Hooked (Never After, #1)(28)

Starkey parks the car and leaves the headlights on—the only way to light up the black of the night.

And there he is, leaning against a Rolls Royce in a green button-down shirt and dark slacks. His men stand slightly ahead, and a stunning blonde woman is by his side.

“You ready, kid?” Ru looks over to me. “Keep it cordial, yeah?”

I lift my brows. “Of course, Roofus.”

“And don’t call me Roofus in front of him, for Christ’s sake.”

Ru steps out of the car first, and I follow shortly after, allowing the limelight to land on him as I slink behind in the shadows, not wanting Peter to see me just yet.

“Ru, I presume?” Peter’s voice sails across the air, making my stomach churn.

Ru grins. “That’s me. You would know that if you had shown up the first time.”

Peter inclines his head, his graying hair bobbing with the motion. “I apologize, I’m sure you can understand why I sent one of my men first. Privacy and discretion are of the utmost importance.”

I place my hands in my pockets, my thumb rubbing harshly against the wood of my knife, trying to drown out the thumping of my heart.

“And who is this?” Ru asks, his hand waving toward the woman standing behind Peter.

Peter glances back at her. “This is Tina Belle. My assistant.”

Her blonde hair is pulled back tightly, and she smiles and waves.

“Tina, nice to meet you,” Ru says. “Well, we’re here. Talk to us.”

Peter’s head cocks to the side, his eyes floating from Ru to Starkey, and finally to me standing in the shadows. “You have me introduce my people, but you don’t give me the same courtesy?” He points to his chest. “If you’re planning on us working together, respect goes both ways. There needs to be a level of trust.”

Anger burns deep in my gut. Trust. Laughable, really.

I step out of the shadows and into the light, my hands in my pockets.

“Trust is a funny word, isn’t it?” I ask.

Ru turns to me, narrowing his eyes. I grin at him and wink.

Peter gazes at me for long moments, as if he’s soaking in every single feature. And then, his cheeks pale the slightest bit.

Excellent.

“After all,” I continue. “We trusted that when someone of your caliber comes into our territory and requests a meeting, he would do us the courtesy of actually showing up.” I step forward until I’m shoulder to shoulder with Ru, my hand white-knuckling my knife, trying to filter all of my rage into my grip so it doesn’t show on my face.

I’ve waited on this for fifteen years, and I’m going to see my plan through, no matter how much my blood is scratching at my insides, screaming to end him here and now.

Peter licks his lips. “And you are?”

I chuckle, glancing at the ground before meeting his stare. “You can call me Hook.”

“Ah, yes. Hook.” Peter chuckles. “Your reputation precedes you.” He tilts his head. “Didn’t know you were British though.”

I smirk, resting against the front of our car.

Peter’s men come closer, but he shakes his head. “Relax, everyone. We’re all just businessmen having a conversation.” His eyes sear into mine. “Isn’t that right?”

“I suggest you get to your point,” Ru snaps. “You’ve already wasted enough of our time, and I’m liable to get impatient quick.”

Peter’s brows lift to his hairline. “Do you know who I am?”

Ru cocks his head. “Are you suggesting I’m stupid? You come into my territory, and think because your name is Peter Michaels that you can ask us to jump and we’ll say how high, then thank you for the favor?” He shakes his head. “That isn’t how it works here. You want to run for me with your planes and your ships, we can talk. I’m more than willing to strike up an amicable agreement. But don’t think for one second that because you’re a golden boy in the eyes of the world, that I’ll give a damn here in my home.” He points to his chest. “These are my streets. And everyone in them pays their dues. You get me?”

My insides splinter at Ru’s words, shock spearing my stomach like an arrow. He’s considering working with him. After we agreed he’d say no.

Peter’s silent for long moments, before he rubs his chin and nods. “I’ll run your pixie and your weapons, but I want fifty percent.”

My teeth grind, and Ru huffs a laugh. “Ten.”

Peter smiles. “Forty.”

Ru’s lips thin, his eyes growing dark. “I think you got me confused, huh? I don’t need you.”

“That may be true.” Peter nods. “But you’d be a fool to turn me away. You may have runners, but none with my expertise and none with a globally known carrier service that can enter any country at any time.” He walks closer to Ru, and my spine straightens. “All you have to do is say the word, and I’ll pack your pixie and fly it to places you’ve only seen in your dreams.”

A ring interrupts the moment, and Peter pulls his phone from his pocket, glancing at the screen. Sighing, his body slumps. “Unfortunately, gentlemen, I have to cut this meeting short.” He looks up, his eyes crinkling in the corners with his smile. “I promised my daughter I’d be home for dinner.”