by Sophia Peony
Amused by the short interaction, he secured the window to make sure people like him couldn’t get in, except for him. He should have just done the business deal as planned, but Mia looking all sleepy and gorgeous was his downfall. He liked her on the surface, and then he got to know her. He respected her decisions, even if he didn’t agree with them.
Chapter Ten
Logan expected it. Joel’s men targeted specific businesses under Logan’s protection. This time they wanted a more public attack, but Joel was a coward, so he did it at night. Logan had his streets watched exactly for this reason and was alerted as soon as the men arrived.
He could easily deal with these men, easily beat them in a gun fight on the street, but what would be the fun in that?
He waited until the men had trashed two businesses before sending the signal for the cops on his payroll to arrive. A call would be placed to make it all legit, but his cops are already nearby, expecting this call to come soon. Logan’s men hit the updated gates on the stores that locked the doors automatically, preventing Joel’s idiots from getting out.
It was a shit show that Logan thoroughly enjoyed. With the men Logan and Frank had taken out and these idiots, they had efficiently cut Joel’s manpower in half. He leaned on the hood of his car, surrounded by his men and civilians, watching Joel’s men being placed in the back of cop cars. He hoped Joel had a man watching all this to report it back.
His men have wondered how he knew shit, how he guessed Joel’s next move. They all thought he was getting it from Mia. The truth was…he got it from his father. He’d watched his father, knew his thinking in and out—Joel had that same mentality. Predicting his enemies was what made Logan deadly.
“So, what’s the next move, boss?” Frank added ‘boss’ just to annoy him.
“We take his inventory.”
“This is going a hell of a lot faster than I expected,” Frank admitted.
“That’s because you’re a dramatic man. You want drama. I don’t have time for that.”
“Aren’t you getting bored? It’s all so fucking easy now.”
Frank had a point. It was getting too easy. In the last ten years, they’d taken down enough targets and so called bosses systematically and without much problem. He was too good for this. Is it time for a change? Probably. But he really couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
“What else would we do?” he asked Frank who sat on the car hood rather than lean on it like Logan.
“I don’t know. Fuck women all day. Have kids. Do some gardening.” The answer was filled with sarcasm, but beneath it all, Logan heard the restlessness in Frank. The military had given them the rush they needed, and at the beginning of this, they had that too. But now, it was all so easy, like he said. Logan had been feeling that way, too, until Matt was killed. Then it all changed. He’d lost men in war, but he hadn’t since taking over his father’s turf and expanding it. The men he’s with now have been with him from the beginning, and losing Matt was losing a friend. Hell, a family member.
His anger had made him a little reckless in the beginning. Like showing up in Joel’s club to bait the man. Then he got personally involved with Mia. He was thinking better now, but not for the right reasons. He told everyone this was all about revenge. That was still the truth, but the other reason was he wanted something more for Mia and Paige. Half of his reason had become freeing them and giving them what his mother and sister should have had.
Whatever happened, he knew he wouldn’t ask Mia to stay in this life. Even if they would be under his protection, he didn’t want this life for them. Mia would probably deck him for being a misogynistic ass, but women and children didn’t have a place in this life. In his life.
Chapter Eleven
This hit will tip Joel over the edge. Imagine a table. A table will remain standing with three legs, unstable but still standing. But what if you take two legs out? If taken from opposite ends, the table might remain standing – barely – but if the two legs were from one side? It falls, unable to support its own weight.
That’s what Logan was doing to Joel. He’d taken out the brothel, exposing his business and fucking up his reputation, which catapulted a domino effect on his other brothels. They’d fucked with his human trafficking distribution, and now, they’re about to fuck with his drugs. The port warehouse was heavily guarded, and though Logan knew his men could take down these guards with fire power quicker, it would lessen their time to take the inventory. Gun fires always drew unwanted attention. His men, mostly former military members, were trained in close combat, which he’d made a requirement.
