a face. Even I saw that wouldn’t happen. If the prices were all the same across the city, then people would go where it was most convenient—which meant they wouldn’t have to travel across the city to a specific bodega in Fishtown anymore, they could find their local Jackal.

Clifton didn’t seem to understand that facet of human behavior. His men were inherently mobile, whereas I was stuck in one place. That gave him the advantage. Owain could only compete if he sold cheaper.

I wasn’t sure if Clifton was dumb or if he thought Owain was.

“Come on. This’ll be good for the city and good for both of us. We can avoid an unnecessary war. No more blood, only money. That’s what we’re both in this for anyway, isn’t it?”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Owain’s face turned dark as he stepped closer toward the trio. Patchybeard’s eyes narrowed and his hand drifted toward his waistband, but Owain didn’t seem to notice. He gazed at Clifton like a man appraising a piece of meat hanging in a butcher’s window.

There was a hunger in his eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’re still going on about that testing shit.”

“I like the bloodshed. I like the fighting. You used to know me, you small dicked cocksucker. You know this sort of shit gets my blood going. I love a god damn war more than anyone else in this city. You think I’m going to step down to avoid a fight?” He laughed, sharp and unhinged. “You lost a step.”

“I didn’t lose shit.” Clifton’s voice was a growl. “I’m trying to help you our here for old time’s sake. You got lucky Owain, but your luck’s going to run out. I got more guys and more guns than you do. If we make this war a real thing, you’re going to lose, bit by bit. All that blood’ll be on your hands. I tried to be reasonable.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Patchybeard took a few steps forward. “Fuck this,” he growled. “I’m going to—”

A shot rang out. A single gunshot echoed through the sapce. A board about a foot from Patchybeard’s head flipped over and clattered to the ground with a brand-new hole in it.

“Better not move again,” Owain said, “or Viktor won’t miss next time.”

Fear sparked in Patchybeard’s eyes and for a second I thought he might turn and run. But instead, he stayed still and glared at Owain like he was caught in quicksand.

Clifton reached out and yanked Patchybeard back by the collar. He stumbled and ran into Cannonball, and the two of them pushed at each other, almost coming to blows.

“I’ll be seeing you around then,” Clifton said, ignoring his two underlings as they bickered.

“Can’t wait.” Owain sneered.

Clifton turned and shoved his guys back the way they came. Their footsteps echoed as they moved back down the side hall. Owain didn’t move until their motorcycles started up again and pulled off, engines roaring until they faded in the distance.

He turned to me, his expression grave.

“What do you think?”

“I think he’s an idiot.”

“You’re right about that. So the price fixing’s a bad idea?”

“Very bad. You’ll lose all your customers. Only reason they come at all is because your prices are lower, but if your prices aren’t any better, they won’t bother coming out to the bodega. Clifton can ride up wherever they are and deliver.”

Owain snorted and shook his head. “I knew it was a bad idea. I just couldn’t put it into words.”

I let a little smile spread across my lips. “That’s why you got me.”

“Guess so, business girl.” He laughed and reached out. I let him grab my waist and pull me against him. I stared up into his eyes and smelled his masculine scent, like motor oil and dirt. “You were a good investment.”

“So far, at least. Who knows when I’ll turn on you.”

He laughed and let me go, shaking his head. “You’re not that dumb. No, little diamond, we need each other now. There’s no turning back. Clifton knows your name and your face, which means you’re in the shit now.”

I felt my stomach sink down into my toes.

Oh god. I hadn’t even realized it, but he was right.

Before I was some girl working in the back. They didn’t know who I was or what I looked like, since all the guys that saw me ended up dead so far.

I couldn’t hide from him now. If I left Owain, I’d still have to worry about Clifton.

So on top of all my other problems, now I had that to deal with.

Fucking hell. I was stuck with him, whether I liked it or not.

“Come on,” he said. “At least you’re getting paid.”

“I guess so.” I let out a frustrated breath. “Take me home, asshole. I’m done for the day.”

He laughed, offered me his arm, and led me back the way we came. As we passed by a side door, I caught sight of Viktor with a rifle on his shoulder, smoking a cigarette. He nodded to me and didn’t smile.

I realized I was another one of Owain’s soldiers, whether I liked it or not.

15

Owain

The meeting with Clifton only pissed me off even more.

So I hired ten guys and finished Leigh’s shop in a week.

She had no clue. She spent that week in the bodega, slinging pills like I wanted. I kept Viktor on her at all times, since I figured the Jackals would try and hit her again sooner or later. It was only a matter of time before Clifton worked up the balls to try something stupid.

Which made me add a few special modifications to the store. They weren’t exactly in her specifications, but fuck it, I knew security was going to be an important part of this whole deal from now on.

I dropped her off after her shift that Thursday and stayed up all night finishing the place. I came back late, got a few hours sleep, then woke her up just after eight the next morning.

She pulled the covers down and glared at

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