Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
“I see that.”
She glanced around the empty living room, wondering what he was looking for. Tayla’s apartment was slightly different than the one she had shared with Glory. The apartment had one bedroom and one bath. Both rooms were around a corner at the end of the living room.
“I’ll call out if I need your help,” she said, taking a step in the direction of the bathroom.
Creed jerked her back by her arm, placing her behind him at the sound of the doorknob being turned.
Poking her head out, she saw Creed’s hand sliding inside his suit jacket as the door was flung open. She recognized all three men.
Tayla’s husband, Link, and his two friends, Chris and Tripp. The sight of all three of them pointing guns at them overshadowed her relief that she recognized the men.
Tripp closing and locking the door had her shakily gripping the back of Creed’s coat.
“Link.” Still hoping that it was a misunderstanding that Link and his friends were pointing guns on them, she remained calm. “We didn’t mean to barge in unannounced. Tayla called—”
“Bitch, I know she called you. I told her to. Tripp, get his motherfucking gun.”
“Link, you and your buddy can stop right now.” Creed’s calmness eased some of the terror she was feeling. “Believe me, you don’t want to do this.”
Tayla’s husband looked at him like he was crazy. “I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m about to make us fucking rich, is what I’m about to do.”
Tripp approached Creed, forcibly pressing his gun to Creed’s head. “You make one move, and I’ll blow your brains out.”
Sage watched as Tripp slid a gun out of a holster she was unaware of Creed wearing.
“Damn, this one is mine.” Tripp moved back, holding the gun in his hand. “You can’t even find this piece in a gun shop. It’s custom made.” He gave Creed a gloating smile. “Thanks. I’ll take care of it.”
“Let me see.” Chris tried to take it out of Tripp’s hand.
“I can get each of you a gun like that.”
Creed’s offer had all the men’s eyes on him.
From his expression, Link wasn’t taking the bait. Chris, however, looked excited, and Tripp was too busy examining the gun he had claimed as his. He didn’t care if the other two got one.
“Do I look stupid?”
Sage really wanted to answer that question but wanted to live more. Creed must not have felt the same hesitation.
“Show me how smart you are, Link. How much money are you getting paid to kill Sage?”
“Like I’ll tell you,” Link snarled.
“Why not? Afraid of letting your buddies know you made a bad deal?”
“Fifty grand! Does that sound stupid to you?”
Creed seemed to mull the price over. “Just for hit on Sage, or both of us?”
“You weren’t supposed to be here, but he said if anyone else had to be taken out, he’d jack the price up to fifty each.”
“I guess you’re not as stupid as I thought. That’s a fair price … for an amateur.”
“I’m no amateur. I’ve taken plenty of people out.”
“Then you got short-changed. Professionals charge at least a hundred grand, if they’re good. I can make up the difference.”
Link’s dull eyes grew interested.
“I can give each of you three hundred grand. You can pack your bags and leave Kansas City.”
“I like that deal, Link,” Chris spoke up.
“We aren’t taking his deal.” Link smirked. “I can come up with a better deal. You and Tripp take big talker here to the ATM at the bank down the block, and he can bring us that three hundred grand. I’ll stay here and keep Sage company.”
“I’m afraid that doesn’t work for me. Since you probably have never had enough money to have an account, ATMs don’t give out amounts above five hundred dollars.”
Tripp shoved Chris when he tried to take the gun out of his hand. “Shit, five hundred isn’t worth me walking down the steps.”
Link shrugged. “I’m good at making the hundred grand, and I can stay home.”
“Link, where is Tayla?” Sage asked, fear for her friend overriding her fear of Link.
“She’s in the bathroom, like she told you. The bitch didn’t want to lie to you, so I made it where she didn’t have to.”
“I want to go check on her … is that okay?”
“Sure.” Link used his gun to motion where he wanted Creed to go. “Go sit on the couch.”
“I could use a glass of water, if you don’t mind.”
“Chris, go get him a glass of water. It’ll give him something to do while I go fuck his bitch.”
Chris went into the kitchen at the same time Creed took her arm, leading her to the couch, turning his back on the men still standing in the doorway. If she hadn’t turned to look over her shoulder to see the men’s reaction of Creed taking her with him, she would have missed Creed pulling out another gun from his side waistband.