“Logan’s in,” Damon announced over the earpiece. From his perch high up, Damon had a clear view of everyone, and the night vision goggles helped identify all of the guards. “Dez, Frank, you have two coming around the corner. Five o’clock.”
Logan focused on approaching a guard with his back to him, trusting his men to do their job. The man was smaller than Logan, but suffocating him would have taken longer. He quickly disposed of the man by snapping his neck from behind. The body fell against him. No matter how may bodies you carry, you never get used to the full weight of it. Bodies were messy. Dead weight is made heavier because of limbs, and then eventually, all body functions stop, muscles completely relax, and bodily fluids, normally controlled by self-reflexing muscles, come out.
“Ooo, man Frank. That’s nasty,” Damon complained over the earpiece. Logan smiled. For a trained killer, Damon was squeamish about blood. Knowing Frank, he’d have come up behind the guard, covered his mouth with one hand and stabbed him in the neck with the other. It was the quickest and easiest way to get rid of a target without a gun and keeping it quiet. It also means a hell of a lot of blood, something that would definitely make Damon queasy.
The guards were alert, doing exactly what they’re thought to do. The problem is they’re too perfect. They’re timing too immaculate that it’s predictable. Which makes it easier for Logan’s men to dispose them easily. One by one, Logan and his men took them out. The bodies were left hidden in crooks and nooks of the warehouse. With the guards disposed of, they took bundles of cocaine probably worth several millions of dollars. Not only is Joel losing money, more than he’d stolen from Logan, he’s going to have his suppliers on his ass for losing the merchandise. When Logan does a job, he doesn’t half ass it. Joel Clarion will be nothing once he’s done.
Chapter Twelve
Ray was a little worried the bulging vein on Joel’s forehead was going to explode.
“Get the fucking bitch now!” Joel spat with his demand.
Ray gave his men a nod to do what Joel wanted. Joel would fucking hate it if he knew that his men turned to Ray for orders rather than him, but Joel was too busy raging. The man wasn’t fat, he was in pretty good shape for a man who didn’t lift a finger, but his anger had him turning red, his rage making him pant. He looked like a pig. Ray had been loyal to Joel for so long, but it didn’t take away the fact that Joel had the one thing Ray wanted the most.
Mia had always been the center of his fantasies. Sexy with an attitude, long, thick hair he could grab a hold of while he’s pounding her from behind, and she always smelled good. It didn’t matter that she’d spent the whole night walking around in a hot and smoky club, he could lean in close at any time, and she’d always smell like heaven.
Yeah, he wanted her bad, but he knew making a move on her would set off Joel. Ray wished he’d been the one to meet her first. If he had, Joel wouldn’t have wanted her because he didn’t want sloppy seconds. This could be his chance. He’d been making Joel think Mia might have something to do with all the fuck ups lately with the hope that Joel would want her gone. If he did, Ray could hide her, and she’d be grateful to him. He could do whatever he wanted to her, and she would be happy to obligate because she’d owe him her life.
Ray didn’t really think Mia had anything to do with Joel’s shit going to hell. It’s probably just about time … that, and the fact that he stole
from Logan Slade. Anyone who was anyone knew that fucking with Logan Slade didn’t end well, but they had a lucky break. One of his men picked a girl to add to their collection, and she just happened to be one of Slade’s men’s sister. The timing had been on their side too. The million-dollar job had been offered to them too. Joel thought it had been too risky, not wanting to get caught between the Italians and the Cartels who he had a business with. But Joel was greedy, he wanted that million-dollar. Being observers of the job, they didn’t have to take the risk of dealing with the Italians, and they ended up with a new girl and the money.
Now it was coming back to bite them in the ass.
Slade had hit one of the Cartel’s warehouses, and they’re coming down hard on Joel for the missing drugs. There’s a chance Joel could turn the Cartel toward Slade instead of him, and Slade going to war with the Cartel would only end in the Cartel’s favor because they had the numbers on their side. Ray would eventually help Joel out with some fast talking with the Cartels, but for now, he’ll have Mia brought in, and he’ll take his chance with her.
