why it worked. He wasn’t a greedy bastard who saw everyone else as a tool. A lot told him he cared too much for someone in this kind of life. He didn’t agree. Caring was his motivation.
He cared enough to m
ake fuckers pay for crimes against him and his people.
He cared enough to make sure he provided for those under his protection, and Joel had fucked with not only Logan’s people but with Logan’s business as well. Joel had made four mistakes. Killing Matt, using Makayla, and taking the money are three mistakes that required payment in life. But his forth mistake? That’s the biggest offense of it all. It’s thinking he could get away with it. Logan Fucking Slade doesn’t let things go until he’s finished.
He’s going to ask Mia to take a risk, because just killing Joel Clarion wouldn’t be enough revenge for what he’d done. His death didn’t end his organization; his men would simply takeover with a new boss. Logan doesn’t just want to end Joel, he wants to take everything from him, take his organization apart, take over it, and make Joel an example of why not to fuck with Logan Slade.
“She’s got something to motivate her.” Logan checked his gun, one last time.
He needed information. Taking Joel Clarion’s business apart would require more than taking out the man. Just because you torture people doesn’t mean they’ll talk. They need solid information not rumors to locate Makayla, and that means taking down all of Joel’s businesses. Logan won’t stop until he brings her home because he knew his men would do the same if it was his sister that was taken.
Knowing the kind of shit this life brought, he sent his sister away. Though Natalie had been his half-sister from one of Luther’s mistresses, she’d been raised by Logan’s mother. He knew she needed him, needed the only family she had left to comfort her and tell her everything would be okay, but he couldn’t at the time. He sent her away with a promise that he’ll come for her when it’s safe. It’s been years, and he hadn’t come for her. He wanted her away from it all, wanted her to forget them and the violence and have a better life. She’ll be starting college soon, and he knew it was for the best to stay away from her.
Logan pulled up to the inconspicuous building, disguised as a dry cleaner. They had been surveying the business, watching closely, and figured out tonight was count night. Behind the glass window with a full view of the clothes and machinery, was a little room where dirty money gets counted, sorted, and distributed to unassuming customers. Dirty money gets shuffled to the hands of customers, who would eventually create an untraceable trail.
Logan’s plan was simple: take out everyone but one man, and then burn the building to the ground. They’re not taking any money; they’re just rattling the cage.
Thanks to Clarion’s shady business, no cameras would be found in the area to help identify Logan and his men. With silencers on their weapons and his men in their positions, Logan and his team easily broke into the building undetected. Joel had gotten too sure of himself, his men too lazy and amateurs at protecting assets.
The idiot, the smoker in the group, was stupid enough to not lock the door behind him, making the job too easy. The first man, guarding the door, was killed with one shot to the head. Frank caught the body to keep it from making a sound that would alert the others. Another man sat on a chair with his back to them, was watching some reality show with people who looked overly tanned and plastic. A bullet found his head, the sound from the TV easily masking the sound of the shot. Though silencers are meant to keep things quiet, it’s not soundless. The man didn’t even know what hit him as he slumps in his chair, head back, blood dripping on the floor.
Rafe, his slimmest man, was in the vent to take out the remaining guards inside the room that held their target. Highly trained at stealth entry from their military days, no one would know Rafe was there unless he decides to reveal himself. A Cajun man, originally from the Louisiana swamps, Rafe was as wild as they came. Logan waited for the sound of bodies dropping before he entered the room that now held a lone and very nervous accountant. Though the man didn’t use a gun, he was part of Joel’s organization and had blood on his hands. Eventually, his blood will run too, but first, he needed to tell Logan everything he knew, including the locations of all of Joel Clarion’s businesses, and something about a rumored vault that held all of Joel’s secrets.
Chapter Four
Mia took the bus home. She might be Joel Clarion’s baby mama, but she was still a nobody. Her babysitter was a teenager from five houses down. She wasn’t too worried about Paige. Her daughter was more mature than she should be for her age, but she couldn’t leave her alone at night while she worked. Joel at least made sure she had the opening shift so she could leave around midnight for Paige.
She got off the bus and walked the familiar path from the entrance of the complex to her apartment at the back. There was a creek behind the complex, and she could hear the loud croaks of what sounded like thousands of frogs.
