Chapter 31
1544 Words
Chapter 31
Ruthless
3rd person
It didn’t take long for Maurice’s brothers to discover Maurice’s arrangement with Charles. How did they find out? Charles kept his word and visited Mason, explaining the meeting, leaving Greg Hartley out of the conversation.
Hearing this information didn’t make Mason happy. “Sonofabitch!” Mason cussed more and tossed around the word f**k when he got pissed.
Charles let Mason rant and rave like the lunatic he was and rested in a chair, waiting for Mason to finish. Mason finished his ranting and squatted in his desk chair.
“Mason, I came to you because I don’t trust Maurice. If he’ll double-cross his brothers, who are to say he won’t double-cross me.”
“Oh, Maurice would double-cross you and start a war. I quit doing business with Marty and his family because of their bullshit. I have an agreement with the Morgans and Santiagos, but I distrust the Santiagos.”
“It doesn’t help that Frank aligned himself with Maurice’s family.”
“Does this surprise you? The Shaw brothers are worse. Rumors circulated about them, and it sickened me. Frank is the least of our concerns now since I must deal with the Frazier family first.”
Over the years, Mason became powerful, aligning himself with the Morgan family. The Jones name became synonymous with the underground world, making people terrified of them. Mason spent years building an empire that made his family ruthless and powerful. Did I mention they took matters into their hands with people? I must have left out that piece of information.
*****
Carrington
While Mason figured out his next move, Joseph and I took care of a business deal that had gone wrong.
“I promise I’ll get you the money!” A guy begged on his knees as we looked at him.
“Why does Mason keep sending us on business trips with pleading people?” I asked Joseph.
“Mason gets tired of whiny people.”
“That sounds reasonable.” I shrugged, lifted my gun, shot the guy twice, and killed him. The guy’s body fell to the floor.
“That was quick.”
“I got bored with the guy’s whining. Oh, please. I promise. Blah, blah, blah.” I blew a raspberry.
Joseph chuckled as we left. The cleaners will arrive to clean up the mess. Mason had hired men to clean, dispose of bodies, and leave no traces behind, including the person’s identity. It’s as if the person never existed.
It tasked Joseph and me with dealing with people domestically while Elliot traveled abroad. Mason’s reasoning was Elliot didn’t have a wife or kids, and Joseph and I had spouses. My sisters stayed out of the family business, helping when we needed it.
We grabbed a bite since Nikita was working late tonight at the hospital. Before we ate, I brought Nikita dinner. I walked into the hospital, found her at the nurse’s station, and strolled over to her.
Nikita turned to me and smiled.
I kissed her and held up the bag. “I figure you’d be hungry.”
Nikita took the pouch. “I’m starved. The hospital was so hectic that I didn’t have time to eat.”
“Joseph and I finished working and are grabbing a bite. I wanted to bring you dinner first.”
“You’re so thoughtful. Thank you.” Nikita kissed me, then checked on a patient.
I met Joseph at a restaurant. Nikita’s loyalty earned my respect, and I never had to worry about her cheating on me. I got lucky, considering my past. All it takes is meeting the right person to become faithful.
I strolled into the restaurant, joined Joseph at a table, ordered, and we talked.
“How’s Nikita?”
“Starved. The hospital keeps Nikita hopping so much that she doesn’t have time to eat.”
“You surprised me, Carri.”
“How so?”
“You grew up and stopped disregarding people.” Joseph referred to Gloria.
“Because everyone was right, and I didn’t want to see it.” I hated discussing the past because I wasn’t proud of it or my reckless behavior.
“We all learn from the past, or we’re doomed to repeat it.”
“Well, it’s over, and I moved on in my life.” I wanted to drop the subject.
My past will smack me in the face when I come face-to-face with it.
*****
3rd person
While Joseph and Carrington enjoyed dinner, Mason paid a visit to Marty Frazier. Two armed men had gone with Mason because he didn’t take chances with anyone, including the Frazier boys.