He might be a bit slow, but he had enough brains to notice their numbers were dwindling. The ones who remained, shot Ray looks of uncertainty with every unhinged outburst from Joel. The three men quietly watching Joel’s tantrum were some of the last of the loyal ones. Like all rats, these men are only here until money runs out. Slade had just taken out Joel’s last money maker besides this club. It’s only a matter of time before it wouldn’t be able to sustain itself.
On top of all of this, the supplier, a Mexican Cartel, was demanding their full inventory returned or paid in full. Joel was fucked. Ray was loyal to the man who’d taken him off the street, fed him, and put clothes on his back. He’d never abandon Joel, but there comes a time when a son, and he considered Joel the father he never had, has to take the reins from their parents for their own safety.
“Joel, let’s move to the house. There’s more space there.” And less chance of a witness to what was bound to be a brutal beating for Mia. It was also better protected. With limited men, the mansion is a better strategic location for defense.
“Fine, bring that bitch to the mansion!”
Today was one of the few times she could sit with Paige and enjoy the morning. While Paige slept in, Mia decided to go all out on breakfast. She didn’t have to work late last night, and she didn’t have to go into work tonight either, making it a free weekend for them. Since she worked in a night club, they didn’t usually get to have a weekend together, and Paige would spend the day at Mrs. Morris’s place. During the week, Paige was at school during the day, and they only had a few afternoons and nights they could spend together.
It’s almost over. She hoped when Joel was done, she’d have better job options so she could actually spend time with her daughter. She kept telling herself she shouldn’t get too excited about the future because Logan could fail, and she’d just be disappointed at what could have been, but it was hard not to be hopeful. Not when she could see Logan winning. Every day, Joel would explode about another hit, another take down, another step closer to his end.
She looked forward to every day or night more. Logan came to her most nights, and on nights he didn’t, it usually meant he’d done something to knock Joel down a couple of pegs. She really looked forward to watching Joel get a taste of his own poison. She didn’t know she could be malicious person until she found herself laughing at karma biting Joel in the ass.
A shuffling from the hallway pulled her out of her musing. Paige came stumbling into the kitchen, dragging a doll and her favorite blanket. Some might think Paige was too old to have a blankie, but Mia wanted to give her as much comfort as she could living with an unstable father…and mother. If a blankie gave her comfort, then Mia would let Paige carry her blankie around for as long as she wanted.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” Mia greeted.
Paige’s wavy hair looked wild, the soft strands tangled and all over the place. Paige gave her a sleepy, toothy smile and hurried to the table where she had pancakes and eggs ready. She figured the smell would pull Paige from bed; her daughter had a bottomless stomach.
“Morning, Mama. You got bacon too?” Paige asked, as she reached to pinch a piece of a pancake.
“Just finishing up.” Mia turned off the stove and transferred the last of the bacon onto the plate. She grabbed two plates and headed to the table. Paige, not needing to be told, got up to grab the utensils. It was a routine they’d settled into: Mia got the plates from the top cabinets and Paige got the utensils and drinks since she could reach them.
“Mama, what do you want to drink?” Paige asked with her head buried in the refrigerator. Mia could only see her feet from behind the door, which meant she was reaching in for the milk at the back of the fridge.
“Orange juice, please.”
“Okay!” Paige’s happy answer made her smile. Mia couldn’t wait for this to be every day.
They settled into breakfast, Paige happily chatting with Mia about school and her friends. It was all too normal. Too happy. As if Joel didn’t exist. Mia knew Paige knew about Logan, but her daughter had never asked, and not knowing what to say, Mia decided to wait.
“What do you want to do today?” Mia asked.
“Wash clothes.” Paige’s answer surprised her.
“Really?”