The side of her building was in the shadow, and it always made her a little nervous because she couldn’t see anything there. She usually held her breath as she passed the area, a silly thing to do, but made her feel better nonetheless. She was almost through when she was suddenly yanked, her small yelp quickly stopped by a hand over her mouth. She was pressed against the side of the building by a man’s body before she’d realized what happened.
She recognized him, even without really seeing him. Something about the feel of his hand holding her bicep and his scent, she hadn’t realized she knew, was familiar. She smelled it at the club, when he’d leaned in close to whisper in her ear. A woodsy smell she found very attractive. But there was something else about him. Logan Slade had a presence that screamed danger and power. It pulled her in, grabbed her by the heart, and threatened to tear it out without a single word. He creeps into the mind, penetrating imagination and twisting it into something scary. It’s his size, his stand, the way his body is camouflaged by the shadow making him seem that much bigger. That much more dangerous. He’s the thing you’d be afraid to find in the dark.
Mia stopped struggling, knowing there was no escape until he decided so.
“Mr. Slade,” she hesitantly greeted when he removed his hand from her mouth.
“Ah, Mia, there’s no need to be so formal. Logan. Call me, Logan.” He didn’t step away from her. His body blocked her front, the side of the building blocked her back. One of his hands rested against the wall next to her, and though his other hand was no longer holding her in place, if she attempted to move, he’d stop her. She knew men like him because of Joel. These people got what they wanted, and you just had to do it or face the consequences.
“What do you want?” There was no need to pretend this was some off-chance meeting.
“Joel Clarion’s money.”
“What?”
“His money, and then his world. Eventually, his life.” He said it so casually, like he was discussing the weather.
“How do you plan on getting them?”
“You.”
“Me?” She laughed. “I’m nobody. I couldn’t and probably wouldn’t help you.” She looked up; though it was dark, she could see the lines of his face. Strong jaw and narrowed eyes that watched her very closely. She wondered what color his eyes were.
“I can set you free.”
“That’s a great idea. Goodnight.” She tried to move out of the enclosed space, pretending she didn’t understand his meaning. He stopped her, firmly pushing her back against the wall.
“I’ll get rid of him.”
“Others tried that. Didn’t work out too well for them.”
“They didn’t have you.”
“I’m no one. I’m just his baby mama, whom he occasionally fucks.”
“You’re the only one who can get close enough to the key.” She knew exactly what he meant by key. Joel kept everything business-related on a memory card he kept around his neck. He was cocky and decided the safest place was on him. He had the memory card built into a small pendant, hanging from his chain necklace. Only a hand full of people knew, those men closest to him. She wasn’t supposed to know, but she accidentally heard him once. How Logan knew about it, she didn’t know.
“Couldn’t you find
anyone else? I might be his baby mama, but that doesn’t mean anything. There are others who can get closer to him. I’m sure there are others who could get this for you.”
“You’re the only one who has something to protect.”
“Are you threatening my daugh—”
“No. You have a reason to help me. Don’t you want to be free? Don’t you want to give Paige a better life?”
“Everything I do, I do for her.”
“Do this for her.”
“And if I’m caught? Then she’ll lose me?”
“I wouldn’t let that happen.”
“You have no reason to do that, and I don’t know you. You can’t promise to protect her if anything happens to me.”
“I can and I will.”
“I don’t believe you. I—”
“I wouldn’t let anything happen to Paige. I don’t let innocent people get hurt.”
“Why would I believe that?”
“You don’t have to. But I don’t let kids get hurt. Not on my watch. Not on my territory.”
“This isn’t yours.”
“It will be.”
“Look—”
“I could simply kill Joel. It’d be a hell of a lot easier, but he fucked with my business and my family, and he’s going to pay for it before I kill him. I’m going to take the ground under his feet and fuck his world up before I kill him.” She couldn’t clearly see his face, but the intensity in his statement told her he really would, and she believed he could.
“I—”
“Do this, and I’ll take care of him. I’ll give you enough money to get away and start over if you want. I’m taking him down with or without you, Mia, but I think you could make it easier for me to do that. We both win.”
