Reign (Sin City Outlaws #1)(75)

“Do you love this, bitch?” Felix asks in disbelief.

That word ‘love’ seems simple compared to what I feel for Jillian. My love has turned into an obsession.

“I think so,” I answer honestly.

“Who the hell are you?” He shakes his head, his face contorted in disgust.

“I don’t know anymore.”

***

Heading up to the top floor where Uncle Frank is, Felix follows close behind me, whispering how stupid I am the whole time.

Entering his office, he’s standing behind his desk, a fat cigar in one hand and a rifle in the other.

“My favorite nephew. I’ve been looking for you!” He sing-songs loudly.

His dark hair is slicked back to the point it shines against the lights. His face is clean-shaven, his dark suit expensive-looking.

“I told your hood cat that your uncle was looking for you.” Cross sneers, eyeing Felix.

“Yeah, I’ve been busy.” I can’t read if they know anything about Jillian or not.

“This one’s loaded.” Uncle tosses a rifle my way. Catching it, I turn it in my hands.

“What’s this for?”

“We have a sheriff who’s gone rogue. He’s not accepting our money anymore, and is becoming a problem.”

I haven’t heard of any such thing. Bones said we were paid up on everything without mishap.

“What do you mean? Which of our men?” I ask suspiciously. I don’t trust Uncle Frank, not at all. Not after the way shit’s unraveled here recently.

“One of mine. You don’t know him.” He sets his cigar down, blowing out a puff of smoke.

“This certain sheriff has been getting on my last nerve for a while now. He’s a lesson, my boy, a lesson that needs to be taught tonight.”

I shake my head, giving the rifle back. I don’t want anything to do with his dealings, and I don’t want him in the club’s, either. This is a good as time as ever to make that clear.

“No, I don’t think so. And now that I’m here, I need to tell you something. Your casino and my club are two very different things, and we need to separate our dealings now.”

Felix tenses behind me; I don’t look, but I can sense it.

Uncle looks down, refusing to take the rifle from me.

“Is that right?” Grabbing his cigar, he takes a large puff off it. “I knew this day would come, the day you thought you were man enough to take over. I tell you what, you let me use your men one last time and it’s a deal. I need this done tonight, and don’t have enough men to do it.”

“I don’t know,” I respond, palming the rifle. A rifle will kill any law enforcement, even if they’re wearing a bulletproof vest.

“If it’s a no, then I assure you I will not be going anywhere.” His words come out threatening. Lifting my gaze from the gun to him, my fingers grip the trigger. I could end this right now. I could shoot him.

“I tell you what. You want to be a spoiled f*cking brat, you and your vice president can walk, and I’ll make sure you remember it!” Cross threatens, aiming his gun right at us. I couldn’t kill my uncle right here if I wanted to; Cross would take me out.

“Decide now!” Uncle roars.

I remember the last time I hesitated on a job. If I don’t accept this, Cross will find my brother or mother and hurt them. Maybe even Jillian. There’s no time to think things through in my world; you have to be able to think on your toes and roll with the punches.

“Dude,” Felix whispers behind me. “Just take the f*cking deal.”

“Who’s the deputy?” I ask on an exhale. It’s a guy, so I know it’s not Jillian.

“It isn’t a deputy… It’s a Lieutenant.”





JILLIAN


Heading back to the department, my stepdad seems off. He’s really stiff, and his forehead is sweating profusely.

He checks his phone, and looks over his shoulder.

Now, I’m worried.

“What’s going on?”

“What?” His head snaps my way, confusion on his face.

“I said, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, just not feeling well.”

“5Paul55.”

“Shit!” he curses, grabbing the radio attached to his shoulder.

“5Paul55.”

“5Paul55, got a call about a disturbance on Old Highway Seven. Mile marker 127.”

My dad bites his bottom lip, his hand rubbing his chin.

“Dad, you going to take that or what?” I try to snap him from whatever trance he’s in.

He inhales, and closes his eyes.

“5paul55, copy that. En route.”

Quickly, he turns the wheel, taking us onto the side road leading away from the city.

“It’s Lieutenant Oaks, Deputy,” he schools.

I smirk. There’s the brooding man I know.

I watch the mile markers one by one until we hit 127. Realizing there’s nobody here, I say, “Huh. I guess whoever it was is gone now.”

“Guess so,” Lieutenant Oaks mutters, stopping the car.

“Use the spotlight, look out into the desert.”

“No. Whatever was here is gone. Now, let’s get to the department before any more calls come in.”