“Yeah! We haven’t done it in a long time. Maybe we can get ice cream too?” Ah. Makes sense. It’s been a while since Mia had gone to do laundry together at the laundromat, which just happened to be next to an ice cream shop. Paige was probably the only kid who liked to do chores. She could remember when Paige had just been three years old. Mia would place her on the counter as she folded their clothes. By six, Paige was folding her own clothes. Nowadays, Mia did the laundry when Paige was in school or right after work. Joel hadn’t even gotten them a place that would have laundry available. Cheap bastard.
“Okay, we can do laundry. After breakfast, we’ll clean up and then go.”
Breakfast and cleaning was a happy event. Mia soaped the dishes, and Paige rinsed them. Once the kitchen was clean, they headed toward their room to get ready. Mia barely had time to register someone kicking in her door before two men she recognized as Joel’s goons came barreling at her. She didn’t try to fight them because it was useless; they were stronger and bigger. She knew she’d be going with them regardless.
“Let me at least get my daught—” They didn’t care to listen; they were already dragging her out.
“Paige, go to Mrs. Morris,” she barely instructed to her daughter. If her neighbors heard or saw, and she knew they did, they wouldn’t have helped. They knew Joel, everybody did. You didn’t get involved unless you wanted a beating or a killing. They also knew she had a history with him. This wasn’t new. She didn’t start fighting them until she got to the stairs, hoping to push one of them down. It was futile. In the end, she ended up hurting herself more than any damage she did to them. They easily overpowered her, and she was quickly dragged into the waiting SUV.
Paige was scared. Men she recognized from before came and took her mom. Her mom told her to go to Mrs. Morris, but she didn’t want to. She wanted her mama back. They forced her this time, grabbed her mom and didn’t even let her put her shoes on. She was so scared, she hadn’t even moved from the corner she was hiding in her room. She didn’t want to move from her spot because it was dark in their house and dark outside. She wanted to stay there until her mama came back. But what if she doesn’t ever come back? Paige thought. This was all daddy’s fault. He’s always so mean. Always yelling at her mom, always hurting her. Why couldn’t her daddy be like the other man?
The man! She liked him, he was nice. She’d been scared at first when she saw him at her window, but he smiled at her and she didn’t feel scared. He told her he just wanted to say hi to her mom, and her mom must have liked him because he made her laugh. Sometimes, she didn’t wakeup when he came, but he left her a candy to let her know he came
to visit her mom.
She could call him. He told her she could call him whenever she needed. She hid the paper he gave her with his number because she didn’t want mama to know she knew her secret friend. Daddy wouldn’t like it either.
Paige slowly crawled to her bed in the dark room. She hid the paper under her bed to make sure she didn’t lose it. The paper was still where she left it. It was dark everywhere, and she was scared of the dark, but she knew her mama had a phone. She crawled to her mom’s room as fast as she could; she was scared something might get her if she stood up. She found the phone on the floor, still connected to the charger. The bright light from the phone hurt her eyes a little. She called the number.
“Mia?” Paige recognized his voice right away. It was soft and low, nothing like the loud voice her dad always had.
“They took my mama, and she hasn’t come back, and its dark,” Paige rushed.
“Where are you, baby?” She liked him calling her ‘baby’. She wasn’t a baby, but it was nice when he said it. She was less scared, like she was already safe.
“I’m home, and its dark.”
“Hang tight. I’ll be there soon. It’ll be okay, I promise.”
“Be fast.”
Logan reminded himself it had been Mia’s decision to stay, and he understood her reasoning. When you’re out there, you didn’t know who your enemies were which was more dangerous, even if she would have been on the run temporarily. Logan planned on getting them a new identity, to give them a fresh start and freedom to be whatever they wanted to be. Had he been in the same position, he probably would have chosen to stay too. There’s an advantage in knowing who you’re facing. Hit the drug supplies would affect Joel gravely. Logan should have considered Joel would hit back through Mia.