Mason entered Marty’s office and sat down as his men stood by the door.
Marty looked at Mason, unenthused. “What do I owe to this visit?”
“It seems your brother is making deals with my family, and you have your hand in it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mason.”
“Cut the bullshit, Marty. Your family is planning something against mine, but it's too bad that your brother altered your plans.”
Marty’s expression changed.
“Yeah, I figured you didn’t know.”
Marty’s jaw clenched as his lips pressed together.
“You touch my family, and I’ll put you down like the dog that you are. Consider that a warning.” Mason stood up and left the office.
Mason needed to rattle Marty enough to do what he had planned. He wanted the boy since he’s blood but didn’t know who the boy belonged to for sure. Mason suspected but needed confirmation. That put in motion bringing particular people to Saintwood, including Greg Hartley and Frank Shaw.
How do you draw out your enemy? You keep the enemy close enough to watch them.
Mason left the building and got into the backseat of a car as Charles sat there.
“Well?” Charles asked.
“Marty took the bait. Now, we wait.”
“What about Frank and Greg?”
“Frank’s careless and will follow. I’ll take care of Greg.”
Mason was bright and had plans of his own. He knew no matter what you planned, plans changed. Charles had become more concerned about Greg Hartley than Frank Shaw, and that made Mason wonder why.
What did Charles do that involved Greg Hartley? The family would find out when Greg arrived in town.
Mason and Charles left with Hunter driving. “Hunter, contact my brothers when we return.”
“Yes, Mr. Mason.”
Hunter Michaels was a kid that Mason found on the streets. Mason saw potential and took Hunter in thanks to Luci, who ordered Mason to take Hunter. You must love an Italian woman who yells at you in Italian, and Mason didn’t want a scolding from Luci.
Mason trained Hunter. Hunter, in return, trained Cole and Dean and oversaw things for Mason. Hunter’s loyalty was like no other. When a person rescues you from the streets, they will earn your loyalty.
While Mason and Charles returned to Mason’s house, Marty and Mateo visited Maurice, except Maurice wasn’t home since he and Gloria were out, leaving their son alone.
*****
Frazier
I came downstairs to see my uncles standing in my living room.
“Where is your old man?” Marty asked.
“Dad and Mom are out.” I shrugged.
“When will they be back?” Mateo asked.
“Beats me.” My answer pissed off, Mateo. Yeah, I loathed my uncles because they’re assholes, and I also despised their kids, especially Mario.
Mateo walked over to me, pulled a revolver, and placed the end of the barrel against my forehead. “Watch your tone, you disrespectful s**t. Your dad isn’t high on my priority.”
I didn’t flinch.
Mom and Dad came home and found my uncles with me. Mateo lowered his pistol and put it away.
“What are you doing here?” Dad asked.
“We came to have a word with you,” Marty responded.
“Take the boy into the kitchen, Gloria.”
Mom escorted me out of the room. It didn’t matter because my old man never called me by my name but always called me, boy. Yeah, I hated my dad.
“Mason visited me and told me that you made a deal with his brother,” Marty said.
“Bad move,” Mateo said.
“Since you enjoy betraying us, you will bring the boy to me tomorrow, or I’ll kill you.” Marty and Mateo walked past Dad.
“Don’t f**k this up, Maurice.” Mateo and Marty left.
Mom and I came out of the kitchen as the car left.
“Get packed. We’re leaving,” Dad said.
“And go where?” Mom asked.
“Saintwood. It’s time to cash in on an offer.” Dad headed upstairs.
What offer, and why Saintwood? I didn’t understand any of it. Great, it’s another school with assholes. It’s not like I didn’t have them at my current school, along with my sperm donor. FML. Plus, I didn’t tell my mom that the school was getting ready to expel me for breaking into my school records. Yeah, I didn’t need more lies.
- Writer
